Tulane Football at Conference USA Media Day

Conference USA Football Media Day Clinic

July 31, 2007

NEW ORLEANS, La. - As the 2007 Conference USA Media Day wrapped up at noon on Tuesday in the ballrooms of the Royal Sonesta Hotel in heart of the New Orleans French Quarter, league officials have already declared the event an overall success.

With over 120 media members from more than 75 media outlets on hand, the 2007 C-USA Football Media Day was one of the best-attended events in the 13-year history of the league. Highlighting the list of media members on hand were representatives of ESPN and College Sports Television (CSTV), as well as at least one print outlet from each of the 12 league schools.

"In the 13 years of Conference USA, this year may be the best media turnout we have ever had," Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky said. "I believe it's a tribute to the growth of the league and the quality of programs we have in the conference.

"The city of New Orleans is one of the great cities in America and offers our league members a great experience. Ultimately it is up to our coaches where media day is held each year and we try to move it around to different locations to better promote Conference USA, but I can foresee our media day being back in New Orleans in the near future."

The C-USA Media Day began on Monday as the 12 league head coaches and selected student-athletes from each school took part in a two-hour youth football clinic at Willie hall Playground at 1101 Milton Street. Attendees participated in tackling, quarterback and receiver drills, and there will also be a kicking contest as well as 40-yard and 100-yard dash contests. Student-athletes representing the Green Wave will be the senior duo of running back Matt Forté and strong safety Joe Goosby, as well as junior offensive tackle Troy Kropog and new head coach Bob Toledo.

From there, the coaches and student-athletes returned to The Royal Sonesta where they took part in a nationally televised C-USA Football Media Blitz which previewed the upcoming season. The event two and a half hour program can be accessed for free by clicking on the CSTV Media Blitz logo on the right side of Tulane's official athletic web site, TulaneGreenWave.com, or in the New Orleans market on the CSTV channel, which can be found on either DirecTV or DISH Network.

The event continued on Tuesday with a breakfast for participating coaches, student-athletes and media at 7:30 a.m., and the media had an opportunity to interview the coaches and student-athletes one-on-one. Highlighting the two-day event were several radio stations broadcasting live from The Royal Sonesta, including the flagship station of Tulane Athletics, WIST AM 690.

"We are really pleased with the turnout," said Russ Anderson, C-USA Assistant Commissioner for Football and Baseball Operations. "It's comparable to 2005 when we held the event in Memphis, which was our best turnout ever. We had a lot of media members on hand, especially the electronic media, which was very encouraging.

"We wanted to bring an event to New Orleans to try and be a part of the rebuilding of the city. We are pleased with the Football Clinic and think the kids who took part in it enjoyed the instruction from the coaches and players. New Orleans is a very important market in Conference USA. We have a bowl game here, we've had a number of great events at Tulane over the years and we look forward to many more here in the city in the future."

Tulane opens the 2007 season on Saturday, Sept. 8, when the Green Wave take on Mississippi State at 6 p.m. in the Louisiana Superdome. Season tickets remain on sale through the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office. For ticket information, visit the ticket office on the first floor of the James W. Wilson, Jr. Center, by phone at 504-861-WAVE or stop by on-line at www.TulaneGreenWave.com.