With the start of classes a couple weeks ago, the schedules of football players have become busier than ever. Not only do we have to balance athletics and academics, but we need to have strict time management in order to do so. During the season, it’s not uncommon for us to be away from our dorms or apartments from early morning until late at night. Granted, some days are shorter than others but I wanted to give people a glimpse into a typical day that juggles practice, school, and study table. Tuesdays and Wednesday are the longest days and they go a little something like this:

5:30am Wake Up

6:00am Taping Starts

6:30- 7:30am Individual and Team Meetings

8:30- 10:30am Practice

12:00pm Lunch (This is on our own and players usually go to the likes of Subway or Chipotle)

12:30-5:30pm Class (Players can have class anywhere in this time range. Average class is 2 hours a day)

12:30- 5:30pm Treatment in Training Room (If you are hurt or injured, Training room is open these hours)

4:00pm Freshman Study- Table beings (Must log one and a half hours a day)

5:00pm Training Table for Dinner Opens

6:00- 7:30pm Tutoring sessions (These can sometimes be arranged earlier in the day depending on a student’s class schedule)

8:00pm Get back home

8:00-10:00pm Time to unwind and start homework

10:00pm Lights Out!  (Get ready for the same thing tomorrow!)

As you can tell our days are completely filled and we have to be very efficient in how we manage our schedules and spend our energy. Not only is it our responsibility to be at these places, but we must be there on time and prepared for whatever is required of us. It takes 100% effort to be focused at the task at hand so we can maximize the time we do spend and none of it goes to waste.

Luckily for us, as Student- Athletes, we came to the University of Washington to earn a top degree and compete for championships. This is the investment that is necessary to do so and the rewards always outweigh the hard work we put in, because after all hard work always wins out.

See you all at the game in full force on Saturday!

GO DAWGS!!!

-Drew Schaefer

Football is a physical sport, plain and simple. Every single snap involves high speed collisions whether it is the offensive and defensive lineman battling in the trenches, the linebackers chasing down running backs, or wide receivers being hit by the safeties as they make the catch over the middle of the field. As practice goes on through the year and games are played, these hits begin to take their toll on the players’ bodies. In some cases, players can get significant injuries like broken bones that prevent them from playing. However, most players become victim of the inevitable “wear and tear” including aches, bruises, and soreness that accumulate as the year goes on.

Fortunately for us, we have an entire athletic training staff dedicated to our well-being. They take the necessary steps to prevent injuries, as well as providing treatment plans in order for a full recovery when they do happen. The training room offers a place to receive electric muscle stimulation, ice bags, heat packs, and massages to name a few. It also is where players complete their physical therapy workouts to strengthen their muscles back.

Players can receive treatment and complete physical therapy in the training room.

The athletic trainers are also very adamant about preventing injury and keeping the body healthy so you can perform at your highest level. Before every practice, it’s mandatory that each player gets their ankles taped or wear braces to prevent any sprains. Offensive lineman are also required to wear custom fitted knee braces that will protect their knees when there are large pile-ups and running backs fall towards your legs. After every practice, players get into an ice bath for 10 minutes which helps keep the legs fresh for the next day by preventing lactic acid from building up in the muscles.

Players getting their ankles taped before practice.

Ice tub! Brrrrrr.

Yes, injuries happen throughout the course of the year; it is just the nature of the game. However, with the wonderful help of our training staff, us players are able to maintain the health of our bodies and return to the football field in a timely manner prepared to play. A special thank you goes out to trainers Rob Scheidegger, Daren Nystrom, Rachel Hall, John Jackson, Matt Nerrie, and all the student-interns who take care of our health during the year.

It’s the middle of week two here in camp, or what we players like to refer to as “Grind Week”. Once we get over this hump, we are coming down the back stretch towards the start of the season.  I’m not implying that week three becomes cruise control mode for us, because if anything the intensity continues to ramp up. However, it is safe to say that once week three hits we can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel!

Over the time span of camp we spend a lot of time together as teammates both on and off the field. To most people, a majority of the time appears to be spent on the practice field. Yet that typically only consumes a few hours of our day. So what do we do with the rest of our time? Aside from team and position meetings, if you guessed sleeping then you are correct! Especially on our two-a-days, it’s essential that you either find a nice comfy spot on the locker room floor to cuddle with or walk all the way up to your dorm room to get a nap in for the day.

Players taking a nap in the locker room in between practices.

Apart from sleeping, guys are constantly interacting in the locker room. Think of it as the central hub for our team.  Some hangout and bond in there, some listen to music, and others find more creative ways to be entertained like playing card games or video games on the infamous N-64 gaming console (I don’t think I’ve ever seen any other game besides Super Smash Bros. played on it).

A fierce competition on the N-64.

If anything, the locker room can always be counted on to provide a good laugh. Personalities run wild and there are always plenty of matters to discuss. Ten years from now when I look back at my career as a Washington Husky, I can guarantee that a majority of my memories will include the entertaining times I have had in the locker room.

-Drew Schaefer

The team watches the Seattle Seahawks against Jake Locker and the Tennessee Titans.  Check out the latest episode of The Left Hand Stance.  Enjoy!!!

First off, I want to acknowledge my teammate and friend, Deontae Cooper.  We were all saddened by the news, but at the same time we know he will persevere.  He is a tough competitor and someone we all look up to.

It’s day number five and things have just started to get rolling here in Fall Camp. Yesterday’s practice brought a ton of excitement and energy as it was our first day of practice putting on the shoulder pads since Spring Football. So far the offense has been highlighted by the WR corps who have all made a collection of highlight catches. On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive line is looking really strong and the secondary has been making some great deflections the last couple days at practice.

Off the field, camp is a time where our team’s character begins to take shape. Every year its style changes because as last year’s seniors graduate, new leaders for this season will emerge. So far, the upperclassmen have done an outstanding job in providing that leadership, especially for the incoming freshman. It’s been awesome getting to know all of them, especially my new offensive lineman. One quirky bonding activity we do is during position meetings, we all get up in front and tell jokes to lighten the mood. In my five years here, this is BY FAR the least funny O-line group we have had! On the bright side, we still have more than two weeks to go so we have plenty of time to improve.

That’s all for now, but continue to check back at the end of this week for another video that will give you an awesome inside perspective to life as a Husky Football Player during camp.

Anthony Gobern (partially pictured), Sean Parker, Tre Watson and Justin Glenn grasp the opportunity to appear on The Left Hand Stance.

Drew Schaefer takes through fall camp check-in and what the players need in the dorms.  Check out this video edition of The Left Hand Stance.  Enjoy!

Check out the new addition to CoachSark.com, your starting senior offensive lineman Drew Schaefer. We are taking a new stance in our team coverage. A left-handed stance. We hope you enjoy the addition! Check out the video linked above to see what Drew plans on bringing to the table and stay tuned as he starts producing some great content for you.

It’s that time of the year! Fall Camp officially begins Sunday, as the players will move into the dorms for the next couple of weeks.  We do have a little surprise for all of you who love to stay up to date with your Huskies around the clock.  On Sunday, we’ll announce an addition to the CoachSark.com staff as we look to expand our approach to covering the Dawgs in the most imaginative way possible.  Any guesses on who the newcomer is?