Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Left tackle out for season
Junior Reggie Bain injured on Friday in traffic accident
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic junior left tackle Reggie Bain will likely miss the upcoming season after a traffic accident Friday, the school announced Sunday morning.
Bain’s injuries were not lifethreatening, the school said, but it did not disclose them specifically, citing privacy laws and requests made by Bain’s family. Coach Charlie Partridge joined Bain at the hospital Friday.
“I have been in constant contact and have visited with both Reggie and his family,” Partridge said in a statement. “His FAU football family has surrounded him with support and will continue to do so. Out of respect for Reggie, his family and our team, all questions should only be directed to me. I know that inquiries may be wellintentioned, under the HIPPA law, and per the request of Reggie and his family, there is very little I can disclose.”
Bain had started all 24 games of his career since arriving on campus as a freshman in 2014, earning second-team Conference-USA honors last season.
Bain’s replacement is unclear.
On Wednesday morning, Partridge listed Byers Hickmon, Matt Weiner, Tarrick Thomas and Brandon Walton as in the mix at backup tackle.
“We’ll just continue to evaluate that as we get closer,” Partridge said.
FAU could also opt to shift one of their other four starting linemen to left tackle, perhaps moving center Dillon DeBoer outside or flipping tackle Kelly Parfitt from the right side to the left side. DeBoer has previously played both tackle and guard before settling at center.
The offensive line figured to be a strength for the Owls, having only lost right guard Mikingson Marsaille to graduation. In addition to Bain, DeBoer and Parfitt, guards Roman Fernandez and Antonyo Woods were set to provide experience and protection as FAU transitioned to Travis Trickett’s uptempo offense.
“That five has really taken off,” Partridge said. “They’ve got a great chemistry together. They’re getting better at their pass [protection], they’re getting better at their run blocking, so I’m excited about the direction we’re headed.”
FAU opens its season Saturday at home against Southern Illinois.
FAU alum Spake to debut on FS1
Fort Lauderdale native and Florida Atlantic graduate Shannon Spake will make her debut on Fox Sports 1 on Friday night, as a sideline reporter for the Kansas State at Stanford game.
Spake recently moved to Fox Sports from ESPN, a move she deemed “too good” to reject. In addition to college football, Spake also will cover the NFL, NASCAR and college basketball.
Spake, now a resident of Charlotte, N.C., swam at both Piper High School and Broward College, where she earned her associate’s degree before attending FAU. She attributed her passion for sports to both her involvement in them and her attendance at South Florida events.
Spake’s mother also attended FAU prior to Shannon graduating in 1999 with a degree in communications. Last year, Owls athletic director Pat Chun invited her back to campus to speak to incoming student-athletes.
“When I was there, it was a complete commuter school,” Spake said in an interview with the Sun Sentinel. “There was absolutely no question about it. Now, when you go, there’s not only this awesome stadium, but the student body.”
Spake has kept tabs on FAU’s football program and cited its close games last season as reasons for improvement heading into 2016.
“I think the small victories they made last season will continue this year,” Spake said. “It’s one brick at a time. It’s one thing at a time. They’re on the radar. When I was growing up, you talked about Florida, Florida State and Miami, and that was it. Now, I feel like some of the other schools, including FAU, are part of that conversation about schools in Florida and that’s pretty cool.”