TOWSON, Md. - An enthusiastic group of students greeted "Professor" Rob Ambrose and his teaching colleagues on Saturday morning as the Tigers conducted their second annual Football 101 at Unitas Stadium.

With more than two dozen women enrolled in this year's class, the students spent half the morning in classroom sessions watching demonstrations and learning about football. The final hour of the class was outdoors as Coach Ambrose and his staff conducted "lab work" on the football field in Unitas Stadium.

"My father and my husband have been trying to teach me about football for years," said Sarah Coard, '00. "This was really helpful for me because the coaches slowed it down and it was easier for me to follow.

"I came away from this experience with a much better grasp of football basics," she added. "It is a much more complex game than I ever imagined. The outdoor drills were also fun but I do think the coaches took it easy on us."

Wendy Esposito, the mother of senior guard John Esposito, was one of the more advanced students in the class. She travelled from New Jersey to take the class for the second year in a row.

"I've been watching football for most of my life," she said. "My husband played football at Rutgers and I've been following my sons and their football careers for years. Of course, John is a senior here and I have a younger son who is a junior at Hanover Park High School.

"This was helpful for me because it gave me insight into football," she added. "I want to learn as much as I can about the positions my sons play and this is great for that. I don't think a lot of football fans understand who smart you have to be to play football. It's impressive how much the linemen have to learn."

Like many of her classmates, Sarah is looking forward to using her newly-found football knowledge.

"My husband, Tom, and I are season ticket holders," she said. "Now, I am looking forward to going to the Tiger football games and having an intellegent conversation with my husband."

Professor Ambrose was pleased to announce that all of his students had received passing grades for Football 101.

Then, the entire class was dismissed for a celebratory lunch.