Tusculum College hosted its annual football media day Thursday afternoon at Pioneer Field with a number of media representatives in attendance. TC football players, coaches and staff were present for interviews and photos with regional media outlets from the East Tennessee region.

Over a dozen scribes and sportscasters, representing four newspapers, one radio station and three television outlets, were present as TC head coach Frankie DeBusk and players answered questions about the upcoming 2006 campaign, which will kickoff Thursday, Aug. 24 when the Pioneers host Bethel College for a 7 p.m. contest.

"We are very excited about this year's team and are pleased to speak to everyone about what's going on with Tusculum Football," said DeBusk. "We are very fortunate for the outstanding media coverage we receive and appreciate everyone's interest in our program. It means a great deal to our fans, alumni, parents, but most importantly, our student-athletes."

The Pioneers open practice Friday morning at 12:01 a.m. with "Midnight Madness." The practice will consist of running and agility tests. Tusculum will practice with helmets only on Saturday and in helmets and shoulder pads only Sunday and Monday. Full-speed practices will commence on Tuesday, Aug. 8.

Tusculum will conduct two inter-squad scrimmages this fall, with the first one beginning at 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9.