By Sherri Wilson, SID intern
February 3, 2001
With football season over and a Heartland Conference co-championship to show for all the hard work, the Bluffton College Beavers are settled into their off season routine. Of course, it really is not fair to call this the “off season,” however, because that would imply the team is actually having some time off. It is during this time of the year when all the behind-the-scenes preparation for the 2001 football season begins.
“Championships are won now, in the weight room,” Head Coach Carlin Carpenter explained, noting that as soon as the team walked off the field last fall at Defiance, they headed to the weight room. Every member of the team is expected to spend an hour or more per day, four times per week lifting. This is not mandatory, however, because many players are involved in spring sports. The team realizes, however, that winning would be difficult without intense offseason preparation. Many players also add running or other aerobic activity into their routine. Some team members can be seen on the basketball court playing intermurals to help them stay conditioned.
Brad Moore (sophomore quarterback), Josh Slaughter (junior strong safety) and Jon Richardson (sophomore outside line-backer) agree; it is all about self-motivation. Although the time in the weight room is required, it is up to the individual to make himself use the time effectively. “What you get out of it depends on how much you put into it,” said Moore. The time commitment can make it difficult to balance so many priorities like homework, classes or jobs. Richardson commented that, “It takes dedication from oneself to do what any athlete (male or female) does in the off season of any sport.”
The team is traveling to Spain during May term of 2001. During their time in Spain they will be playing a game in Barcelona. The NCAA is allowing BC to have 10 days of practice in April to prepare for this trip. The game itself will only be a small part of the trip which will mainly focus on experiencing the culture. The team will also participate in building a playground for inner city children among other service-oriented activities. They are looking into fundraising to help pay for the trip because for most of the players who are going, this will count as their cross-cultural experience.
So what can be expected of BC’s football team next fall? Coach Carpenter and the players have high expectations for the 2001 season and hope for a chance at another HCAC championship and chance at the national playoffs. Slaughter looks favorably towards next year, “Not only are we reloading from last year’s championship team, but we plan to meet our new goals.”
And with the teams’ dedication to their off season training, they are well on their way.
