OPRF's Max Sakellaris makes positive impact on and off the field

I admit to being “one of those guys” who frequent Facebook and Twitter - probably too often. I have followed thousands of UW-Whitewater student-athletes over my 25 years-plus “covering” Warhawk football on the radio and now on my Websites. For one reason or another I have “followed” a number of these former student-athletes via Facebook in their years post-college. It comes with great satisfaction when I see these former players having adapted to adult life. What is “so cool now is following a former Warhawk who is often now married with child (or children). There are many inspiring stories. Earlier today, the UW-Whitewater athletics Website posted a story published this week on www.oakpark.com. The feature story is titled: OPRF's Max Sakellaris makes positive impact on and off the field.

Here is an excerpt from the www.oakpark.com feature story…

Max attended UW-Whitewater (2003-2006) was a two-time All-American offensive tackle on the UW-Whitewater football team.

While Sakellaris flourished in three sports at OPRF, he decided to pursue football at the next level. Between 2003-2006, Sakellaris anchored the offensive line at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as a two-time All-American selection.

After a pair of solid 7-3 campaigns during his first two seasons, Sakellaris enjoyed consecutive trips with the Warhawks to the NCAA Division III championship game against Mount Union College. Unfortunately, the Warhawks lost both championship tilts.

"We lost twice so I guess we were kind of like the Buffalo Bills," Sakellaris said. "When I first got [at UW-W] we took some lumps but we went 42-6 overall when I played there. In Wisconsin, there are not Division II schools, so it was basically the University of Wisconsin and us which was kind of cool. We got a lot of publicity and the attention around our football program wasn't a normal Division III atmosphere."

UW-Whitewater and Mount Union would square off seven straight years in the Stagg Bowl national title game. Sakellaris' stellar play at offensive tackle with the Warhawks helped open a recruiting pipeline of sorts between OPRF and UW-Whitewater. Six other OPRF players Levell Coppage, Max Ford, Zach Howard, Ronnie Blaszkowski, Hans Goldenberg and Gabe Woullard have played for the Warhawks.

A similar football "buzz" surrounds the current state of the OPRF football program. Hoerster, with the aid of an excellent coaching staff including Sakellaris, has the Huskies' football program headed in a positive direction. From Sakellaris' perspective, the Huskies' bandwagon is just starting to get on a roll even if momentum is a bit overdue.

"John has created a different atmosphere that had been lacking at OPRF for a long time," he said. "Football is very important [now] and we're getting a high number of players which we didn't get in the past. We actually don't have enough uniforms and jerseys [now] for all the kids which is great. It shows how many kids are coming out for football, and that's half the battle."

In addition to working as an assistant coach on the football team, Sakellaris will coach basketball and teach physical education at OPRF.

Of course, Sakellaris' primary responsibilities revolve around taking care of his wife Kara and their 11-month-old son, Tyler.

"Sometimes it's hard to balance everything but its great being a dad," he said. "My wife is very loving and understanding. I couldn't do any of this without her support.

"My entire family has always been involved with OPRF. We just kind of bleed orange and blue. My son and [future] kids will go there because there's no place we would rather be than OPRF."

To read the entire story click here

Warhawks ready to Pound the Rock

If you're a UW-Whitewater football fan, I’m sure you are familiar with the term Pound the Rock. For the Warhawk football program Pound the Rock is much more than just a motivational phrase – its an attitude that is palatable for UWW players coaches and fans.

One of the first duties for returning veterans when the players report for training camp on August 17 will be to make sure this year’s freshman recruits and transfers are properly “schooled” in the importance of possessing that Pound the Rock attitude.

The saying originated with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in 2003. Rod Marinelli used it as a motivational saying for his lineman which literally meant that "if you keep working at it, even the biggest obstacle will fall.

The UW-Whitewater offensive line quickly adopted the “pound the rock” mantra and it didn’t take long for the entire offense to use the phrase for self-motivation. The attitude is a huge, motivating factof from the opening day of preseason practice and each day throughout the season with an annual goal of ending in mid-December at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia.

How serious does Warhawk football subscribe to “pound the rock?” Each Thursday at the end of practice the offense scoots up the hill located on the southeast section of Perkins Stadium. That is where THE ROCK, a 2+ ton boulder is located. Each week several well-deserving members of the offense get the opportunity to put the safety goggles on and take one mighty swing with the official “Pound the Rock” maul. It is an “attitude” that the Warhawks relished over the past decade.

I’m sure Daryl Agpalsa, UW-Whitewater’s newly named offensive line coach, will continue the “Pound the Rock” mentality.

Matt Blanchard off to solid start at Bears' Training Camp

Matt Blanchard (3rd from left) joins Josh McCown (12) and Jay Cutler (6) being "coached up" by QB Coach Matt Cavanaugh and Head Coach Mark Trestman - Photo credit: Matt Koch, Chicago Bears Official Website

Second year quarterback Matt Blanchard is apparently off to a solid start through four days at Chicago Bears Training Camp in Bourbonnais, IL.

Chicago Sun Times sports writer Mark Potash pen’s an article following each day’s practice titled: 5 observations from Day ___.

One of Potash’s five observations following Saturday’s practice was titled: 3. Matt Blanchard is earning a more serious look at quarterback.

The following Potash observation is the latest off-season articles that seem to say the former UW-Whitewater quarterback is making a serious bid for a regular season roster spot.

After being shuttled on and off the roster as an undrafted rookie in 2012, Blanchard is the No. 3 quarterback in camp behind Jay Cutler and Josh McCown. His skillset is a good fit for a Trestman-run offense and he makes the most of the few opportunities he gets — as he did in third-team reps on Saturday. The big question is whether he’ll get enough of an opportunity in training camp to show he deserves stronger consideration. Trestman said he’s trying to give Blanchard and other third-string players as much of an opportunity as he can.

‘‘I told the guys after practices that I don’t know what goes on in the NFL other places but we give these guys as many reps as any team,’’ Trestman said after practice. ‘‘Based on talking to other players who have been around, and I did, these guys are getting almost 20 plays and that’s a lot of plays for a third group.

“I told the guys they’ve got to make the most of every opportunity, and the only way to do that is to know what to do and do it as hard as fast as we can. And that’s what we’re looking for on the tape.”

Warhawks' linebacker position returns a number of veterans in 2013

(In the adjacent photo courtesy of the Royal Purple are left to right; Ryan Cortez, Kyle Wismer, Cole Klotz and Josh Williams)

Just three weeks until the UW-Whitewater football team returns to campus for the start of its 2013 training camp. At the Division 1 level, with a lengthy list of scholarship athletes, you know who will show up for the start of preseason practice.

At the D3 level a school’s “recruit list” and returnees isn’t cast in stone until that opening day of training camp.

My tentative 2012 Warhawk depth chart features scheduled returnees highlighted in neon yellow. The one aspect that jumps out at the reader is a yellow dominated list of linebackers scheduled to be on the North campus practice field complex on the first day of preseason practice.

This year's returning linebackers include two players that have been given preseason All-American consideration.

Four of the top six tacklers last year are back led by 2012’s top tackler – Cole Klotz. The 6-4, 244 lb. senior who played his high school football at New Berlin Eisenhower led the Hawks with 63 tackles in 2012 including a team-high 35 solo tackles. He finished eighth in tackles in 2011 despite missing two games due to injury.

Josh Williams returned last year after missing the entire 2011 season after rupturing an Achilles tendon. The former Mukwonago star had a big return by finishing second on the team in tackles last season. Williams finished with 54 tackles including eight tackles for a loss and two-and-a-half quarterback sacks.

Kyle Wismer followed up his team leading 75 tackles in 2011 with another solid season. The former All-State performer from Richmond/Burton (IL) High School finished fourth in tackles as a junior last year despite missing a game due to injury. Among Kyle’s 42 tackles last year were a team-high nine tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Ryan Cortez reminds me of another recent UWW linebacker – Lane Olson. Cortez finished 2011 with 35 tacklers including six tackles behind the line of scrimmage and three QB sacks. Much like “Lane Train” Olson, the Palatine, IL native is a bit undersized (6’, 218 lbs) but has the knack of making “highlight reel” type hits with his quickness at his linebacker postion.

The cabinet is certainly not empty after the four just mentioned.

Bryan Spakowicz, Oscar Johnson, and Joe Paulus, all seniors, are all scheduled to return this year after recording 10 or more tackles in 2012.

Last year’s recruiting class at linebacker, along with this year’s, will again put plenty of quality talent on the field for UWW’s new linebacker’s coach, John Miech,

One of the keys to UWW defensive coordinator Brian Borland’s defense each season is the ability “to run to the football” from sideline to sideline. His 2013 defense will certainly fit that mold.

Mark your calendar - only three weeks until the UW-Whitewater football team returns to campus for the start of its 2013 training camp. At the Division 1 level, with a lengthy list of scholarship athletes, you know who will show up for the start of preseason practice.

At the D3 level a school’s “recruit list” and returnees isn’t cast in stone until that opening day of training camp.

My tentative 2012 Warhawk depth chart features scheduled returnees highlighted in neon yellow. The one aspect that jumps out at the reader is a yellow dominated list of linebackers scheduled to be on the North campus practice field complex on the first day of preseason practice.

This year's returning linebackers include two players that have been given preseason All-American consideration.

Four of the top six tacklers last year are back led by 2012’s top tackler – Cole Klotz. The 6-4, 244 lb. senior who played his high school football at New Berlin Eisenhower led the Hawks with 63 tackles in 2012 including a team-high 35 solo tackles. He finished eighth in tackles in 2011 despite missing two games due to injury.

Josh Williams returned last year after missing the entire 2011 season after rupturing an Achilles tendon. The former Mukwonago star had a big return by finishing second on the team in tackles last season. Williams finished with 54 tackles including eight tackles for a loss and two-and-a-half quarterback sacks.

Kyle Wismer followed up his team leading 75 tackles in 2011 with another solid season. The former All-State performer from Richmond/Burton (IL) High School finished fourth in tackles as a junior last year despite missing a game due to injury. Among Kyle’s 42 tackles last year were a team-high nine tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Ryan Cortez reminds me of another recent UWW linebacker – Lane Olson. Cortez finished 2011 with 35 tacklers including six tackles behind the line of scrimmage and three QB sacks. Much like “Lane Train” Olson, the Palatine, IL native is a bit undersized (6’, 218 lbs) but has the knack of making “highlight reel” type hits with his quickness at his linebacker postion.

The cabinet is certainly not empty after the four just mentioned.

Bryan Spakowicz, Oscar Johnson, and Joe Paulus, all seniors, are all scheduled to return this year after recording 10 or more tackles in 2012.

Last year’s recruiting class at linebacker, along with this year’s, will again put plenty of quality talent on the field for UWW’s new linebacker’s coach, John Miech,

One of the keys to UWW defensive coordinator Brian Borland’s defense each season is the ability “to run to the football” from sideline to sideline. His 2013 defense will certainly fit that mold.

Training Camp underway for Blanchard and the Bears

Matt Blanchard is motivated and ready to go as Chicago Bears’ training camp is underway at Mount Olivet College in Bourbonnais, Illinois. The Bears arrived in camp Wednesday and on the way into town the former UW-Whitewater Warhawk quarterback to tweet: “Been too long Bourbonnais. Couldn't wait to get down here... Let it begin!!”

Blanchard spent much of last season on the Bears’ practice squad prior to being released in December as part of roster moves due to late season injuries to players on the active roster. Blanchard was resigned in January to a 2-year, $900 thousand deal.

Blanchard participated in both the team’s rookie minicamp in May along with veterans’ minicamp in June followed by OTAs.

Matt has definitely been No. 3 on the depth chart during the off-season. The Lake Zurich, Illinois native fully understands that he enters training camp behind Jay Cutler and Josh McGown.

“Sometimes as a third- or fourth-string quarterback, Jay’s the guy and he’s running the show so you’ve really got to take notes, so I’ve been doing that, watching him and Josh [McCown] over the last year, learning how to be a pro,” Blanchard said.

Both new Bears head coach Marc Trestman and quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh have liked what they have seen from Blanchard.

“I saw a lot of potential,” Cavanaugh told CSNChicago.com. “I think he’s done a real good job of learning, he’s got a good, quick mind, processes information really well, and playing that position is about getting a lot of information from whoever is calling the play and processing it, spinning it back out the right way and then making a decision in two-and-a-half seconds. He’s shown that ability.”

At 6'3'', 225 pounds, Blanchard has the physical tools to play in the NFL. Head coach Marc Trestman has clearly had an early influence on the undrafted quarterback from Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“He’s got all the physical tools. He’s got mobility, a strong arm and can make plays with his legs. Now he’s just inexperienced so preseason is going to be huge for him.” Trestman said. “I think he has a chance to do very well.”

As the No. 3 quarterback heading into training camp this week hears how Chicago Tribune Bears’ beat writer Brad Biggs assesses Blanchard.

The more realistic question at the position is whether or not Matt Blanchard, in his second season as an undrafted free agent from Wisconsin-Whitewater, has a shot at cracking the roster. That decision will rest heavily on how he performs in preseason and while it’s too early to figure out playing time, the best guess is he’ll see heavy action in the Aug. 29 preseason finale vs. the Browns at Soldier Field.

Preseason recognition is flattering but season-long success is the bottom line

The annual publication of Top 25 polls and All-America teams is an annual rite of passage into a new football season. The information is definitely fun to read for football fans around the nation especially here in Warhawk Nation.

D3football.com is the “bible” for NCAA Division III football fans. Published earlier this week the 2013 preseason D3football.com All-American team and preseason Top 25 Poll were released.

UW-Whitewater is one of three Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams ranked in D3football.com’s preseason ranking.

Following its 7-3 record last year, the Warhawks will enter the upcoming season ranked ninth according to D3football.com Top 25 Poll voters. UW-Platteville, coming off its tie for second in the conference, is ranked 11th while defending WIAC champion UW-Oshkosh checks in at No. 12.

Obviously, most fans consider a high national ranking a great honor – and it is. But these rankings come out prior to teams around the country even arrive at training camp.

This brings me to my “word of the day.” The word is speculation: The definition of speculation: Contemplation or consideration of a subject. A conclusion, opinion, or theory reached by conjecture.

What UW-Whitewater football players, and hopefully fans have come to realize is that rankings, All-America lists, and championships is such lofty success is really totally based on success throughout its 10 games regular season and possible post-season berth.

This is really what POUND THE ROCK stands for. It is a "day at a time – game at a time mentality" that championship seasons are built on.

Loussaint Minett, Tyler Huber, Cole Klotz, Kyle Wismer and Eric Kindler have received preseason All-America recognition. They are all outstanding players entering their senior season and will be looked on to provide the “senior leadership” necessary to eventually reach team goals.

Ty Huber has been elected one of the team captains for the upcoming season. In the wake of the publication of all the preseason polls and All-America lists that included his name, Huber tweeted the only list that matters is the one at the end of the season. No worries...Put it on the field and let your game do the talking! Can you say “senior leadership?”

Players return to campus for the start of its 2013 preseason training camp in just 25 days!

All former UW-Whitewater football players invited back to campus September 27-28

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Football program is excited about the first official Football Alumni Weekend coming up the weekend of September 27 and 28. UW-Whitewater Director of Athletics, Paul Plinske along with Warhawk Football Head Coach Lance Leipold and his staff hope to see student-athletes from ALL DECADES back to campus to meet old friends and celebrate our rich tradition.

If you are an alum who has not yet received an official Save the Date post card or e-mail from Assistant Athletic Director Leah Thyne, that means UW-Whitewater does not have your current contact information in its football data base.

To ensure that you receive future information about this event and the football program please click on the link below and fill out your current contact information and it will automatically be included in our database.

To access the questionnaire CLICK HERE

If you have questions or concerns contact Leah Thyne at thynel@uww.edu

Video of the Day No. 2: Warhawks beat Mount Union to claim 2007 national title

We are now less than five weeks away from UW-Whitewater opening up its 2013 training camp. As I indicated yesterday, to get the best fans in Division III fired up for the season I’m going to post one Warhawk football video per day both on the Warhawkfootball.com Newswire and on Voices Eye on Football blog.

Today’s (Monday’s) video is a look back at the Warhawks 31-21 win over Mount Union to secure U-Dub-Dub’s first national title win in school history. It was the third consecutive Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl match-up between the two “purple powerhouses.” Mount and UWW would go on to meet in the Stagg Bowl the next four years. Whitewater would win three of those four games.

The ’07 Stagg Bowl win was led by an opportunistic, hall-hawking defense and what was one of the great running back performances by Division III Player of the Year, Justin Beaver. The 2007 Gagliardi Award recipient rushed 31 time for 249 yards. D3 fans around the country still talk about Beaver’s final game as a Warhawk.

This video is courtesy of www.catdomealumni.com and is the clipped highlights of ESPN’s 2007 Stagg Bowl telecast. To view the video CLICK HERE

Matt Blanchard set to make push for Chicago Bears regular season roster

There is reason for optimism for UW-Whitewater and NCAA III fans as it appears that former Warhawk quarterback Matt Blanchard is in much better position to make Chicago’s regular season roster in year-two with the Bears.

WBBM TV 2 in Chicago has published the second in a series of pre-training camp reports on the Bears. Today Bears’ correspondent Adam Hoge broke down the quarterback position. Hoge is the lastest Bears’ reporter to talk about Blanchard’s upside entering training camp in Bourbonaise on July 26th.

Fact: There is absolutely no debate that Jay Cutler is No. 1 on the depth chart. Who’s No. 2? That is a much more fluid situation.

34-year-old Josh McCown enters training camp #2 on the depth chart. Drafted in 2002 by Arizona, he has been a journeyman in his 13 year NFL career. Because of his familiarity with then-offensive coordinator Mike Martz, McCown joined the team in 2011 following injuries to Cutler and backup Caleb Hanie.

Now in 2013 with a new coaching staff on-board, plenty of positive comments have been made when talking about Blanchard.

"He's very good with our system of football," New Bears head coach Marc Trestman said during the team’s early May minicamp. "That's come to him very easily. And he throws the ball very well."

Trestman, a former quarterback has become a “quarterback guru” in his professional football coaching career.

"He's articulate in the verbiage of our offense," Trestman said of Blanchard following minicamp. "Getting the reps has really helped him. He has very good fundamentals.

One of the big questions entering training camp is if Chicago will carry two or three quarterbacks on its regular season roster?

In today’s article Hoge had these comments, “While McCown is No.2 and Blanchard No.3 heading to Bourbonnais, don’t be surprised to see a change in the depth chart by the end of camp.”

Chicago’s training camp will be held from July 25 to August 13 at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. Located about 60 miles south of Chicago.

To read Adam Hoges’ CBSChicago.com story CLICK HERE

Fox Sports Wisconsin: UW-Whitewater set to reclaim position at the summit

The UW-Whitewater football will report to its 2013 training camp. Coming off a 7-3 mark last season the Warhawks will be looking to battle for another WIAC Title after falling short last season. A solid nucleus will return for Whitewater and the focus during spring practice was to put 2012 in the rear view mirror and re-direct the focus and energy into the upcoming season.

Foxsportswisconsin.com published a lengthy story this morning with writer, Jesse Temple, getting quotes from Head Coach Lance Leipold along with several players.

The message appears perfectly clear. The Hawks streak of 46 consecutive wins ended in week 2 of 2012. The stunning 7-6 loss to Buffalo State was followed by back-to-back losses to eventual conference champion UW-Oshkosh followed by a road loss at UW-Stevens Point.

While not likely to be picked as the preseason favorite to win the league title this year the players are highly motivated to climb back up the WIAC “mountain,” take a week at a time attitude, and be a strong challenger for a 33rd WIAC Championship come November.

Tom read the foxwisconsinsports.com story CLICK HERE

Follow me on Twitter

Remember back in 1998 when Tiger Woods opened his professional golf career at Brown Deer Golf Course in metro Milwaukee by proclaiming “hello world?” I was less than 10 feet from him working the story for the Goetz Radio Network and WFAW Radio in Fort Atkinson. In retrospect, how I wish Twitter was around in 1998. Twitter erupted onto the scene in the summer of 2006 and now statistics show that there are over 400-million tweets daily around the world.

I am now adding to the tweet total as I joined the “Twitter” universe this (Tuesday) evening by Tweeting out “Hello word: Voice Pattison is now a Twitter follower.”

Being maybe the only sports journalist not to have a twitter account I thought it was about time!

If you are a regular reader of http://www.voiceseyeonfootballl.blogspot.com or the http://www.warhawkfootball.com/newswire.asp you’ll be able to access breaking stories and my insight on the UW-Whitewater football scene and much more.

I invite you to get the latest news and views of UW-Whitewater football by following me, Tom Pattison. The Twitter address is: @eyeonwarhawks

The WFCA South All-Stars arrive at UW-Whitewater this weekend in preparation for the 2013 WFCA Football All-Star Games coming up on Saturday, July 20, 2013. And don’t forget, the Warhawks open training camp in the middle of August.

You want to stay on top of it? All you have to do is FOLLOW ME on Twitter. The address is @eyeonwarhawks

I look forward to having you join me in the “Twittersphere!:

The "branding" of UW-Whitewater football is now a year-round task

The marketing of UW-Whitewater’s football program is now a year-round endeavor. Much like it is for our neighbors in Madison, filling the football stadium on game days is important. Be it Camp Randall Stadium on the campus of the University of Wisconsin or Perkins Stadium here in Whitewater the game-day experience is much more than just a football game.

South-Central Wisconsin residents received a new “Yellow Book” phone book in the mail last week. The photo on the cover of the Yellow Book is an aerial view of Perkins Stadium and over 12,000 fans enjoying Warhawk football amongst a fall color splashed vista.

UW-Whitewater’s incredible success on the football field brings thousands of fans from outside the immediate area to Whitewater five or six game day Saturday’s each season.

"It's more than a game," said UW-Whitewater athletic director Paul Plinske. "From tailgating to in-game promotions to the video board, we provide an exciting atmosphere that tops Division III. Plus, who wouldn't want to hear the cannon fire after each Warhawk touchdown?"

The Warhawks finished second in the nation last year in regular season, Division III football attendance for by drawing 37,760 fans to the “Perk.” In 2011 Whitewater led the nation by drawing over 8,000 fans per game on the way to a third consecutive national championship season.

Big crowds at Perkins Stadium translates into cash registers ringing in Whitewater and surrounding area.

A 2011 story in the Janesville Gazette focused on the economic impact created by big football Saturday crowds flocking to the Perk.

According to the story, UW-Whitewater athletics has had a significant affect on the community and region. A report conducted by the Fiscal and Economic Research Center at UW-Whitewater found the school’s athletics bring about $2.7 million to communities in Rock, Walworth and Jefferson counties.

Much of that money is spent at local restaurants, hotels, gas stations and grocery stores, according to the report. Every dollar spent by way of the athletics department generates about $1.45 worth of growth, it added.

Sales of UW-Whitewater apparel also is a key element of “branding” of the University and its athletic teams. The filled to capacity photo of Perkins Stadium is just the latest marketing effort in advance of its 2013 football season.

Whitewater normally has five home games each season. This year the Warhawks will look to “Pack the Perk” six times starting with the season opener vs. Washington University (St. Louis) at 12-noon on September 7th. Look for tailgating in the parking lots surrounding the stadium to be going strong by 8 a.m.

Believe it or not, football is right around the corner

The calendar may read July 7 but football is just around the corner.

The 2013 WFCA South All-Star team will arrive in Whitewater next week in preparation for the July 20th Division 1-3 and 4-7 games to be played at UW-Oshkosh’s Titan Stadium. For many of the participants it will be the prelude to college careers that will begin with preseason practice with their college teams in mid-August.

I’ll have a list of the all-stars that will be future UW-Whitewater Warhawks later this week.

The start of Warhawk preseason practice is rapidly approaching. I received an email from a returning Warhawk veteran late last week saying “Season starts in roughly 45 days, hope you are as ready to get this going again as we are!”

The Hawks will return to campus the final two weeks of August for its 2013 training camp. The season will open on September 7th vs Washington University (St. Louis) at Perkins Stadium.

Will UW-Whitewater be able to snap back from last year’s 7 & 3 season to challenge for the WIAC championship and qualify for the NCAA Division III Playoffs?

One of the key elements during Whitewater’s amazing seven consecutive conference titles and trips to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, including four Division III national titles, was mental preparation by the players.

Following its 2005 unbeaten season, dispatching rival UW-La Crosse along the way, Whitewater’s amazing win streak was fueled by mental toughness and the correct frame of mind each and every game. Winning in the WIAC requires those traits and that is a fact, jack.

What do I look for in the off-season? How hard do the Warhawk players work to get better during the summer months? Do they take seriously their off-season conditioning program that was assigned back in May? Do players work out on their own during the summer (ie: quarterbacks and receivers) in advance of a new season? How will the team adjust to a coaching staff that includes a new offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, quarterbacks coach, and wide receivers coach?

One thing I do know. Whitewater returns many key veterans. On paper the defense looks very strong. The 2013 recruiting class appears strong again. Several players lost for the 2013 season (or part of the season) are healthy and will be back this season, the new members of the coaching staff are excellent and are a valuable addition to the UW-Whitewater football program.

.

Warhawk football, circa 2013, will hit the practice field in seven weeks. CAN’T WAIT!!

Count me in as a Fistball fan!

I came away from watching Eric Kindler and his U.S. team competing against Guarani, Brazil in a “friendly” on Friday (7/1) evening with a genuine appreciation respect and facination for the game of fistball.

I have never witnessed a more unique “atmosphere” to watch a sporting event than I did Friday evening at the H.O.N. Campground’s located near Jackson, Wisconsin. From the grassy parking area adjacent of cabins and I limped my way on a trail that took me over a bridge with fast moving stream flowing underneath and then up to the competition area.

It wasn’t some fancy arena – just a large, flat grassy area large enough for a couple of fistball fields. There are no bleachers and spectators bring their own lawn chairs. Naturally, being the fistball newbie that I am, I didn’t bring a lawn chair with me. I noticed a group of plastic chairs lined up very near the side of the playing field. I plunked my big butt into one of the chairs and than got thinking that the chairs might be part of a “player’s bench” location. I asked a player about 30 minutes prior the start of the match if it was OK for me to sit there. “Sure, no problem, enjoy,” he said. Following the national anthems from both countries and player introductions I fully expected to lose my seat to a player or coach. It didn’t happen. I then realized I was the only person in the crowd that didn’t come equipped with a lawn chair. I was waiting for the crowd to look my way and yell ROOKIE!

So what is fistball? Well, you combine elements of basketball, tennis and volleyball, with a playing field roughly the size of an Olympic swimming pool? A staggering majority of Americans have never heard of it. Like basketball, each side has five players. From volleyball come best-of-five sets and a net or "line" about six feet off the ground over which the ball must travel; games end when one team scores 11 points. Then there is the tennis influence as each point starts with an overhand serve struck with the fist. Receiving players are allowed three, one-armed hits to clear the net although the ball can bounce once before each hit.

The one thought I drove back to Whitewater with Friday night was the athletes it takes to play the game with special attention to quickness, fast thinking, and being able to be ambidextrous with a ball coming at you at 40 mph or more. I was amazed.

Back to UW-Whitewater kicker Eric Kindler who has a chance of catching Jeff Schebler’s all-time, NCAA record of 75 career field goals. He enters his senior season needing 21 field goals to catch Schebler. (FYI: Kindler and Schebler share UWW’s single season field goal record at 21).

When thinking about Eric’s athleticism since he’s just a kicker… Eric served as the starting quarterback, punter, and place kicker for his Germantown High School football team

Back to my first look at fistball watching the “friendly” on Friday night with the United States taking on Brazil.

It sort of reminded me of the polo match scene in the Julia Roberts’ movie Pretty Women. It was just a very relaxing atmosphere for both the humans and the several dogs checking out the crowd. The actually competition was quick paced and exciting. It was way cool!

I am an official Fistball convert!!

I'm back following a physically and emotionally draining year while battling cancer

It has been a physical and emotional past 13 months for me.

I was diagnosed to have Stage 3 colon cancer on May 28, 2012 and my surgery was conducted four days later at the Fort Atkinson Hospital. I was told that the survival rate for colon cancer was 70%. I knew that I was in for the "battle" of my life. I focused on staying positive and taking the battle "a day at a time."

Even though I'm nearly two months into knowing that the seven months of chemotherapy and radiation following my cancer surgery I'm still struggling both mentally and emotionally in the wake winning (at least for now) my battle with colon cancer.

I've spent the afternoon reviewing the many stories I wrote over the past year while waging my battle.

The following excerpts of stories I published reflect the ups and downs that I've experienced over the past year,

I’ve spent quite a bit of time reading up on the process. It is a bit scary but now is not the time to be a wimp! Among the emails I’ve received over the past 24 hours is one from Bruce Schroeder (UWW Class of 1972). A portion of the message reads: Just remember, everybody used to think Mount Union was unbeatable, just like this cancer. Well, it is beatable and you can do it! Bruce’s thoughts on beating this disease are great motivation for me to "win the fight.' As the Hawks prepare for a run at another championship season, I look to begin my own winning streak "one day at a time!!"

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While I maintain that “day at a time” attitude in fighting this terrible disease, the emotional and physical “ups and downs” can be extremely taxing.

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It has been a nervous past 10 days in my current battle with cancer. My follow-up C-Scan was performed last week following my initial radiation and chemo-therapy treatments. The new chemo is much stronger as it will attack any cancer cells that may have made it into my lymph nodes.

I was lucky and didn’t have serious side effects from my initial chemo with the exception of getting fatigued. I don’t think I’m going to be as lucky this time around. I suffered severe dehydration for the first 48 hours of the new treatment that required five hours of fluids being injected into my body.

While I maintain that “day at a time” attitude in fighting this terrible disease, the emotional and

physical “ups and downs” can be extremely taxing. I’m quickly beginning to understand that dealing with the “ups and downs” emotionally when battling cancer are the most difficult.

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I sat around feeling sorry for myself – moping around. How was I going to snap out of my funk? How about a trip up to visit a couple of my grandkids – Javon and Jhanay? While Jhanay was working on a summer school project, Javon was working on his own project with the help of Grandma Sabrina. I arrived at the Smith household in Madison’s west side feeling down in the dumps – I left after being taught a lesson by my youngest grandchild. For Javon the most important thing going on was working on HIS arts & craft project sitting at his “little guy” table in front of the TV while watching cartoons. The little guy taught me a lesson. I drove home and promptly plunked my butt in the “lazy boy” and spent a couple hours watching cartoons. You know what? The little guy taught me how to relax and not worry so much.

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One thing I know in regards to my battle vs. cancer – being at Perkins Stadium watching football is incredibly relaxing and I look forward to being at the Perk watching the Warhawks beginning in just over a month when the team reports for training camp

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My mind is still spinning uncontrollably in the wake of Saturday’s Team Tom Cancer Fundraiser in conjunction with the Warhawk football game vs. UW-River Falls at Perkins Stadium. I’m told that over $13-thousand has been raised through the incredible effort of former UW-Whitewater football coach Bob Berezowitz, UW-Whitewater Athletic Director Paul Plinske and Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing and External Relations Leah Thyne, Tom Miller at the Janesville Gazette, Jeff Seisser and Josh Smith at the Daily Jefferson County Union along with Jim Vreizen, Shane Sparks, Gary Douglas, Arnie Peck and the staff of KOOL 106.5 Radio. I'm overwhelmed at the generosity and love shown Saturday. To the many that came up to me to personally express best wishes and good luck during my ongoing battle against cancer – THANK YOU! Your words are incredibly uplifting to both me and my family.

And to my wonderful daughter Kim and her family, thank you so much for being hand-in-hand with me at Saturday’s game. You gave me the strength to make it through an incredibly emotional day for me. To the fans of UW-Whitewater football, I will never be able to adequately express in words the love that I, along with my family, felt through the incredible generosity that you showed towards me at Saturday’s game.

The emotion of the day came crashing down on me during that end of the third quarter on field “ceremony.” As I looked up into the stands during the ceremony an incredible feeling of love and family overwhelmed my soul. It has reinforced my will to beat this terrible disease.

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Today marks the four month anniversary of my cancer surgery. As I look back at the past 120 days I recall unbelievable highs and lows emotionally as I attempt to fight this terrible disease “one day at a time.”

Case in point took place this past weekend. I rode over to Platteville to watch the Warhawks with Coach Berezowitz and other than football all I could talk about was the beautiful fall colors. Then later that evening a harvest moon was bright and beautiful on a cloudless Saturday evening. When I got home I posted on Facebook “It is amazing when one is battling cancer just seeing the harvest moon on a cloudless night or how beautiful the Fall colors are can be such an uplifting experience. I guess when you have cancer you relish what previously didn’t have a big impact on your life.

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The one thing that I’ve learned throughout this process has been the wonderful people at the Dean Fort Atkinson Specialty Clinic, UW-Cancer Clinic in Johnson Creek along with the great folks at the Fort Health Care’s Radiology and Blood Lab departments. Also a huge thanks to Katie and the gang at Fort HealthCare Home Health who have kept me at ease during challenging situations while learning the process of taking care of things myself now that I’m home!

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My Oncologist, Dr. Amet Sanyal, indicated to me in May that my latest Pet Scan shows my tumor is no longer visible. Dr. Sanyal makes it clear that I cannot be called “cancer free” at this point. That won’t happen for another five years. He does tell me that the current news is “the best possible at this stage.” I’m still in the process of getting my physical strength back but for the first time since my battle began I am greatly motivated to get back to writing about UW-Whitewater football. I have been very active the past couple of weeks publishing Warhawk football stories both here on Voiceseyeonfootall.blogspot.com and over on the Warhawkfootball.com Newswire.

I’m still trying to emotionally cope with the changes in my life over the past seven months. I wish I could adequately reflect the appreciation I have for the encouragement I’ve received from so many of you. Once again, its time for me to get back to work!

Eric Kindler elite at both football and fistball

UW-Whitewater place kicker Eric Kindler enters his senior season as a preseason All-American needing 21 field goals in 2013 to catch Jeff Schebler’s all-time record of 75 career field goals.

The senior from Germantown is not only an elite college football kicker but he is also an elite fistball player. Fistball is a fast and serious sport played in Europe, Brazil and Japan, with a small but dedicated following in the United States. The biggest hotspot is in Kindler’s hometown of Germantown.

US Fistball Association president Jim Blank says that the game was likely brought over from Europe by German immigrants, and that the German-Americans started to organize leagues in Wisconsin in the 1950s and 60s.

Why fistball for Kindler? Eric’s dad, Reinhard, played for Team USA in 1999 and was the USA head coach in 2007. He got Eric and a number in the community interested at a young age. The UWW kicker has been actively participating in kickball since the age of nine.

Fistball’s hotspots include Austria, Germany, Brazil, Argentina and South America where it's a bigger sport; they have corporate sponsors and it's their job to make money and raise funds to go overseas to play in tournaments.

The Wisconsin Fistball Association will hold its annual tournament this weekend. The event will Feature the Guarani Esporte Clube/FDM Blumenau Club from South Brazil, 2 Men's clubs from the East coast and one women's team.

U.S. Fistball National player prospects will play the Guarani team from Blumenau, Brazil at 6 p.m. Friday at the F.O.N Camp grounds located at 3792 S. Mayfield Rd - Jackson, WI 53037.

Perkins Stadium getting a new, state-of-the-art sound system

What better place to be on a autumn Saturday afternoon than rooting on the UW-Whitewater football team along with 10-thousand or more at Perkins Stadium. As the saying says… a Saturday afternoon at Perkins Stadium is much more than just a football game.

"From tailgating to in-game promotions to the video board, we provide an exciting atmosphere that tops Division III. Plus, who wouldn't want to hear the cannon fire after each Warhawk touchdown?" UWW director of athletics Paul Plinske says.

Renovated in 2007, Perkins Stadium is the third largest football venue in Wisconsin with only Lambeau Field (Green Bay) and Camp Randall Stadium (Madison) having a larger seating capacity.

”The Perk” features the second largest college scoreboard in the state. The 40-foot high Daktronic’s video board is located on the north end of the stadium. Beginning this fall the scoreboard will also include a state-of-the-art sound system. The new system is currently being installed (see adjacent photo)

For years the “Perk’s” sound system has consisted of multiple speakers located directly on top of the press box and directly above thousands of fans in the 10-thousand seat grandstand. For many the extremely loud volume was a bit too distracting.

Daktronics erected a portable sound system within the Perkins Stadium scoreboard for a portion of last year’s home schedule and it resulted in rave reviews. The redirected sound was just as loud as before but is pointed down the field and not directly onto the fans in the stands. It provided a “fuller” sound than the old multi-speaker system.

Fans will get to experience the new sound at the UWW season opener on September 7th vs. Washington University (St. Louis).

The Warhawks will have six home games during the upcoming season including: The remaining home games include: (9/28) Waldorf College (Football Alumni Weekend), (10/12) UW-Stout (Family Fest), (10/18) UW-Eau Claire (Friday Night Lights), (11/12) UW-Platteville (Homecoming and Hall of Fame Day), (11/16) UW-River Falls (Senior Day).