PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The first edition of the University of Pikeville Bears have reported to campus.

The UPIKE football squad is expected to number a school-record 192 after the entire squad makes it to the university as the Dudley Hilton Era begins at the school.

Team members were to report Wednesday afternoon as the coaching staff set up registration tables at the Gym. While the process was to begin at 1 p.m., a line was formed by 12:15 as team members went through the check-in process.

Practice will officially begin with two-a-days on Saturday.

“We have a lot of excited young men and many of them are local products,” said Hilton, who left Bell County High School tied for the record of most wins in a career by a football coach in the Commonwealth. “They're thrilled to be here and we're really excited to finally get them here and get started.”

Among those reporting early was starting quarterback Trevor Hoskins, a junior who set single-season records for completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns last year.

“It's great to finally see everybody get to campus and see that they're excited about us getting cranked up,” said Hoskins, a native of Middlesboro. “Several of us have been here working hard this summer and it looks like the newcomers and the returning guys are ready to roll. There's a lot of enthusiasm here right now thanks to Coach Hilton, who I've known for a long time. It's great to see.”

Having Hoskins be among the first in line meant a lot to Offensive Coordinator Allan Holland Jr. “It's all part of the leadership process,” Holland said. “It's something we've spent a lot of time talking about and he's definitely buying in. He wants to lead this team where we want to take it, and that begins for this team today.”

The Bears will have an open exhibition on Thursday, Aug. 25 when they take on Point University at the W.C. Hambley Athletics Complex at 7 p.m. The regular-season opener will be Saturday Sept. 3 when UPIKE hosts Southern Virginia University at 6 p.m. at Hambley.

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