Ponte Vedra High School

I just finished interviewing the Jacksonville Jaguars equipment manager Drew Hampton, which enabled me to relax and find my comfort zone before interviewing my favorite football player, Maurice Jones-Drew.   Jones-Drew was scheduled to arrive for 9AM, but didn’t show up until almost a half hour after.  I anxiously, but patiently, waited for Maurice Jones-Drew to arrive. While I was waiting my nerves began to build up again. I had a zillion thoughts go through my mind. ‘What if he doesn’t show up? Or what if he forgot?’ I kept thinking he wouldn’t show.  My emotions were going wild, but then I heard the door to the locker room open.  In walked Maurice who apologized for being late and we began our interview.

I began by asking Maurice Jones-Drew what the most difficult transition from being a star running back at UCLA to the NFL and he simply answered “the pressure is more intense and the speed of the game increases.” While growing up, Jones-Drew was always number 21. It was his family number and he wanted to carry that on to the NFL. When he was drafted to the NFL, someone already had number 21 and they were looking to sell it to him. He didn’t want to buy it so he settled with number 32 because 32 teams passed on him in the draft.  As a side note, I was able to gain some inside information from Maurice.  He is going back to college number 21 next year.

I can only imagine what he was thinking before his first NFL game. He said he was very “nervous”. I’m sure he was very nervous considering he was playing behind one of the top running back in the NFL, Fred Taylor. With Fred Taylor being the primary running back, that didn’t give the rookie, Maurice Jones-Drew a chance to shine. Jones-Drew began his pro career in 2006, compiling a list of goals which included “making it on the field, help my team go to the playoffs and go deep in the playoffs.” Now with Fred Taylor signing with the New England Patriots and Jones-Drew carry much of the workload, he has not added any additional goals to his list; rather keeping the same ones he listed when he entered the NFL.
Jones-Drew recently signed a five year deal, which makes him one of the highest paid running back in the NFL.  He hasn’t made any big purchases yet.  He says “a shallow person lets money change them; I’ve just been the same person.”

Being the star running back for the Jaguars, you may see Jones-Drew on covers of national magazines or on billboards around town. I asked him what it was like to see him everywhere, “I don’t really look for billboards, it’s cool, I see it as another step for after my career, and it’s all fun and exciting.” Jones-Drew has his own foundation called the “Maurice Jones-Drew Foundation” which sponsors a free football camp for youth.  His foundation is very important to him because growing up he didn’t have any athletes hosting football camps or giving back to the community.  He wants to give athletes’ of all ages someone to look at as a positive influence and role model.

Outside of football, Jones-Drew likes to “play video games and golf.” From day one, he has received tremendous support and love from his grandparents and mother. Their motto to him was “if you start something you’ve got to finish it.” Finally, I asked him what his favorite musicians or group was and he said “I was just listening to Lil Wayne; I like Lil Wayne, Drake, E-40, Young Jeezy, and mostly barrier rappers.”

After my interviews with Drew Hampton (http://football4america.com/so-what-does-an-nfl-equipment-manager-do/) and Maurice Jones-Drew, I gave both of them a nice leather bag with their names on it, courtesy of my dad.  They both were very grateful to receive them. I know this was a once in a lifetime deal, and I’m happy I went through with it (even if my nerves were taking over). I learned a lot about Drew and Maurice and excitement that comes from being a reporter.  I look forward for my next interview as part of the Student Sports Information Director program with Sportz Ventures and Ponte Vedra High School.

My emotions and nerves were running wild.  I felt as if I was about to play in the Super Bowl and World Series.  The butterflies were rumbling in my stomach.  I was very intimated at the sheer fact of eventually being in the same room as the Jacksonville Jaguars head equipment manager, Drew Hampton, and my favorite Jag player, Maurice Jones-Drew. At first I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting myself into.  However, as soon as I walked into the Jaguar locker room, everyone made me feel very welcomed and my nerves immediately began to die down.

I began my interview with the head equipment manager, Drew Hampton. Drew gave me a lot of insight of what goes on before each and every game. I never knew how much there was to getting ready for a football game. I had learned that Drew became interested in becoming an NFL equipment manager through his father, who had worked with the New York Jets for 38 years. He told me “he was in the locker rooms since he could walk, up until I left for college.” Drew’s job consists of a lot. From preparing all 53 players, 22 coaches and any extra people on game days. They tend to pack for a total of 85 people and are considered the ‘den mothers’ for all the players and coaches. He only keeps two assistants on staff and works 16-17 hour days, seven days a week during the season.

Believe it or not, Drew gets a budget of one million dollars each year to handle his responsibilities. These equipment managers look at their schedules as soon as they come out. They look to see where they play and they begin looking at the weather forecasts for where they are playing to know what to pack. For colder football games, they take everything from performance thermal wear, to performance gloves and socks, beat warmers, hand warmers and much more.  Drew reiterated the importance of monitoring the weather for each and every game so that a week before the game to know what to pack.

I asked Drew what steps a person should take if they wanted to become an equipment manager, he told me “internships with professional football teams, or get involved if there’s a football team at the college you attend.” To lighten up the interview, I asked Drew what he likes to do for fun, “I say I like to play golf but I’m not good at it.” Then I asked him what he would be doing if he were not an equipment manager. This question took him a bit longer to respond to, “that’s a good question; I’d probably be a police officer because I have great admiration for them and I think it will be a pretty good job.” Being a football equipment manager takes up a tremendous amount of time. Drew is married and has three girls, who understand his job is his passion and they support him through it.

Crazy hours, lots of preparation and commitment to doing your job to the best of your ability…an NFL equipment manager has many responsibilities and is an integral part of the football team.

After a dominant victory over Virginia , USC has claimed the top spot in The Associated Press Top 25 Poll.

While former No. 1 Georgia opened its season with a glorified scrimmage against an FCS team (Formerly Div 1-AA) USC took a long trip across the country and battled it out against a BCS conference team coming away with a decisive 52-7 victory and staking their claim as a force to be reckoned with this coming season.

USC moves to No.1 In AP Poll

The move to No. 1 dropped Georgia and Ohio State the preseason No. 1 and 2 to second and third respectively.

The voting was extremely close with USC receiving 21 first place votes and 1,539 points. Georgia received 20 first place votes  and 1,506 points. Ohio state pulled in 15 first place votes and 1,497 points.

Ohio State opened its season with a 43-0 win over Youngstown State, while Georgia beat Georgia Southern 45-21.

It is very early in the season and polls don’t mean much after the first game…that is  unless you’re being moved out of or into the top 25. That was the case for a number of teams who had some dissapointing season openeres or some unexpeted victories.

Perhaps one of the most dissapointing performances came from Pittsburgh who entered the season at No. 25 in the AP poll and were expected to be a major player in the Big East Conference. Pitt lost its opening game to an unheraled Bowling Green team and were knocked out of the Top 25 when thte new poll came out Tuesday.

Clemson is another team that took a huge hit after their troubling loss to Alabama last week. The Tigers were dropped out of the Top 25 after being ranked ninth the opening week. Clemson was handled by Alabama 34-10  which jumped up 11 spots after its victory to claim the 13th spot.

Also falling out due to opening week loses were Virginia Tech and Tennessee. Tennessee lost a heart breaker to UCLA in overtime after tying the game on a 47 yard field goal at the end of regulation.  Virginia Tech dropped its opener to East Carolina 27-22.

There are a few teams out there that have to be excited about the new poll having jumped into the Top 25 for the first time this season. Among them are No. 21 Fresno State who defeated Rutgers in their opening game, No. 22 Utah,  No. 23 UCLA, and No. 24 South Carolina.

This marks the first time that a preseason No. 1 lost its spot in the opening week since Florida in 2001. The gators defeated Marshall 49-14, but No. 2 Miami beat Penn State 33-7 and secured the No. 1 spot.

Don Bosco Prep Football-Established 1956

• 10 State Championships (1968, ’70, ’73, ’85, ’90, 2002, ’03, ’06, & ’07)
• Members of the NNJIL since 1981 (14 championships)
• 8 consecutive NNJIL championships
• Finished season nationally ranked 4 times since 2002
• 4 State Championship since 2002
• New Jersey team of the year 4 times since 2002 ( 2002,’03, ’06, ’07)
• MSG Tri-State Team of the year 4 times since 2002 (2002, ’03, ’06, ’07)
• 2003 Team Named Greatest Team in the history of New Jersey (Star-Ledger)
• 2003 team finished #2 in USA Today poll
• 2007 team finished #3 in MaxPreps poll
• 71-1 regular season record since 2000
• Enter season w/24 game win streak

Former Players on College Rosters

• Brian Toal- Boston college
• Mike Teel- Rutgers University
• Eric Cumba- University of New Hampshire
• Corey Wooton- Northwestern University
• Michael Ray Garvin- Florida State University
• Brian Roche- University of Louisville
• Darius Mann- University of Louisville
• Joe Marcoux- University of Villanova
• Nate Nurse- California University of Pennsylvania
• Ryan Lindsay- Boston College
• Tom Mele- Sacred Heart University
• Jason Mills- Lafayette University
• Matt Simms- University of Louisville
• Justin Trottau- University of Florida
• Sam Griffin- University of Cincinnati
• Ken Marcoux- Pace University
• Dan Marcoux- University of Akron
• Mike Farr- University of Rhode Island
• Alexander DiSanzo- Boston College
• Nick Mistretta- Columbia University
• Curt Williams- Columbia University
• Kevin Rose- William University
• Logan Siska- Iona University
• Ken Mahoney- Iona University
• Gerald Ford- Iona University
• Jack Daniels- Monmouth University
• Greg Kafaf- Colgate University
• Ken Prior- Colby College
• Braezen Subick- University of Rochester
• Orry Michael- John Hopkins University (Lacrosse)
• Brandon Boykin-Rutgers University (Baseball)
• Dale Fava- Delware Valley College (wrestling)
• Steven Proscia- University of Virginia (Baseball)
• Kevin Ferber- Amherst College
• Guy Germinario- Fordham University

2008 marks the 10^th season of Greg Toal’s tenure as the head coach of Don Bosco Prep Ironmen. In the previous nine seasons Coach Toal has compiled an astounding record of 95 wins and only 9 losses. The Ironmen have played in eight of the last nine state championships games, winning four titles in the last six seasons. Under the direction of Coach Toal the Ironmen have finished four of the last six seasons ranked in the Top 10 in the nation in either USA Today or MaxPreps. The 2003 team finished #2 in the USA Today national poll and was named the greatest Team in history of New Jersey high school football by Star-Ledger. The 2007 squad finished #3 in the nation in MaxPreps.

When Coach Toal came to Don Bosco Prep prior to the 1999 season he brought with him an impressive record of 128-26-2. He had won 7 state championships prior to his tenure at Don Bosco, 5 at Hackensack and 2 at River Dell. He also won a state championship as an assistant coach at Ramapo High School while coaching his son Greg in 1997 & 1998. While at Hackensack High School Coach Toal won 5 consecutive state titles from 1992 – 1996. While Head Coach at River Dell, Coach Toal’s Hawks won 48 consecutive regular season games and 2 state titles.

Coach Toal enters his 28^th season as a head coach as one of the most successful coaches in New Jersey history. He has amassed a career record of 223-35-2. He has won countless coaching awards for his accomplishments on the gridiron. Following the 2003 season Coach Toal was named National Coach of the Year by the United State Army. He was honored at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl following the 2003 season. In 2007 Coach Toal was named the Head Coach of the East team at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

In his playing days Coach Toal was a stand-out running back and linebacker at Hasbrouck Heights High School and is a member of the Aviators Hall of Fame. Following his stellar high school career, he went on to play fullback at Virginia Tech University. Coach Toal was named captain of the Hokies for the 1974 season.

Coach Toal is supported by his wife Susan and three sons Mike, Greg, and Brian. Coach Toal was fortunate enough to coach all three of his sons as high school players. All three boys went on to be Div. 1 scholarship players after tremendous high school careers. Brian is 2004 graduate of Don Bosco Prep and is currently completing his career at Boston College. Coach Toal is also the proud grandfather of Kylie, daughter of Greg and Emily, who are expecting another baby girl this year.

I spent the majority of my professional career as a back up QB and found it to be one of the most difficult positions to be in each and every week. If you are the starter you know exactly how to prepare and you have a routine each week because you know that come kickoff you will be under center, as the back up each and every week is an unknown. Many have asked me how to prepare and what you should do as a back up and I posed that exact same question to University of Clemson QB Will Proctor. Will spent four years at Clemson as a backup before finally getting his opportunity in his fifth year and he took advantage, having a great season and then going on to play for the Montreal Alouttes of the CFL. In this interview Will discusses what he did as a backup to prepare and gives great advice to anyone that is a back up QB out there. I can’t agree more with the advice that Will gives in this interview especially when he talks about the importance of preparing as if you were the starter. This is easier said then done, but is so key because you never know when your opportunity will arise and when it does you have to be ready to take advanage of it– just ask Kurt Warner!!!

Click Here for the Entire Interview with Will