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 Defensive lineman Joe Clark-Dear working out his legs with defensive back Abram Scott looking on for a spot. (Photo by Ashley Evans) |
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June 18, 2008
Cullowhee, N.C. - In the shadow of the goalposts and with the stands of E.J. Whitmire Stadium as the only spectators, voluntary preparations for the rapidly approaching 2008 football season are continuing through the summer months.
With the only encouragement coming from teammates and head Strength & Conditioning Coordinator, Brad Ohrt, approximately 50 Western Carolina Catamount football players are enrolled in the first summer session and spend five days a week in voluntary workouts in the weight room in the Jordan-Phillips Fieldhouse.
Ohrt expects to have nearly 20 additional players join the fold when the second session of summer school commences in July.
Three groups with session times of 6:00 am, 10:15 am and 1:30 pm - depending upon summer class schedules - spend nearly two hours a day in the weight room under Ohrt's supervision. The groups vary in size from 12-20 players and are mixed between the two sides of the ball.
"We are working on the overall strength of our players in the weight room, as well as their conditioning, speed and agility," said Ohrt who returned to WCU in March. "The workout plan I have put into place for our guys this summer is very similar to what we used at Univ. of Louisiana-Lafayette. Although I have not talked to everyone in the (Southern) conference, I would imagine what we are doing is very comparable."
The off-season training regiment installed by Ohrt includes four days of running and four days of lifting intermingled throughout the week with weekends as off-days. The student-athletes lift Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with running scattered in every day with the exception of Tuesday.
The NCAA regulates that only the strength & conditioning coaches can orchestrate the workouts and that no sport-related equipment, i.e. balls, tackling dummies, pads, etc., may be used in the program.
"Every guy has their own plan within the overall program that we evaluate based on position, offense or defense, and their progress. The way we break up what we are doing throughout the week allows ample recovery and recoup time," added Ohrt.
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Wednesday is the lightest day with players taking time off from hitting the weights to running on the turf. Speed, agility and quickness are the focal points mid-week, with the student-athletes hitting the weights again on Thursday focusing on the upper body, shoulders and chest, with Friday again focusing on legs and triceps, as well as conditioning.
"We really like to work the guys hard on Friday to make sure they rest up over the weekend," Ohrt said with a smile.
Western Carolina football players officially report for fall workouts on August 2, with the first game of the Dennis Wagner era slated for Thursday, August 28 against Shorter College under the lights at E.J. Whitmire Stadium/Bob Waters Field.
