Carolina Panthers Training Camp Tips

[Jeremy Igo]

You've read the announcement. You've seen the schedule. Now, I will give you the inside scoop on the Panthers Training Camp. I have seen a lot of rookie fan mistakes out there, and I aim to clean it up.

Camp begins with the Back to Football festivities at Gibbs Stadium. Be sure to arrive early, there are lots of great things to see and hear before practice begins. Typically there is live entertainment including a band as well as an appearance by a few select topcats. This takes place in front of the stadium close to the parking areas.

Practice takes place inside of Gibbs Stadium. Most people head for the seats closest to the parking. However, I feel like the best seating for Gibbs Stadium is on the east side of the field, especially if you are looking for player autographs. These bleachers are adjacent to where the players enter and leave the practice. The lower corner of these bleachers are prime autograph real estate.

You will be in the sun a bit more, but as the practice is later in the evening, that may not matter much to you.

 

Most of the practices at Training Camp are done on the three practice fields adjacent to Gibbs Stadium. There are a few key things here you should know...

Player Autographs

If you are looking for Carolina Panthers autographs listen up. The autograph area is along the fence near where the players enter and exit the locker rooms (pictured below). The key here is to position yourself in the right area. Typically the closer to the locker rooms the better. A you move farther away from them, the likelihood of an autograph decreases. Even farther away and you chances of getting an autograph drop to zero, as this would force the players to go far out of their way to get to you.

Preferential autograph treatment is given to kids, as it should be. My advice is to stand next to a kid, wait for that kid to get his or her autograph, then also get yours signed as well. If a player stops to sign once, he typically will sign a few within the same group of people. DO NOT push a kid out of the way or try to get yours first, you will be chastised by other fans, and probably me.

Players/Coaches I have seen give the most Autographs: Cam Newton, Ron Rivera, Luke Kuechly.

Practice Viewing

Once you arrive at camp, take note of where the blue lifts with the video cameras are situated. Take note on where the video cameras are pointed. This will give you a heads up on which field the main action of the day is located.

Most fans will simply sit on the hill. This is a convenient way to watch all of practice in a leisurely manner from an elevated location. The only downside to the hill is the limited shade, so consider bringing an umbrella, and don't forget your sun screen.

In the morning, if practices are on the two conjoined fields, my advice is to head to the trees after applying your mosquito repellant. You will be in the shade for a good part of the practice and also will have a great view of the action. I am not kidding on the mosquito repellent. You have been warned.

Photography

If you are interested in taking photos at camp, I recommend a digital SLR camera with a lens that is capable of 300mm shooting at least. Quarterbacks are easy to photograph, they are stationary and predictable. Other skill positions can be much trickier. During wide receiver drills, the players will typically all run the same route, one after another. Watch the first route, then use that to determine and plan ahead the angle you would like your capture to be.

Etiquette

There are a couple things that fans do that tend to bother me at practices.

Don't yell at the players during practice. They are there, in many cases, fighting for their job. They will not respond to you. Not because they don't hear you, but because they are working.

Know the players names if you want an autograph. Yelling "Hey 88" will likely annoy more than impress, making a signed jersey unlikely.

Where to Eat

Most people will tell you to stop by the Beacon for a burger and fries. This is fine and something everyone must do at some point. My favorite.place, however, is closer to the training Camp. Wade's is a smorgasbord type restaurant. The best thing about it is the fact that when you purchase an entree, you get as many sides as you like. They are all amazing.

The Pizza Inn is also a great place to go, especially if you grew up in the 80s. It is a virtual time warp including table top pac-man and 19 inch picture tube televisions, The chocolate pudding typically has a half inch skin on it, roll it up as a snack on the way home. Don't forget to try the chocolate pudding, cutting through the half inch skin is totally worth it. 

Here is the schedule and the "must attend" practices in my opinion....

Panthers Training Camp Schedule from Panthers.com

2015 CAROLINA PANTHERS TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE SCHEDULE
DAY	DATE	PRACTICE
Friday	July 31	6:30-8:30 p.m. - Gibbs Stadium
Saturday	August 1	3:10-5:30 p.m.
Sunday	August 2	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Monday	August 3	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Tuesday	August 4	No Practice
Wednesday	August 5	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Thursday	Augutst 6	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Friday	August 7	7:30-9:30 p.m. - Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium
Saturday	August 8	No Practice
Sunday	August 9	3:10-5:30 p.m.
Monday	August 10	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Tueday	August 11	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Wednesday	August 12	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Thursday	August 13	No Practice
Friday	August 14	7:00 p.m. - Preseason Game at Buffalo Bills
Saturday	August 15	No Practice
Sunday	August 16	No Practice
Monday	August 17	3:10-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday	August 18	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Wednesday	August 19	8:30-11:00 a.m. - Gibbs Stadium
Thursday	August 20	8:30-11:00 a.m. - Gibbs Stadium

 

MUST ATTEND!

Friday July 31 - First practice of 2015. What else can be said?

Sunday August 2 - Play 60 for the kiddos and probably the first practice in full pads. 

Friday August 7 - Fan Fest at BoA. Really, if you are local and miss this free event you cannot call yourself a Panthers fan.

August 19 and 20 - Miami Dolphins are in town and participating in joint practiced before their preseason game against the Panthers. Chances of punches being thrown in the hot Spartanburg sun? 120%. 

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[Moorgan]

Good lookin out for The Huddlers heading down to Camp. One of these years I will do this.

[t96]

Plan on going the first 4 days. Will the Friday and Saturday before the 2nd not be as good since they won't be in full pads?

[KSpan]

Chances of a random dumbass Failcons fan yelling "Rise up!" - 14%.

[Panthers4lyfe]

Should I travel down for fan fest or the joint practices?

[Jeremy Igo]

Should I travel down for fan fest or the joint practices?

I'd do the joint practices personally. 

[motocross_cat]

I went one year on the wrong date and ended up outside of some building that the players were getting physicals or something.  Got almost every player from the 05 team to sign my peppers jearsy including fox himself.  Then was promptly kicked out.  

Sometimes things work out i guess.

[L-TownCat]

Agian Jeremy is working on getting his own statue.

How you havent been contacted by the Panthers organization to join forces I'll never know.

[Jeremy Igo]

Agian Jeremy is working on getting his own statue.

How you havent been contacted by the Panthers organization to join forces I'll never know.

Who says I haven't? 

 

[Moorgan]

The Panthers hired you to run with a bomb that is about to explode in a Batman suit in 1978? Recipe for success?

[L-TownCat]

Who says I haven't? 

 

The hamsters quietly losing their minds behind the scenes. 

[RoaringRiot]

Good post Jeremy.

We have a bus trip going down for the Lowe's Kickoff Party on 7/31. I posted the details in the RR section of the boards. I've only got 6 spots left on the first bus, but I'm anticipating getting another one. 

[Panthers_Lover]

You've read the announcement. You've seen the schedule. Now, I will give you the inside scoop on the Panthers Training Camp. I have seen a lot of rookie fan mistakes out there, and I aim to clean it up.

Camp begins with the Back to Football festivities at Gibbs Stadium. Be sure to arrive early, there are lots of great things to see and hear before practice begins. Typically there is live entertainment including a band as well as an appearance by a few select topcats. This takes place in front of the stadium close to the parking areas.

Practice takes place inside of Gibbs Stadium. Most people head for the seats closest to the parking. However, I feel like the best seating for Gibbs Stadium is on the east side of the field, especially if you are looking for player autographs. These bleachers are adjacent to where the players enter and leave the practice. The lower corner of these bleachers are prime autograph real estate.

You will be in the sun a bit more, but as the practice is later in the evening, that may not matter much to you.

 

Most of the practices at Training Camp are done on the three practice fields adjacent to Gibbs Stadium. There are a few key things here you should know...

Player Autographs

If you are looking for Carolina Panthers autographs listen up. The autograph area is along the fence near where the players enter and exit the locker rooms (pictured below). The key here is to position yourself in the right area. Typically the closer to the locker rooms the better. A you move farther away from them, the likelihood of an autograph decreases. Even farther away and you chances of getting an autograph drop to zero, as this would force the players to go far out of their way to get to you.

Preferential autograph treatment is given to kids, as it should be. My advice is to stand next to a kid, wait for that kid to get his or her autograph, then also get yours signed as well. If a player stops to sign once, he typically will sign a few within the same group of people. DO NOT push a kid out of the way or try to get yours first, you will be chastised by other fans, and probably me.

Players/Coaches I have seen give the most Autographs: Cam Newton, Ron Rivera, Luke Kuechly.

Practice Viewing

Once you arrive at camp, take note of where the blue lifts with the video cameras are situated. Take note on where the video cameras are pointed. This will give you a heads up on which field the main action of the day is located.

Most fans will simply sit on the hill. This is a convenient way to watch all of practice in a leisurely manner from an elevated location. The only downside to the hill is the limited shade, so consider bringing an umbrella, and don't forget your sun screen.

In the morning, if practices are on the two conjoined fields, my advice is to head to the trees after applying your mosquito repellant. You will be in the shade for a good part of the practice and also will have a great view of the action. I am not kidding on the mosquito repellent. You have been warned.

Photography

If you are interested in taking photos at camp, I recommend a digital SLR camera with a lens that is capable of 300mm shooting at least. Quarterbacks are easy to photograph, they are stationary and predictable. Other skill positions can be much trickier. During wide receiver drills, the players will typically all run the same route, one after another. Watch the first route, then use that to determine and plan ahead the angle you would like your capture to be.

Etiquette

There are a couple things that fans do that tend to bother me at practices.

Don't yell at the players during practice. They are there, in many cases, fighting for their job. They will not respond to you. Not because they don't hear you, but because they are working.

Know the players names if you want an autograph. Yelling "Hey 88" will likely annoy more than impress, making a signed jersey unlikely.

Where to Eat

Most people will tell you to stop by the Beacon for a burger and fries. This is fine and something everyone must do at some point. My favorite.place, however, is closer to the training Camp. Wade's is a smorgasbord type restaurant. The best thing about it is the fact that when you purchase an entree, you get as many sides as you like. They are all amazing.

The Pizza Inn is also a great place to go, especially if you grew up in the 80s. It is a virtual time warp including table top pac-man and 19 inch picture tube televisions, The chocolate pudding typically has a half inch skin on it, roll it up as a snack on the way home. Don't forget to try the chocolate pudding, cutting through the half inch skin is totally worth it. 

Here is the schedule and the "must attend" practices in my opinion....

Panthers Training Camp Schedule from Panthers.com

2015 CAROLINA PANTHERS TRAINING CAMP PRACTICE SCHEDULE
DAY	DATE	PRACTICE
Friday	July 31	6:30-8:30 p.m. - Gibbs Stadium
Saturday	August 1	3:10-5:30 p.m.
Sunday	August 2	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Monday	August 3	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Tuesday	August 4	No Practice
Wednesday	August 5	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Thursday	Augutst 6	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Friday	August 7	7:30-9:30 p.m. - Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium
Saturday	August 8	No Practice
Sunday	August 9	3:10-5:30 p.m.
Monday	August 10	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Tueday	August 11	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Wednesday	August 12	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Thursday	August 13	No Practice
Friday	August 14	7:00 p.m. - Preseason Game at Buffalo Bills
Saturday	August 15	No Practice
Sunday	August 16	No Practice
Monday	August 17	3:10-5:30 p.m.
Tuesday	August 18	9:25-11:35 a.m.
Wednesday	August 19	8:30-11:00 a.m. - Gibbs Stadium
Thursday	August 20	8:30-11:00 a.m. - Gibbs Stadium

 

MUST ATTEND!

Friday July 31 - First practice of 2015. What else can be said?

Sunday August 2 - Play 60 for the kiddos and probably the first practice in full pads. 

Friday August 7 - Fan Fest at BoA. Really, if you are local and miss this free event you cannot call yourself a Panthers fan.

August 19 and 20 - Miami Dolphins are in town and participating in joint practiced before their preseason game against the Panthers. Chances of punches being thrown in the hot Spartanburg sun? 120%. 

 

View full article

A couple more notes.

1) It's now called "Lowe's Kickoff Party" instead of "Back to Football," and most/all of the entertainment will be held inside the stadium between 4 and 6:30, when practice begins. The Panthers want this to give fans as much of an "in-game" experience as possible.

2) The viewing hill has a new look, with several large viewing "pads" on terraces overlooking the field, with hillside seating below. The viewing pads, as I understand it, will be available on a first-come basis. It will look gorgeous.

3) Don't forget to register kids for Panthers Pals for the days indicated, ages 6-13; those selected may bring one adult (18 or older) with them for the experience. Registrations are taken each day and do not carry over to the next practice. The kid must be present when names are called. (Location of the registration tent hasn't been determined but it will be easy to find.)

4) For hotel and restaurant information, go to www.visitspartanburg.com. Downtown Spartanburg has lots of restaurants and bars. Free street parking in the central business district plus several easily accessible and inexpensive parking decks available. (Parking at training camp is free.)

5) NO pets or alcohol allowed in the training camp viewing area.

6) Ask me anything about camp and Spartanburg. I'll be happy to answer. If I don't know, I'll try my best to find out for you.

[Panthro]

that pudding is the real deal. It is magical.

 

I once saw that pudding skin rubbed into the eyes of a blind man....and they were totally not happy about it. It was pretty messy. I was even like why would someone rub pudding skin in someones eyes.