There’s something happening with today’s kids. I see it at just about any youth sporting event I attend. Other coaches have made mention of it and even some parents. It’s what I call the “Wimpy Factor”. There are a lot of reasons a kid can succumb to the wimpy factor but first we need to recognize what it is. It is that displayed behavior of not wanting to join in, or afraid of becoming apart of the group. That fear of willingness to explore the unknown and take a risk. The inability to personally challenge one’s self and push the envelope, even just a little. It’s that kid, who during practice, runs over to mom for a drink during a break rather than hanging with the team. I’ve even seen mom get up from her lounge chair to let junior sit until being called back onto the field.

How did this happen in this land of pioneers? How have we as a society that forged a new frontier, fought world wars, raced to the moon and set the standard of independence for the rest of the world to follow, become a growing population of wimps? The times have changed for one thing. We have to worry about sexual predators, violent gangs, drugs, drunk drivers, disgruntled employees and children with guns. Not to mention food preservatives, A.D.D. and A.D.H.D. I mean, what’s a parent to do?

My eldest son has always been involved in sports, his younger brother as well. However, as younger siblings go, there was a period of time where he could only watch from the sidelines dreaming of his chance to be old enough and big enough to compete in the same forums. The elder was always one of the biggest on the team and based upon his early physique, I was sure the Michelin Man was his daddy and not I. The younger on the other hand was slight but taunt and built for speed. When his time came to play football, at the old age of eight, he was one of the smallest trying out. I watched as he worked his heart out and gave it everything he had to give. The kid was black and blue from head to toe and I’m not exaggerating. His coach had obviously made up his mind that this little tow-head wasn’t big enough to play on this team and it was apparent by the way he treated him. He regularly put the kid up against the bigger and older players at every opportunity. I would tell my wife that you can’t control who the other team is going to put across from you on game day, so, he might as well get used to it now. To his credit, my son never complained. He was finally living out his dream and achieving what his older brother had done before him. He couldn’t be happier!

One day before the team cuts, this coach walked my boy over to me and said the kid had something to tell me. Through a stream of elephant tears he said he no longer wanted to play football. He said it was too hard for him. As he was doing this, the coach turned and walked away. I was shocked at this revelation! Part of me didn’t want to believe it and the other was what to do if it’s true. We had one of those father-son talks about commitment, responsibility and seeing things through to the end. It was a lot for a crying eight year old but I felt my kid wanted to play this game. At any rate, I wasn’t going to allow him to quit something he had started regardless of how hard it may have become. And I suspected he had been convinced otherwise. In the end he told me he wanted to play and so we marched across that field to the coach. The coach told me he was going to have to cut three players and he felt my son was just too small. I told him he would have to cut him then because junior wasn’t quitting. I also told him that if he only had to cut three he better do it in person and not by posting a list. The following week we were forced to turn in the equipment and sit out the season. It was a tough time for my son but it was also a learning experience, which provided a deep burning fire. As an aside, to that coach, last year as a freshman this same kid rushed for over 1000 yards and scored 16 touchdowns.

I am the proud father of four children, two girls, two boys, age’s 15 through 25. I personally think they are great kids but by no means, perfect. Folks who know them will pretty much say the same thing. My partner, Dave, will say the eldest boy is a pain in the ass as he has had the pleasure of coaching him over three years of varsity ball. That aside, as each of them is different from the other, so has been many of the ways they have been raised. However, they are all independent individuals capable of taking care of themselves while knowing their mother and I are always there for them. I want them to experience life. I want them to fall down a couple of times and learn that you do get back up. I want them to know they will survive a broken heart. They need to know that you don’t always get what you want or feel you deserve. They need to know bad things happen to good people sometimes. That you don’t always win but you can strive to do better. I want them to take some risks and feel that rush of excitement. I want them to get a couple of bumps and bruises and know they can continue on. I want them to live life!
So, the next time you get the opportunity to push a little, let go a bit. Let’em fall down, help’em up, brush’em off and push them right back out there!

Well, heck, why not? First of all, it’s a chance to get away and cut loose a little bit. I don’t mean go crazy but I do mean an opportunity to stretch out a bit. Be on your own for a few days, a little independence. The LinemenInc camp is also an opportunity to learn and improve; an opportunity to be challenged and to step up to that challenge.

You players all know who the big man is on your team. You all know just how much you are going to be or not going to be challenged by the guys on your team. As for that one monster, just how challenged is he going to be by the rest of you? In camp there are lots of big men. There are players from all over the western United States from all types and sizes of schools. You either step up or get stepped on. It’s interesting to watch that evolution take place from practice to practice.

It is a gradual process taught step by step with each progression leading to the next. As you complete each practice you’ll begin to feel the difference. The guys around you and the coaches will start to take note. The tempo will be picking up. The hitting will increase and intensify. You’ll feel the valley sun beating on the back of your neck and your legs and arms will begin to feel heavy. And at the same time, you’ll have this sense of accomplishment, this feeling of belonging to something greater, of being apart of something special and unique. You’re a lineman. You are the last of the gladiators.

It is also an opportunity to work under some of the best college coaches in the business; Cal, San Diego State, Colorado State, Cal-Poly. Former players like Rob Gatrell and Preston Walrath. Where else are you going to find this type of opportunity and exposure? Did I mention the food? If an army runs on its stomach so does a camp of linemen. The University of the Pacific has one of the greatest cafeteria’s I’ve had the pleasure to chow down in. I’ve been to a number of camps at a number of schools and none compare. Just ask the guys who were there last year.

Here’s the bottom line gentlemen: you are only as good as you strive to be. If you are content to stay where you are then that is exactly where you will find yourself. On the other hand, if you want to be the best you can be, if you are willing to challenge yourself, then you will improve. It can’t be helped. The great Vince Lombardi once said, “Work and sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, selflessness, and respect for authority are the price that each one must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile.” LinemenInc camp is a great place to start working towards that goal. See you in June!

Madman Dave has been at it again and we’re the lucky recipients of his hard work! Adding to our fine staff of coaches at LinemenInc 2005, will be Jeff Hammerschmidt of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. Coach Hammerschmidt was previously the defensive coordinator at the University of Montana and has coached at the University of Arizona, University of Indiana, Southern Utah University and St. Mary’s College.
Also joining us this year is Preston Walrath of Saddleback College. Coach Walrath played at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in the World League, now known as the NFL Europe and in the Arena Football League at Las Vegas. Coach Walrath has coached both the offensive and defensive lines at Saddleback and is an excellent addition to our coaching family. Welcome Coach Hammerschmidt and Coach Walrath!

Colorado State is in the house! Dave has been a madman this off-season recruiting top college coaches for Camp 2005. Joining the LinemenInc family this year is Darrell Funk, the offensive line coach for Colorado State. Coach Funk told Dave he had heard nothing but good things about LinemenInc and was looking forward to participating. Coach Funk has been coaching at the college level since 1987, holding positions at the University of Illinois, Muskingum College, Mesa State, University of Rhode Island and Northern Illinois University. We are both grateful and very excited to have Coach Funk join us this
year.

My partner, Dave, and I, spent a portion of this past weekend visiting Seaside High School, in Seaside, CA. Coach Al Avila was a great host and I wanted to say thanks for inviting us. I also need to recognize Evelyn Orange, mother of Robert Orange, a Seaside lineman for without her praises none of this would have come about. Robert had attended LinemenInc 2004 and Coach Avila was so impressed with Roberts’s growth as a player and his contribution to the team this past season that he wanted to learn more about our program. So, off to Seaside we went!

We made a presentation to about 15 players and parents. First explaining our program and answering questions, and later discussing fundraising ideas. We wrapped it up by showing our promotional tape and you could feel the excitement growing amongst the players. After Coach Avila thanked us for making the trip, and stated that LinemenInc was something he definitely wanted Seaside to be involved in this year.

Sounds great, right? Well, yeah, of course. But why should coach be so sold so quickly? Why would he have no problem this early on making that commitment? Yes, I think we put on a great presentation but there must be something more. Well, as Paul Harvey would say, “And now, time for the rest of the story.”
Robert Orange never wanted to play football. Mom, Evelyn, and Dad, thought it would be good for their son. He wasn’t playing any other sport and rather than have him wasting his time or perhaps getting into trouble after school, they felt football was the answer. After all, Robert was a big kid; he looked like a football player. Looking like and being are two different things however.

His freshman year of football was as uneventful as would be his sophomore year. As a player, Robert was going no where. Coach Avila’s expectations of Robert as a varsity player were minimal; third string, second at best. He couldn’t be motivated and he wasn’t improving. Robert just didn’t want to play football and Mom just wasn’t ready to give up on Robert.

While on a business trip, Evelyn had a conversation with another woman about their son’s and athletics. Evelyn expressed her frustrations with Robert and her desire to keep him involved in something worthwhile. The other woman told Evelyn about LinemenInc and her son’s experience. Armed with this information Evelyn paid a visit to our web site and followed it up with a phone call to me. We discussed Robert as well as the camp and shortly thereafter Robert was told in no uncertain terms that he would be going to camp.

LinemenInc is billed as, “The toughest three days of your life” for a reason. On day two of camp, Robert got more than a little taste of that when he showed up late for one of the practices. It gets plenty hot in Stockton during the summer and the players are worked hard and kept on the move at all times. Being disciplined on top of the schedule simply adds to the challenge of camp. To his credit, Robert hung in there, made no complaints and completed the camp. He had a good camp, too.

Returning to Seaside, Coach Avila found a new Robert Orange. This Robert Orange was motivated. He suddenly had desire and heart. A newfound work ethic! Heck, a new player! Robert ended up starting on both sides of the line for Seaside High School this past season and he made the All League, Second Team. Oh, and if you didn’t know, Seaside played in the Central Coast Championship game this year.

I can’t tell you exactly what happened to Robert this year, why the change. And I won’t even try to say it was all because of LinemenInc. What I will say, is that Robert found something inside of himself this year and that it started in camp; something that was there all along but hadn’t come out. Camp has a funny way of doing that to a guy. Robert came without teammates and was challenged by the program and by kids from all over the western United States. More over, I think Robert was challenged by himself and he stepped up to meet that challenge. Congrats Robert! See you in camp this June.