Zips benefit from sports psychologist
More leadership from both players and coaches results in more focus, energy
Vincent Dorsey
Issue date: 8/27/07 Section: Sports
"They have already made some good suggestions," he said. "I feel I have a better pulse on the team because of that."
Two seniors, wide receiver Jabari Arthur and cornerback Reggie Corner, have noticed others joining them in embracing leadership roles with the team as well.
"There have been several players who last year would not have said a word that are being vocal leaders now," Corner said. "There is a lot of senior leadership. This team is ready to move forward."
"A lot more people are showing more desire to win," Arthur said. "What we're trying to do is help the younger guys along, because a lot of the young guys have to step up and perform."
Corner, Arthur and other seniors, like defensive rover John Mackey and linebacker Brion Stokes, are determined to learn from last year's disappointments and return the Zips to the top of the Mid-American Conference.
"Last year, we might have lost a little focus," Arthur said. "This year, we came into camp with a brand new focus, brand new energy.
"We only have one goal and that is to get back and to win the championship."
Corner said that the team played better than its 5-7 record indicated in 2006, but that the team's sub-par record has motivated the Zips to work even harder coming into the start of 2007.
"We know what it takes to get to the championship and we know what to do to avoid the same thing happening to us this year as last," Corner said. "We have worked hard this past spring and summer, and feel we are up to the challenge of getting back to the top of the conference. "
This year's senior class has put its stamp on the team and its leadership has not only impacted the 2007 Zips, but hopefully the future success of the program, Brookhart said.
"The seniors see this as their team," he said. "They have taken a ton of ownership in this.
"That will trickle down and the juniors next year will hopefully step up when they are seniors and on down the line."
Two seniors, wide receiver Jabari Arthur and cornerback Reggie Corner, have noticed others joining them in embracing leadership roles with the team as well.
"There have been several players who last year would not have said a word that are being vocal leaders now," Corner said. "There is a lot of senior leadership. This team is ready to move forward."
"A lot more people are showing more desire to win," Arthur said. "What we're trying to do is help the younger guys along, because a lot of the young guys have to step up and perform."
Corner, Arthur and other seniors, like defensive rover John Mackey and linebacker Brion Stokes, are determined to learn from last year's disappointments and return the Zips to the top of the Mid-American Conference.
"Last year, we might have lost a little focus," Arthur said. "This year, we came into camp with a brand new focus, brand new energy.
"We only have one goal and that is to get back and to win the championship."
Corner said that the team played better than its 5-7 record indicated in 2006, but that the team's sub-par record has motivated the Zips to work even harder coming into the start of 2007.
"We know what it takes to get to the championship and we know what to do to avoid the same thing happening to us this year as last," Corner said. "We have worked hard this past spring and summer, and feel we are up to the challenge of getting back to the top of the conference. "
This year's senior class has put its stamp on the team and its leadership has not only impacted the 2007 Zips, but hopefully the future success of the program, Brookhart said.
"The seniors see this as their team," he said. "They have taken a ton of ownership in this.
"That will trickle down and the juniors next year will hopefully step up when they are seniors and on down the line."
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