ERIE, Pa. -- Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2010, the Mercyhurst College football team will take the field for the first day of preseason camp on Friday, Aug. 6.  The Lakers will have 24 practices total before traveling to Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio on Aug. 28 for the season opener.

All practices are open to the public and will be held at Mercyhurst's Tullio Field.

Entering his ninth year at the helm of the Lakers' program, head coach Marty Schaetzle ties current director of athletics Joe Kimball as the longest-serving head coach in program history.  Schaetzle owns an all-time mark of 32-54 while at the 'Hurst and needs 10 wins to become the program's victories leader.

The 2010 edition features a youthful but experienced roster as the Lakers return 37 letterwinners and 12 starters, including seven on defense.  The Mercyhurst seniors and juniors will have to mentor a large group of underclassmen as this year's squad has just 27 upperclassmen in comparison to 73 total sophomores, red-shirt freshmen and true freshmen.

Behind five returning All-PSAC West selections in first-team selections Fred Hale (defensive end) and Tim Herbener (lineback), along with second-team honorees Julius McCormick (defensive back), Ian Wild (defensive back) and Bryan Boyce (linebacker), the Lakers should have plenty of leadership available to mentor.

2010 Mercyhurst College Preseason Practice Schedule
Aug. 6 - 3 p.m.
Aug. 7 - 2 p.m.
Aug. 8 - 2 p.m.
Aug. 9 -  2 p.m.
Aug. 10 - 2 p.m.
Aug. 11 - 9:15 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Aug. 12 - 2 p.m.
Aug. 13 - 9:15 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Aug. 14 - 2 p.m.
Aug. 15 - 7:45 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Aug. 16 - 2 p.m.
Aug. 17 - 9:15 a.m. & 7 p.m.
Aug. 18 - 7 p.m.
Aug. 19 - 7 p.m.
Aug. 20 - 2 p.m.
Aug. 21 - 10:30 a.m.
Aug. 23 - 2 p.m.
Aug. 24 - 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 25 - 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 26 - 6:30 p.m.
Aug. 27 - 3:30 p.m.