July 31, 2008

GALLERY

Washington, D.C. - On Wednesday evening, under the direction of Georgetown University Strength and Conditioning Coach Augie Maurelli, the Hoya football team wrapped up its summer workouts. Over the course of the last two months, anywhere from 20 to now 60 members of the team have been going through both weight room workouts in Yates Field House and conditioning work on the Multi-Sport Field.

On Thursday, July 31, Head Coach Kevin Kelly, along with senior defensive end Nick Umar (Belle Mead, N.J./Montgomery) and junior offensive lineman Dan Matheny (Fairfax, Va./Paul VI), the team's co-captains for the 2008 season, will spend the afternoon at Patriot League Media Day, kicking off the season.

For the final edition of the Georgetown Summer Football Journal, senior defensive lineman Ataefiok Etukeren (Litchfield Park, Ariz./Lawrenceville Prep [N.J.]) provides the final update on the team's workouts.

"As the last days of summer workouts come to an end, the anticipation for the start of preseason is clearly evident among all the players. We started the summer very strong and I believe that we have also finished in an appropriate manner.

"Last Thursday, senior Anthony DiTommaso (Short Hills, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) broke the split jerk record with a lift of 335 pounds. The team had an intra-squad session on Saturday which consisted of mainly the offense running routes against the defense. On Monday, those left that needed to test out of our conditioning test all passed with flying colors. We also had a great run on Monday by doing our final session with the Exorcist Stairs. Coach Maurelli and Coach (Michael) Ungar also managed to make it up for a couple flights.

"There has been a lot of support of the football team here on campus by those who see us training and running. It ranges from high school students who visit campus and yell encouragements to us as we run 100s on the field all the way to some of my professors who ask how the team will be this season. Judging from the turnout that we have had here this summer and the reports given to Coach Maurelli through our online system, I believe that we are in shape and ready to go through the grind of preseason.

"One particular person that supports the team is a lady that I have never seen before until this summer. My teammates and I see her sometimes heading into the gym after we are done lifting or walking down the street. She constantly says that we have to be better, win more games, and show everyone what this university is about. I could not agree more with her.

"This experience with her this summer also makes me realize that the student body and faculty, our surrounding community and neighborhood, and some parts of Washington, D.C. (not those supporting Howard) want to see us win and succeed. It is up to us as a team to enter preseason with a winner's mentality, compete everyday of practice, and open up the season with a big win over Howard. We will get it done this year."

Georgetown's first official practice for the 2008 season is set for Friday, August 8.