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UNM football: Early practices for Lobos

Coach wants his squad to workout at 5:50 a.m.

By Iliana Limón
Saturday, April 28, 2007

Spring game

What: Cherry-Silver intrasquad scrimmage

When: Wednesday

Site: University Stadium

Game time: 6 p.m.

Admission: Free

On the air: KKOB-AM (770)

The Lobos' alarm clocks will be blaring much earlier this fall.

University of New Mexico football coach Rocky Long is switching to an early morning practice schedule, planning to start most of his team's workouts at 5:50 a.m.

Long said he would like practices during the regular season from Tuesday through Thursday to start at 5:50 a.m. and end no later than 8 a.m. He would rather practice from 7-8 p.m. Monday after games, but he will also hold a morning practice that day if he can't get every player out of taking lab classes in the evening.

"I like the morning practice times and have been thinking about doing it for a long time, but it was just a matter of making sure it works with all the players' schedules," Long said.

The coach tried four morning practices during spring football and liked the results.

"The guys seem to have more energy in the morning, they have no excuses like a class conflict or traffic for being late. We can spend more time with them in team meetings in the afternoon instead of rushing through like we do now to get back to get out and start afternoon practice and they get to see film of the same day as the practice," Long said.

Senior wide receiver Marcus Smith adds one more compelling reason for morning practice.

"It really tests everyone's dedication to the program," he said. "If we work hard together and fight through being a little tired, we're a closer team. And it will keep guys honest. They can't stay out all night and get into trouble if we're going to be here so early."

Long has had a handful of athletes have brushes with the law that may have been prevented with such a regimented practice structure, although most of the problems happen during the offseason.

UNM joins a slew of programs, including San Jose State and San Diego State, in moving to morning workouts.

A 5:50 a.m. start time means most players need to be at the football complex around 5:15 a.m. since many of them need to taped by the training staff. Those who require treatment before practice have to roll in by 4:45 a.m.

"We have no problem getting here earlier to help all the guys get ready to go," said UNM head trainer Dave Binder, whose staff must be in the office by 4:15 a.m.

Binder said the early workouts and use of the practice facility should cut down on issues like dehydration. He also makes sure to provide apples and bananas for players so that they avoid cramping and have something to refresh them after workouts.

The players have grumbled and groaned a bit about the early starts during the spring, but most of the team leaders said they think the switch is good.

"I thought it was going to be a lot worse, but it's actually nice to come out here and be done with practice by 8 and then have a lot of the rest of your day free," sophomore quarterback Donovan Porterie said. "It hurts when you first get up, but then your adrenaline is rushing and it's good. It's not as hot as the afternoon practices and all the guys are awake after the first few minutes of practice."

Senior linebacker Cody Kase said he is one of the lucky players because he lives close to University Stadium. He still woke up about an hour before spring practice started, quickly got dressed and squeezed in breakfast before working out.

"You have to eat breakfast before you practice or you just won't make it through, but you can eat it in the car," he said. "Normally you want more time for the food to go down, but when it's that early your adrenaline or something makes sure it's not a problem."

Kase said the changes are good for the team but will be tough at times.

"It's not really easy to get up that early, and I think it will be the hardest on the seniors who are used to the afternoon practices," he said. "We'll adjust and eventually it will be normal to us."

Smith endorses the new schedule.

"I thought it was going to be awful, but it's turned out to be really good," he said. "It's a nice time to practice and you get everything done with so early. You get to watch film the same day and get to see what you did wrong right away. And then you get done earlier, so you have more time for your homework.

"I thought it was going to be bad, but this probably is going to make us a better team."