North Carolina State University Athletics
Football Preseason Diary, Day Six
8/12/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 12, 2001
courtesy of Chatham Journal
It was hard to stop turning cartwheels long enough to write today's diary entry, because Media Day/Photo Day is OVER!!!! And even though my voice is completely shot and my shoes are filled with Carter-Finley's sacred turf, I have to say this year everything went off without a hitch.
The team got started at 8:30 this morning, when I met with them and told them the drill for media day. We have a pretty tight schedule. Each player had to get an individual photo taken up in front of the ESA (it's a great shot if you want to take a photo - the back of the new scoreboard makes a great backdrop!), but that meant shuttling the players back and forth from the field to the ESA. Also, we had to take video headshots (you know those shots that the networks show whenever a player makes a good play? We have to get those taken before the season starts!). And then added to the mix this year, we shot the video headshots for our fabulous new scoreboard. The guys had a lot of fun hamming it up for those photos.
The most fun (I hope you note my sarcastic tone!) is getting the whole team lined up and in place for the team photo. It's a good thing that I have a loud mouth and am not afraid to use it, because it's hard to keep that many guys in line! We also shot the staff photo and took positions photos. It's great fun to watch the guys fighting to make sure their position is the next one taken! Anyway, all went well and I didn't have to yell TOO much (even though I'm not sure the players would agree with that statement!).
As a side note, we really have a rowdy bunch of new players. The freshmen have more confidence than any freshman class I've ever seen and they aren't afraid to speak out. I think everyone is going to really enjoy getting to know some of our new personalities - I know I am.
A bunch of players also did interviews, as media from all over the state was in attendance. Those guys were lucky enough to stay up in the air-conditioning, so for once, they didn't mind.
Then, we all headed over to the ESA for the Day of Champions. The guys had a blast - I didn't know we had so many hot dogs on this team! As the competitors were introduced, they all tried to top each other as they came out of the tunnel. I saw some new dances demonstrated (at least they looked better than a certain basketball coach's dance routine last year!), but the funniest thing was when Philip Rivers and Carlos Doggett bumped chests and Philip fell on his fanny! I'm sure Philip will say he meant to do it, but I'm not buying it. Julius Patterson cut a serious backflip and some of the other guys had some pretty original stunts as well. The crowd was estimated to be around 9,500 and it looked as though everyone had a great time!
Thanks to everyone who prayed for sunshine today! Last night, we all got drenched at practice and had to move inside, but today ended up being made to order. I have to admit that the players are still at the arena signing autographs, and I'm signing off to go home and take a nap!
