Troy University Athletics
A Little Hard Work Pays Off
9/25/2008 5:00:00 AM | Football
Thursday, September 25
Can I get a drum roll, please? I am most proud to announce this week's Athletic Training Player of the Week - Xavier Moreland.
I helped him get his shoulder pads off the night he hurt his shoulder and have worked with him in the athletic training room almost daily for the past 50 days or so. Although Xavier didn't start the game at Ohio State, when his name was called in the fourth quarter, he was ready to go to work. He even led the team in average yards per carry! Check the box score...it's there!
Even more impressive than his statistics on the field is his work ethic and ability to overcome what seemed like, at times, insurmountable odds. The most rewarding part of this profession is being able to see athletes return to play after sustaining injuries that require surgery or long-term rehabilitation.
I'm sure Xavier was tired of ?high-fiving' me by the end of the game. I may have been more excited about him playing than he was. Way to go, number 28! Now do something! Something big, and preferably this week at Boone Pickens Stadium!!
With that out of the way, I guess I can say the same old, same old in my best Forest Gump voice...we're getting ready to go on the road, again!
We're headed out west this week to Oklahoma State, which I think is looking to seek some sort of revenge - for some odd reason. I watched last year's game from my hotel room in Rock Hill, South Carolina, while on a trip with the volleyball team. It was a great day to be a Trojan! I'm looking forward to feeling the same way on the plane ride home Saturday night.
There's only a three percent chance of rain in Stillwater for game time, so it looks like it will be one more week without the rain boots. Don't get me wrong, I'm really not all that sad about not having to work in the pouring rain. But, by chance, if the rain had anything to do with Oklahoma State's melt down last year at the Gallery, I'd be glad to make that sacrifice for a similar outcome to the rematch.
Superstitions were part of the practice conversations this week at some point. I will admit to being a bit superstitious, especially during games. I guess it's my way of thinking I have some affect on the outcome. Right now I've analyzed my part from Saturday's loss and think I have it narrowed down to a few blunders of my own.
Last week, I was given a zebra striped ribbon to wear, courtesy of Tiffany Robinson, one of our lovely TROY cheerleaders. I posed the question in pre-game as to whether I should stick with the plain white one I'd worn at the Middle Tennessee and Alcorn games, or go with the new zebra stripes. The ?superstitious me' said that the white one had done the trick for two games, but I had an inkling to venture out and do something different.
The vote was cast to wear the plain one and maybe I should have gone with my gut feeling. I'll be donning the zebra stripe this week, in case you're wondering. If that doesn't work, I'll wear both next time.
Wearing different shoes is the other thing I obviously goofed up. I did so because I was limited to carrying one bag on that trip. I usually travel with two pairs of sneakers ? one for games and one for running. I'll be going back to the ones I'd worn at the MTSU and Alcorn games.
I think my feet and low back will thank me too. The ones I wore at Ohio State were cute, but not comfortable!
Lastly, the run...I missed out on the pre-game run at Ohio because of the early start time. I don't think running to Panera counted. Saturday morning, you will find me pounding the pavement somewhere in Oklahoma, for sure!
Many of the players have little routines they go through prior to the games; although I don't think any of them resort to tactics used in Bull Durham - which is one of my favorite movies by the way.
I like to tape the same guys each week at game time. I'm not sure if that's them or me being superstitious. When I can, I even like to tape them in the same order each week - which is far more practical in basketball season with only five or six to tape.
That pretty much wraps it up for now. I'm going to enjoy a picnic lunch with my sister! This weather is awesome for picnic lunches and I won't have many more days to enjoy them with her since she's leaving for a big time job in Tampa soon...sniff, sniff!
Have a great day...be sure to listen to the game on the radio Saturday and cheer on the Men of Troy from your comfy chair!
GO TROJANS!
Alyson
