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SPECIAL ISSUE

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Tuesday

August 27, 2013

The Staff

All stories by Zack Kelberman

SPECIAL ISSUE EDITOR ZACK KELBERMAN SPECIAL ISSUE DESIGNER MICHELLE FRISWELL

The lengths Jeff Sims and his coaches go to bring in new players.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF - Dylan Bouscher MANAGING EDITOR - Austen Erblat CREATIVE DIRECTOR - Michelle Friswell

6

BUSINESS MANAGER - Joshua Gattis NEWS EDITOR - Christopher Massana

What is the impact of FAU gaining increased television coverage in Conference USA?

FEATURES EDITOR - Emily Bloch SPORTS EDITOR - Zack Kelberman PHOTO EDITOR - Ryan Murphy WEB EDITOR - Christopher Massana

8

COPY DESK CHIEF - Chris Hamann SENIOR EDITORS - Ryan Cortes, Rolando

Why FAU will finish with two more wins than last season.

Rosa COPY EDITORS - Cari Giard, Lynnette Perez, Christopher Ross STAFF WRITER - Mohamed Abdihakim, Cealia Brannan

FAU Head Coach Carl Pelini discusses the three-man quarterback competition.

STAFF DESIGNERS - Breanndolyn Lies, Cody Weber DISTRIBUTION MANAGER - Joshua Gattis ADVISERS Michael Koretzky Dan Sweeney

A look at the career of FAU Strength and Conditioning Coach Chuck Lobe.

Cover: Photo Illustration by Michelle Friswell

Photos by Michelle Friswell

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PUBLISHER FAU Student Government The opinions expressed by the UP are not necessarily those of the student body, Student Government or FAU.

Aug. 27, 2013

University Press

3

Photo by Ryan Murphy

OPINION

A numbers game P

The strides made in year two of the Pelini Era will be about quality, not quantity

Foundation is about establishing the lines op quiz: What do the numbers 1,708, and finding a long term quarterback, both of 244, and 40,922 all have common? which can be accomplished in 2013 –– bowl By the time FAU takes the field on game or not.

Aug. 30, those digits will represent the days, For that, look no further than two of weeks, and hours since the program last FAU’s most recent recruits: Offensive competed in a bowl game. lineman Austin Bland and quarterback Jaquez Nearly five years after quarterback Rusty Johnson.

Smith led them to a Motor City Bowl victory,

By Zack Kelberman Bland is a three-star player from (Ft. FAU football is set to begin its 13th season Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas) a high –– its first as members of Conference USA. school that’s churned out a handful of NFL Offering fiercer competition than the Sun talent. He figures to make an immediate impact along an offensive Belt Conference, a 7-5 record is likely enough to clinch a bid in one of that lost three starters from a year ago.

C-USA’s six bowl tie-ins. To most FAU fans, this is the only way 2013 Johnson, a junior college transfer from East Mississippi, is in direct would be considered an undoubtable success. competition for the starting job and offers more experience and But it isn’t so black and white. Or red and blue. longevity than others vying for the position (redshirt junior Stephen Owls head coach Carl Pelini, now in his second season, has Curtis and senior Melvin German III). continually advocated the “F” word: “foundation.”

These two players, among the team’s 25 new additions, represent That word has come up time and time again –– throughout his first the bricks used to lay the foundation and help Pelini build upon it. year on the job and more recently, after securing the “best [recruiting] It’s hard to preach patience to a fanbase that hasn’t experienced a class” in FAU history. winning season in half a decade, and it’s arguable that FAU has done And it’ll keep being uttered as he works to rebuild. little to warrant it. But it’s best to let the process tackle the hands of Pelini should be focusing on the next seven years, not seven wins. time.

After all, there’s no quick fix for a team that’s won just four games The next 91 days won’t snap the bowl-less streak, but perseverance over the last two seasons. is the only way to solve the equation.

But the win total alone wouldn’t tell the full story. The takeaway from this season is about who leads the way and how they do it.

Photo by Michelle Friswell 4

University Press

Aug. 27, 2013

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RECRUITING

Bringing Them

to Boca FAU recruiting coordinator Jeff Sims restocks the team with talent, forming the “best recruiting class in school history”

By Zack Kelberman

E

ach season, FAU reloads its roster with new talent and fresh faces, securing a plethora of incoming players from the high school ranks.

But before the Owls’ latest additions take the field to begin running, throwing, catching, and tackling, the several month-long recruiting process must first be endured.

This process, headed by Recruiting Coordinator Jeff Sims and FAU’s coaching staff, involves intense scouting, an intricate breakdown of game footage, and a lot of legwork.

Sims learned the latter point the hard way during his first few months on the job.

During this past recruiting season, FAU lost out on a commitment from a defensive tackle.

With a glaring need at the position, they turned their attention to Jeremy Faulk, who they’d heard little of. Sims, who was in Jacksonville, actually had to go to a public library to get internet and watch footage on Faulk.

Sims raced to meet Faulk at his high school, Palatka High, which was an hour and a half away. He got there, but just missed Faulk, who had left to take his little brother home. A disappointed Sims drove back to Jacksonville, but as soon as he arrived, he received a call from Faulk saying he wanted to meet. Sims turned around, went to Palatka for a second time and got his man.

Continued on page 10

Photo by Michelle Friswell 6

University Press

Aug. 27, 2013

7

Mo’

CONFERENCE USA

money, less problems After moving to Conference USA, the Owls will have more than half of their games televised, and stand to benefit from the nearly $3 million in extra revenue

By Zack Kelberman

I

f the last several years represented the dark ages for FAU football’s television coverage, 2013 could be considered the start of the renaissance.

Thanks to the highly-publicized jump from the Sun Belt Conference to Conference USA, the Owls will have at least seven of this season’s games broadcast on national television –– and likely all conference contests available on ESPN3.com. Nielsen research indicates that FAU games will be seen by 11 of the top 65 TV markets in the country.

This drastic increase in exposure can be directly attributed to CBS, ESPN, and FOX’s contract agreements with C-USA, which will air 60 national games among its 14-team league. Additionally, CSS Sports will continue to carry Owls’ contests. This means more chances to record your favorite games, and the opportunity for the program to expand its audience.

Last season, FAU had just one game broadcast nationally –– a 35-25 loss to in-state rival FIU on ESPNU. Prior to that, in 2011, two blowout losses to Florida and Michigan were shown on ESPNU and ESPN, respectively.

FAU hasn’t performed favorably on a larger stage in recent memory, but second-year Head Coach Carl Pelini still believes the advantages of televised games outweigh the disadvantages.

Photo illustration by Ryan Murphy 8

University Press

Aug. 27, 2013

Continued on page 12

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RECRUITING

Photo by Ryan Murphy

Photo by Michelle Friswell

Coach Sims’ top 5 recruits

Jaquez Johnson

Cre’von LeBlanc

Austin Bland

Quarterback 6’1”, 225 lbs 2013 class

Defensive Back 5’11”, 175 lbs 2012 class

Offensive Lineman 6’3’’, 265 lbs 2013 class

“The bigger support system that you have, the more successful you Continued from page 6

“I talked to him and got him excited about FAU,” Sims said. “The next weekend, he came to visit and committed to us.”

Sims, who’s entering his second full season with the Owls, helps sift through the hundreds of Division 1-eligible athletes. His goal is to find the top 25, which is the maximum number of scholarships allowed per academic year.

Fortunately for Sims, Florida is ripe with talent, making it an easy –– and even enjoyable — task.

“I’d describe it as fun,” Sims said. “The difference between recruiting in Florida and recruiting in other states is like going to a restaurant where you can order one meal or going to a restaurant where there’s a buffet.”

Fun and extremely thorough.

Sims estimates that, in Florida alone, 311 Division 1 players are signed annually, divided amongst the state’s seven regions. FAU employs area coaches to specifically cover each region, which includes about 80 schools. After accumulating highlight reels on all the senior players from those schools, a grading system goes into effect for every 10

University Press

Aug. 27, 2013

prospect:

A –– “no-brainer,” “slam-dunk” recruit B –– offerable prospect and D1-caliber athlete C –– more information/tape is needed D –– unlikely to be offered F –– rejected All A and B prospects are forwarded to the respective position coaches, who assign their own grades. Those who continue to grade out with A’s and B’s are then sent to the offensive and defensive staffs for further evaluation.

From there, the procedure shifts from football acumen to extensive background checks, with an emphasis on grades, character and –– perhaps most importantly –– a high interest level in FAU. “Let’s say a guy is a great football player and has great grades,” Sims explained. “If you go talk to him and he has no interest in Florida Atlantic, it’s a waste of time and energy. You want to have a guy that’s high-fiving people when he’s selected by Florida Atlantic. You want to have a guy that thinks this is the greatest place in America and knows

Photo by Michelle Friswell

Photo by Michelle Friswell

Photo by Michelle Friswell

*All players pictured are three star prospects (out of five), based on ESPN recruiting services.

Lance Burlingame

Isaac Edwards

Defensive Tackle 6’4”, 280 lbs 2013 class

Offensive Lineman 6’4”, 280 lbs 2012 class

ou’re going to be in the classroom and football field.” -Coach Sims he can make it here.”

Those types of guys are primarily from Florida, Sims’ “first, second and third” favorite place to scout. While he and the Owls’ coaches search all over the state, there’s one specific locale of note –– the I-10 corridor, located in the panhandle.

This year, FAU recruited 10 players from the I-10 region, making up what both Sims and Owls Head Coach Carl Pelini are calling the best recruiting class in school history.

“What we have found is that corridor has a lot of interest in Florida Atlantic,” Sims said. “Those guys [in the I-10] are really excited about the opportunity to come south and be a part of what’s going on at Florida Atlantic.”

It may be gratifying for coaches to land the players they’re seeking, but getting them to commit involves much more than just making a few phone calls.

Often times –– like in the case of Faulk –– Sims or his fellow coaches have to hit the road and personally visit the homes of their intended targets. The objective of the trips are to show FAU’s

dedication toward its recruitment and deliver a worthwhile pitch to prospects and their families.

Sims describes FAU’s pitch as one that’s centered around support and success.

“Here at FAU, you have an opportunity to be a part of a family,” he said. “Not only are you going to have great coaches and a great university, but your mom’s going to see you play, your uncle’s going to see you play, your high school coaches are going to see you play. The bigger support system that you have, the more successful you’re going to be in the classroom and football field.”

When it comes to delivering that message, time is of the essence.

The NCAA strictly enforces its recruiting rules, allowing just one visit per week and no outgoing calls by coaches.

Situations can be maddening and times can get tough, but the Owls’ staff ultimately revels in rewarding athletes with all-inclusive scholarships –– tuition, food, living expenses and clothes.

“We get to tell these kids that we’re bringing them to the best city in the United States, that’s one mile from the beach and is 70 degrees all the time,” Sims said. “We all feel like Santa Claus.”

Aug. 27, 2013

University Press

11

CONFERENCE USA Continued from page 8

“[Exposure’s] just good for our players,” Pelini said. “I think our players deserve that, and I know they love the spotlight. It’s a reward for a lot of their hard work.”

It’s good for the university, too.

During their time in the Sun Belt, FAU generated less than $100,000 in conference revenue per season. Now they stand to receive between $2-3 million annually as members of C-USA, who secured a $43 million TV deal with FOX and its various networks –– FOX Sports, FOX College Sports, and the newlylaunched FOX Sports 1 last year (see sidebar).

Because of this, FAU is likely to benefit in more ways than one.

Katrina McCormack, the Owls’ assistant athletic director for media relations, says a portion of the revenue will go toward paying off loans and other dues for the school’s $70 million football stadium.

And though she feels it’s too soon to make any specific determinations, some of the money could also help fund additional scholarship opportunities.

“Sure,” McCormack said. “Every dollar helps.”

The perks come with the C-USA territory, as each team receives an equal cut of the profits.

“It’s a pretty good deal for our schools,” Jeremiah Ingram, C-USA’s asst. director of media relations, said. “We have a certain pot that comes from our agreements and we distribute that amongst our schools, so I’d imagine FAU would benefit from it.”

Ingram explained that C-USA aims to provide its clubs with as much national attention as possible.

“We like to facilitate what is in the best interest of our schools,” he said. “We’re not

A side-by-side comparison of how the upcoming season can be more rewarding than the last two combined

Sun Belt Conference

Conference usa

2011 and 2012

Less than $200,000

ESPN, ESPNU, CSS

Photo by Ryan Murphy University Press

Total conference revenue Number of teams

10

12

2013

Aug. 27, 2013

TV networks

$2-3 million

14 ESPN, ESPNU, CSS, FOX (FOX Sports, FOX College Sports, FOX Sports 1), CBS, ESPN3.com

necessarily promoting ourselves, it’s a vehicle to promote our schools.”

You don’t have to search far to find a recent example of that vehicle in motion.

In 2011, the University of Central Florida, –– then members of C-USA (now in the American Athletic Conference) –– signed a new television deal allowing Fox Sports Media Group and Sun Sports to broadcast more of their games.

This, in turn, helped UCF garner additional exposure. They would capitalize on it, sending a C-USA record 12 players to the NFL from 2006-2013, as more scouts were able to identify their most talented athletes.

FAU is hoping to eventually reap the same rewards, as they both open and close the upcoming regular season on TV. They’ll have their first-ever meeting with the Miami Hurricanes broadcast on ESPNU, and the 12th annual “Shula Bowl” against longtime opponent FIU carried on FOX Sports 1.

In that time though, the Owls will be coming into your living room on five other occasions.

According to Pelini, this occurrence is likely to help FAU in two crucial areas –– attendance and recruiting.

“As soon as we moved over to Conference USA, I knew the name recognition of the opponents would help our attendance,” Pelini said. “I think the tradition of the conference will help us in recruiting. It’s a little more recognizable of a name, and it reminds me of the Big 10, in that the conference is interested in bettering itself as a whole.”

That sentiment also seems to be resonating throughout C-USA. “This is absolutely good for the program,” Russ Anderson, C-USA’s asst. commissioner for football and baseball operations, said.

“With more and more games being televised, everyone will be able to see what Florida Atlantic is building with their football program.”

It’s not just the coaching staff and officials who are thrilled about the move, either.

FAU linebacker Randell Johnson, who’s entering his final season with the Owls, says he and his teammates are using the transition as added motivation.

“Having more TV games this year will definitely make our team as a whole lot more excited to play,” Johnson said. “It will push us even more than we already are working.

Competing on TV will help keep our fans and families happy and will help put FAU on the map.”

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Join the UP sports department.

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SCHEDULE PREDICTIONS

By Zack Kelberman

Win or Loss

ESPN3

9/21 vs. Middle Tennessee

FAU returns to the television – and its home turf – hoping to form its first winning streak since 2010 versus a squad that beat them by two touchdowns in 2012. While the score should be closer, the outcome will ultimately remain similar.

August

Win or Loss

Home

A game-by-game look at how FAU will finish with two more wins than last season

Leave it to the Owls to collect its first victory of the season against a Big East team they’ve yet to beat in three all-time meetings (0-3). Their third consecutive road game will prove to be the charm, as FAU upsets USF and its one-dimensional offense, providing newfound faith within the fan base.

Away

The drive for five

9/14 at University of South Florida

CSS

FAU Head Coach Carl Pelini’s second season begins in enemy territory – Sun Life Stadium – for the Owls’ first-ever meeting with the Hurricanes.

Unlike last season, though, FAU won’t get off to a winning start, as the reigning ACC Coastal cochamps will prevail under the Friday night lights.

Win or Loss

ESPNU

9/28 at Rice

FAU is racking up the frequent flier miles, but the same can’t be said about victories. Their fourth loss comes in a tightly-contested tilt, completely evaporating any of that aforementioned faith and bringing about criticism every which way.

Win or Loss

October

September Two weeks, two televised games against unfamiliar opponents. Taking on the Pirates in their Conference USA opener, FAU will compete but ultimately come up short, sinking to an 0-2 start and conjuring up memories of 2011’s dreadful campaign.

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University Press

Aug. 27, 2013

FOX Sports 1

10/5 at University of Alabama at Birmingham

Counting out the Owls? Not so fast, my friends.

FAU takes out its frustrations on a team they’re 3-1 against all-time, providing a glimmer of hope at the end of what has been a long, dark tunnel.

Win or Loss

Away

Away

9/5 at Eastern Carolina

Win or Loss

Away

Away

8/30 at Miami

Home

Final 10/12 vs. Marshall

Could that much-elusive winning streak finally come to fruition? Not quite. The Owls’ second home game of the season will go down a lot like the first. The Thundering Herd you’ll hear will be FAU’s disappointed fans heading toward the exits.

Away

Win or Loss

FOX College Sports

Although the Tigers aren’t the Southeastern Conference superpower of years past, their firepower is still too much for the Owls to handle.

The final score will be closer than the game actually is.

11/2 vs. Tulane

Sitting at 2-6, FAU needs to win out to have any shot of a bowl bid. Fortunately, their schedule lightens up in the home stretch of the season, and they get the ball rolling versus the Green Wave, finally giving the home crowd something to cheer about on Homecoming Day.

Win or Loss

11/23 vs. New Mexico State

The schedule may have been a bit treacherous at the start of the season, but it could not be more forgiving at the end. The Aggies won just a single game in 2012, and are playing the current season in the FBS independent ranks. FAU keeps the momentum going heading into its climactic finale.

Win or Loss

11/29 vs. Florida International University

Win or Loss

Win or Loss

CSS

Home

If you thought the Owls’ last two seasons were bad, they’re world beaters compared to Southern Miss, who finished a staggering 0-12 in 2012 and don’t figure to improve much in 2013. FAU, returning confident and refreshed from their bye, will make quick work of the Golden Eagles. Pop the champagne – a winning streak has been born.

A topsy-turvy season and shot at one of C-USA’s six bowl spots ironically comes down to a matchup against FAU’s longtime rivals. The Owls will have plenty of pride on the line – Shula Bowl honors and the opportunity to exact revenge from last year’s loss to FIU. Motivation will be sky high, but FAU’s season ends dishearteningly – with another losing record and the bowl-less season streak extended to number six.

11/16 at Southern Miss

Home

November

Home

5-7

10/26 at Auburn

Win or Loss

Away

Prediction

FOX Sports 1 Aug. 27, 2013

University Press

17

Q&A

Pelini’s

PassinG

Melvin German III, Jaquez Johnson and Greg Hankerson are battling to become coach Carl Pelini’s starting quarterback

By Zack Kelberman Photos by Michelle Friswell

Plan

T

o be a quarterback is to receive the most praise when things go right, the most criticism when things go wrong, the most pressure from your coach, and the most attention from the opposition. He’s the commander of the huddle and leader of the team; as he goes, so do his teammates.

As far as finding that leader, the Owls are in a unique –– and potentially difficult –– spot.

With the calendar inching closer to the regular season, there are a trio of QBs vying for the starting job: senior Melvin German III, sophomore/junior college transfer Jaquez Johnson, and freshman Greg Hankerson. Although German opened up training camp as the starter, he’s also being used at wide receiver.

This leaves two newcomers –– Johnson and Hankerson –– in direct competition to become Graham Wilbert’s successor.

18

University Press

Aug. 27, 2013

The UP sat down with FAU Head Coach Carl Pelini to gather his thoughts on the quarterback battle, and what he foresees in the future.

UP: How do you feel about the stable of quarterbacks going into the season?

Carl Pelini: I feel like they got better over the spring. In my opinion, Melvin [German] probably surpassed the other two, but I got to qualify that because Quez [Jaquez Johnson] was way behind in terms of understanding the system. He looked really good early, but it’s always the case with a new player. At some point, they get overwhelmed with the offense because it’s their first time through it. So toward the end, he leveled out in his improvement and Melvin passed him up a little bit. So that’s why we haven’t named the starter, because coming out in August, it’ll be very different for Jaquez and his understanding of the offense.

UP: What are some things you look for in

a starting QB? CP: Leadership, mainly. Take control of the offense. We can’t have any turnovers, so they got to be very responsible with the ball. They have to know all the checks and the audibles and they have to understand defenses. But number one most important thing is leadership. They have to put their thumbprint or identity on the offense. All three of them have done a good job of taking on that role and being good role models and being vocal.

UP: When do you think you’ll make a decision on the starter?

CP: When I feel like someone’s earned it, but obviously by game week. We’re still going to go into camp with the quarterbacks even on the depth chart. Like we did in the spring, we’ll devise ways to make them compete. I think we’re going to be good at this position, and think I’ll be very comfortable with that going into the regular season.

Continued on page 20

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Q&A

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Melvin German III UP: He’s arguably the most athletic of the three QBs. How much does that factor into your assessment of the position?

CP: I wanna see a playmaker. Graham [Wilbert] was a playmaker, but he did it with his arm. Melvin can do it with his arm and his feet. I don’t know about athleticism as much as I wanna see they’re out there making plays and making the offense revolve around their skills and abilities.

UP: German had a good showing in the spring game. How much, if any, did that help his chances in the starting competition?

CP: I’d put more stock into what happens in practice in the competition drills that we do every day. He’s showed steady improvement throughout the spring. I don’t want to put the cart before the

horse, because he did have a good spring game.

But he also made some big mistakes in that game.

He has to eliminate those mistakes if he’s going to be our leader.

UP: Would you say there are strengths of German’s –– physical or otherwise –– that separate him from the pack?

CP: No, I think all three are dual threats. I will tell you that Melvin is a tremendous athlete. He’s got good speed, deceptive speed. And he’s got a strong arm and a soft touch. A lot of times you get good running quarterbacks and they don’t have a touch like true passers do. With Melvin, you get all the athleticism, but you also see that touch when he needs it, which is unique in my experience.

Jaquez Johnson UP: Would you have apprehension about Johnson starting this year?

CP: No, no. We’re going to play whoever we feel is playing the best and leading the offense the best. These guys are all mobile guys and they’ll be carrying the ball and have to be durable. We’re probably going to use more than one of them, because when you have mobile quarterbacks, they’re not going to go through the year without getting banged up a little bit. So Johnson and the others will all have to be ready to go.

UP: From what you’ve seen, what impresses you the most about Johnson?

CP: I knew in the recruiting process that he was a very mature young man. That has shown and been reflected in how he’s prepared and how

he’s worked. He’s a big kid, has a linebacker’s body and he runs physically. The thing that is very evident is that he’s shifty, too. He’s big and he’s gonna run you over and lower his shoulder, but he’ll make you miss, too. I don’t know that we really realized that aspect of his running game when we were recruiting him.

UP: Could you envision Johnson becoming the long term QB? CP: I certainly hope so. He’s got three years left. Regardless of how this year goes, he’ll continue to get better and get playing time, and he’ll be our quarterback moving forward. He’s got a good arm, he’s smart, and I think his ability to run will create some problems for defenses.

Greg Hankerson UP: It seems Hankerson came out of nowhere in the quarterback competition. How has he managed to climb up the depth chart?

CP: We know when we recruited him that he was a very talented quarterback. He’s got a unique skill set, he’s very athletic, he’s smart. He’s earned an opportunity to compete for the starting job, but we knew that when we saw him on tape.

UP: Being a dual-threat quarterback, what makes Hankerson different from the other, more-experienced dual-threat QBs on the roster?

CP: Greg has got a strong, live arm, and makes really good decisions. He also has the athleticism 20

University Press

Aug. 27, 2013

to get himself out of trouble. That’s a really good combination for him to have, and it’s given him the chance to be our starter.

UP: Do you think the team would rally around a freshman starting this season?

CP: If in fact that’s how it goes, absolutely. All the players are out there with the coaches everyday, and they’re watching how [the quarterback battle] is going. Hopefully, whoever we would pick as the starting quarterback is the same guy that the players would pick.

Continued from page 18

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LOBE

BUILDING UP

BY BREAKING DOWN FAU Strength and Conditioning Coach, Chuck Lobe, brings an extensive background to the Owls’ weight room

By Zack Kelberman Photos by Michelle Friswell

A

s 2012 rolled in, Chuck Lobe was faced with a fork-in-the-road moment. He could either stay at the University of Denver as its head strength and conditioning coach, or move his family cross-country to assume the same duties at FAU. After just four months in Denver, Lobe chose to board a plane to Boca and not look back. He became the gatekeeper of the Owls’ 18 intercollegiate sports programs and over 500 student athletes.

The move, however, required some serious soul-searching on his part.

“That was probably the hardest decision I’ve had to make career-wise,” Lobe said. “[Denver] was a great place for me to set up camp and retire, and I thought I’d be there for the rest of my life. But I got a phone call [from FAU] and had an opportunity to change the culture of the strength and conditioning department here.”

Lobe was officially introduced that February, becoming one of the newest members of FAU Football Head Coach Carl Pelini’s staff.

But this was not the first time the two would meet.

In 2004, when Pelini was leaving his post at Minnesota State-Mankato University to coach at Ohio, Lobe joined the Mavericks’ staff as head strength and conditioning 26

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Continued on page 28

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LOBE Continued from page 26

coach.

That run-in, albeit brief, played a major role in Lobe landing at FAU. “Oh yeah, no question,” Lobe said adamantly. “There’s no way I would’ve got the job here if I didn’t develop that connection with Coach Pelini.”

Pelini knew the addition would pay dividends, and couldn’t be happier to have Lobe aboard.

“He may be the most intelligent strength coach I’ve ever been around,” Pelini said.

“Chuck’s a scientist. He really understands exercise science and anatomy and the ebbs and flows of athletes. He was a great hire and is a big part of our program, maybe the most important part.”

four years focusing his efforts on the school’s 23 sport programs, including hockey.

In 2008, Lobe’s hard and extremely varied work caught the eye of an agent, who had given up his practice to take a position in the Tampa Bay Lightning front office. Lobe received a call, asking if he’d be interested in training a professional NHL squad.

“That opportunity doesn’t really fall in your lap very often,” Lobe said. “It was something I thought really hard about because I wasn’t 25 and single. I had a family and was trying to establish a place for myself.”

Following some hemming and hawing, Lobe took the job and went on to develop several fitness programs for the Lightning’s players and prospects. Lobe would depart Tampa for Denver after the team’s run to the 2011 NHL Eastern Conference Finals.

But the impression he left behind was unmistakable.

“Aside from his excellent track record in the gym, what sticks out the most is his ability to form relationships with players and staff members alike,” Tampa Bay Lightning Media Relations Manager Brian Breseman said. “To this day he is still someone we find ourselves talking about as a staff or trying to see whenever we play the [Florida] Panthers in Sunrise.”

“He may be the most intelligent strength coach I’ve ever been around,” -Head coach Carl Pelini

Born and raised in Minnesota, Lobe was surrounded by a constant “state of hockey.”

Ironically, he never played the sport despite his parents’ involvement on the ice –– his mom was a figure skater and dad was a five-star letterman athlete.

Growing up a fan of the Minnesota Gophers, Lobe began an internship at the university in 1998. This spun into motion a significant involvement with Division 1 hockey players, and the opportunity to work with world-class –– even Olympic-quality –– athletes.

Lobe spent five years at Minnesota and became a full-time assistant in 2003. During this time, Lobe helped train more than 120 AllAmericans from a variety of sports, while establishing a name for himself.

He eventually left to take his position at Minnesota State and spent

Nowadays, Lobe calls the Oxley Center home.

Often clad in red gym shorts and a black shirt with an Owl sporting a barbell, he’s attempting to help FAU’s athletes form a new identity.

“We want every student athlete to be in the weight room,” Lobe Continued on page 30

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LOBE Continued from page 28

said. “When I first got to FAU that wasn’t the case, so we slowly had to bring that mentality along.”

Emphasizing competitiveness and cohesion, Lobe breaks the old stereotype of weight room coaches hooting and hollering during workouts. Instead, he strives for an equal balance, one that pushes his players, but also garners respect.

“It’s like [former ice hockey coach] Herb Brooks’ philosophy –– if guys win, kick them in the rear end. If they lose, sometimes they need a pat on the back,” Lobe explained. “Your athletes know if you’re somebody or not. If I’m trying to be a hardass, and it’s not really my personality, they’re gonna think I’m full of crap.”

Pelini wholeheartedly believes the players buy into Lobe’s prowess.

“They all respect his knowledge and ability,” Pelini said.

“They can see themselves getting stronger and faster and more flexible. He just has a knack for making all the guys feel important.”

Adarius Glanton certainly agrees. The Owls’ senior linebacker, whom Lobe touted as one of the strongest players he’s seen in the weight room, gave credit where it’s due.

“Before [Coach Lobe] got here, my weight room numbers were not near where they are now, so it’s been an improvement,” Glanton said. “Him teaching me about technique and how to do the little things has been the biggest help.”

While Lobe has an extensive background and is responsible for all FAU sports, he’s ultimately gravitated toward football. Unlike hockey where things are more hands-off, Lobe likes the regimented schedule and on-thesame-page mentality he and his fellow football coaches share.

This is especially evident during football season, when he’s on strict deadlines to keep players in their maximum physical peaks.

“Those guys are basically in car accidents on Saturday and it’s tough to motivate them the next day to lift weights,” Lobe said. “But you have to keep the throttle going. I make sure the effort’s high, the work’s high, and that they’ll recover from it all.”

Although Lobe employs a variety of total body exercises, he stresses that muscles are actually built outside the gym.

“Athletes have God-given talent, but you don’t get better from the work you do, you get better from the recovery,” he said. “Sleep and nutrition are where the benefits really come from.”

As for himself, Lobe doesn’t necessarily practice what he preaches. Elbow and back issues –– and five subsequent surgeries –– have forced Lobe to stay away from the heavy lifting.

“Every strength coach gets into the field because you can get paid to lift weights,” Lobe said. “The last thing I want to do at the end of the day? Lift weights. Kind of funny how that works.”

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