Post by kylem56 on Aug 13, 2009 20:43:15 GMT -6
Read this in the Toledo Blade today. Thought it was a cool way to initiate freshmen without all the b.s. hazing
UT freshmen lose their stripes
Coaches use tactic to reward players
By ZACH SILKA
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
There were a few less striped helmets and a few more empowered freshmen on the field at the University of Toledo’s training camp yesterday at the Glass Bowl.
As the Rockets kicked off their preseason preparations last week, every newcomer had a yellow stripe down the middle of his helmet.
But starting Monday, three freshmen per practice have lost their stripes.
Here’s how the process works:
After every practice, one member of the coaching staff chooses one freshman on offense and one on defense to have his stripe removed. The coach then designates a senior to pick a freshman on the opposite side of the ball who had impressed him that day to have his stripe removed.
“It’s kind of like an initiation,” UT coach Tim Beckman said. “I’m not into hazing or anything like that. We’re a family here, and this is just them [joining] and being a part of the family.
“It makes the kids feel like they’re being noticed.”
So far, freshmen who have had their stripe removed include defensive backs Jermaine Robinson and Byron Best, running back Darius Reeves, linebacker Dan Molls, defensive lineman Ben Pike, and offensive lineman Zac Kerin.
As for what specifically earns a stripe removal, it’s pretty simple really.
“Effort. Attitude. Hard work. Making plays,” Beckman explained. “You have to come to the attention of the coach or of the player. And you’re on the other side of the ball, so you must have done something pretty good for them to recognize that you’re doing well.”
Although freshmen are barred from speaking with the media under Beckman, UT quarterback Aaron Opelt said they have really taken to it.
“Oh, they love it,” Opelt said. “They don’t want that stripe on. Some of their buddies have it off, and they still have theirs. That’s just another thing that coach has done [to foster] competition. It’s all about getting that stripe off, and these guys are working hard.”
Opelt was the first senior to select a freshman after Monday’s practice, and he chose Molls, a North Royalton, Ohio, native and Parma Padua Franciscan product.
“He’s just an exciting player to watch,” Opelt said, “[and was] obviously giving me a little bit of [difficulty] back there. That’s going to be happen anytime you’re going against somebody like that. He’s real quick, real fast. He’s a hard-nosed kid and he just works real hard.”
Beckman said he got the idea to make the freshmen earn their “de-taping,” as he calls it, from his time as defensive coordinator at Elon from 1996-97.
“We have a board, and they put their tape on the board and their name is written above their tape,” Beckman said.
“I think they like it. It might be a little bit different than things they’ve done in the past here. I think it’s something that’s neat for the kids,” he said.
UT freshmen lose their stripes
Coaches use tactic to reward players
By ZACH SILKA
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
There were a few less striped helmets and a few more empowered freshmen on the field at the University of Toledo’s training camp yesterday at the Glass Bowl.
As the Rockets kicked off their preseason preparations last week, every newcomer had a yellow stripe down the middle of his helmet.
But starting Monday, three freshmen per practice have lost their stripes.
Here’s how the process works:
After every practice, one member of the coaching staff chooses one freshman on offense and one on defense to have his stripe removed. The coach then designates a senior to pick a freshman on the opposite side of the ball who had impressed him that day to have his stripe removed.
“It’s kind of like an initiation,” UT coach Tim Beckman said. “I’m not into hazing or anything like that. We’re a family here, and this is just them [joining] and being a part of the family.
“It makes the kids feel like they’re being noticed.”
So far, freshmen who have had their stripe removed include defensive backs Jermaine Robinson and Byron Best, running back Darius Reeves, linebacker Dan Molls, defensive lineman Ben Pike, and offensive lineman Zac Kerin.
As for what specifically earns a stripe removal, it’s pretty simple really.
“Effort. Attitude. Hard work. Making plays,” Beckman explained. “You have to come to the attention of the coach or of the player. And you’re on the other side of the ball, so you must have done something pretty good for them to recognize that you’re doing well.”
Although freshmen are barred from speaking with the media under Beckman, UT quarterback Aaron Opelt said they have really taken to it.
“Oh, they love it,” Opelt said. “They don’t want that stripe on. Some of their buddies have it off, and they still have theirs. That’s just another thing that coach has done [to foster] competition. It’s all about getting that stripe off, and these guys are working hard.”
Opelt was the first senior to select a freshman after Monday’s practice, and he chose Molls, a North Royalton, Ohio, native and Parma Padua Franciscan product.
“He’s just an exciting player to watch,” Opelt said, “[and was] obviously giving me a little bit of [difficulty] back there. That’s going to be happen anytime you’re going against somebody like that. He’s real quick, real fast. He’s a hard-nosed kid and he just works real hard.”
Beckman said he got the idea to make the freshmen earn their “de-taping,” as he calls it, from his time as defensive coordinator at Elon from 1996-97.
“We have a board, and they put their tape on the board and their name is written above their tape,” Beckman said.
“I think they like it. It might be a little bit different than things they’ve done in the past here. I think it’s something that’s neat for the kids,” he said.
