Fresno State Athletics
Football Camp Over, School Back in Session
8/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 27, 2007
FRESNO, Calif. - The day starts with an early wake up call and breakfast in the residence-dining hall. Fresno State football players then make their way across Cedar Avenue to the trainig room by Bulldog Stadium to get taped and prepared for their two and a half hour practice. After a short break they return to the team meeting room to have their various meetings including team and unit position meetings. After dinner they return for another evening practice that goes until 10:00 p.m.
The last three weeks the Fresno State football team has endured this rigorous schedule to prepare for the upcoming season.
"Camp is an all day everyday thing," said junior quarterback Tom Brandstater. "When school begins being an athlete is still a full-time job but school and homework replaces football."
With school underway most students will be under more stress and busier days, but for Fresno State football players they look forward to easing off the double days.
"It's a lot easier when school starts," said senior linebacker Marcus Riley. "I like that it is football all day everyday during camp, but after 20 days in a row it can get a little old. It is nice to have a day off."
Monday is the team's designated day off, except for the players who are on the Academic Gameplan. A program designed by Associate Head Coach John Baxter to keep students focused in their classes with effective strategies for learning.
With school back in session players have early classes and don't meet for football until a 1:30 p.m. team meeting. After their various other meetings they head off to practice around 3:30 p.m. and end at 5:30 p.m. After dinner players are done at six and have the rest of the evening off.
"It's good to go home and catch up on some sleep," said Riley. "We have some more hours in the night that we didn't have before."
They have more time until the end of the week creeps up and the players get in game mode. Preparation for the upcoming game is in full force days before.
So with players only limited to 20 hours a week of football with school back in session, they have more time to concentrate on school. "We have a nice little schedule with school and camp," said running back Lonyae Miller. "Everything should be fine. My main thing is to stay focused in the classroom."
"School and football is harder mentally but camp is harder physically," Riley said. "It definitely gets easier when school starts."
Some of the football players, like Brandstater have received their degree and pursuing their education in the master's program. With his schedule changing yet again he is used to adjusting to make things work.
"I'm in grad school now, so it will be different," said Brandstater. "I'll have more school which will come with more homework and responsibility that I'll have to learn to balance better."
"Join the State - Fresno State!" - The Fresno State Football team opens the season at home on Saturday, September 1st against Sacramento State at 7 p.m. Tickets are available NOW at www.gobulldogs.com
