BEMIDJI, Minn. - The Bemidji State University football team, fresh off its 2006 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Championship season, will break the seal on its 2007 spring football schedule Wednesday. The Beavers begin their 15-session spring practice slate with a 6 a.m., helmets only session at the Gillett Fitness and Recreation Center. Thirteen practices will follow concluded by the annual spring game Saturday, May 5th.

Tentative Practice Schedule:
April 11 - 6-8 a.m.
April 13 - 4-5:30 p.m.
April 14 - 10:15 a.m.-12 p.m.
April 16 - 5-6 p.m.
April 18 - 4-6 p.m.
April 20 - 4-5:30 p.m.
April 21 - 10:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.
April 23 - 5-6 p.m.
April 25 - 4-6 p.m.
April 27 - 4-5:30 p.m.
April 28 - 10:15 a.m. - 12 p.m.
April 30 - 5-6 p.m.
May 2 - 4-6 p.m.
May 4 - 4-5:30 p.m.
May 5 - 1:30 p.m. Spring Game

Spring training sessions will take place at the practice fields, located along Bemidji Avenue while the spring game is set for Chet Anderson Stadium.

Reigning NSIC coach of the Year Jeff Tesch, who is in his 12th season as head coach, returns 17 starters including 10 of the 11 regulars on a defense that led all of NCAA Division II against the run, tied for third in sacks and finished tied for eighth with 22 interceptions. Offensively, the team has experienced veterans in place at quarterback, running back and returns its top receiver while it welcomes back an offensive line corps that is one of the best in the region.

Bemidji State (9-3 / 8-0 NSIC) captured the first outright conference championship in its history in 2006, posting the third-best league record in NSIC history at 8-0 and earning the first post-season berth in school history. BSU fell 35-27 to No. 16 Pittsburg State (Kan.) in its first invitation to the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

-bsu-