The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/157974
■ From Head Football Coach Dave Doeren Hello Wolfpack Nation, Football season is finally here! It seems like years ago since I first stepped foot on campus back in December. A lot of hard work and preparation has brought us to this point, and I don't think in all my years of coaching I have been more excited for a football season to begin. Fall camp is a time to teach the specifics of football. We start from the smallest details because for our freshmen this is the first time we have gotten to work with them. I believe that we have to be very detailed in everything that we do. From weight distribution in our stance, to eye placement of quarterbacks, down to how we go through a walk-through before practice — everything has to be taught so that we have a team that knows what we expect from them. Camp is a grind, and it can tell you a lot about your team. Usually there is some sort of adversity the team has to face, and as a coach you look for it to see how the team responds. This is a team that will fight and will not quit. Once camp was over, I gathered the team to vote for the Leadership Council. I told them that it was not a popularity contest and that I wanted them to pick guys that they felt were the leaders on the team and that they wanted to represent them. I go to the Leadership Council when I have to make decisions about the team. They voice their opinion and I strongly value their input when I make decisions on certain issues. It is important for them to take ownership in their team. I have never had true captains for the team. The Leadership Council is the captain of the team. We will designate certain players from the council to be captains of certain games. If I could have it my way, I would have the entire Leadership Council out on the 50 for the coin toss. I am so proud of all of them. Here's a look at the 2013 Wolfpack Leadership Council by position: Quarterback Jacoby Brissett, Jr. Brandon Mitchell, Gr. Pete Thomas, Jr. Running Back Tony Creecy, Jr. Milton Hall, Jr. Wide Receiver Quintin Payton, Sr. Rashard Smith, Sr. Bryan Underwood, Jr. Tight End/Fullback Ryan Cheek, Sr. Asa Watson, Gr. Offensive Line Duran Christophe, Sr. Rob Crisp, Sr. Joe Thuney, So. Specialist Scott Thompson, Jr. Cornerback Juston Burris, So. Dontae Johnson, Sr. Safety Jarvis Byrd, Sr. Hakim Jones, So. Linebacker Zach Gentry, Sr. D.J. Green, Sr. Defensive Line Darryl Cato-Bishop, Sr. Art Norman, Jr. Freshmen Matt Dayes, RB Sean Paul, CB Jack Tocho, CB Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR In my last letter I talked about how well the team was doing serving the community. I was surprised when summer came to an end and all the community service hours were totaled. This summer the team did just over 1,300 hours of community service! They understand that they can have a positive impact on someone's life and they need to take advantage of that. They were involved in hospital visits, Habitat for Humanity, summer camp photo by ken martin visits, and the list goes on and on. Another event that the entire team was able to get involved in was their second annual "Lift For Life" event through Uplifting Athletes. Tyler Purvis and Andy Jomantas coordinated the event and the team was able to raise $3,400 for the fight against leukemia. When I told them the number of hours they had invested in service, I think they were more shocked then I was. They have set the bar extremely high, and I told them that now they have a goal to beat. With all of the time we were spending serving the community, we were still able to have a great summer in the classroom. The team earned an average GPA of 2.775 which is the highest summer GPA they have on record for football. I want to thank Carrie Leger and her amazing staff: Katie Sheridan, Ramone Cooper, Jennifer Womack and all of the tutors and support staff that offer the best opportunities for our student-athletes to be successful in the classroom. I would like to officially welcome you to the 2013 season and a new era of Wolfpack football. Many people have asked me how successful we are going to be this year and I never have an answer for them. All I concern myself with is the next game. Our success will be measured on a week-by-week basis and only at the end of the season will I be able to tell you how successful we were. We don't talk about winning championships; we talk about winning the day. I hope to see you out at Carter-Finley this fall and thank you for all of your support. This is Our State! Coach Doeren September 2013 ■ 13 13.Doeren Letter.indd 13 8/23/13 4:11 PM