Pioneers training camp off to fast start
Michael Balakier
Thursday March 21, 2002
The Pioneers began training camp with a total of 30 players, 10 of which posses previous arenaball experience.
Offensive specialist Opio Gary, a product of Robert Morris College, expressed his opinion on Monday night’s practice.
“It was dark and wet,” said Gary. “People were slipping and falling. Today, the lighting was good and the atmosphere was much better.”
Gary is one of several players in the Pioneers training camp that is adjusting to the aspects of the arena game.
“It’s different and new,” Gary said. “I just have to convert into it.”
Jonathan Pittman, a standout at BYU, is another player also adjusting to the arena game. Pittman, who attended Buffalo Bills training camp, hopes that the speed of the arena game will help improve his ability to play the outdoor game and make the roster of an NFL team.
“I just felt that I wasn’t physically and mentally tough enough to be in the NFL,” said Pittman, “and I felt that this game that can help enhance that.”
Pioneers head coach Terry Karg and his coaching staff hope to develop Pittman and the other players to take them to the next level.
“The goal is to get these players to be the best they can be,” said Karg.
Weakest link? Not in this camp
Despite practicing and only knowing each other for two days, players in the Pioneers training camp are beginning to bond, even though the level of competition to make the final roster is starting to rise.
BYU product Jonathan Pittman believes that everyone is starting to come together as a team. “Everyone is starting to laugh and josh around a little,” said Pittman. “Everyone is trying to earn a spot, so there’s still a lot of competition, but we’re trying to keep a close knit team.”
OL/DL Markevius Woods, who played with the Billings Outlaws of the NIFL, also believes that the team is starting to come together. “We’re starting to come together,” Woods said. “The first day guys were tentative about knowing each other since we were all from different worlds, but I think now that everyone is starting to gel. It still needs work, but we’re getting there.”
Players are also beginning to get an understanding of what Pioneers head coach Terry Karg expects out of them. “Coach gave us his expectation when he signed us and he reemphasized that once we got here,” explained Woods. “Now it’s all about putting it together.”
And putting it together is exactly what Karg believes the team is starting to do. “Right now I like the makeup of our team, our attitude and work ethic,” Karg said. “Whenever you bring 30 guys who have never played together to come in and make up a team, it’s not going to happen overnight. It’s going to take time. That’s where we’re at right now and we just need a little more time to work on it.”
Pioneers ready to rock First Union
When Opio Gary first walked onto the field for the first time at First Union Arena, his eyes lit up at the sight. “I was speechless,” said Gary. And with just a little over two weeks until the Pioneers home opener, the excitement is beginning to build up among the players in training camp who are hoping to be on the roster come April 6.
“It’s going to be a big thing,” Gary said as he smiled and glanced around the empty First Union Arena. “We’re going to work hard no matter what. Looking around, it’s going to be big.”
Jonathan Pittman also believes that opening night is going to be a thrilling experience. “The fans out here are great,” said Pittman. “They’ve been supporting the Pioneers since day one and to see them out here it’s going to be electrifying.”
Michael Balakier first discovered a knack for writing during his senior year in high school while reporting for his school`s newspaper. Aside from being an Arenaball fan, Michael is an avid Syracuse University athletics follower, which poses a problem for him, as he attends the University of Pittsburgh. Michael plans on using what he has learned through his Arenafan experience to remain as impartial as he can during future Syracuse/Pitt events. Michael also serves as co-Editor of the af2 section of Arenafan Online.
