The Rise of Johnny Football

November 6, 2015

            This past Thursday, the Cleveland Browns set Johnny Manziel as their starting quarterback against the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals. An article on ESPN.com, written by staff writer Pat MacManamon, breaks down Manziel’s role in the Browns’ 31-10 loss. MacManamon states that Manziel “started played like an NFL quarterback, then didn’t.” Coach Mike Pettine is looking to make Manziel the starter for the rest of the season, and this was his test. Manziel was unable to play from the pocket and ended up being sacked three times. MacManamon says that this is a problem, as NFL quarterbacks face having to play from the pocket several times during the season. The media is raving about Johnny “not being able to show up once again,” but MacManamon makes a great point in saying that he needs to play to get better. We have seen that Manziel is capable of making these NFL plays, but he does not play often enough to make them consistent. Manziel’s response to the game was that if “he continues as a starter, he will make it happen.” MacManamon agrees that as long as Coach Pettine makes some adjustments to the offense to fit Manziel’s mobility, the Browns will be better off.

            Now, this is very relevant to sports, media and pop culture. Manziel flooded the headlines as his career as Texas A&M’s star quarterback neared its end. Many outlets were predicting Manziel to be a first round pick in the 2014 NFL draft. He ended up being 22^nd and was selected by the Cleveland Browns. Many people began to believe that Manziel’s style was not capable for the NFL. As Manziel reached training camp and preseason, we discovered that maybe he wasn’t worth all of the hype. Not only was he struggling during his transition, his reluctant partying became a big issue. Manziel was now a growing figure of the NFL and his actions bared much bigger consequences than before. He was faced with an entire new crowd—especially through the media—bashing on him as a player and a person.

            Because of all the media hype, I believe that Manziel finally had his wake up call. He announced to the media that he would be taking off some time and attending rehab. Does this not tug at your heart strings a bit—the arrogant quarterback, finally owning up to his mistakes and wanting to make a change? Of course it does. Now, Manziel out of rehab and ready to work, is still struggling, though making it known that he wants to work hard for the Browns and continue being the starter.

            My goal is to see what the rest of the campus thinks about Manziel and his situation. I am rooting for Manziel this season. As McManamon said, he has shown us that he can play like an NFL quarterback, his consistency just isn’t there. I believe that he has changed into a grown man that still holds a deep passion for football and just needs a little more time on the field.

Works Cited

McManamon, Pat. “Johnny Manziel’s Second-half Struggles Shouldn’t Send Him to Bench.” ESPN.go.com. ESPN, 5 Nov. 2015. Web. 5 Nov. 2015.

Fantastic Five Speeches

            Three specific speeches caught the minds of the Fantastic Five. These speeches include: Muhammad Ali—“Greatest of All Time”, Tim Tebow—“The Promise”, and Eric Thomas—“Secrets to Success.” Beginning with our third ranked speech, “Greatest of All Time,” was a poem about himself. It was a lighthearted speech that had the crowd laughing, though at the same time he was talking about how badly he was going to defeat his opponents, and was specifically geared towards the current match against Sonny Liston in 1963. Muhammad Ali took over the press during his time of championship boxing, though usually used it to discuss racial and religious issues. He was an active man in the community aside from boxing alone. You can tell through this speech that he was a confident man in several aspects.

            Our second favorite speech was Tim Tebow’s “The Promise.” This speech was given before all of his fame in the NFL. It was September 27, 2008 and the Gators had just lost to Ole Miss. Tebow apologized for the loss as his plan was to execute an undefeated season. This was a turning point for him and his team, and prior to the speech, the Gators turned around and won the national championship that same year. We have all always liked Tebow as a player in the NFL and his Christian values, but knowing that he was even a genuine guy back in his college days gives us much more respect for him. Through this speech you can tell that he loves the game, team and his fans—and ended up showing it when it mattered.

            Finally, our favorite speech was Eric Thomas’ “Secrets to Success.” This speech is very powerful. Although it is a general success speech, it can be used in any sports setting as well. Eric Thomas grew up in Detroit, Michigan with his mother and without a father. He dropped out of high school and became homeless. He was homeless for two years, and once he found his faith was able to get up and turn his life around, starting with McDonalds. He ran off of little to no sleep, got his undergraduate at Oxford and ended up taking a job at Michigan State University in educational leadership. He has given several speeches to collegiate and professional athletes. This particular speech speaks to us, though. He speaks about his coming up and becoming successful, and then gives pointers as to how one becomes successful. He doesn’t just give point a, b, and c. For example, one of the quotes from his speech starts with a man who asks a Guru how he can become successful. The Guru tells him if he wants to be successful, meet him at the beach at four in the morning. In short, the man shows up and is told to walk into the ocean. The guru comes beside him and dunks him underwater, holding him there. Once the man comes back up, the Guru says “how badly did you want to breathe just then?” The man says “more than anything.” The Guru replies, “once you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, that’s when you’ll be successful.” His speech gives you a perspective on how you look at things, making you dig deeper and realize that maybe you aren’t reaching as far as you should to achieve your goals. Eric Thomas is there to give you a hard wake-up call—and that is why “Secrets to Success” is our favorite speech.

Limitless: a post of everything you need to know to reach your dream body

First thing's first: you need to dig deep down into your soul. Like, the deeper than you think the depths of your existence can reach. You need to really figure out WHY you want to make the difference in your life to become fit. Here, I'll help you out;

• To better your self confidence
• To be healthy
• To be physically fit enough to perform tasks you're not usually able to perform
• To look sexy... all the time
• For bikini season
• For a fitness competition

Whatever your reason may be, I'm here to get you there. In this series of posts, I will give away my very own workout plan and diet. The next part is up to you: PERFORM.

I like to think that my week starts on Monday, so that's where I will start my plan.

First, I will explain my diet. I follow the CarbNite Solution; written up by a scientist named John Kiefer. This diet is based off of a low carbohydrate routine. The idea of this diet is to eat 30g or less of carbohydrates for six days. On the seventh day, you eat carbs. Keep in mind that on the seventh day, you need to make sure and keep your fat levels low. Low fat, high carb. On the other six days, you are limitless to the amount of fat you consume.

The science behind this diet is simple. Our bodies burn fat three different ways. The first to burn is carbohydrates, the second is fat, and the third is protein. By eliminating carbohydrates, the first thing you're burning is... FAT. I have had a great amount of success with this diet.

28 Method Leg Workout

So, what's the 28 Method Leg Workout?
A promise that your legs will burn. Like hell

How to perform the 28 Method:

• 7 normal reps
• 7 slow reps
• 7 reps from the top
• 7 reps from the bottom

Now, use this method on these exercises: 

• Squat 4x
• Lunges, each leg 4x
• Leg curls 4x
• Leg extensions 4x
• Standing calf raises 4x
• Seated calf raises

You're welcome.
-Sky

Dedication to Avila: Gary Gallup

By Sky Roberts

Although only being at Avila for a year and half, Gary Gallup has made a tremendous impact on Eagle athletics. As an athletic director since June of 2012 here at Avila, Gallup continues to bring his positive outlook to the athletics and the university. Gallup has always had a passion for all sports. He played both football and baseball in high school and college. Gallup began at a small college—New Mexico Highlands—and finished at Texas El Paso. In Texas, his interest in sports broadcasting began. There, he was also the assistant athletic director. For over 30 years, Gallup continued to do freelance sports broadcasting, and for 16 years he has been an athletic director.

“My favorite thing about being an athletic director is the student athletes,” said Gallup, “I take pride in the philosophies I have created. We have a family atmosphere here at Avila. I love the staff and everyone is so great. It doesn’t even feel like a job because I enjoy coming to work.” There has been an excellent growth in the facilities since Gallup has been here. “I love the competitive nature in the athletes,” said Gallup. He continues to watch all of the students grow as both athletes and adults. Gallup puts an extreme emphasis on the athletes—and all students—in the classroom. “College athletics is my passion. I view my job as creating an environment of successful athletes along with successful academics. I strive to set up my athletes to be professional individuals,” said Gallup.

He shows his dedication to Avila immensely through the condition he faced in the first semester. Gallup had a heart attack—one that threatened his life. Though, within 24 days, he was back at work, even against his doctor’s wishes. “I went to rehab every day and worked really hard to keep myself healthy through exercise and my diet, so I continued to show up at work every day at noon,” said Gallup. “While I was in the hospital, I was amazed by the staff and athletes that all visited and prayed for me,” he said. Gallup knows that there was some kind of miracle through the prayers he received, and thanks this family here at Avila for that. “It really shows that we are a family here at Avila,” Gallup added. Gallup stated that he feels great now, and if you didn’t already know about his heart attack, you wouldn’t even guess that he ever had one.

Gallup is a strong individual who has no fears. He does, however, feel strongly about his ability to do the right thing, and never wants to do differently. “I always want to do the right thing,” said Gallup, “It can be challenging and not the most popular thing to do, but I strive to be fair and consistent. I don’t fear this, though, because I always know I’m doing it.”

After years of sports broadcasting, athletic directing, and finding his place in different schools, Gallup feels he has found where he will end his career—here at Avila. “I am perfectly happy at Avila. One day, I will retire, when I am no longer productive. When that day comes, I’ll be on a golf course with a cold beverage in my hand and spending time with my grandkids. I look forward to that. Until then, I will continue to make a positive contribution,” said Gallup.

One thing that Gallup admires about Avila is that things are always improving. From the different sports, the academics, and Avila alone, Gallup is excited about the growth right in front of him. With last year having three teams competing in post-conference tournaments and even a team winning the national championship, Gallup knows that the university athletics is constantly, and rapidly, improving. He also believes that being an athletic director here at Avila has helped him grow. “We are always improving. I believe that you can always get better, as long as you are enjoying yourself,” Gallup said. He agrees that Avila athletics has made both a tremendous impact on him and the university. “Athletics is the window into a university. It teaches you life lessons to be competitive and part of a team,” said Gallup. “I love all of the student athletes—they keep me young,” said Gallup. “I love the staff and we all have each other’s backs. We are like a team, just like the rest of the athletics. Avila is truly a family. When one athlete wins, we all win. When one loses, we all lose—together.”

Gallup speaking at the 2013 football banquet

Gallup presenting senior cheerleaders Paige Snyder, Bre Evans, and Megan Linder

 their national championship trophy

Off-Season Workouts

by Sky Roberts
March 20, 2013

Not all athletes have a structured off season work out, especially during summer break. To keep your body conditioned as an athlete, or to gain muscle to keep your body healthy, here are some staple exercises to be performed in the Avila gym. All of these exercises should be performed with a spotter. While doing these exercises, you should be pushing yourself to increase your strength, though always make sure to do it safely!

Squats: While doing this exercise, it is important to keep your feet shoulder width apart. Place the barbell evenly on your shoulders and make sure you are stable. To perform the squat, bend your knees until your hamstrings are parallel to the ground. It is also very important to keep your back straight to prevent from injury. Use the down-3-up-1 rule while doing the squat, which means to make the down movement last 3 seconds, and the up to only last 1 second. This will give you the maximum effort in a squat. Begin with a warm up set, using light weights and getting your body warmed up for the exercise. Do three sets of 10 with your heaviest weight. End the exercise with a muscle endurance set—during these, you will drop your weight to half of what you used in your heavy weight sets and do 20 reps.

Deadlifts: While doing deadlifts, your feet should also be shoulder width apart. The bar will be placed on the ground right in front of you. While gripping the bar, use an over-under grip. This means one palm will face you while the other faces the opposite direction. It is also very important to keep your back straight in this exercise. Once your set position is stable, keeping your back straight, you extend your legs to the top. At the top of the deadlift, you completely straighten your back. While bringing the bar back down to the floor, make sure it is a slow and controlled movement. Begin with a warm up set, using light weights and getting your body warmed up for the exercise. Do three sets of 10 with your heaviest weight. End the exercise with a muscle endurance set—during these, you will drop your weight to half of what you used in your heavy weight sets and do 20 reps.

Barbell Bench Press: Hold the bar with your hands a little more than shoulder width apart—you want your forearms to be perpendicular to the ground. Extend your arms to press the barbell to the top, then slowly bring the bar about an inch above your chest until your humorous is parallel to the ground. Make sure the bar is coming down right under your chest for the best results. Begin with a warm up set, using light weights and getting your body warmed up for the exercise. Do three sets of 10 with your heaviest weight. End the exercise with a muscle endurance set—during these, you will drop your weight to half of what you used in your heavy weight sets and do 20 reps.

Bent Over Rows: With your feet shoulder width apart, grab the barbell and bend over to at least a 45 degree angle. Keeping your back straight, pull the bar back to your waist, making sure the bar is basically grazing up your quadriceps. Control the bar back to the beginning position to do the exercise. Begin with a warm up set, using light weights and getting your body warmed up for the exercise. Do three sets of 10 with your heaviest weight. End the exercise with a muscle endurance set—during these, you will drop your weight to half of what you used in your heavy weight sets and do 20 reps.

Dumbbell Shoulder Press: Keeping your forearms perpendicular to the ground, sit with your back straight on a bench and press the dumbbells over your head. It is important to make sure you are pressing the weight over your head—not behind or in front of it. Press the weight up and then control it back down, keeping your humorous parallel to the ground. Begin with a warm up set, using light weights and getting your body warmed up for the exercise. Do three sets of 10 with your heaviest weight. End the exercise with a muscle endurance set—during these, you will drop your weight to half of what you used in your heavy weight sets and do 20 reps.

Weighted Abs: Connect a rope to a pulley and add the desired weight. Separate the rope at the sides of your head. Squat down, seated on your heels, and bring your forehead in between your legs. At the bottom of the crunch, squeeze your abs for about two seconds until you can feel a burn. Keeping your back straight, return to the beginning position and complete the exercise. Begin with a warm up set, using light weights and getting your body warmed up for the exercise. Do three sets of 20 with your heaviest weight.

An Athlete's Work Is Never Done

by Sky Roberts

March 20, 2013

With summer approaching, most college students will be enjoying their time off of school with vacations and relaxation. Student athletes will be spending their time preparing for the next season. At Avila University, 85% of the student body is comprised of student athletes. There are six men’s teams, including basketball, baseball, cross country, football, golf, and soccer. There are eight women’s teams including basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, volleyball, cheerleading, and dancing. Each team has a way of keeping conditioned during the off-season. Gabby Sysavath, cheerleader at Avila University, tells about her off-season workouts to prepare for nationals season. “We have scheduled open gyms for recruits and keeping up our skills, though most of us will go into the gym and either lift or do some tumbling and stunting on our own time. All you can do is continue to practice your skills and gain more by the time nationals come around,” said Sysavath. “During the off-season, the basketball team works out together with weights and agility work” said Justin Reed, basketball player at Avila University. “During the softball off-season, we work out in the afternoon and have morning conditioning,” told Courtney Morgan, softball player at Avila University. “Our season gets intense during the fall semester, with three practices a week until December comes around. Then, during winter break, we have practices every day—sometimes two-a-days—to prepare for nationals in January,” said Sysavath. “Aside from our team workouts, Coach P stresses that we get into the gym to shoot and work on our ball handling--he tells us to work on our weaknesses. We also have a lot of open gyms with former players to stay in shape and keep up our cardio,” said Reed.

The Avila University coaches put a lot of preparation into creating off-season work outs to make the most progress out of their athletes. Coach Marc Benavidez tells about football’s off season workouts. Right now is an extremely busy time for the football players with recruits and preparing for their first game on “We run three times a week and lift on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. We have certain workouts to prepare each player for their positions. Our mission is to increase our athlete’s muscle balance to keep them healthy in all aspects of their bodies,” said Benavidez. On Tuesdays and Thursday’s, the football team does their cardio conditioning. On Tuesday’s they focus on speed and agility while on Thursday’s they focus on conditioning and distance running. “To keep their competitive nature, we’ll set up scrimmages and competitions through our conditioning,” said Benavidez. April 2^nd begins spring football where the training becomes more strenuous to prepare for the upcoming season.

Softball also has a strategic off-season to keep their bodies conditioned. “During their pre-season, the softball players will work with a personal trainer and condition with cardio and weight training,” said Coach Rob Wade, the softball coach. For the basketball players, conditioning their bodies is a year round requirement. There is both a strict pre-season and post-season for the athletes. “Pre-season we will work with a lot of running. Post-season begins about two weeks after the regular season where the players will focus on building muscle. They will also continue to work out individually,” said Coach Rodney Perry, the men’s basketball coach. Women’s basketball will also work with cardio during their pre-season to prepare for the endurance needed in basketball games. Their post-season also includes weight training while their muscles have time to repair.

The golf team’s off-season workouts consist of conditioning and weight training. They will also practice their swing and accuracy during their free time. In the off season for volleyball players, the athletes will attend open gyms and also practice individually. Some will join summer leagues to keep up their skills. The athletes will also weight train and condition to keep up the endurance needed for a volleyball game. Baseball requires a year long season to keep their bodies conditioned. The athletes will participate in both summer and fall ball to prepare for the season in spring. Each athlete has a different exercise depending on what their position is in the team. They practice together and individually. Cross country also works out year round, going on long distance runs to keep up their endurance for meets.

Being a student athlete is a full-time commitment. After a strenuous season, every Avila athlete is back in the gym working on what needs to be done for next season. “If you don’t practice in the off-season, you’ll find yourself back to square one by the time it matters. Keeping up your skills is super important, and that takes effort year-round,” said Sysavath. Even without scheduled workouts, there are several ways to keep up endurance and strength with Avila’s gym—including the track, basketball court, and machines made for a student athlete’s success.

Avila basketball player Louis Lou performing curls in the Avila
weight room. Photo by Sky Roberts

Avila cross country runner working out arms by doing curls in the
Avila weight room. Photo by Sky Roberts

Former Avila basketball player Austin Stockard keeping up
his strength in the Avila weight room. Photo by Sky Roberts