North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Veterans 'Check In'
8/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 9, 2001
By Tony Haynes
The football practice fields at Paul Derr Track will really begin to get crowded this weekend when the Wolfpack varsity joins the freshman class for preseason workouts.
When the Pack's rookies reported for duty on Tuesday, a curious group of upperclassmen offered vocal support from the sidelines. But now, it's time for everyone to get to work.
The official reporting date for the varsity is Thursday, August 9, but in reality the entire team has been around campus working out for most of the summer. Physical conditioning, which was a vital factor in the Pack's successful 8-4 season last year, will likely prove to be an NC State ally again this fall.
The coaching staff will get a good read on just where everyone stands when the entire team goes through the traditional running test on Friday, August 10.
"We worked so hard last summer and it carried over to the football field," said senior cornerback Brian Williams, who was on the field for more than 100 snaps in the game at Clemson last October. "The summer conditioning really did a lot for our team last year."
As they report to camp this year, NC State's players should be in even better shape after going through strength and conditioning coach Todd Stroud's intense conditioning programs for an entire off-season.
Some players have added speed. Many others have lost weight, while gaining strength. Some, like defensive tackle Shane Riggs, have totally transformed their bodies. As a redshirt sophomore last year, the 6-3 Riggs weighed in at 265. He has now added between 25-30 pounds of mostly muscle and in doing so, has become one of the Wolfpack's most impressive bench pressers.
Willie Wright, a smallish tight end at 220 last season, has pushed his weight up some 25 pounds since last December's MicronPC.com Bowl.
Many of NC State's players will put their physical gifts on display for the public in what is being called "The Day of Champions," which is slated to begin prior to the annual "Meet the Pack Day" festivities on Sunday.
Beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the ESA, a select group of players will participate in a strength and conditioning exhibition that will include the bench press, power clean and the vertical jump.
The exhibition will be followed by an autograph session with players and coaches on the ESA concourse.
