Aug. 4, 2006

It has been an extremely busy week. Preseason officially begins this coming Tuesday, the 8th, however 18 of the boys are due to arrive this Saturday evening to begin a "captains' weekend." Over the course of the weekend, Tim Convey and I plan to accomplish several of the team's immediate goals.

First, we hope to successfully assess each team member's fitness level--it is finally time to reap the benefits of four months of brutal individual training, and I am certain the results will be strong. Second, the team will outline its rules and goals for the 2006 season. It is extremely important that any gray area be erased as early as possible. Finally, the team will engage in social activities such as a trip to the monuments, a barbecue and movies.

The time has finally arrived for the 2006 Hoyas to come together. I'd like to thank all who have read my weekly journals; I hope I have successfully provided an insider's perspective to the college soccer player's world. As I have said, this year's team promises to be recognized for its hard work, and, as always, the most exciting team on campus. In an email sent this morning, Coach Wiese told the team

"Now is when we stand up to be measured. Now is when we will see if we are up to the challenges that await us in the months ahead. Now is when we find out if we stumble and fall when we trip over an obstacle on our journey or if we use the obstacle as a stepping stone to lift ourselves to even greater heights."

I hope to see all of you at American University on Friday August 25th when we face off against George Washington in the D.C. College Cup. The defending champion Hoyas will be in top form.

Hoya Saxa,

Ricky Schramm (C'07)