June 27, 2009
ALL ACCESS VIDEO: Locksley & Martin on the Lobos Women’s Football Clinic Lobos Women’s Football Clinic Photo Gallery
By Richard Stevens — Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
A myth, a fallacy, a misconception about the Lobos Women’s Football Clinic needs to be shattered and put to rest.
Drum roll, please: This actually is a football clinic.
The women in attendance actually sit in class and learn a few things about Xs and Os, strength and conditioning, game-day activities, are put through drills, given a tour of facilities and fed a pretty good lunch.
“Today they are in our shoes. They are the football players,” said Lobo quarterback Donovan Porterie. “It’s fun putting them through some of the drills that we do. You feel kind of like a coach out here coaching football.
“We got to answer question about our every day activities as football players. What we do on game day, how we prepare, what we eat.”
Said Lobo senior Ian Clark: “I look forward to it every year. It’s a little more different this year. We get involved in the fun part on the field, but they go into the classroom and learn about football, too.”
The clinic included a rules seminar, a strength & conditioning presentation, a uniform and equipment presentation, a question & answer session with the coaches’ wives, a player Q&A, a training staff presentation, a fashion show presented by Tucanos and the UNM Book Store.
The women who attended the clinic Saturday at University Stadium also got a sneak preview of the Lobos 2009 game uniforms. (Hint: They are Cherry & Silver).
“I wanted to understand the game more and it’s been wonderful to see the behind-the-scenes stuff that we normally don’t get to see,” said Lisa Finley. “This is my first year. I have wanted to come every year and I missed it for various reasons. It’s been great.”
Said camper Debi Conley: “It’s a girl outing plus you get to meet the new coaches. It’s a good time. You have fun doing this and you learn stuff.”
The clinic ended with the always-popular drills with several Lobo players. There were some basic football warm-up drills. There were some basic plays and skills. There was a whole lot of laughter.
“My friends from work invited me and I heard it was a whole lot of fun,” said Stephanie Kozemchak: “And my son plays football at Cibola so I thought it would be fun to learn a little bit more so I could tease him. I also won a fabulous gift.
“I would definitely recommend this camp. You get away from work. It’s fun, there is good food and it ends with activities. It was perfect.”
Said Lisa Harney: “I’ve done it several times and it’s a lot of fun. I think this is my third time. We learn new football terms and try to remember the old ones we have learned before and try to not be totally confused in the classroom.”
The classroom was the more serious stuff, but there was laughter there, too, as Lobo coach Mike Locksley cracked a few jokes. The women also got a few chuckles out of watching a video on Lobos running drills and falling down more than a few times.
The women got their shot at falling down later in the day. And there were a few soft tumbles.
“It was a nice chance for us Lobos to give back to the fans, give back to the community and show these ladies some things about football,” said Porterie.