Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Start Training Camp
8/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 8, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT - Much like the United States Postal Service, not rain, sleet, or snow could stop the Central Michigan University football team from preparing for the upcoming season Thursday afternoon ... neither could wind, lightning, or a tornado siren.
On the second official day of practice the Chippewas took on all that Mother Nature could send their way and still maintained focus. Just as practice got underway dark clouds moved in and brought rain while at the same time the city of Mount Pleasant was testing the tornado siren. The players took shelter for a brief period of time.
The practice was running smoothly until another patch of clouds rolled in bringing more rain and lightning. This time the players took shelter for good, inside the Indoor Athletic Complex's Turf Bay, where they finished practice.
"I was very pleased with the way the team handled the situation," said head coach Mike DeBord. "The team did a great job of keeping their focus. Unexpected things are going to happen in the game and we have to learn how to deal with them and still keep our focus."
 | "This team has better focus than any of the other teams I have seen in my four years here." Mike DeBord |
CMU officially kicked off practice on Wednesday with a two-hour practice outside of Kelly/Shorts Stadium. The team, dressed in shorts, jerseys, and helmets only, looked excited to be back as they walked through plays and ran drills.
"We had great energy in our first practice," said DeBord. "The only issue I had was that we weren't finishing plays. But, I expected that a little. These guys go all summer without any coaches to push them and the first practice is always that way."
In the second day of practice, the Chippewas did a better job of finishing plays and improving in many areas, despite all the weather-related distractions.
"We had a great practice on Thursday," DeBord said. "The guys did a great job of improving on the things that we talked about the previous day."
The fourth year coach is happy with the way the team has performed early on. As much as the on-field play has pleased DeBord, it has been the mental preparation that has impressed him the most.
"This team has better focus than any of the other teams I have seen in my four years here," DeBord proclaimed. "They are not just focused on the field but in the meetings and training as well."
The NCAA rule changes that took effect this season limiting practice time was a source of concern heading into training camp, but has actually worked out for the better.
"I wasn't sure how the new practice schedule was going to work out," explained DeBord. "We set up a schedule that I feel will best suit our players while still fitting into the NCAA guidelines."
The coaching staff has made a few changes from previous years to better suit the team. The players now eat a brunch instead of lunch, which gives them more time to digest their food before practice. Since practice times are limited, player wake-up calls now come at 8 a.m., instead of 6 a.m., as was the case in previous years.
The team suits up with shoulder pads for Friday's practice and throws on the full gear on Sunday. Two-a-days begin on Monday and take place every-other day until August 22 with single sessions in-between. The new NCAA rules do not allow two-a-days to take place on consecutive days.
CMU opens the 2003 campaign at Michigan on August 30 at 12:10 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPN-Plus.
