Seton Hill University’s (SHU) football team is wasting no time getting ready for their second year of competition and has recently begun holding practices at 6:45 a.m. each day. Prior to the start of these practices the team introduced a weight lifting regiment that is mandatory for an hour several days a week.
Brian Kelly, a freshman punter, believes that the team’s hard work in the off-season will unquestionably benefit them next year.
By Leslie Rodriguez,
Assistant Sports Editor
Seton Hill University’s (SHU) football team is wasting no time getting ready for their second year of competition and has recently begun holding practices at 6:45 a.m. each day. Prior to the start of these practices the team introduced a weight lifting regiment that is mandatory for an hour several days a week.
Brian Kelly, a freshman punter, believes that the team’s hard work in the off-season will unquestionably benefit them next year.
�We can only improve on what we accomplished this past year. Being a first year program means that we have a lot to prove next season to all the people that doubted our abilities,� said Kelly, �I feel like we are becoming better players.�
According to head coach Chris Snyder, practices begin each day with flexing exercises and then shift into individual periods to focus on fundamentals of the game. These practices also cover group and team periods in which plays and other game motions are gone over.
�We are essentially doing now what we do in the pre-season practices in August,� Snyder said.
The rapidly approaching fall season is not the only reason that the team has started practicing again. The men are also preparing for an intrasquad scrimmage that is called the �Red and Gold Game.� The players will be in full pads and play live, except for the quarterback. The game will be April 29, 2006 at Offutt Field at 1:00 p.m., and is open to the public.
�It is just an opportunity to further evaluate our current players under game like conditions and a fun way to conclude the year,� said Snyder.
Sophomore defensive back, Jamaur Law is looking forward to the scrimmage after having completed several weeks of physical therapy for his ankle.
�It’s a good chance for us to get back on the field and get comfortable again. Playing around in practice is a lot different than in the game,� said Law.
The team is still looking to expand its roster for next year and has already officially signed 30 recruits. Snyder said he hopes to conclude the recruiting season shortly.
The Griffins will begin the fall football season with a home opener against West Liberty State College, August 26, 2006.
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