LIVINGSTON, Ala. –With an eye toward an April 26 spring game, Brett Gilliland and his staff begin their first spring football practice at West Alabama Wednesday at 3:15 p.m. All practices will take place at Tiger Stadium on the University of West Alabama campus and are open to the public.
 
"We are extremely excited and ready to take the field for spring practice," Gilliland said. "Our guys have been working very hard in the weight room, and as a coaching staff it couldn't get here fast enough."
 
Including the annual spring game, the Tigers will practice 15 times as the new staff begins implementation of schemes and evaluating personnel for the first time in a setting other than offseason drills.
 
"Seeing these guys on film and in the weight room has us excited, but nothing compares to watching and working with our guys in an actual practice," Gilliland said. "This should be a great spring with a great opportunity for Tiger fans to come out and see the 2014 UWA Tigers."
 
The defending back-to-back Gulf South Conference champions, West Alabama returns 11 starters, five on offense, three on defense and three on special teams.
 
Among the returnees is GSC offensive player of the year Kyle Caldwell at quarterback, as well as all-conference selections Javae Swindle at running back, kicker Mark Grant and tight end Ty Morgan. UWA graduated four first-team defensive All-GSC performers.
 
 
Following are 2014 spring practice dates for the Tigers:
 

Day	Date	Time
Wednesday	April 2	3:15 p.m.
Friday	April 4	3:15 p.m.
Saturday	April 5	10 a.m.
Monday	April 7	3:15 p.m.
Wednesday	April 9	3:15 p.m.
Friday	April 11	3:15 p.m.
Saturday	April 12	10 a.m.
Monday	April 14	3:15 p.m.
Wednesday	April 16	3:15 p.m.
Thursday	April 17	7 p.m.
Friday	April 18	3:15 p.m.
Monday	April 21	3:15 p.m.
Wednesday	April 23	3:15 p.m.
Friday	April 25	3:15 p.m.
Saturday	April 26	10 a.m. (Red & White Game)