North Carolina State University Athletics
2002 Football Preseason Diary, Day 3
8/1/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 1, 2002
Even though today was the big day - the day the varsity reported - there isn't a whole lot to tell. Our rookies are just about cross-eyed by now. They began meetings at 8:30 this morning and with the exception of a brief lunch break, stayed in the Weisiger-Brown Auditorium until 4:00.
Luckily, I got first dibs on their attention span. Our media relations seminar was lively and I got some good feedback from these young men. As I told you last year, the guys get a big kick out of listening to the "don't" interviews. I know I'm a little biased, but I really like this group. They're very serious, attentive and mature (from what I've seen so far, they're like that on the field as well). I've heard nothing but positive things about them from the coaching staff.
The rest of the morning was spent with the academic support folks and then representatives from different departments on campus this afternoon.
A good number of the varsity guys spent the day moving from one dorm to another (I think there were a couple of last minute trips to Wal-Mart and K-Mart today for supplies). Everybody had to check in this afternoon and get their equipment.
The whole group met for dinner late this afternoon, and Bob Sorochak at Case Dining Hall put on quite a spread to welcome everybody back. Prime rib, crab legs, shrimp cocktail, every kind of fruit, vegetable and pasta you can name. There were even a couple of great, big chocolate cakes shaped like footballs. I have to admit, that if it had been later than 4:30, I might have had to help me up a big plateful. It looked GOOD!
A small group had staked a claim at the front of the line at least 30 minutes before the dinner was supposed to start. He might be quiet, but Sterling Hicks wasn't letting anyone get in front of him (even though he hid from view whenever we tried to snap a photo). From what I could see, there was going to be plenty of food for everyone and spirits certainly were high (hopefully in anticipation of the season as well as the food). Brandon Sanders and Ashley Wingate were giving Danny Young and Austin Herbert a hard time at one table, while George Anderson and Roger Pollard were picking on Dantonio Burnette when he was asked to do a quick interview. I didn't recognize Dovonte Edwards at first without his braids, but liked the new look. Even thoughI didn't stay until the bitter end, I am confident that a good time was had by all.
Tonight, everybody meets with the doctors and the compliance staff before finishing up with physicals. Lights out is at 11:00 tonight and with a team meeting a 7:00 a.m., most of the guys might be in bed before that. Tomorrow is another morning full of meetings, this time with the entire squad. Jamey Coll from the training room, Eddie Gardner from the equipment room, Robb Wade from the ticket office will all visit with the guys, as well as folks from housing, dining and student-athlete development. And of course, I'll get another chance to get some points across.
In the afternoon, it's the dreaded running test. I'll let you know how that goes tomorrow.
