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After months of waiting to see the 2013 UCLA Football team in action, the big day is here. While the regular season does not begin for another 3 and a half weeks, today is the first day of fall training camp for the Bruins. Coming off of 3 days of SEAL training in San Diego, this afternoon at 5pm is the first time that every member of the program - incoming freshmen alongside redshirt seniors - will be together on the practice field.
Just like last year, the Bruins will be spending the first portion of their summer/fall practices in the Inland Empire. For the next ten days, the team will be encamped on the campus of Cal State San Bernardino for some team bonding and open practices in the IE heat. Bellerophon shared the San Berdoo practice schedule last week: the team will remain there until Saturday the 17th, holding at least one open practice session each day except this Sunday, the 11th.
For anyone planning on catching practice, the sessions are free to watch, though you will have to pay the normal $5 fee to park on the CSUSB campus. The campus address, for navigation/Google Maps purposes is: 5500 University Pkwy, San Bernardino, CA 92407. Practice fields are on the east side of campus.
Unfortunately, one member of the team has had to stay behind in Westwood.
Hard not being with my boys in San Berns but I know that everything happen for a reason.
— owamagbe (@LPJ_Odighizuwa) August 7, 2013
Owa has been recovering from offseason hip surgery, and had to sit out Spring Practice while recovering. Later in the spring, the LA Times had reported that he would likely sit out this season, while other sources were more optimistic about his condition. While it is too soon to get any definitive word on his outlook to play this season, the fact that he is not healthy enough to participate at San Berdoo is not encouraging - making Eddie Vanderdoes' recent granting of 2013 eligibility an event of even greater significance.
If Owa is able to participate when the team returns to Spaulding Field in a couple of weeks, this at least is an opportunity for Eddie and fellow freshman DE Kylie Fitts to get even more reps in their first practices against college competition and in front of the UCLA coaches.
This is your open thread for the start of UCLA Football's Fall Practices, and any other Bruin football thoughts and observations that you have.
GO BRUINS!