On the 2011 preseason, UW-Whitewater football roster there are only five running backs listed.
Gone from 2010 due to graduation are Antwan Anderson and Booker Stanley.
Unexpectedly not returning in 2011 are two promising, freshman running backs that have transferred out of Whitewater.
“We have players that have transferred out and gone to play in other programs because they didn’t want to wait,” UW-Whitewater head coach tells Jim Polzin of the Wisconsin State Journal. “You’ve got to find guys that want to compete daily and are not satisfied with their roles but are willing to accept them as they go the process.”
In an era of smart phones, facebook and twitter - maybe it is the mind set of today’s teenager that demands immediate “gratification” of being a “star” from the day they arrive at UW-Whitewater.
In reality, it has been the student-athlete that has spent four or five years in the system that have realized the rewards of their effort. It is those student-athletes that are responsible for contributing to a program that has put together a mind-boggling 85 & 5 record over the past six years, six consecutive WIAC Championships, six consecutive Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl appearances and putting together National Championship seasons in 2007, 2009 & 2010. 2011
What is the old saying? If it were easy, everybody would do it.
As we head into the final few days of preseason practice, here is the tailbacks on the training camp roster.
• Levell Coppage (5-8, 180) senior - Oak Park-River Forest, IL High School
• Evan Wright (6-2 192) sophomore – Palatine, IL/Fremd High School
• Desmin Ward (6-0 240) junior – Milwaukee Hamilton High School
• Byron Stanford (5-11, 210) freshman – Mount Carmel High School, Chicago, IL
• Colton Sweitzer (5-9 190) freshman – Arrowhead High School, Hartland, WI
It will be a distinctly different tailback situation after UW-Whitewater’s “3-headed monster” rushing attack last year.
Incoming freshman need look no further than the now-graduated Antwan Anderson. He arrived at Whitewater at a time when Justin Beaver was a solid, No. 1 tailback in the Warhawk backfield. The following year enter Levell Coppage.
Dspite playing in the same era of Beaver and Coppage, Antwan finished his career with 2601 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns. The 2601 yards ranks 11th on the UW-Whitewater career rushing list.
Oh by the way, “Double-A” worked his butt off to become an outstanding special team’s player.
Championships are defined by the work ethic and mindset of players such as Antwan Anderson.
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