Troy University Athletics
Back on the Winning Side of Life
11/10/2008 6:00:00 AM | Football
Monday, November 10, 2008
WOOHOO! There's another 'W' on the bulletin board in the field house athletic training room, which can only mean one thing...the Trojans were victorious once again!
The win over Western Kentucky gives us a 6-3 record so far in a season that seems to be endless. It also means we are eligible for post-season play, AKA Bowl Game, and will be scoping out the opportunities to spread the good news about the Trojans during Bowl Season.
I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind sharing some of my Christmas cheer with a handful of Trojan fans in the French Quarter! Of course, I'll have to squeeze it in between a couple of basketball games, but I think I can work it into the schedule.
Athletic Training Room Players of the Week Update: Last week's was Patrick Cherry. He has been battling through a little ankle pain and was adamant about getting lots of treatment, not wearing flip flops, and going the extra mile with his smile! He's a very nice guy and is always soft spoken and upbeat. I wish there were more like him. Here he is enjoying his powerade after practice with a little slush bucket action.
This week's player of the week will no doubt be Jerrel Jernigan. He is a testament to athleticism and hard work, with 88 yards on 6 receptions in the second half of the game against Western Kentucky to prove it. The athletic training staff was exceptionally pleased to see him back in action before the fans on the message board thought he'd be ready! Staying one step of them has been a challenge at times!
Tailgating was short-lived for me Saturday since I had basketball practice early and then had to be in the field house by noon for taping. I took a few minutes to catch up with some fellow athletic training alumni at our old stomping ground, Eldridge Hall. We've collectively shared lots of fun times in good old Eldridge Hall. You'd hardly recognize it now, though. They've done a great job remodeling it and Eldridge is now home to the Department of Student Support Services. I don't think they even had such a department when I was here and now they have their own building...now that's progress!
Not only was Saturday a day to reconnect with alumni - great to see you all, by the way - it was unofficially the official kick off of Men's Basketball season with a 'practice game' against the University of North Alabama. It was unofficial in the fact that there was no publicity for the game, we wore practice jerseys, and we didn't keep score. It was official in that we competed against somebody other than ourselves for an hour or so.
I secretly tried to keep score in the second 20-minute session with my bench buddy, Richard Delk. Let's just say that neither of us is all that good at paying attention to anything for that length of time nor keeping a running tally without writing it down. Hopefully Richard will be spending more time on the court with a ball in his hands than sitting beside me on the bench. It he isn't it could be a long year!
This past week, I had the opportunity to speak to Mrs. Carr's ACT Prep class at Pike Liberal Arts School here in Troy about Athletic Training. I was invited by Brandy Henderson, a junior at PLAS, and was excited about spreading the word about a profession I love so much. I rambled on about busy schedules, late night bus rides, smelly feet, and gross injuries for about 20 minutes. I don't know if I'm a very good saleslady, but I was glad I was given the chance to let them know what I do and what it took to get here.
My most valuable piece of advice to career seekers is not necessarily to be an athletic trainer just like me. Rather, find a job or career that they love and can't live without and do it to the best of their ability. It's not about paychecks or publicity when you love what you do! And the more you love what you do, the more it becomes who you are...
There's some big games this week for the Trojans...not only does the football team travel over to a little place called "Death Valley" for a make-up game against a big time opponent -LSU-, the Men of Troy Basketball team hosts another big time opponent ?UAB- Saturday at 2 p.m. in Trojan Arena.
Flat Stanley Alyson will be making the trip with the football team...and she will report back on Monday!
If you're not making the trip to Baton Rouge to watch the battle of the pigskin, at least you could drop by Trojan Arena for a little hoops action! What is there to do in Troy at 2 o'clock in the afternoon on a Saturday anyway? Screaming fans make Trojan Arena a hard place to play...if you don't believe me, just ask Western Kentucky!
Both games could make headlines and TROY history...be a part of one or the other.
The next edition of my blog will most likely come from Wilmington, North Carolina, or Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as I'll be spending all of next week on the road with basketball. This is where it gets fun. If you don't believe me, just ask my husband!
I'd like to end by openly apologizing to Chris Blackshear for making it appear that he did absolutely nothing while the tire was being changed last week. We all know that too many cooks in the kitchen can be disastrous and at that time of the night, we had enough disaster on our hands as it was. Chris was a vital part of the operation and we wouldn't have been able to complete the mission had it not been for his valiant and noble contributions! (You can pay me my $20 at the next home game, Chris!)
Have a great week! Get out and watch some basketball action tonight against the University of West Alabama and then again on Saturday against UAB!! You're only excuse not to be there is if you're in Baton Rouge...
FYI: That's my sister and I on the front page, as our doting parents took our picture prior to the game Saturday!
GO TROJANS!
Alyson
