Panthers Training Camp Tips

[shelbypanther]

Wade's is definitely a solid place, best damned peanut butter pie you'll find anywhere, daggone good fried chicken and beef bbq hash too.

 

The Beacon lost JC, and basically lost its' appeal, which is sad, but the man was an icon and institution in the Upstate.  You can still get the usual heartburn eating there, but it just isn't the same, not by a longshot.

[ItsPantone278]

Doesn't warrant a thread but our boy Medlock is on ESPN 2 right now

[Ruff]

Tip: Spartanburg is frigging hot.

I think this is the most important and the one most overlooked. Spartanburg is very, very hot. If you don't properly hydrate (don't drink sodas or coffee), you can find yourself very sick very fast.

Moving permanently to Gibbs has helped that. I remember standing along that god awful fence for a couple of hours. That was horrible. At least now there is proper seating.

[rayzor]

Wade's is definitely a solid place, best damned peanut butter pie you'll find anywhere, daggone good fried chicken and beef bbq hash too.

 

The Beacon lost JC, and basically lost its' appeal, which is sad, but the man was an icon and institution in the Upstate.  You can still get the usual heartburn eating there, but it just isn't the same, not by a longshot.

i didn't know about about JC. that makes me sad. even sadder to find out that it happened last year and i didn't know. the guy was an icon. i'll still go to the beacon, but i agree a lot of the appeal of that place was JC taking your order and watching newbs get nervous or stammer and be told to step aside. the whole operation there is still pretty impressive and the food has always been good (even if it causes a blow out within a couple hours), but losing JC definitely takes something away from the experience.

[Mr. Scot]

I think this is the most important and the one most overlooked. Spartanburg is very, very hot. If you don't properly hydrate (don't drink sodas or coffee), you can find yourself very sick very fast.

Moving permanently to Gibbs has helped that. I remember standing along that god awful fence for a couple of hours. That was horrible. At least now there is proper seating.

Humid too. And the bugs will eat you alive.

i didn't know about about JC. that makes me sad. even sadder to find out that it happened last year and i didn't know. the guy was an icon. i'll still go to the beacon, but i agree a lot of the appeal of that place was JC taking your order and watching newbs get nervous or stammer and be told to step aside. the whole operation there is still pretty impressive and the food has always been good (even if it causes a blow out within a couple hours), but losing JC definitely takes something away from the experience.

Heard about that a few months back. I had wanted to take my girlfriend and her kids there for the experience. Sad news :(

[Floppin]

My understanding with training camp is that whatever Floppin does you do the opposite.

Whatever, I had a great time!

[Ivan The Awesome]

Maybe I am weird, but I never really cared for Autographs. Even from celebrities. I just don't see the point to be honest. I rather get a picture with them or something of that nature. Of course I don't have a man Cave, although even if I did. I don't think I'd fill it up with Jerseys with autographs. The Jerseys would be enough for me. 

[pattipanther]

Training camp is fun..Been going for years. Last few have def been a lot more crowded. The advice about kids us good...My daughter had a pic Cam noticed and once he did he jogged to her to stop and sign it...She got smashed against the fence by adults, earring pulled out of her earlobe...It was very scary for her(and me). He answered that by only signing for her...he signed..then trotted off

Sent from my SM-N900T using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[pattipanther]

Also...monster's (may have name wrong) subs place is good..owned by Panther's fan and the kraken sub is awesome

Sent from my SM-N900T using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[C1N85]

Willusethesetips/10

[KendrickPanther]

When I grew up, collecting sports cards was a big deal. An extension of the was collecting autographs. I still have my ZO, LJ, and Muggsy autographs stashed away. But as I get older I feel silly asking for one. I still wouldn't mind one from Cam. 

 

Getting the shoe was great for my niece. She has shelves on her bed, it takes up the entire shelve. And she takes it to show and tell.

[Guest Irv]

Maybe I am weird, but I never really cared for Autographs. Even from celebrities. I just don't see the point to be honest. I rather get a picture with them or something of that nature. Of course I don't have a man Cave, although even if I did. I don't think I'd fill it up with Jerseys with autographs. The Jerseys would be enough for me. 

 

Most of the autographs are for sentimental value and will probably never be worth a damn except maybe cam and lukes. I personally love all the autographs i have i cherish them all even my  nick goings cleet. If you were once a panther you will always be special to me.

[boo7382]

As a few people said, its hot as all hell down there----- take a portable fan! especially if you are a woman. standing around for 3 hours in the muggy weather dripping sweat around a bunch of sweaty men and packed in close with people I don't know is not my idea of a good time. buying a mini fan was the best training camp purchase I've made.

 

lola made a good point- if you can wear a dress do it. you just might not be able to sit down. I always like to wear Panthers colors, but sometimes it just doesnt work for me since it has rained the past 2 years and my hair has gone to poo. 

 

if you cannot stand for more than 30 minutes at a time and don't want to wander around to watch all the different break outs, feel free to bring a chair. there is a place with bleachers where you can sit, but that is usually the VIP section for people who get on-field passes. they bring them out about 30 mins after practice starts and sit them there. otherwise, there is no other place to sit that isn't grass. bring a chair- esp if you go to a morning practice, the grass is still wet from morning dew.

 

You probably won't get an autograph unless you go stand over there roughly 30 minutes before practice ends, which is usually when the most exciting things are going on. sorry, just trying to be honest with you. I am the size of a child and have only gotten 1 autograph ever- #89! children completely overtake that area and I feel bad trying to push through them all. It is fun to stand there and see all the guys walk off the field, though. They appreciate you yelling a "good job, today"' or "lookin good out there", especially the new guys trying to make the team.

 

In my opinion, the best spot to stand is back near where Zod has labeled the "Morning Shade Area". Its usually pretty packed and since I am extremely short, I squeeze in right behind the field goal of the right field from the aerial shot. He's right, you get some shade back there, but there are a lot of bugs and its also extreeeeemely humid. But, that is usually where the offense breaks out and the quarterbacks stand most of the practice. Some of the last half, they will run drills right there in front of you in the end zone, but sometimes they go on the other side of the field and all you can see is the back of the play. 

 

A few of my pet peeves- don't stand there and act like you don't know who anyone is, they give you a full player's guide as you walk in- use it to your advantage and don't look like a dumbass. I might not be able to follow 1st team 2nd team, etc. but I at least know who plays what position and who is competing for certain positions. 

 

If we are 5 feet from players and watching drills, don't stand there and have a 30 minute conversation about your friends and the plans you have for the weekend- no one gives a poo! we are all there to watch football- if you aren't interested, stop taking up a good spot and go sit in your car. 

 

IF YOU WEAR THE JERSEY OF AN OPPOSING TEAM TO MY TEAM'S TRAINING CAMP, I WILL COMPLETELY EMBARRASS YOU IN FRONT OF EVERYONE THERE. NO, I'M NOT KIDDING. JACKASS. 

 

you look like a complete dumbass wearing another team's jersey to an event in a small town where you have to go out of your way to get there and where only hardcore fans will most likely attend. 

 

If you are there and we are not- please make all attempts to live tweet- we want to know whats going on play by play! most of you are pretty good at this already and we create a tweet thread for almost every practice. 

 

I think someone will be taking me down to the 8/7 practice for my bday this year- morning practice! See you guys down there! GET EXCITED! Panthers season is almost here!

[OriginalPanther]

I don't blame her for putting that thing down, it's half the size of her!! She is adorable btw.. it's good to see the next generation of true Panther fans! My daughter loves watching the games with me, but that was only after we got on field passes to the K.C. game a couple years ago. She got to talk to a couple of the guys, and even got the Toldozer to do a little dance for her!