Troy University Athletics
Photo by: Aliza Chambers
T-Day Returns to Traditional Roots
4/14/2026 1:31:00 PM | Football
TROY, Ala. – Gerad Parker is close to putting a bow on his third spring practice at the helm of the Troy Football program, and the Trojans are preparing to play a traditional spring game for the first time in several years.
"I want our fans to see us in a more traditional way of playing football, and I do think one of the commitments we've made is playing more football and playing it like a game," Parker said. "It's helped us (during spring camp) to put a ball down and just play. We're going to be friendly to our fans, we're going to make sure we entertain them."
Troy hit both the grass practice fields behind Trojan Arena and the new Indoor Practice Facility for Tuesday's practice in its first work since Saturday's scrimmage.
"We're going to choose hard around here," Parker said of Tuesday's practice. "That was our best practice; I don't know what we executed like, but I can tell you we fought each other and there was a lot of friction. I'm proud of what this team did today, it was hard, and it was our most physical day."
With 13 practices in the rearview, Parker has had a chance to learn a lot about his team, including some things he wasn't expecting.
"I'm impressed by the lack of drama and emotion, we have emotional control," Parker said. "We have not had one fight break out, and we've played very physical. There has been a huge commitment to make sure we practice everything we're doing to get ready to play games. This team is pretty connected and close considering the amount of new that we have."
Kickoff for T-Day is set for 1 p.m. in The Vet and admission is free. For a full rundown on the day's activities, which includes tours of The Vet, Brunch with Legends, Kids Camp and Yard Sale, visit TroyTrojans.com/TDay.
"I want our fans to see us in a more traditional way of playing football, and I do think one of the commitments we've made is playing more football and playing it like a game," Parker said. "It's helped us (during spring camp) to put a ball down and just play. We're going to be friendly to our fans, we're going to make sure we entertain them."
Troy hit both the grass practice fields behind Trojan Arena and the new Indoor Practice Facility for Tuesday's practice in its first work since Saturday's scrimmage.
"We're going to choose hard around here," Parker said of Tuesday's practice. "That was our best practice; I don't know what we executed like, but I can tell you we fought each other and there was a lot of friction. I'm proud of what this team did today, it was hard, and it was our most physical day."
With 13 practices in the rearview, Parker has had a chance to learn a lot about his team, including some things he wasn't expecting.
"I'm impressed by the lack of drama and emotion, we have emotional control," Parker said. "We have not had one fight break out, and we've played very physical. There has been a huge commitment to make sure we practice everything we're doing to get ready to play games. This team is pretty connected and close considering the amount of new that we have."
Kickoff for T-Day is set for 1 p.m. in The Vet and admission is free. For a full rundown on the day's activities, which includes tours of The Vet, Brunch with Legends, Kids Camp and Yard Sale, visit TroyTrojans.com/TDay.
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