University of Delaware Athletics
UD Prepping for Downstate Day at Smyrna Apr. 18; Youth Skills Fun Registration Deadline Friday
4/7/2015 3:57:00 PM | Field Hockey, Football, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer
• Downstate Day Information
• Skills Fun Registration
SMYRNA, Del. -- University of Delaware Athletics' annual Downstate Day at Smyrna High School is just over a week away and plans are being finalized for a fun-filled day of football, fun, giveaways, and fun youth skills clinics with the Blue Hens on Saturday, Apr. 18.
Boys and girls 4 to 12 years of age are invited to participate in FREE Athletics Skills Fun where they 
will learn hands-on skills from the student-athletes and coaches in attendance. Kids may select either the football, field hockey, or soccer skills fun to participate in.
Fans are reminded that the deadline to register for any of the three skills sessions is this Friday, Apr. 10. Click HERE today to register. A free t-shirt is included with the registration.
In addition to the skills sessions for the kids, fans are invited to come out for a full day of entertainment by watching the Blue Hens football team practice, playing games, winning prizes, and meeting members of the teams. The UDairy Creamery Moo Mobile will be selling ice cream on-site from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. in the Fan Zone.
The event will begin at 10 a.m. and concessions and merchandise will be sold. Tailgating (no alcohol permitted per school district policy) will be encouraged.
The skills fun will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by the football practice at 12 noon. Fans will have the chance to meet members of the football team and get autographs following the practice at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Scott Grzenda and their staffs and team members will be on hand to conduct the clinics.“We are excited to add Smyrna to our growing tradition of bringing Delaware football and Blue Hens Athletics to all areas of the state we strive to represent,” said Delaware Director of Athletics Eric Ziady. “Our friends at Smyrna High School have been incredible to work with and I know they will pull out all the stops to make this a first-class event for the Delaware community. We are also thrilled that our field hockey and soccer teams will also be taking part in the event this year. No matter what your interest, there will be something for everyone. I want to especially thank Leon (Clarke) for helping us arrange this event and for serving as a great example to our current student athletes.”
Clarke, Smyrna High School associate principal, played a key role in coordinating the event. He was a standout player at Delaware and was a starting cornerback on the Blue Hens' 2003 national championship team.
“It's definitely an honor as a former UD Blue Hen to have not only the football team, but soccer and field hockey teams come to Smyrna High School as guests of the Smyrna School District,” said Clarke. “This event will serve as a memorable one, not only for our high school students, but for all the students, families and younger athletes throughout the Smyrna community and school district as well. I think that the University of Delaware will be pleased with the support they will receive from the UD alumni at Smyrna High School and the surrounding community as a whole. I can honestly say that since I've been a part of the Smyrna School District family the pride that resonates with the University of Delaware and what it means to truly be a Blue Hen supporter stands firm throughout the community of Smyrna.”
“On behalf of the Smyrna Athletic program we are very excited to enter into this partnership with the University of Delaware for this great event,” said Smyrna HS Athletic Director William “Bill” Schultz. “It is going to bring two great communities together for an awesome event. With the youth skills clinics it will give the various youth organizations from the Kent County area an opportunity to experience some great coaching from both college players and coaches. I think that it is also going to be a tremendous event for our local University of Delaware fans to see the field hockey, soccer, and football teams in action during the clinics as well as the football teams practice. We are looking forward to the event.”
Fans should also mark their calendars for the annual Fandemonium VI that will be held on Saturday, May 2, as part of the annual football Blue-White Scrimmage at Delaware Stadium. This action-packed day with Blue Hens Athletics & Recreation includes the Fan Zone with live music, food, free pony rides for kids, inflatables, face painting, games, autographs, and more.
The Delaware Beer Garden will once again be available in the Fan Zone for Blue Hens 21 and older. Parking lots open and Fan Zone activities begin at 10 a.m. with the spring scrimmage set for 12 noon. The Delaware Athletic Trainers Association 5K Run/1 Mile Walk will also be happening that morning.
There will be FREE admission and parking for all programming (race registration excluded).
