Nick's weekend with the Spartans
OK, let's all admit it, this blog is just an excuse to share pictures of our kids, right? This weekend past Nick and I headed out to Michigan State for a youth football clinic, lunch, and the football scrimmage. We parked in the lot adjacent to the stadium, raced across the street as a megaphone-equipped coach barked about the imminent closing of the gate, and got sent off to the 8 to 9 year old group accompanied by our chaperone, Connor Dixon.
We were told there were approximately 500 kids, all clad in green or white, with just as many adults, and I lost Nick an occasion or two due to the crowds. But our chaperone was about 6 and half feet tall, wearing a #10 jersey, so our group was easy to relocate.
I forgot a camera, so all of these pictures were taken with my phone.
First station was the general throwing area, where we received instruction from the starting quarterback himself, the follicularly-challenged lad in the white jersey, at right.
I like this picture just for the view of the stadium expansion, the electrical portion of which was foreman-ed by our brother-in-law, Daren. Oh, and Nick was catching another pass.
The best part of the clinic was this drill, the lineman and the kids were hilarious. Jesse Miller, the smiling #79 next to Nick was a jolly delight, all the kids responded to his personality.
Another offensive line drill, this time with blocking dummies.
Nick knocked it down and killed it.
Running back drills.
The first ball Nick dropped on the day, but the pass was low.
The defensive backpedal drill: run backwards, turn whichever way the receiver turns (or the way the coach tells you to turn), and then attack the ball. Apparently, it's an MSU thing to yell 'Aahskey' when returning the interception, but I don't know what it means.
Closing on the ball with secondary coach Harlon Barnett looking on.
The next 3 photos are from the 'Scoop n Score' drill. The kids were encouraged to perform a touchdown dance upon crossing the goal line, and there was some spiking and cartwheels, but the demonstrating MSU kids were the best, of course.
Nick's end zone celebration, with ex-heavyweight wrestling state runner-up, Todd Anderson, looking on.
Defensive agility drills, inside and outside the dummies.
More dummy agility drills, this time inside the Duffy Daugherty Building.
After the clinic, we headed to Dagwood's for olive burgers and refreshments, then we headed back to campus for the Green & White game. We ended our day with a photo opportunity with Magic Johnson even though he actually more resembles Bill Russell. From left: Margaret and Joey Mullins, Nick, and Ben Flowerday.
We were told there were approximately 500 kids, all clad in green or white, with just as many adults, and I lost Nick an occasion or two due to the crowds. But our chaperone was about 6 and half feet tall, wearing a #10 jersey, so our group was easy to relocate.
I forgot a camera, so all of these pictures were taken with my phone.
First station was the general throwing area, where we received instruction from the starting quarterback himself, the follicularly-challenged lad in the white jersey, at right.
I like this picture just for the view of the stadium expansion, the electrical portion of which was foreman-ed by our brother-in-law, Daren. Oh, and Nick was catching another pass.
The best part of the clinic was this drill, the lineman and the kids were hilarious. Jesse Miller, the smiling #79 next to Nick was a jolly delight, all the kids responded to his personality.
Another offensive line drill, this time with blocking dummies.
Nick knocked it down and killed it.
Running back drills.
The first ball Nick dropped on the day, but the pass was low.
The defensive backpedal drill: run backwards, turn whichever way the receiver turns (or the way the coach tells you to turn), and then attack the ball. Apparently, it's an MSU thing to yell 'Aahskey' when returning the interception, but I don't know what it means.
Closing on the ball with secondary coach Harlon Barnett looking on.
The next 3 photos are from the 'Scoop n Score' drill. The kids were encouraged to perform a touchdown dance upon crossing the goal line, and there was some spiking and cartwheels, but the demonstrating MSU kids were the best, of course.
Nick's end zone celebration, with ex-heavyweight wrestling state runner-up, Todd Anderson, looking on.
Defensive agility drills, inside and outside the dummies.
More dummy agility drills, this time inside the Duffy Daugherty Building.
After the clinic, we headed to Dagwood's for olive burgers and refreshments, then we headed back to campus for the Green & White game. We ended our day with a photo opportunity with Magic Johnson even though he actually more resembles Bill Russell. From left: Margaret and Joey Mullins, Nick, and Ben Flowerday.
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