Editor Letter From The Editor
Dear UA readers, I hope you’re as ready as I am for the collegiate fall season to begin. Just imagine: Dulled pain pulses through your body as you stick your fingers into the field turf and peer through the facemask of the opponent lined up across from you. You know you have a multitude of minor injuries, but you can feel your adrenaline deferring on the real pain until the game is over. You know your opponent is also hurt, but his face is almost a reflection of your own; profoundly focused, with an ambiguous expression somewhere between fear, hatred, and excitement about what will ensue on the next play. Your fingers, which have been broken numerous times throughout the season, are taped into place and ready to lay onto your opponent with more force than an average person may ever apply on another individual. Your heightened senses can feel each individual rubber bead and blade of synthetic grass in the field turf. You have been training for this version of hand to hand combat for months and have since become comfortable being uncomfortable. Your eyes subconsciously bore through the mask that protects his face and the one that protects his psyche. You want to hit him hard enough to shatter both. The ball is snapped and a flash of colors illuminate your peripheral, but you remain focused on the movement of the football. After your fist step, you cut back to the outside without thinking, catching him leaning all the way inside. You are behind the line of scrimmage all by yourself, where you know the quarterback has been waiting for a deep route to open up. There he is. A flash of color. You hit the unsuspecting quarterback. Euphoria. Add another sack to your stats and a 10-yard loss to theirs. You run back toward a jubilant grand stand to your sideline, which has erupted in excitement. That’s right, folks. UA really does take you inside the action. Come join us as we look at all the most compelling stories developing in college athletics in the Tri-State area. Whether you are a fan of football, soccer, or field hockey, the joy of competition is once again pulsing through our veins as we watch our favorite college athletes take to the field.
Ultimate Athlete Magazine
PUBLISHER/CEO EXECUTIVE EDITOR SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR SENIOR PRODUCER SENIOR ART DIRECTOR SPORTS EDITOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS
VIDEO EDITORS
MEDIA CORRESPONDENT DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Paul Corace N.J. Comanzo Jose Luis Covarrubias Jessica Peters Jeyathas Ponnuthurai Mike Browning Kaitie Monda Adriana Kijko Josh Rosenman Nicholas Herms Mike McInerney Mike Raimo Nadine O’Farrell Taylor Woods Richard Brooks
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Mike Browning Gene Morris Dan Cappello Jerry Delpriore Wesley Sykes Dr. Tom Ferraro Joe Pietaro Mike Mejia, cscs Matt Sugam CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Happy Reading,
Morgan Harrison Matt Sugam Rutgers SID Columbia SID
Mike Browning College Sports Editor
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY
Morgan Harrison Matt Sugam COVER ARTWORT
Josh Rosenman
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ultimateathletemagazine.com ultimate Ultimate Athlete Magazine (ISSN 1931-5295) is published 12 times a year by Ultimate Athlete, Inc., 40 Woodbine Avenue, Northport, New York 11768. All contents copyright 2009 by Ultimate Athlete, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use in whole or part of the content without the prior written consent of Ultimate Athlete, Inc. is strictly prohibited. All logos and trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. Although the writers and the publisher have exhaustively researched all sources to ensure the accuracy and the completeness of the information contained in this publication, we assume no responsibility for errors, inaccuracies, omissions, or any inconsistency herein. The opinions expressed in all materials are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Ultimate Athlete, Inc or Long Island’s Ultimate Athlete Magazine.
FALL 2011 Volume I
Conten
S T CONTEN
nts Featur Features
12 C. W. Post
Season Hinges on Rookie QB
16 Columbia Brackettology
18 Hofstra
Fall Spotlight Shifts
22 Rutgers Line of Fire
26 Stony Brook
Rushing into the Season
32 C. W. Post
Pioneers of the West
36 Rutgers
Something to Prove
42 UCONN
A New Regime
46 Rutgers
When Dreams Come True
50 Pro Corner
More Than a Game
54 Sports Psychology
The Problem with Perfectionism
58 UA Training
A Whole Different Ball Game
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Six Hail Marys. C. W. Post Offensive Linemen do a groin stretch to warm up for practice
Photo by Morgan Harrison
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Photo by Morgan Harrison
Mauricio Mora of the Adelphi University Mens Soccer team defends the ball during an inter-squad scrimmage as his teammate attempts a slide-tackle.
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team retooling at key positions is never shown much love in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference preseason poll. The C.W. Post Pioneers, which graduated one of the most dynamic quarterback-wide receiver tandems in school history, are no different. Head Coach Bryan Collins’ team, always a threat to win a conference crown, was chosen to finish fourth in the PSAC East by his fellow coaches.
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The middle of the pack is an unfamiliar starting position for Collins, who owns the most wins of any C.W. Post head coach in program history. Despite a 5-2 conference record last season and the return of key players such as preseason All-American linebackers Billy O’Connor and Ryan Modik, the departure of do-everything quarterback Erik Anderwkavich and game breaking wide receiver Darnel Williams will loom over the team as they prepare for the season opener.
Collins can’t blame his colleagues for slighting the 2011 Pioneers. Perhaps no system puts the focus on their quarterback quite like his, making the burden on redshirt freshman quarterback Steven Laurino Atlas-like. Anderwkavich’s 2,625 yards passing for 28 touchdowns and another 680 yards on the ground last season, and Rob Blount’s 2,995 yards passing for 28 touchdowns and 1,018 yards rushing in 2005--monumental seasons by any standard—have set the bar incredibly high.
“Saying that you’re going to have a redshirt freshman [quarterback] to replace Erik who had 500 yards of offense in one game, they don’t know how we are going to replace that guy and how we will replace Darnell Williams, who had so many receptions for us and was a big time player for us; I can see why we’re placed fourth,” he said. From an outsider’s perspective, Post’s losses are crippling, but Collins is ready to go about business as usual, preparing (and expecting) to take the conference championship back to Brookville. Collins began recruiting quarterbacks based on a prototype that fits the system he
built around Anderwakvavich and Blount, and established benchmarks for his subsequent quarterbacks based on their production. According to Collins, if a Pioneer quarterback reached 2,000 passing yards and 700 yards rushing, Post probably had a successful season. After watching film of Laurino, Collins and his staff knew his legs would allow him to thrive in an option-heavy variant of his spread offense and that his recognition and understanding of the game would spread the ball out among his receivers, namely older brother Grayson and Joe Botti, who was second on the team in receiving last season.
These two will be looked to as a stop gap for the production lost by Williams. “Robbie rushed for over 1,000 yards and he threw for 3,000, so that was pretty good right there,” Collins said. “And in Eric, he would throw for more yardage and didn’t have the quickness, but had great toughness to him, so that allowed him to rush for 700 yards last year. With Steven, we feel he has incredible speed and he’ll be able to break some big runs for us, so we had more of a little bit of an option look in our game plan as we did in the past.” Feeling confident in his young quarterback, Collins addressed what he considered
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was his team’s greatest weakness last year: special teams. With most problems stemming from the kicking game, the Pioneers looked to remedy their shortcomings with the addition of strong legged kicker Mark Montana from Buffalo, N.Y. To be sure, the coverage game was also revamped by establishing an attitude where special teams are considered an honor and a privilege rather than an obligation. The punt and kickoff coverage teams were given stickers and nicknames to establish a sense of pride and belonging. The punt team members are now known as the “Jets” and the kickoff coverage team as the “Pirates.”
“The 4-2-5 really gives us the ability to recruit a lot more athletes to play fast on the offense side of the ball and defensive side of the ball,” Collins said. “Kids like to play fast and exciting—so we felt it was good for us on all ends, the recruitment end of it as well as the adjustability to the different offenses that we see.”
“I don’t know what coaches don’t stress specials,” Collins said. “These days everyone understands the importance of special teams; it may just be a matter of selling it to your players. So, the nature of our defense is to the point where we should have a lot of special teams players, we run a 4-2-5, defense, with five athletes in the backfield, so together with the inside linebackers and the five types of defensive backs, the plethora of defensive back types we have, we should be very good on special teams.
A grueling PSAC schedule aside, the Pioneers will battle their toughest opponent each and every week: inconsistency. If the team can find a way to defeat this hated rival, they will have an opportunity to win each game, especially against unanimous favorite Bloomsburg.
The revamped special teams will do a lot to give the offense good field position, a crucial crutch for a young quarterback, and help out an already solid defensive unit led by O’Connor and Modik.
With the new pieces in place and the necessary adjustments made on the of-
Both linebackers are valued because they played themselves into starting roles and never looked back. Surrounded by five defensive backs in Collin’s unique 4-2-5 defense, the linebackers have become tackling machines, using the fast-paced and spread out defense to allow their elite football sense to take over. The space allows them to take good angles on the ball to snuff out run plays, and their adeptness in coverage makes the opposing quarterback think he is throwing into a sea of seven defensive backs.
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ties of Division II recruiting: the nation’s plethora of Division I - caliber running backs do not all get matched up with Division I scholarships. They are often left for Division II schools to sign, some of which are used as defensive backs. When Post began facing spread offenses in the early 2000s, Collins realized he could not have enough athletes on the field.
This unique system plays to one of the realiULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
“Obviously you take it week by week,” Collins said. “But we’re a program committed to being a prime time player in the PSAC and we’ve beaten those teams so we know what it takes to beat them all except for one, that Bloomsberg team.”
fense and defense, all the players need to do is trust in the system and each other. “I think commitment is a big word that’s been thrown around here,” Collins said. “Commit is something we echo when we stretch. We’ve talked about it. Two things we talk about is: “I hear what you say, I trust what you do.” “We have some outstanding leadership and real quality young freshman who are coming in and following the young leadership.”
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BRACKETTOLOGY
COLUMBIA’S
HOW DYNAMIC QUARTERBACK WILL DETERMINE
THE SUCCESS OF 2011 By Mike Browning and Jerry Del Priore Photos Courtesy of Columbia Athletics
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ou can count the times the Columbia football team has been a relevant in the Ivy League on one hand. Not since the days of Marcellus Wiley have the Lions smelled an Ivy League championship, which are typically guarded by the likes of Harvard, Yale and UPenn decade in and decade out. Last season, the Lions finished in sixth place in the Ivy League standings with a 4-6 record. The disappointing season was nothing out of the ordinary, but the lofty expectations of the team and its fans undoubtedly were. It just takes watching a few games to notice that legitimate talent is coming to New York City to play football. This hasn’t been said since the Giants and Jets moved to the Meadowlands, but until the Lions can prove they can use it to win games, they will be an afterthought in the coaches poll, which pegs them to repeat last year’s performance. But what has Columbia football fans stirring, and Ivy League coaches peering out the corner of their eyes every so often, is the return of junior quarterback Sean Brackett, the most dynamic player in the Ivy League. As effective with his legs as he is with his arm, Brackett is a threat to ring up six points on any given play and is a specter in the film rooms of opposing defenses. Last year, Brackett earned First-Team All-Ivy League honors after throwing for 2,072 yards and 19 touchdowns, ranking him fourth all-time in the Lions’ singleseason annals. In addition, the Brooklyn, Conn., native rushed for 516 yards with three scores. His 2,588 yards of total offense led the Ivy League, making his projected performance in 2011 Ivy League Player of the Year-worthy. 16 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
Columbia fans know to temper their expectations; they have had dominant players before. Marcellus Wiley, who went on to have a pro bowl career in the NFL as a defensive tackle, was to the Ivy League what Godzilla was to Tokyo, but even he could not bring a title to Manhattan by himself. No, the stirring and peering are not brought on by Brackett alone, but the knowledge that never before has the centerpiece been surrounded with the talent of the 2011 team. Brackett will be looked upon to single-handedly rack up most of the yards for Columbia this season, but will be the primary target for every ill-intentioned defensive player in the league, prompting Head Coach Norries Wilson to tell reporters that the most important player for the Lions this season will be “the backup quarterback.” The man largely responsible for ensuring that the Ivy League’s most important player and Columbia’s second most important player stays on the field is First-Team All-Ivy League tackle Jeff Adams. With pro-caliber size, athleticism and intelligence, look for Adams to dawn an NFL jersey next season. But the rest of the O-line is something head coach Wilson is trying to solidify before the season commences. “We lost some guys,” Wilson said of offensive line. “We’re taking a big look at getting our best five guys on the field, saying if our third tackle is one of our best five offensive linemen, one of those tackles is going to have to become a guard.” Adding to the offensive attack is senior wideout Mike Stevens, who missed all of 2010 due to injury, but averaged 13.5 yards a reception in 2009, and will be returning for his fifth year. One of the most reliable wideouts in the Ivy League, his presence will be a security blanket for Brackett, who lost his favorite target of 2010, tight end Andrew Kennedy, to graduation. Wilson is “excited” about his trio of promising running backs - junior Nick Gerst, sophomore Marcorus Garrett and senior David Chao. All slashers who lack power, they will be looked upon to break
“He was elected captain by his teammates,” Wilson said of the 195-pounder’s leadership abilities. “He’s not an overly vocal kid, be he plays the game the way we think the game should be played. We’re excited to have him back there leading the defensive backfield.”
long runs to swing momentum to Columbia, but lack short yardage adeptness. Looked on to be the leading passer and leading rusher, Brackett might as well serve as the short yardage back too. Gerst totaled 350 rushing yards on 69 carries, with two touchdowns in 2011. The 5-9, 195-pound Bergen Catholic (NJ) product also caught 13 passes for 74 yards. On the defensive side, the Lions have undergone some coaching changes, replacing their defensive coordinator and linebacker coach, roles now occupied by Chris Woods, who served as the defensive line coach/special teams coordinator at Bryant University for three seasons. Woods will have plenty of weapons to choose from, especially in the box with the gifted linebacker trio of Ryan Murphy, Josh Martin and Mike Waller, who are all experienced and have shown glimpses of stellar play.
Columbia will face two new non-conference opponents, Albany and Sacred Heart, this season, adding two more tough teams to an already challenging schedule, Wilson noted. “We’re going to play a couple of nonconference teams we haven’t played before in Albany and Sacred Heart,” Wilson said.“Albany, we saw on film last year against Yale. They beat Yale up at the Yale Bowl, and they’re a big physical team. And we saw Sacred Heart play last year against Dartmouth. They took Dartmouth down ‘til the end of the game. “So, we got our annual game with Fordham. So we have three good pretty teams to play in the non-conference, and we have a tough (Ivy) League schedule as we do every year.” The Lions open the 2011 campaign on the road versus Fordham University in the Bronx on Saturday, September 17th at 1.00 p.m. before returning for their home Sep opener at Robert K. Kraft Field on September 24th, against Albany.
Murphy compiled 26 tackles, six for a loss, and four sacks, to go along with one fumble recovery and three pass break ups in 10 contests. Martin, a second-team AllIvy Leaguer, racked up 27 stops, five for a loss, and four sacks, with three fumble recoveries and seven quarterback hurries in ten tilts. Despite the experience behind the line, defensive back and team captain Ross Morand was lauded by Wilson as the anchor of the secondary, whose leadership skills will be an asset to Woods’ new defense. His steady nerves and ability to execute landed him punt return duties as well. Wilson raved that he’s the type of player that leads by example on the gridiron, earning the respect and admiration of his teammates.
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H O F S T R A p r i d e
ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
Stealing the Spotlight By Wesley Sykes || Photos by Morgan Harrison / Hofstra Athletics
W
ho needs a football program anyway? While many hardcore fans with “Flying Dutchmen” emblazoned across their chests would love to debate that, Hofstra University has been moving on without a gridiron relatively unscathed. Two years removed from having their football program terminated, the Pride faithful have found new life with Hofstra’s other programs. The disbandment was a shock to the system of the local community, no less the football players themselves, and disheartening to their fellow studentathletes. Many of the players defected to neighboring Stony Brook University, which saw its program explode with the influx of talent, but there were other beneficiaries. The loss of football has allowed the remaining sports to take the vacant spotlight, which has thrust Hofstra into national prominence in multiple areas. “[We had] a great 2010-11 athletic season; highlighted by the women’s soccer advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament, the continued success of Hofstra lacrosse, the wrestling program having two student-athletes earn All-American status and last, but certainly not least, the amazing season Charles Jenkins had,” said Associate Director of Athletic Communications Stephen Gorchov. The success of the men’s basketball team and their galvanizing star, Charles Jenkins, breathed new life into a sports community that was on the brink of disbandment itself. The
buzz created on campus by his performance attracted a cult following for Hofstra sports – even conceiving a new catchphrase for the school, “Roll Pride,” a play on the Alabama tagline, “Roll Tide.” Jenkins joins former football player Marques Colston of the New Orleans Saints as the latest Hofstra graduate to play in a major professional league. Drafted by the Golden State Warriors, Jenkins will carry his Hofstra Pride to arenas throughout North America. Additionally, the ongoing success of the men’s lacrosse program, which has made the NCAA tournament the past four seasons (a school record), has given the Hofstra community a powerhouse to get behind. With excelling sports programs finally getting their recognition, Hofstra has managed to maintain its reputation as a school with strong athletics. But with autumn fast approaching, the football-less fall season will be under the most scrutiny, as they will try to capture the attention of fans while former players dawn Stony Brook’s red and white just a few miles away. The men’s soccer team, which is enjoying more support than ever, is attempting to build on a season that led them to the CAA championship game and a third place regular season finish. The team will be led by sophomore defender Shaun Foster, who won the CAA’s Rookie of the Year and Defender of the Year awards, making him the first CAA player to win two major year-end awards in a single season. The Southport, England native has been selected as one of the 42 players on the Hermann Trophy watch list, given to the top WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
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collegiate player in the country. On the women’s side of the pitch, the Pride are looking to build off an unparalleled season in which they went a perfect 12-0, something the CAA hasn’t seen since William & Mary went 8-0 in 1998. They are returning senior midfielders Courtney Breen and Brittany Butts, who have been named to the Pre-Season All CAA Team. The Field Hockey team is looking to rebound from a 7-11, 2-6 finish to their 2010 season. With 18 return players and losing only five goals to graduation, they have a renewed faith for the 2011 season.
“More than anything, we have depth with experience at every position this year,” head coach Kathy De Angelis says. “The return of Amy-Lee [Levey] will solidify our back line and give us a very good transition from defense to offense. With a veteran line-up and the return of Krizia and Genna from injuries, we have set our goal at finishing among the top four in the CAA. That means developing and getting better in every game during the non-conference season in preparation for the tough conference schedule.”
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Human Interest
Improved Rutgers Unit Towing the Company Line
Story by: Matt Sugam Photos by: Matt Sugam
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Sixty-one is a number synonymous with success in sports. Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth’s home run record with 61 bombs. A basketball player dropping 61 points in one game would solidify his status as an elite player. A golfer would shatter the course record on almost any golf course in the world by shooting a 61. But for Rutgers offensive line, 61 is a number that makes them wince. It’s the number of sacks the unit gave up last year—an NCAA record. The unit was criticized throughout the 2010 season, pegged as the glaring weakness on an overall disappointing Scarlet Knights team, and it’s eaten at them all offseason. “We’re just tired of hearing that,” right tackle Desmond Stapleton said. “We have to work hard to get away from it because ya’ll keep bringing it up.” With constant reminders of a historically bad season, the line has been fed constant motivation. Guard Antwan Lowery keeps an article posted in his house which chews out the offensive line as a daily reminder of the lows his unit experienced. The embattled unit returns four starters in tackles Andre Civil and Stapleton, and guards Desmond Wynn and Lowery. David Osei has secured the center position replacing the graduated Howard Barbieri, with junior college transfer Dallas Hendrikson missing the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during spring practice. While the struggles could have torn the group apart, it’s actually made their bond stronger. That unity goes beyond the lifts, meetings and practices. The group cooks meals, plays video games and watches movies together, because an offensive line must be closer than any other unit on the team. When it comes to working together on game
day, they must know and feel, rather than guess and see. “That’s the stuff that helps you become good on the field,” Lowery said. “Getting to know each other in ways that you won’t get to know each other otherwise.” While the best offensive lines are known to have their close relationships, dinner and a movie isn’t the only thing going to keep quarterback Chas Dodd off his back; a different offensive system should help. New offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti runs a pro style offense, which means a more downhill running game for a team that ranked 110th out of 120 schools in rushing last season, with 100.9 yards per game. The new passing game is designed to get the ball out of the quarterback’s hands quicker using quicker routes, which require shorter drops reducing the likelihood of a sack. Integrating the fullback more regularly both as a blocker and a receiver out of the backfield will supplement the line’s blocking and give Dodd a safety valve if he is in trouble. Throw in the experience they gained from last season’s trial by fire, and the offensive line should be nursed from poor last season, to improved, and eventually adept by year’s end. “They’re a year stronger and a year more confident,” head coach Greg Schiano said of his unit that he is gaining confidence in by the day. And Dodd has faith in his line despite serving as a tackling dummy last season. That’s because of Cignetti’s system. “Everyone last year thought it was just the players, but a lot of it’s the schemes and protection and things you’re doing as an offense,” Dodd said. “The things we’re going to be doing this year are definitely going to benefit us so I feel like we’re going to be a better offense and be a better offensive line.” WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
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The Rutgers offensive line had been a strength since Kyle Flood took over the unit in 2005. Prior to last season, the Knights were known for consistently having one of the best offensive lines in the country. In 2006, they surrendered eight sacks, the fewest in the country. The very next season they gave up 11 sacks while paving the way for Ray Rice’s epic 2,012 yard season. If the offensive line can get back to it’s old ways, the Scarlet Knights have the potential to be one of the most prolific offenses in the Big East. Dodd now has a year’s worth of experience after starting eight games as a true freshman and has a capable backup in true freshman Gary Nova. Whoever is quarterback has arguably the best receiving corps in the Big East. Between Mohamed Sanu, Mark Harrison, Brandon Coleman, Tim Wright, Quron Pratt and newcomer Miles Shuler, the Scarlet Knights have the personnel to always force the opposing defense to matchup with dynamic playmakers. Tight ends D.C. Jefferson and Paul Carrezola should have significant roles in the offense as well and be assets to the young quarterbacks. With Joe Martinek switching to full back, Rutgers has a stable of tailbacks fighting to be the workhorse runner . As the top rated running back in the state, true freshman Savon Huggins—who was tabbed the next Ray Rice as soon as he chose Rutgers—could very well be that guy. With so much talent at the skill positions, having enough footballs to go around would be a cause for concern, but a problem Shiano is pleased, if not giddy to have. But all the playmakers in the world won’t be a factor if the quarterback doesn’t have time to get the ball to them. That’s something the offensive line knows. And while they can talk about how much the struggles of last season have weighed on their collective conscious, and how it’s fueled their workouts since last season concluded, they’re aware that won’t change what people talk about. The only way to get people to stop talking about the number 61 is with their play on the field. “At the end of the day it comes down to us doing our job,” Stapleton said. “Us just manning up and blocking the people we’re supposed to block.”
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stony brook
Championship Run
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No program benefited more from the disbandment of the Hofstra football program than Stony Brook University. Running backs Brock Jackolski and Miguel Maysonet, both transfers from Hofstra, formed a daunting duo in the backfield for the Seawolves in 2010. Both Suffolk county natives, the pair came home to where they had already been stars for years. Jackolski and Maysonet had already made names for themselves at Stony Brook before stepping on the field at LaValle Stadium in Seawolves Red. Jackolski starred with William Floyd, winning three straight Long Island championships from 2005-2007. As a high school sophomore, he ran for 236 yards in the championship game against Baldwin, and capped his senior season in 2007 at LaValle Stadium with 159 total yards and a touchdown in a 42-0 win over Farmingdale. Maysonet led Riverhead to an undefeated season in 2009, destroying Elmont 42-6 at LaValle Stadium for the championship. He ran for 251 yards and four touchdowns. Now, both players have a season of experience under their belts and are preparing to forge a new championship legacy as Seawolves.
Story by: Gene Morris Photos by: Morgan Harrison
“There were some high school memories on that field,” Jackolski said. “They’re good memories that I’ll have for the rest of my life. And I’ll try to make some more as well.”
They both realize the advantage of having each other to rely on when they’re not on the field, and this year the offense will have a new wrinkle.
Both backs rushed for over 1,000 yards in their first season at Stony Brook. Maysonet led the team with 1,128 yards on the ground as the workhorse, while Jackolski contributed 1,026 in the rushing game, but was more active receiving accumulating 1,966 all-purpose yards.
“Obviously they’re both very high caliber running backs,” quarterback Michael Coulter said. “Brock does a little more receiving for us and we split him out some times. We have a little new twist in this year, a new package that we can use them both at the same time which is pretty good because Brock’s a little more of a receiver and Miguel’s got the power game down a little more.
“That’s great having both of us back there,” Maysonet said. “If I’m tired they’re going to put Brock in. If he’s tired they’re going to put me in. It’s great having a dual threat with both of us back there.” 26 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
“Obviously they can both run the ball well and we just want to use both of those skills with them fully and we’re hopefully going to see both of them on the field at the same time.”
Suffolk Duo Will Power Stony Brook’s Season
Being a year older and having a full years’ experience in the system will only make the duo more dangerous.
lot easier for us to actually know where everything is going to be.”
“I feel comfortable,” Jackolski said. “I know the system a lot better this year and I’ve been practicing for a year, it clicks – what blocks are going to be where, it’s just a lot smoother this year than it was last.”
The season starts September 3 when the Seawolves travel to El Paso to take on D-IA UTEP. Jackolski, Maysonet and the rest of the offense will have four games to really prepare themselves for Big South play and the road to a championship.
That’s a scary thought for Big South defenses that had trouble containing Jackolski and Maysonet even though they weren’t 100% comfortable in their new system. “Actually knowing the system and not just being thrown in right away and having to learn it really fast (is a positive)” Maysonet said. “We’re a year older, a year smarter, and it makes it a
“Defenses are preparing the whole week for the run game, they’re preparing for number 30 and number 5,” Coulter said. “It can only help open up some big plays.” 27 WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
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Photo by Morgan Harrison
Rutgers Defensive Tackle Scott Valone, 94, tries to gain leverage on offensive tackle Desmond Wynn during a run blocking drill.
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Boise Brothers Post Up Steven and Grayson Laurino are leaving a family legacy hundreds of miles from home. By : Mike Browning | Photos By : Morgan Harrison
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here are a multitude of powerful forces at work during a football season: the massive physiques of lineman pushing against each other in the trenches, wind resistance and gravity against a deep pass, or an ill-intentioned linebacker meeting a running back in the hole. For C.W. Post, one of the most powerful of these will have a profound impact on the success of the 2011 season: brotherhood. It was brotherhood that brought in their starting quarterback, redshirt freshman Steven Laurino from Boise, Idaho. Laurino, a dynamic athlete at Boise High School, was a preferred walk-on for high-profile Boise State and the object of desire for several Football Championship Subdivision coaches around the country. That’s why it mystified when the standout high school player in a football-adept region such as Boise chose to play on Long Island, where college football has little luster. Mystified that is, until they considered the fact that he just did what he’s been doing his whole life: following in the footsteps of his older brother, Grayson. Grayson started the Laurino football tradition when he first tried football in lieu of soccer in the 7th grade. Steven followed suit as a 5th grader, and the two quickly became enamored. From a young age, the boys chose to shape their lives around the pursuit of a college career—football was life in the Laurino household. “I love football and from the time we were little kids we always played in elementary school and played at recess and what not,” Steven said. “But if it wasn’t for Grayson making the transition from soccer to football, I don’t think I ever would have done it either, so I definitely followed him.” Though the brothers have since shifted positions—it was Grayson who played quarterback and Steven who played wide receiver at Boise High—the passion for football and the athletic genes they share once again put them in meaningful roles on the same field three time zones away. As those who know the boys came to expect, it was Grayson who led the way to Brookville. Football is larger than life in Boise, and the competition is elite. When a player stands out there, people notice. ‘Fast-paced, big boys, yeah lots of competition,” Gray-
son said, describing his opponents in high school, many of which sent entire sides of the ball to Division I programs. Despite his wealth of opportunities, Grayson had his sights set on Long Island, where the fanaticism for football is tame in comparison. The boys always had a connection to Long Island--frequently visiting their father in Lynbrook--so when it came time to choose a school, Grayson took the blood -is-thicker-than-water route and chose to walk-on at Post. To Head Coach Bryan Collins, Grayson was no different from any other walk-on that year. He gave him a roster spot after being impressed with his work ethic and athleticism, but little did he know that it was the start of a family legacy. Three seasons later, Grayson is an invaluable cog in the championship machine as a starting wide receiver, punter and team captain. His success paved the way for Steven, who is penciled in as the starting quarterback this season. If not for Grayson, the chances of Steven coming to Post, or even hearing of the school, were nil. Abandoning the infamous blue grass of Boise State for C.W. Post required an enormous leap of faith for Steven, who detested the fast-paced and high-strung atmosphere of Long Island. “If it wasn’t for Grayson being here, I wouldn’t even know about this school,” Steven said. “I had some other offers that I was highly considering and down at the end at the last minute when it go down to signing day, I spoke to Grayson a lot and right at the end I kind of decided that having the DI label wasn’t quite as important as playing college football with my brother, which most people can’t do.” Before Steven’s fateful choice, college coaches were calling him every week, and a roster spot on Boise State was all but guaranteed. Boise Head Coach Chris Petersen, one of the rising stars in the college football world, had been in frequent communication with Steven, figuring him in as a legitimate competitor for the Bronco quarterback position.
ecstatic for Steven, well aware of the importance of the opportunity to play alongside family. “I went in and talked to him one on one,” explained Steven. He knew about this whole situation—that I had my brother here and what not and I decided to go play football with him in New York, and he was so happy for me—all smiles. He said ‘That is awesome, I’m so glad for you that you can do that. We’re ‘gonna miss you here, but that’s so awesome that you have an opportunity to play with your brother.” So it was decided that he would play at C.W. Post. The culture shock was difficult for him, but he relied on Grayson for support and a sense of normalcy in a region that he wasn’t particularly fond of. The boys roomed together, and Grayson helped ease Steven into the social scene. The football aspect of C.W. Post took care of itself. “I think he’s a very intelligent and competitive young man,” Collins said. “But it’s a good comfort to know that his brother plays that position and his brother also throws the ball a little bit and is an emergency backup for us; so it’s really good that their relationship is a special relationship and we are very lucky to have both young men representing the program this year.” Finally settled in and acclimated to his new environment, Steven will face the monumental task of leading the Pioneers during a rebuilding season. Steven, however, is undaunted, as he is only being asked to do what he’s always done: play football with his brother. “I have to remind myself that I’m here, that I want to play football with my brother because I never in my life wanted to live on Long Island,” Steven said. “I’ve been here many years and I love Boise and that’s O.K., but I’ve been here for a little over a year now, and every day I like it a little more so I keep it in the back of my mind that I’m here to play football.
Telling a local celebrity that you are forgoing a spot on his roster to play across the country proved to be a daunting task, but the man who is 61-5 since taking over at Boise State was not only understanding, but
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Fly by Knight By Matt Sugam
A speedier defense and revamped O line should put Rutgers back into the Big East mix
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After a tumultuous 4-8 season that included a six-game losing skid to end the year that snapped Rutgers’ five-year bowl streak, expectations for 2011 from the outside are low--The Scarlet Knights were picked to finish last in the Big East media poll.
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The perception from within could not be more different. The polls and speculation that the losing streak will carry over has fueled the Rutgers’ offseason and the determination to bounce back and compete for the conference championship. To do so, the Knights will have to quickly adapt to new schemes put in place in the offseason and a change in philosophy on both sides of the ball.
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Offensively, new offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti will go back to a pro style offense. Defensively, a player was moved down a level at each position to make for a speedier, more athletic unit. While the offense is bringing back all of its talent at the skill positions, the big question mark is the offensive line. After giving up an NCAA record 61 sacks and ranking 110th nationally in rushing last season, the unit returns all but one starter from last season. Aside from a year experience under their belts, the new offense should benefit the line.
“Our run game is more of a downhill run game
Photos by: Matt Sugam
Rutgers Season Preview so that will help the offensive linemen,” head coach Greg Schiano said. “[The quarterback will be] getting rid of the ball quicker, just in general with different kinds of plays and drops.”
That quarterback—sophomore Chas Dodd—will have of a ton of big playmakers to get the pigskin to. The top four wide receivers are at least 6’2” in Mohamed Sanu, Mark Harrison, Tim Wright and the 6’6” Brandon Coleman. 5’10” freshman Myles Shuler is a speedster that could make a contribution as a slot receiver. The offense will also rely on its tight ends for both blocking and pass catching. D.C. Jefferson and Paul Carrezola battled throughout camp for the starting spot, but both should get significant playing time with the two tight end sets. The fullback will also have an expanded role in the offense,
both as a blocker and receiver.
“He’s [the fullback] a core part of the blocking scheme in the running game, he’s a core part of the protection in the passing game and you’d like to have a guy that can run some routes and create some match ups with the linebackers,” Cignetti said. In essence, it’s system that could use a fullback a la Brian Leonard. Converted running back Joe Martinek, Rutgers’ most effective rusher last season, will try to do just that in his senior season.
Most importantly, the offense will get back to what Schiano likes most: a powerful running game.
“I think it’s in my blood,” Cignetti said of running the ball. “The key to running the ball is being efficient and giving it at WWW.ULTIMATEATHLETEMAGAZINE.COM
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bats. You got to run the ball enough so the defense respects the run.” And it could very well be a true freshman in Savon Huggins that those defenses are respecting. Rivals.com rated Huggins the top recruit in New Jersey and one of the best running backs in the country. Jeremy Deering—who converted from wide receiver— De’Antwan Williams and Jawan Jamison will also be in the mix to get touches.
Alongside Greene, Steve Beauharnais and Jamal Merrell will make up the linebacking core. After spending last season as the middle linebacker, Beauharnais moved back to strong side linebacker for spring ball— where he was a playmaker his freshman year— while Ka’lial Glaud manned the middle. Shortly after training camp started, Beauharnais moved back to Middle linebacker given his grasp of the overall defense, while Glaud moved to defensive end as a pass rush specialist. The secondary is a talented group, but is also experiencing some changes. After three years at cornerback, David Rowe has moved to safety. Duron Harmon is the other safety, while Logan Ryan, Brandon Jones, Marcus Cooper and Mason Robinson should all see snaps at cornerback.
The Defense fell apart during the losing streak down the stretch last giving up 144 points and 1,601 yards in the final three games. As a result, Schiano moved a few playmakers around to create a speedier defense, which was the formula in the unit’s hey-day under Schiano circa 2006.
Rowe sees the position changes and added speed as a big plus for the defense.
“One of the things that I was disappointed in when I watched the videos at the end of the season was that we just didn’t look fast,” Schiano said. “I kind of saw it as the season went on. I think some of the position changes were overdue. We need to get more speed and you can only do it with the players you have in the program and what you recruit.”
“It frees me a little bit because I know guys may be able to cover a little more ground and it just makes the overall defense a lot better,” he said.
Rutgers will get to test that speed early when they travel down to Chapel Hill to take on a fast UNC team in their second game. Rutgers toughest Big East games will be at home as they take on West Virginia and USF in back to back weeks. The toughest road game looked as if it would be at Syracuse, but the Orange have had an injury riddled training camp.
As a result, the entire defense is revamped. There are six new starters, while four returning starters are in new positions. Manny Abreu has moved from weak side linebacker to the defensive line and Khaseem Greene has moved from safety to weak side linebacker. Both were starters at their respective positions a season ago.
On the defensive line, Scott Vallone is the only returning starter and has moved from the three technique to nose tackle. Along with Abreu, Michael Larrow, Marcus Thompson and Jonathan Francis are in the mix to start or get significant reps. 38 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
on the map.
Overall, Rutgers has a favorable schedule and should get in position to win a bowl game berth. The offense has the playmakers to be one of the most prolific offenses in the Big East, as long as the offensive line does its job. The defense has the bigger question marks, but is at least going back to the philosophy that put Rutgers football
Rutgers University
Can Paul Pasqualoni Avoid the Doghouse at UConn? The The 2011 2011 Huskies Huskies Will Will Face Face New New Challenges Challenges By ByBen BenRosenthal Rosenthal Photos Courtesy Photos Courtesyof ofUCONN UCONNathletics athletics
In the season following the UConn football team win-
ning the Big East Conference outright for the first time in school history, it would be natural to think that nothing short of a repeat BCS bid would be acceptable. But fans in the know are tempering expectations for the 2011 Huskies. A return to a BCS game is a very lofty goal for a team sporting several new faces in key positions and a brand new head coach at the helm. The outlook becomes more dubious when considering that slumbering Big East giants West Virginia, Cincinnati and Louisville are all poised to bounce back from anomalous down seasons.
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New head coach Paul Pasqualoni will have the challenge of implementing his schemes and philosophy amidst heavy turnover in the lineup and with no clearcut starting quarterback. 2010 unanimous Big East offensive player of the year Jordan Todman was lost to the draft, and it would seem highly unlikely that the team could find a comparable running back to replace him right away. The main question Husky nation is collectively asking is: Does Paul Pasqualoni even have what it takes to continue the growth from the Randy Edsall era? He has some big shoes to fill, that much is clear. In 12 years with the Huskies, Edsall became a hero in the state of Connecticut by conducting what is considered to be the most rapid progression from division I-AA to full I-A membership in history, receiving an invite to a BCS conference only two years after becoming a
transitional 1-A member. Not only did Edsall get his team an invite to the party, he made them the life of it, being a serious contender each season leading up to winning the conference championship in 2010. No, the Big East is not the SEC by any stretch of the imagination, but Edsall and Co. did a great job of recruiting and scheduled games against big time out-ofconference schools to give their program exposure on the national stage. Although the Huskies of 2010 finished Big East play on an extreme high, the season as a whole wasn’t exactly flawless. They finished with a record of 8-5, and the school lost money in the Fiesta Bowl blowout loss against Oklahoma because they couldn’t sell enough of their share of the tickets, which is another area slopped onto Pasqualoni’s plate that will need to be addressed.
UCONN FOOTBALL
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Paul Pasqualoni has 17 starters returning from last year’s team, and will enter the 2011 season with the bull’s eye of defending conference champs on their backs. There are a plethora of questions, starting with Pasqualoni. If nothing else, he knows what it takes to be successful in the Big East. Pasqualoni coached for 14 years at Syracuse, leading the Orange to an impressive 107-59-1 record. Pasqualoni also brings an NFL resume to UConn, serving as linebackers coach for the Dallas Cowboys and defensive coordinator for the Miami Dolphins. Like Edsall, Pasqualoni’s teams usually rely on a strong running game; something that UConn has been among the best in the nation at. Another inquiry from Huskies Nation: what will become of the Huskies without Jordan Todman? University of Southern California transfer D.J. Shoemate will most likely pick up the bulk of the carries, and he will have to have an outstanding season, especially with the unexpected departure of running back and kick return extraordinaire Robbie Frey. Shoemate will have one more year of eligibility after this season and with the run-first ideology Pasqualoni is known for you can look for the bruising back to put up some gaudy numbers. Shoemate will be relied upon to be a leader both on the field and in the locker room this season, and is confident that the massive turnover will not disrupt continuity. “Coach P wasn’t all that different,” Shoemate said. “He brought in his own ideas, but he wasn’t too much different. We all trusted him right from the start though. One thing, we all want to get into the NFL someday and he has that experience there, so we listen to what he’s got to say.” Perhaps the biggest concern for the team is at the most important position on the field. Last year, the Huskies used both Cody Endres and Zach Frazer at quarterback, but neither did much to separate himself from the other. Right as it looked like Endres had solidified himself as the starter, he was kicked off the team indefinitely for an undisclosed repeated violation. Uconn has three inexperienced quarterbacks competing to be the starter. Johnny McEntee did not do a lot early to establish himself over Scott McCummings and Michael Nebrich, and even the experienced Frazer had a limited role last season and was more or less told to hand the ball off to Todman while keeping mistakes to a minimum. With eight starters returning to this year’s defense, the unit is sure to better its middle-of-the-pack finish of last year. The team plays a weak nonconference schedule, but has some tough road games where the defense will be tested. At West Virginia, at Pittsburgh and closing out the season at Cincinnati will all be games in which they are sure to be underdogs. Will the team match or perhaps even better its mark from last year? Although it is unlikely they will win the Big East again this year, finishing with a regular season record of 6-6 or 7-5 is within the realm of possibility. A goal to be Bowl eligible is a realistic one that the team can reach if Pasqualoni can implement a system that fits his team best, a true starting quarterback emerges, the defense holds its own and the running game doesn’t drop off from last year. 44 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
The NFL Youth Football Fund and USA Football salute the players of the 2011 Empire Challenge High School Football All-Star Game. Football teaches its players, coaches and participants valuable life lessons that can be applied both on and off the field. Your participation today is not only a celebration of your all-star season, but also a testament to the perseverance of Empire Challenge Inc. and the Boomer Esiason Foundation. Their tireless efforts in the fight against cystic fibrosis bring those with the disease closer to a cure, and help them live healthier lives.
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W OMEN ’S SOCCER
In Your Dreams Rutgers star has done it all, but her career has only just begun By : Dan Cappello Photos By : Rutgers SID
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very athlete dreams of extraordinary accomplishments, but few will ever see them come true. Most must temper their expectations to handle the day when their skills limit them from reaching the next level in their sport, but some special athletes’ ambitions are not relegated to dream land. Rutgers women’s soccer star Jonelle Filigno’s dreams are playing out before the collective eyes of the world. The red-shirt sophomore has already scored three game-winning goals this season, helping Rutgers start 2011 with a 5-2 record. As a redshirt freshman, she tied for the team lead in points (12), with four goals and four assists. Impressive numbers to be sure, but eye-popping when you consider she missed the final six games of the season to join the Canadian National Team in a quest to win the 2011 FIFA World Cup. “To be playing with and playing against some of the best players in the world was a great experience,” said Filigno, who had the privilege of traveling to Germany this summer to compete for her country on the biggest stage on earth. The Mississauga, ON native was a star well before she came to Rutgers. In 2008, at age 17, she
competed in the Beijing Olympics for the Canadian National and was named the Canadian Soccer Associations under-20 Female Player of the Year in 2010. Last year, after leading Rutgers in points, she helped lead Canada to a CONCACAF Title to qualify for the 2011 FIFA World Cup in Germany. She had an amateur career that occupies many other athletes’ dreams, but most of her accomplishments almost didn’t happen. According Filigno, her performance during the first national team try out in 2008 almost put a glass ceiling on her soccer career. “I just remember they called me back for another camp and I wasn’t on the team officially until I was on the roster for the Olympics,” Filigno said. “Eventually, I was told I was on the final roster for the Olympics, which was unbelievable to me because a lot had happened to me that year. I was kind of shocked and it was an amazing experience. Everything from the first camp to the end of the Olympics was amazing for me.” The experience of playing in the World Cup was surreal for Filigno, but one of the most profound moments of the trip was having the opportunity to watch one of her favorite players—another Rutgers alum. “Although I didn’t meet her, Carli Llyod is someone that I admire,” said Filigno, about the 2004 Rutgers alum and one of the stars of the U.S. women’ soccer team. “Knowing that she came from this program is very exciting to me and I think she is one of the greatest players in the world,
so it was pretty cool to watch her play.” So how did she go from Canada to Rutgers University? Filigno says Lloyd, as well as other factors contributed to her move to the U.S. to play for the Division I program. “The team just felt like a family and everyone was just so welcoming,” said Filigno, who is majoring in Sports Management. “At the time, the goalkeeper for the Canadian National team was the assistant coach, so she played a big role in me coming here as well.” This season, without the pressure of competing in the World Cup, Filigno has turned her attention to her Rutgers team. Rutgers was ranked 3rd in the preseason polls and is returning eight starters from a team that ended last season with a loss to Notre Dame in the Big East Championship game. “We’re very much a team right now,” Filigno said. “I definitely think the difference from last year is that we didn’t feel that way. We felt like individuals and not like a team. I think it is important that we are as prepared as we can be every single game and just don’t hold anything back.”
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WOMEN’S SOCCER
P R O9-11C Pro Corner
MORE THAN A GAME BY : JOE PIETARO
I
n the decade since the tragedies that occurred on September 11, 2001, the sports world has been a place people have turned to as a way of enjoying the simple things in life. That was the plan set out back then and it certainly felt that way again as the ten-year mark approached.
GIANTS, JETS FELT 9-11 50
OPENING DAY EXTRA SPECIAL
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“The feelings you get on the sideline and during the national anthem will be even greater this year because it will be the 10th anniversary on 9/11,” said Giants head coach Tom Coughlin before the game. “You can feel how the league is going to recognize the tragedy that took place to this great country. Recognizing the terrible loss of life and the people who have lost loved ones, and recog-
O RNER nizing the heroes, the firemen, the president who was in office during emergency people, the policemen, the terrorist attacks. the people who immediately sacriA stirring 27-24 comeback win ficed their lives to save others.” for Gang Green may have been The Washington Redskins hosted enough, but because it was done on the Giants in the opener for both that day in the Tri-state area made teams and two cities who shared in it epic. “I think we all felt it,” Rex loss and sorrow had an afternoon to- Ryan said. “It affected everybody in gether to reflect on the past and look that locker room. You can see where towards the future. The final score the Towers were from our stadium. had the Redskins finish on top, 28- There was a lot of pressure, but also 14, but that was not the most im- a lot of excitement. portant aspect. Even to Washington “We wanted to show our fans and head coach Mike Shanahan, who everybody else, ‘Hey, look. We’re called the day “amazing” and “quite you’re team’ and all that,” the Jets emotional.” head coach said. “It brought tears to your eyes,” Third-year quarterback Mark he added. Sanchez received the biggest ovaThe Jets’ home contest against tion during the pre-game introducthe Dallas Cowboys took place in tions and called it an “emotional atprime time and the pre-game activi- mosphere.” ties included an appearance by none “It was a good win for this comother than George Bush, the former
munity and this city after a big memorial game like this,” he reflected. Part of the pre-game had the players along with a number of first responders from the various police, fire and military agencies standing shoulder to shoulder holding an American flag that covered the entire field. This was a special moment and something not lost on LaDanian Tomlinson. “I felt honored; I really did,” the Jets running back said. “Those were the guys that did the ground work. The recovery. The guys (who) got in and did the dirty work. I felt honored to be standing next to them.” Sports superstars and blue collar workers were all equal on a very special day in our country. Of course sports being the backdrop made it happen.
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Sports Ps Sport Psychology By: Dr. Tom Ferraro
O
The Problem with Perfectionism
ver all the years of seeing athletes, I can honestly say that the most common problem that athletes suffer with is perfectionism. And what makes this
ment… as best you can with clear eyes and love in your heart… with joy in your heart? If you can do that gentleman, then you’re perfect.”
scared because you are probably expecting more disappointment. A quarterback may throw three touchdowns and win the game but go home feeling upset and even angry because he threw two interceptions as well. The
The perfectionist is always unhappy no matter how he plays. problem so difficult to treat is that nearly every athlete considers their perfectionism to be a helpful trait. “Hey Doc what’s wrong with trying to be perfect? It gets me to stay real focused and strive to be my very best!” Now just add in the typical coaches own perfectionism and you really have a problem on your hands. You may recall the football film Friday Night Lights where Coach Gaines, played by Bill Bob Thorton, tried to teach his team how to be perfect. He sealed the deal for real during that famous pep talk he gave at halftime of the State Championships. This may be the most well-known pep talk ever given. He said this: “Being perfect is not about that scoreboard out there. It’s about you and your relationship to your family and your friends. Being perfect is about being able to look your friend in the eye and know that you didn’t let him down because you told them the truth. And that truth is that you did everything that you could. There wasn’t one more thing you could have done. Can you live in that mo54 ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
Coaches often reinforce perfectionism if they are too harsh and do not give praise. But of course you will note that this is a redefinition of what we all know perfectionism to be. We usually define perfectionism as: “The tendency to set very high standards and to be dissatisfied with anything that does not meet those high standards. These high standards are often unrealistic.” And even that definition sounds harmless enough until you actually break it down and see it in action. Because what that often means is that the athlete sets increasingly high standards which can never be reached. This leads to an increasing sense of frustration and a feeling of defeat. When it goes on unchecked, it leads to anger and even depression because the athlete feels no longer like a success but like a failure. Perfectionism means that you can never or very rarely feel satisfied and usually go home feeling sad and empty. Perfectionism means that you play tight and
reality is that football players make mistakes all game long because they are human. The worst case I have ever seen of perfectionism was when I was working with a young golfer who was a national champion but was having lots of emotional trouble. As we played golf one day he hit a great drive and a two iron to about three inches on a very tough par five. As he tapped his eagle putt in, he was grumbling of how disappointed he was for not making a double eagle. That is what you call perfectionism. Bill Parcels would always worry about game quitters but what he failed to realize is that a source of game quitting is the feeling that you are losing all game long. This comes about when perfectionism is in play and as a result the player is feeling that he is playing lousy all game. He is set up to quit.
sychology Why are so many athletes perfectionistic?
The perfectionist will eventually feel down and depressed. Alfred Adler was the first psychologist to focus on perfectionism and felt that our natural feeling of inferiority in childhood produced a need to compensate for it by becoming perfectionistic. And when you then enter the world of sports it only reinforces this tendency. Sports demands much from the athlete. To win you must be excellent. Competition is very fierce and gets fiercer the higher you go. To win you must focus hard and try hard. Only the very best get to the top and get that golden ring, be that a scholarship or a pro contract. The rest go home empty handed. The media reinforces this at every turn. Only the star gets face time. That’s the way it is. And all this fierce competition breeds perfectionism into us. But that also leads to the problem we are talking about; constant frustration, bitterness, overwork and exhaustion. Almost every time I have worked with perfectionists that get to the top they come in, lie down on my couch and look totally, fully and completely exhausted.
There has to be a better way but what is it? The first thing to do is to try to determine if you are perfectionistic. Are you always unhappy with your performance? Are you in a slump? Are you always angry with the way you play? Do you always see yourself as failing though everyone around you sees you as a very good player? If you feel this is true, you may be a perfectionist. And here is what to do. Begin to judge yourself in a more lenient, reasonable or flexible manner. Chances are you are not now and never will be Peyton or Eli Manning. That’s okay. Try to see and to appreciate your wins and your victories. Try to develop patience and a real sense of forgiveness. When you get compliments, take a moment to take them in. Say thank you. Try to start to enjoy your game whatever it is. Chances are there is much to enjoy in the game, the camaraderie, the movement of it, and the travel. It is not just about winning and losing. It is much more about playing the game for all of its fun and pleasure. I always ask every player I work with what is their philosophy about why they play the game. When given a chance to talk about it they will usually tell me they play because of the pleasure of the game, its beauty, that the game is their sanctuary, that they like the friendships and the travel too. And then they will tell me they like to win too. But winning is usually said at the end. It is just like what Coach Gaines said about being perfect. It is not about the scoreboard but more about playing with effort and with love in their hearts. And for me sports are all about fun and joy and pleasure and friendships. And not so much about win, win, win. Of course you need to enjoy winning and try your very best but there is room in sport for you to take some time to slow down, and live in the moment of joy as Coach Gaines said. And, there is time in that moment for some forgiveness as well. And if you can find some joy and some forgiveness along with the drive to excel this will take you a whole lot further than just the lonely sad path of the perfectionist.
Learn to have fun and to enjoy your game for what it is and this will help get you out of perfectionism.
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A WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL GAME
New ways to build strength for the Grid Iron
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Story By Mike Meija CSCS/ / Photos By Morgan Harrison When it comes to strength training for football, certain lifts immediately come to mind. In fact, it’s hard to even imagine a football training program that isn’t built almost exclusively around squats, bench presses, deadlifts and power cleans. And while there’s no arguing the efficacy of these lifts in terms of building big, powerful p owerful muscles, I can’t help but wonder if they really represent the best way to build functional strength ffor or the sport; or, if their inclusion is merely part of some time-honored approach that athletes and coaches alike are afraid to deviate from. So I decided to take a closer look at some common football strengthening exercises and offer up what I feel to be some more effective alternatives.
A TRUE “BENCH” MARK? For as long as I can remember, the bench press has been the undisputed king of upper body lifts. The only question is... why? Sure, it allows for a reliable way to gauge an athlete’s upper body pushing strength, making it a real favorite amongst coaches. I for one, however, feel that its transfer to football is minimal at best. First off, because you’re not engaging your legs and core the same way as you would in an upright position, the push you’re generating is nowhere near the same. In other words, just because you might be able to bench press a small automobile, doesn’t ensure that you’ll be able to shed a block, or drive an opposing player backward. Making matters worse is the fact that the symmetrical load provided by the barbell won’t prepare you for the unbalanced type of push you’ll often need when engaging an opponent. That’s why I prefer a much more functional exercise called the band thrust out. For this drill, you’ll need access to a moderately heavy rubber resistance band, as well as something sturdy to anchor it to. Once you’ve anchored your band to something close to floor level, begin by grasping the handles and facing away from the anchoring point. Next, set up in a split stance with one leg in front of the other and a slight bend in both knees. With your hands starting just a few inches in front of your shoulders, brace your core as you press up and out, while simultaneously driving your back leg past your front one. In the finish position, you’ll be balancing on one leg with both arms extended out, above your head. Pause for a split second and then control the weight back down and repeat for 6-8 reps. Remember to switch the order of your legs when you do the next set. Besides absolutely blasting your core, this drill also better simulates the unique combination of balance and strength you’ll need out on the field. In terms of power development, try the kneeling jump to medicine ball throw. For these, begin by kneeling down facing a wall that’s several feet in front of you. Holding a heavy medicine ball at chest height, start by sitting your hips back towards your heels and then “explode” up into a jump, as you land on the balls of your feet and then immediately use the momentum you’ve generated to throw the ball towards the wall. You then simply retrieve the ball and repeat for 5-6 total reps. What I like about this drill is the way it integrates the hips, core and upper body into one explosive movement. In doing so, it does a great job of training the triple extension (simultaneous extension of the hips, knees and ankles) necessary to execute the Olympic lifts without requiring teens to get into the awkward “catch” position- which often presents problems due to limitations in upper body flexibility.
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When it comes to upper body pulling strength, instead of all the lat pulldowns and rows, (where you’re traditionally in a seated position) why not try a drill called the “lumberjack” row. In addition to being a great upper back, arm and grip strengthener, the rotational movement it incorporates will really emphasize your core. You also get the added benefit of incorporating the lower body to help develop systemic strength. It’s also the perfect drill for defensive players who need to grab backs and receivers to toss them to the ground! For these, you’ll need to attach a rope handle to a low pulley. Begin by standing sideways to the pulley, in a quarter squat position and grabbing the rope with one hand about a foot in front of the other (as pictured). Once you’ve selected your weight, start by pushing into the ground with your legs and pulling the rope with both arms, as you simultaneously rotate your torso. In the finish position your legs will be almost completely straight, with your back elbow well past your torso and your other hand near your front hip. Carefully return the weight to the starting position and repeat for 8-10 reps per side. ULTIMATE ATHLETE MAGAZINE
NG YOU DON’T KNOW SQUAT! As effective as squats and deadlifts can be, I find that players often sacrifice form in an effort to put up as much weight as possible. Besides the obvious injury concerns associated with training this way, it also increases the likelihood of developing strength imbalances throughout the lower body. Chief among these is a propensity to overdevelop the quadriceps and hip flexors at the expense of the hamstrings and gluteals- the latter of which play a key role in developing the strength needed for sprinting and jumping. Rather than completely abandon squats and deadlifts, though, the use of a mini band can help by re-directing the focus on to the muscles that players need to work most, while simultaneously easing the workload on the lower back. Try placing these small colored bands (which are available through www.performbetter.com), just above the knees during both squats and deadlifts, and focus on “firing out” against the added resistance they offer. Not only will you experience one of the most complete lower body strengthening exercises you’ve ever attempted, but you’ll find you don’t need to us anywhere near as much weight. Trust me, your joints will thank you for it years from now. Another important training consideration from a lower body stand standpoint is the fact that most of what happens on the field will occur when your weight is primarily supported by just one leg. Obviously, this creates a need for at least some unilateral strengthening. Among my top choices here are the Bulgarian Split Squat and the Unilateral Stability Ball Leg Curl. I like the split squat because it requires both balance and flexibility, and the leg curl is great for developing the hip extension strength necessary for pushing the ground away from you during sprints. Despite the fact that both drills may look a bit unconventional, I assure you they’re among the best you can do to improve performance on the field. Hold a pair of dumbbells and stand a couple of feet in front of an exercise bench, or high step with your back to it. Place the top of one foot behind you on the bench and as you balance on the other, maintain an upright torso as you descend into a parallel squat. Pause at the bottom and then fire back up. Lie on the ground with your lower legs resting on a stability ball. Begin by lifting one
CONCLUSION Strength training for football has come a long way from the ol’ “Go Heavy, or Go Home” days. Keep focusing your training efforts on squats, bench presses and power cleans and you might present a pretty imposing image on the field, but you’ll have a hard time keeping up with guys whose training has evolved with the times. Remember, it’s what you can do on the field, and not necessarily in the weight room that counts. So forget about tradition, and start doing the kind of stuff that’s going to help take your game to the next level!
For more great strength and training information from Mike Mejia, visit his website at www.basesportsconditioning.com.
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