Western Illinois entered a new era of Leatherneck Football as head coach Bob Nielson and his coaching staff began Spring practice on Wednesday, March 20. The Spring season will conclude on Friday, April 19 with the Spring football game, followed by a Leatherneck Football Golf Outing set for Saturday, April 20.

Events surrounding the Spring football game begin Friday night at 5 p.m. with a tailgate party at Hanson Field. The Spring game will start at 7 p.m. and a postgame social will immediately follow.

On Saturday, the Leatherneck Football Golf Outing will be held at the Harry Mussatto Golf Course. Lunch begins at 12:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. shotgun start. The four-person best ball scramble includes cart, greens fees and 18-holes of golf for $60 per person. A silent auction and awards presentation will follow.

"I would like to invite all the Leatherneck football alumni, fans, Western Illinois University, and the Macomb community to be a part of our Spring Game Weekend on April 19-20," said head coach Bob Nielson. "The annual spring game will take place Friday night at Hanson Field, starting at 7 p.m. The Leatherneck Football Golf Outing will be held at the Harry Mussatto Golf Course on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. We are looking forward to introducing our team and staff to our loyal Leatherneck supporters."

Season ticket renewals were mailed out on Friday, March 15. The Spring game on April 19 will be the first opportunity for fans who are first-time buyers to purchase season tickets for the 2013 season, which includes six games at Hanson Field. New orders are available for purchases at www.goleathernecks.com or by calling (309) 298-1190.

Fans can register for the Golf Outing online, or call the athletics department at (309) 298-1190 for more information.