June 27, 2010
By Richard Stevens — Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
It might be best if not too many rough and tough Lobos saw the laid back Mike Locksley, who was prancing around University Stadium on Saturday laughing, joking and having the time of his life while pushing out a little football knowledge.
And gently pushing some new Lobos.
“We can win with that. That’s the way. We can win with that effort,” Locksley shouted at one group of women pounding away at some tackling dummies Saturday afternoon in University Stadium during the Lobo Women’s Football Clinic 101.
Of course, Locksley wasn’t always a pushover.
“No walking. We don`t walk around here,” Locksley told a group of women campers heading over to a station conducted by UNM assistant Rubin Carter. “Only the mailman gets to walk. Pick up those feet.”
A few of the campers did something Locksley probably will never see this August when the real Lobos take to the field. They looked at the Lobo coach and giggled. But they did hustle.
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“This was my first Lobo clinic and I love it,” said Margarita Pleasant. “It’s great. I’m learning a lot of stuff, but I’m having a lot of fun. It gets you excited for the future games.
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“I wasn’t really a Lobo fan until now. I met some of the players and I understand more of what it takes for them to be where they’re at. It’s a lot of work. This let me in on the inside and it changes your perspective.”
The women’s clinic is an annual summer event for Lobo football. Sure, it’s not quite as intense as the Lobo camps designed for campers who plan to pursue the game at the high school or college level. But it is a teaching clinic with Xs and Os and lots of on-hand drills.
“All of our camps are designed with teaching in mind and that goes for this clinic, too,” said Locksley, in his second season at the Lobo helm. “These ladies are leaving here with information they didn’t have when they came through the doors.
“We expect these campers to have fun when they come here, but we also expect them to leave with a greater knowledge of Lobo football.”
Saturday’s six-hour camp gave the campers a bang for their bucks. It 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 facilities tour, and a fashion show of Lobo gear presented by the Lobo Book Store.
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Of course, if you put in this much time, the Lobos also feed you. Lunch was provided by SeraFin`s Chili Hut. There are a lot of extras in this camp, but it’s still a steady diet of football 101.
“I have a 10-year-old who plays and I watch those Dallas Cowboys, but I’ve learned a lot about what happens behind the scenes,” said Bev Richardson: “This has been a new experience.”
Linebacker Carmen Messina and receiver Lamaar Thomas were the two Lobos picked to model the UNM football equipment. Thomas ran into a new experience, too — modeling for a pack of women.
“I was a little uncomfortable because I was kind of embarrassed,” said Thomas. “Carmen took most of the attention off of me. But I had a lot of fun. It’s a chance to give back to our fans and at the same time teach them a little bit about Lobo football.”
The clinic ended with the always-popular drills held on the grass in University Stadium. Yes, there were a few campers that hit the turf in a tumble. There also were a few tackling dummies that hit the turf.
“They take you down to the basics,” said camper Katie Roth: “I’m having a lot of fun and I’ve learned a lot. When you are just watching football on TV, and have never been coached, you don’t always get it. They explain a lot to you. I’m now a Lobo fan. Go Lobos.”Editor’s Note: Richard Stevens is a former Associate Sports Editor and Sports Columnist for The Albuquerque Tribune. You can reach him at rstevens50@comcast.net.