GEORGETOWN – Over 90 new faces graced the Southwestern University campus for the first time Tuesday and Wednesday as the Pirate coaches welcomed its first football team in over 63 years.

Made up primarily of first-year students, all student-athletes started the move-in process that included getting acclimated to the coaching staff, picking up parking permits and new equipment. Although the first official practice for the Pirates is slated for Thursday morning the group finished with physicals, NCAA paperwork and team photos.

The excitement of being on campus was not limited to just the players, as the coaching staff enjoyed having their athletes finally on campus too.

"There has been a large number of individuals help make this day possible for the last decade starting with Dr. Munt and the Board of Trustees," Austin said. "It is fun to finally see day one get started and interacting with the players. We have a very good group of guys and as they continue to grow into men and football players they are going to represent Southwestern really well."

After continuing with picture day Wednesday the team will turn to the meeting rooms in the evening before hitting the fields Thursday morning. The team's first practice is scheduled for 9:20 a.m. on the Snyder Athletic fields with a three-hour practice before returning to the meeting rooms in the afternoon.

Coach Austin will look for improvement not just throughout fall camp, but into the season as well.

"Constant improvement is our theme for camp and the regular season," Austin said. "We will continue with some skill instruction and evaluating the skills we have as we move toward September 7. Getting better each day is what we are after and always taking a step forward."

The Pirates will close camp Aug. 25 before starting game preparations for the season opener against Texas Lutheran at Birkelbach Field. Game time is set for 7 p.m.