Bobcats Behind the Scenes: Summer Strength
7/13/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Enhanced strength. Improved conditioning. Quickness.
These are all factors that Mike Kramer looks for from the MSU football program's summer weight-lifting program. Those things, and one more.
"Sleep," Kramer says. Or, more specifically, a lack thereof. "I know of nothing college boys like to do more than sleep. There's nothing better to begin the long sojourn of the upcoming football season than the process of getting up early in the morning during the summer to lift weights."
Under the supervision of Justin Braun, who begins his first season as MSU's head strength and conditioning coach but his second working with the Bobcat football team, the MSU football team has convened at 5:30 am on weekday mornings for the past several weeks. "It's been pretty good, and it's getting better," Braun said. "We've averaged 22 guys, and the workouts the last two days have been crisp."
Kramer, also, has been pleased with the progress. "Slowly but surely, we're building the leadership quotient for the 2004 season."
Leadership one of Kramer's primary pursuits this summer, and for good reason. The Bobcats enter the 2004 season without four-year stalwarts such as Ryan Elliott, Kane Ioane, Joey Thomas, Adam Cordeiro, Jon Montoya, Brent Swaggert. Those players survived the disastrous 0-11 2000 season, became building blocks to success, and eventually formed the foundation of a championship program.
Kramer, though, won't focus as intently on replacing those long-time stars as people outside the program. "There are players in this program, Blake Wolf and Chad Gluhm and Roger Cooper, that worked side-by-side with those guys who were the seniors last year, so they know what to expect of themselves and what to expect of their teammates," Kramer said.
According to Braun, as the season approaches, the quality of Montana State's workouts continues to improve. "It's not really about who's lifting the most weight, it's about the tempo," he said. "Part of the conditioning effect is getting everything done in the hour workout."
These are all factors that Mike Kramer looks for from the MSU football program's summer weight-lifting program. Those things, and one more.
"Sleep," Kramer says. Or, more specifically, a lack thereof. "I know of nothing college boys like to do more than sleep. There's nothing better to begin the long sojourn of the upcoming football season than the process of getting up early in the morning during the summer to lift weights."
Under the supervision of Justin Braun, who begins his first season as MSU's head strength and conditioning coach but his second working with the Bobcat football team, the MSU football team has convened at 5:30 am on weekday mornings for the past several weeks. "It's been pretty good, and it's getting better," Braun said. "We've averaged 22 guys, and the workouts the last two days have been crisp."
Kramer, also, has been pleased with the progress. "Slowly but surely, we're building the leadership quotient for the 2004 season."
Leadership one of Kramer's primary pursuits this summer, and for good reason. The Bobcats enter the 2004 season without four-year stalwarts such as Ryan Elliott, Kane Ioane, Joey Thomas, Adam Cordeiro, Jon Montoya, Brent Swaggert. Those players survived the disastrous 0-11 2000 season, became building blocks to success, and eventually formed the foundation of a championship program.
Kramer, though, won't focus as intently on replacing those long-time stars as people outside the program. "There are players in this program, Blake Wolf and Chad Gluhm and Roger Cooper, that worked side-by-side with those guys who were the seniors last year, so they know what to expect of themselves and what to expect of their teammates," Kramer said.
According to Braun, as the season approaches, the quality of Montana State's workouts continues to improve. "It's not really about who's lifting the most weight, it's about the tempo," he said. "Part of the conditioning effect is getting everything done in the hour workout."
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