Aug. 15, 2005

Winston-Salem, NC - The Winston-Salem State University football team enters into their second week of practice as they continue to prepare for the season opener on August 27th, 2005 versus Division II football national powerhouse Catawba College. The Rams, who will face the Indians for only the third time in WSSU history, will kick-off against Catawba at Deaton-Thompson Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC at 6:00 pm.

The contest between the Rams and Indians is slated to take place at Deaton-Thompson Stadium due to Bowman-Gray Stadium, WSSU's home field, being unavailable due to the NASCAR Weekly Racing Series rain date that is scheduled for August 27th.

Should this upcoming Saturday's weather prove favorable, thereby allowing the August 20th race to take place without postponement, thus rendering the weekly racing series' rain date unnecessary, the Rams will move the game back to Bowman-Gray Stadium.

Commenting on the upcoming game, WSSU Director of Athletics, Dr. Chico Caldwell issued the following statement:

"As we finalized our schedule earlier this year, we were made aware that racing had priority over the August 27th date, and, as a result, we realized that we had to make arrangements to play the game elsewhere. After discussions with Dennis Ring, the Director of Athletics at Parkland High School, we realized that they were more than willing to graciously allow us to play the game at Deaton-Thompson Stadium. At this point, we are planning to play the game at Deaton-Thompson Stadium unless racing doesn't use the rain date, in which case, we will move the game back to our home at Bowman-Gray Stadium. We will wait to see what the weather is like this Saturday, and will wait to see if the race goes off without a postponement, and then we will know for sure if we can move the game back to Bowman-Gray. However, in the mean-time, we are fully prepared to play the game at Deaton-Thompson Stadium, and we are sure that our fans will come out and support the Rams. At this time, our `A' plan is to play at Deaton-Thompson Stadium, and our `B' plan is to play at Bowman-Gray Stadium, and for now, it is in Mother Nature's hands."

For additional information, and updates on the Ram football program, as well as any schedule/venue changes, log on to the Official Website of WSSU Athletics at www.WSSURAMS.com