Chargers Deal With Hot Weather

www.hillsdale.edu

Chargers deal with hot weather as 2005 preseason practice commences

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Hillsdale, Mich. — Sweat pours off a football player's forehead like a miniature dam. Clenched fists tug on the bottom of shorts, searching for support of a body that is closing in on exhaustion. A mid-afternoon sun beats down mercilessly, only adding to the oppressive practice atmosphere.

Scenes like this one are very common across the country this time of year, as football teams at all levels begin their preparations for the 2005 season. It's the same here at Hillsdale College, where head coach Keith Otterbein and his coaching staff will instruct 99 players in the philosophy and practice of Charger football over the next three weeks, leading up to the season-opening game at the University of Indianapolis Aug. 27.

Pre-season practices have long been dreaded by players for the tough conditioning drills and the unending heat that this time of year comes with. But many new precautions have been implemented by the NCAA, and by some individual programs, to protect players from the elements in these early weeks of practice.

Teams cannot conduct back-to-back two-a-day practices anymore. There is also a staggered system in place for how players are dressed for early-season practices.

The first two days, players can only wear helmets with T-shirts and shorts. The second two days, shoulder pads can be added. Only on the fifth day of workouts, can players practice in full football gear. Plus, there has to be a minimum of three hours of recovery time in place for players between practice sessions.

Chargers head coach Keith Otterbein said he likes the precautions the NCAA has put in place.

"We had a scare here a couple years ago, of some guys who had trouble with the heat," he said. "It saves on the physical wear and tear the guys might be experiencing those first couple days back. A lot more of our practice planning goes into taking the heat into account than it ever had before."

With the Summer of 2005 going down as one of the hottest on record, the heat is a constant issue surrounding these early-season practices. This week, temperatures are forecast to be above 90 degrees every day.

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Camp Notes: The Grind Begins

As 90 degree temperatures spread across Southern Michigan, the Hillsdale College football team prepares to begin its most serious work of the pre-season. The testing, the walk-throughs, the waiting have ended and as head coach Keith Otterbein calls it, "the nitty gritty" of football can begin.

Today will be the Chargers' first fully padded, two-a-day workout of the season. Per NCAA rules, tomorrow will be a single padded practice and a walk through. The schedule alternates on 2,1,2,1 pattern. This will remain through next week before the focus switches to a gameweek preparation for the August 27th opener at Indianapolis.

All reports out of camp highlight the fact that only 6 returning players failed to pass fitness testing on the first try (but all passed the next morning) and that team chemistry is tremendously positive.

Keith Recker named All-Amercian

Hillsdale College press release:

"Hillsdale, Mich. Hillsdale College senior tight end Keith Recker was recently named a Division II pre-season All-American by Don Hansen's Football Gazette, a leading authority on pre-season teams.
Recker was the Chargers' leading receiver last season, catching 40 passes for 489 yards and two touchdowns. For his career, Recker has played in all 33 games, catching 100 passes for 1,256 yards and eight scores.

Recker was Hillsdale's only First Team All-GLIAC player after the 2004 season, and was a Second Team All-Region selection. Only six players from the GLIAC were selected to the Hansen pre-season All-American team, including three others on offense.

Recker is a 2002 graduate of St. Johns High School in Delphos, Ohio."

Special Hotel Rate for Parents Attending August 27th Opener in Indianapolis

The Charger parents group has blocked 20 rooms at the Holiday Inn Express South in Indianapolis for Saturday 8/27. The hotel is located 5 minutes from the U of I campus. The block of rooms will be held until 8/19 so you need to call and make your reservations ASAP. The special rate for a double is $74.00 + tax, smoking or non-smoking. Cancellations are accepted up until 6:00 PM of that day. Check in time is 3:00 PM, check out is 11:00 AM (Indy time) with a free continental breakfast. There is a Red Lobster, Denny's and Bob Evans located directly across the street from the hotel. When you call for reservations our group is 'Hillsdale College/University of Indianapolis football'. Should you have any problem booking, ask for Joy Piety, sales manager.

For those of you using mapquest,
Holiday Inn Express South
5151 South East St. (Hwy 31)
Indianapolis, IN 46227
317-783-5151

University of Indianapolis
1400 E. Hanna Rd.
Indianapolis, IN

New LB Tom Korte is area's triple crown winner

By PAUL KONYNDYK
Grand Rapids Press

This summer, Catholic Central's Tom Korte is focusing all of his energy on preparing himself for the transition from high school to college football at Hillsdale.

But after football season is over, Korte is hoping veteran Charger skipper Paul Noce will allow him to hook on with the Hillsdale baseball team.

"I'd like to play baseball for Hillsdale, but that is going to be up to the coaches," said Korte, a first-team all-state third baseman. "My football coaches are open to it, but it is going to be up to the baseball coach. I hope he'll let me play."

Let him?

Noce would be insane not to give a roster spot to Korte, who has been the area's most productive baseball player in his four-year varsity career at Catholic Central.

This year Korte was exceptional, claiming the area "Triple Crown" -- leading the area in home runs, batting average, and RBIs.

"Stats aren't something I think a whole lot about," said Korte, who put eight balls over the outfield fences, while hitting .574 and driving in 51 runs. "My main concern is doing whatever I can to help my team win games. Putting up big numbers doesn't mean a whole lot unless you're helping your team win games."

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Chargerblue.com Welcomes Voice of the Chargers

Saturday, August 6, 2005

It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce the newest member of the Chargerblue.com team. Andy Brown, the play-by-play voice of Hillsdale College Football on WCSR radio will be lending his insight and commentary this season as the Chargers battle in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Few follow Charger football closer than Brown; his willingness to share that knowledge is greatly appreciated. Look for Andy's commentary throughout the season.

Aside from his radio duties, Andy is a teacher and the new head football coach at Camden Frontier High School.

100 Chargers Open Camp

August 4, 2005
Andy Losik
Editor: Chargerblue.com

HILLSDALE, MI: Hillsdale College Head Football Coach Keith Otterbein was very upbeat following day one of his Chargers' pre-season camp. There weren't many x's and o's today as Otterbein and his staff focused on the administrative duties that accompany the beginning of a season.

"We had 100 players report, and in shape," Otterbein stated. "We are excited to have them back. We did our run testing today and will do some lift-testing tomorrow, but it is quite apparent that our guys really got after it, and work tremendously hard in the off-season."

Offensive line coach Nate Shreffler said, "We are definitely in better shape than we were a year ago, especially the big guys. That should be a huge help in the first couple of weeks.

Due to NCAA regulations requiring an acclimation into the season, pads won't be popping for several days. According to Otterbein, the Chargers can hardly wait. "The kids are excited, fired up, optimistic and really anxious, but it will be a couple of days before we can get into the nitty gritty of football.

The Chargers open the season on August 27 at the University of Indianapolis.