HAMPTON, Va. – When Phil Lynott wrote the hit single "The Boys are Back in Town" for Thin Lizzy back in 1976, he almost certainly was not thinking about the Hampton University football program. Nevertheless, the boys are indeed back in town and they come in with a new attitude.
 
The Pirates are set to return to campus on Friday, Aug. 1, when they start to move into their dorms. They will get a chance to see two of the most important people in the athletic department during this time of year, John Brown and Malcolm Bryant, to pick up their equipment for a chance to start the season with a clean slate.
 
It has been 35 weeks, 250 days, 6,000 hours and 360,000 minutes since the Pirates last played a football game, as of July 31, and the players are ready to show everyone that they are a different team.
 
"We are not the same team we were a year ago," said sophomore wide receiver Twarn Mixson. "With the new coaches, it's like we are a new team because the players are different than they were last season and they have a new outlook on the upcoming seaosn."
 
This year will be different for everyone involved. The Pirates will begin the season behind a proven winner on and off the field with new head coach Connell Maynor, who will look to get the program back to its winning ways. Hampton is a program that once went 31-5 over a three-year stint in which the Pirates won three straight MEAC titles and made three trips to the NCAA Playoffs.
 
Maynor, who is no stranger to winning, has made three straight playoffs appearances to the NCAA Playoffs, including a spot in the Division II National Championship Game in 2012.
 
As the players gear up for their first practice under Maynor, they will see some changes in times of practices that many may not be accustomed to doing in the past. The first practice will take place on Sunday, Aug. 3 starting at 1 p.m. and finishing up at 3.
 
The Pirates will hold four two-a-days and two scrimmages during camp. Practices are closed to the public, but members of the media who want to attend any practices may contact that Office of Sports Information at (757) 727-5811. Media wishing to attend practice must contact the Office of Sports Information at least 24 hours prior.
 
 
Please see below for full camp schedule.
Practice #1 - August 3 (Helmet) – 1-3 p.m.
Practice #2 - August 4 (Helmet) – 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Practice #3 - August 5 (Helmet/Shoulder Pads) – 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Practice #4 - August 6 (Helmet/Shoulder Pads) – 1-4 p.m.
Practice #5 - August 7 (Full) - 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Practice #6 - August 8 (Helmet) - 9-11 a.m.
Practice #7 - August 8 (Full) - 2-5 p.m.
Practice #8 - August 9 (Full) - 8-11 a.m.
Practice #9 - August 10 (Full) - 8-10 a.m.
Practice #10 - August 10 (Full) - 1-4 p.m.
Practice #11 - August 11 (Full) - 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Practice #12 - August 12 (Full) - 9-11 a.m.
Practice #13 - August 12 (Full) - 2-5 p.m.
Practice #14 - August 13 (Full) – 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Practice #15/Scrimmage #1 - August 14 – 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Practice #16 - August 15 (Full) – 8:30-11:30 a.m.
Practice #17 - August 16 (Full) - 8-10 a.m.
Practice #18 - August 16 (Full) - 1-4 p.m.
Practice #19 - August 17 (Full) - 8-11 a.m.
Practice #20 - August 18 (Full) – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Practice #21 - August 19 (Full) – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Practice #22 - August 20 (Full) - 2-5 p.m.
Practice #23 - August 21 (Full) - 2-5 p.m.
Practice #24 - August 22 (Helmets) - 2-4 p.m.
Practice #25/Scrimmage #2 - August 23 (Full) - 1-3 p.m.
Practice #26 - August 25 (Full) – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Practice #27 - August 26 (Full) – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Practice #28 - August 27 (Full) - 7-9 p.m.
Practice #29 - August 28 (Full) – 3:30-5 p.m.