LinemenInc 2007 is now over.  If you didn’t attend as a player or a coach you missed out on a great opportunity to build, learn and improve.  LinemenInc Stockton, was yet another great camp.  Over 165 players and coaches spent three days praying the heat wouldn’t arrive and on the third an final day, it showed up.

Weather wasn’t the only hot thing in camp that day.  We saw some great Gladiator Championships being fought on the grass and marveled at some of the surprises.  Aaron Smiley, of Seaside High, who ended up being the only one of five players who said they were going to attend camp, showed up solo and lit up the place.  This 5’9″ – 185 lbs. Senior, took two Championships in his Garrison and went home with the Most Inspirational Sword.  This is the second time in three years that a Seaside player has won the award.

Many thanks to the University of the Pacific, for hosting us in this our fourth year.  A big thanks to our coaching staff, Bill Bedenbaugh, University of Arizona, Kerry Locklin, Fresno State, Jason White, Humboldt University, Gordon Steinman and Brook Vasconcellos, Menlo College, Matt Diskin, Shasta College. Dave Tipton, formerly of Stanford University, and Aaron Thigpen, Gamespeed Performance Training.

A big thank you to all of our high school coaches and LinemenInc Staff, Larry Tabke, Harry Tabke, Jeff Tabke, Will Tabke, Nick Gould and Mike Wiley.  Without these people, LinemenInc would not exist.  And to our wives, Karin Tabke and Kathy Reinders, who allow us our passion of coaching and all the sacrifices that go with it, a big hug of thanks.

This fall, when you are in the trenches of a game, and the guy across the line from you is giving you all that you can handle and then some, you’ll have to wonder, “Did he go to LinemenInc?”  Don’t let the opportunity pass you by next year.

If you attended camp and would like to share your experience, please leave a comment on this blog.  Have a great summer, gentlemen.

“The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.”  – Vince Lombardi -