🏈 Interesting move by RichRod at AZ: Cancels spring game in favor of a fan day/participation day.

[TerryP]

Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez got rid of the Wildcats' spring game this year and replaced it with an open practice in which fans could not only attend but also participate.

Rodriguez decided to make it an interactive practice where fans could call plays, participate in challenges and even do some one-on-one drills with Arizona players.

As he explained to SB Nation's Steven Godfrey, spring games are just an opportunity to get players hurt or show plays to the public, so instead he'll let fans get a glimpse of the team in a different way during the spring.

"The 20, 30 spring games I've ever been a part of, all you do is worry about getting your starters hurt and not showing anything new to your future opponents," said Rodriguez. "So hey, I can solve that problem. Let's not have one."

This was the end result of Rodriguez's interactive practice experiment.

WATCH: Fan bull rushes, dominates Arizona lineman at open practice - CBSSports.com

 

[UAgrad93]

I wonder if Rich Rod had any of these guys sign waivers. Should anyone wrench a knee and blow out an ACL trying to relive their HS days! I can see a couple of 40+ year olds blowing a knee out trying to put a spin move on an O lineman.

 

[alabama mike]

IMO, I think we will see more programs cancel their spring game. Many states do not have spring football at all in high school, some allow a jamboree quarter or two just before the season starts, some only allow a scaled back scrimmage and many have strict contact rules in place. As of now, I am not sure where I stand on colleges eliminating spring games.

 

[planomateo]

I think it's a great way to build fan engagement...until someone takes it too far.