MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Keeping in the routine and keep moving forward.
That's the goal as Central Michigan football coaches, staff and players -- like everybody else in the country -- cope with stay-at-home orders sparked by coronavirus.
The scale for football is larger than that of most athletic programs at CMU, simply because of sheer numbers. The program, including coaches, players, support personnel and incoming freshmen, comprises some 130 people and the diverse roster includes players from 15 states and three foreign countries, Canada, Denmark and Austria.
"We've had guys on this team that have been affected directly with family members and our guys have done a great job of being there for those particular players and (we have utilized) our mental health services on campus," coach Jim McElwain said. "What this has done is solidify what a great staff and organization and leadership we have in our football program and at our university.
"I think our university's done an outstanding job, and President (Robert) Davies, his leadership and the team that he's put together; (Athletics Director) Michael Alford, we're in daily conversation on every type of topic and his leadership's been great. Really seen the care and the need to take care of our students and in our case our team and our players, both from a physical standpoint and from a mental health standpoint."
McElwain conducts a daily coaches call and the staff is in regular contact with the players. That extends beyond the X's and O's of the game, including academics and strength and conditioning
"I stressed with everybody in our organization that as much as we can we're staying to that routine," McElwain said. "Every meeting starts with how our players are doing. In our players' cases, you've got your workout times just like if you were here (on campus); you've got your class times just like you would when you're here; we've got our academic help time just like you would when you were here."
Staying on top of the academic side of things is a major point of emphasis, McElwain said, adding that adapting to online classes, in some cases, has been an easier route for some.
"Our professors on campus have done a really good job of understanding some of those shortcomings that some people may have and adjust for those guys," he said. "I think what you learn out of this is that the kids, your players, are adaptable."
Joel Welsh, the Chippewas' director of strength and conditioning, has played a major role in helping set up a workout regimen for each player with nutrition as a critical aspect, McElwain said, particularly in light of the fact that the players do not have access to the on-campus weight room.
Resourcefulness has been key.
"Your training and what you've learned and how to handle adversity, all those things come into play," McElwain said. "Joel and his staff, they've had a huge impact on our football players since he's arrived. The respect, the understanding, what you do and how you do it really determines who you are.
"There are things that you can do (to work out) if you don't have all the bells and whistles, which most of them don't have (at home). He's helped them with the nutrition piece, to help them with what they have to put in their body that is good for them. I think that's an education piece."
It helps, McElwain said, that the Chippewas were able to get two-thirds of their spring practice completed on campus before the stay-at-home order went into effect. The coaching staff is utilizing the invaluable video from those practices in webex meetings with the players to teach and correct, not unlike what they would have done were everybody still on campus.
McElwain, as he frequently does, has found some silver linings as he and the program have navigated the unprecedented turn of events. Personal responsibility tops the list.
"The things that we were able to teach this football team about being responsible for yourselves, No. 1, and the things you can do to help the people around you be successful," he said. "Now you've got a chance to prove that not only to the guys but to yourself, that you're disciplined to do what you need to do to take care of business. It's something that's so important and we've had many guys do that."
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April 11, 2020 at 01:27AM
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Coping & Connecting: Football - Central Michigan University Chippewas
"football" - Google News
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