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GREENSBORO — The day was already warm a few minutes before 9 a.m. Tuesday, the scheduled start of N.C. A&T's first football practice.

And the players were already on the dew-covered field.

Offense in gold jerseys. Defense in blue. Quarterbacks, kickers and punter in red. Everyone in blue "Aggie Pride" shorts and shiny new Riddell helmets that gleamed in the bright sun.

It was hot. But it will only get hotter as the Aggies work toward their opener Sept. 5 at Winston-Salem State.

The heat is on this program, which is on its fifth head coach in eight years. Take away 2003 — when A&T went 10-3 and won the MEAC title — and the Aggies are 13-55 in that span, including a 27-game losing streak that mercifully ended last year during a 3-9 season.

And this year? A&T was picked eighth among the MEAC's nine football-playing schools in a preseason poll.

Against that backdrop and under the hot sun, the Aggies officially started work Tuesday under new coach Alonzo Lee. If they lose again this season, it won't be for a lack of effort.

"We're just thankful we were able to have most of our young men around working out this summer," Lee said. "It makes a difference. Look around. Those guys right now look good. We're looking like a football team. We're in shape."

They ought to be.

Strength and conditioning coach Cedric Walthaw said 28 of the players — about a third of the roster — took part in at least 40 voluntary workouts this summer. Of those, 14 had perfect attendance at all 42 sessions.

"If you know football, you know that's where it all starts: in the summertime with conditioning and lifting," Walthaw said. "This group as a whole really bought in to what we were selling, and they did a good job."

So what exactly were the coaches selling?

Hope.

Hope that hard work today means success down the road.

"The anticipation has been there since the spring. Guys have been working and putting it together," Lee said. "&ellipses; We're anxious to get going. I know we have to finalize all the little things, but the guys' mindsets are just outstanding. They have that winning mindset, and discipline has played a big role. We're just waiting for our paydays now."

One day into practice, Lee already knows who his leaders are. His seniors.

"Our quarterback, Carlton Fears, has really taken a leadership role on offense, which we knew we had to have," Lee said. "On defense, Adam Beal and (Jarrell) Herring and (Tyre) Glasper, those senior defensive linemen have really stepped up ... and we're getting some great leadership from our seniors."

Walthaw said Beal, Glasper and Enoch Cohen led the way during the voluntary workouts.

"They demanded a lot of the other guys," Walthaw said.

And of themselves. Walthaw said his record-keeping shows the team improved its strength from last year. Beal, who bench-presses 500 pounds, leads the stronger group.

"Beal is as strong as a bull," Lee said. "I watched him all summer working extra. Even the running. He and Glasper would come back and run an extra mile after every (workout). Those guys are really focused and want to go out as winners this year."

If it happens, if the Aggies indeed win, they can trace it back to the summer, back to the hard work.

By 10 a.m. Tuesday, the hot sun had burned away the dew.

And replaced it with sweat.

Contact Jeff Mills at 373-7024 or jeff.mills@news-record.com