Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University spring football game Saturday, April 13 will benefit The Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County. Kick-off is slated for 3 p.m. at Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field on the Wingate campus (660 North Main Street, Wingate, NC 28174). The local community is invited to be involved in this philanthropic endeavor. A suggested $2 admission charge and any other donations will benefit The Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County.
 
More than 400 young people are involved in this organization. Club members and sisters Alexis and Jayla Crowder will sing the National Anthem. Free activities are planned for the children attending the game, such as face-painting and balloon art. Free hot dogs and pizza will be provided for fans while supplies last.

During halftime, Wingate's incoming class of football student-athletes will be announced and Monroe Middle School's step team will perform. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County will be presented with 100 percent of the day's proceeds during a special ceremony. After the game, the Bulldog football players will be available for a meet-and-greet and picture-taking time.
 
"This is the second year we have partnered with The Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County in conjunction with our spring game," Wingate head football coach Joe Reich says. "We're excited about our partnership. We believe it is important for us to raise awareness and donations throughout our community."
 
Reich took time to sit down with the Wingate University Sports Information department to talk about the 2013 spring practice season. An interview transcript follows…
 
Talk about your highlights and objectives for the 2013 spring practice season…
 
"Defensive coordinator Rashaan Jordan returned to the Bulldog family at Christmas…Coach (Bobby) James did a great job for us…Coach Jordan's system is similar…we need to give our guys time to acclimate themselves to the new system…We have a new linebacker corps…and only eight seniors on the roster…so this was a good spring to make the switch…Coach Jordan is re-establishing himself…we are glad to have him back…"
 
"We have Greg Keziah back as our offensive line coach…we have moved Mike Long to quarterbacks coach…Coach Long has done and will continue to do a great job as our offensive coordinator…this will help us solidify our quarterbacks and our offensive line…"
 
"This has been a very smooth transition…Originally, one of our main objectives was to solidify the staff…we are happy with this transition…"
 
What were your top goals for the spring?
 
"As far as the team goes, we must develop a more physical mindset on both offense and defense. Coach Jordan's return will help us with this development. We may need until the pre-season practices to establish this mindset."
 
"Overall, we need to be sure we are making improvements to our fundamentals. We've made much progress. We have four coaches handling different areas and two brand-new coaches…with different responsibilities…they are establishing their authority…I feel good about where we are right now."
 
Talk about the Bulldog offense…
 
"We are a quarterback-centric team. In 2012, if we cut our interceptions and take-aways in half…we're in business. Some of these interceptions and take-aways were due to schemes, others to coaching and others to decision-making. Quarterback Robbie Nallenweg is having a great spring…he is our leader."
 
"At running back, Nestor Lantigua and Mycah Gaylord are getting good reps for us. Josh Covington has missed most of the spring with an injury…he is working his way into playing shape. For us to have the opportunity to establish Nestor and Mycah as vital parts of the offense…is big."
 
"Mike Miller is making a significant transition from guard to center. He gives us tremendous leadership in the middle of the offensive line. We have two new guards in Andrew Brenner and Brandon Hurt. The coaching staff is seeing Andrew and Brandon developing and meshing together. Any time a team makes this many moves on the O-Line, it takes a few weeks for the pieces to fall into place."
 
"We are fortunate to have Mathu Gibson and Will Poteat returning at the tackle positions. Tyler Davis and Jamarcus Clyburn will give us great depth on the offensive line. We are pleased with their progress. At tight end, Brandon Ellington is back…it is exciting to see him back on the field (after a year's absence). For us, we have two All-SAC tight ends in Brandon Ellington and Mark Clyburn. We have many possibilities in store for these two.
 
"Bryan Caffrey was the number two receiver in the SAC last year. With the two tight ends back, we've not used him as much this spring. We are focusing on specific situations for him. Patrick Derenda has big shoes to fill…with the departure of (All-American) Chris Bowden. Patrick makes some catches equal to or better than Chris. Of course, there are some catches only Chris Bowden can make. Patrick is finding his niche. We will play to his strengths in our schemes."
 
"Tim Nalesnik is recovering from an injury he suffered in the late part of last season. He does so many things well. Angelo Crawford (a fall 2012 redshirt) will fill a slot position. We will miss Josh Clawson's contributions to our receiving corps. Redshirt freshmen Jon Moore and Chase Causey are battling to fill Josh's position."
 
Talk about the Bulldog defense…
 
"Nick Napolitano is providing great leadership for us at the defensive end position. Nick and Steven Jacobs are having great battles with (offensive tackles) Mathu Gibson and Will Poteat when we go live. Steven is working hard…and he will get a chance to play more. We look for Andre Foulks and Trace Williams to see significant time at defensive end as well."
 
"At defensive tackle, we are thin right now. Cedric Ellison is nursing an injury, while Ernest Bridges is sitting out this spring (he will return this fall). Elliot Springfield and Darrin Clarke are both seeing much time during our spring practice cycle. We will have much depth (at defensive tackle) from our newcomers."
 
"We will have an entirely new linebacker corps this fall. J.D. Kenion and Eric Mapoles are playing well. TJ Weinberg will be our starting middle linebacker. There is no doubt in my mind this group has made the most improvement (of any group) this spring. Eric is having a great spring…and J.D. and TJ are right behind him."
 
"In the secondary, safety Timmy Rogers is a name our fans and opponents recognize. Jon Jimenez is getting great reps (at safety)…we look for him to do big things this fall. Nortavius Otis and Jakeem Polk are leading the way at the cornerback positions. Nortavius is much improved…he's had a solid spring. We will certainly have a battle for playing time at the cornerback position."
 
Special teams
 
"Austin Anthony is handling both the punting and place-kicking duties this spring. He's doing a good job for us."
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Wingate University, ranked as the 6th "best value" in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves nearly 2,700 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy, physical therapy and education.
 
With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past six years.
 
Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing private colleges in the 2000's with 52 selections. Among North Carolina's colleges and universities, Wingate's 52 Academic All-America® honorees is second (to Duke University) during this millennium. Wingate's 61 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.
 
(Wingate University communications writer Kim Becknell Williams contributed information to this story.)