Cowboys First Open Practice Will Take Place Saturday in Laramie

LARAMIE -- Jay Sawvel said he's opening up two practices to the public this spring for one simple reason.

"People love Cowboy football," the rookie head coach said. "I do know that."

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This upcoming Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m., fans can get their first glimpse of this program that is under new management for the first time in a decade. Craig Bohl, Sawvel's predecessor, never allowed outsiders to view his offseason operation.

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The new guy is doing it twice, including the following Saturday. Start time for that session is to be determined.

"I'm starting to get the vibe that we're going to have a lot of people show up," Sawvel said with a smile. "I also had someone grab me the other day and say, 'Coach, you do realize there are going to be a lot of people at these practices.' I hope so. I want to make peoples' week.

"Hey, if we have to stack everybody around, wherever we have to stack them around, we'll figure it out. I just think it's good to have the engagement and for people to get a chance to see these guys work."

Sawvel said when he was a defensive coach under Jerry Kill at Minnesota from 2011-16, all spring practices were open. Plenty of people showed up, especially during the Saturday workout, he added.

With no baseball or softball at Wyoming, Sawvel said he wants fans to have a chance to get out and watch their team. He also thinks it will be a welcome sight for his players.

"Hey, look, it's a changeup for us," he said. "Players will get out there and there's going to be people there. There's going to be a little bit of atmosphere to it."

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Weather reports for the region, as of Tuesday, are calling for morning snow showers and wind out of the west at 28 miles per hour. The temperature looks to be in the high 30's. Sawvel said he hopes to utilize War Memorial Stadium, but practice could move into the indoor practice facility. If that happens, a school official says they will set up a barricade to accommodate onlookers.

"I'm looking forward to it," Sawvel said. "That first (open practice) is the sixth practice. I know we have to get through five others, but I'm really looking forward to that sixth practice. That's going to be kind of fun."

Wyoming's annual spring game is slated for Saturday, April 27 at East High School in Cheyenne as the Cowboys' home field goes through renovations on the west grandstands. A start time will be announced at a later date.

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