Our team reports Sunday evening for a series of meetings, a photo shot and of most importance - get our equipment for the coming season. It's always a great day. I imagine every program begins their season in the same way.
There's always a nervous anticipation on the first day. The incoming freshmen are unsure of their place and try hard to adapt to a wildly different environment/culture than they are accustomed. The returning players, experienced by familiarity, are engaged in acquainting stories from the summer. Then at 9am Monday morning we go to work in the gym - each day a little better than the one before.
Yet this is the "week before the week" and much is going on in preparation. Systems are being refined, film is getting networked, player manuals are being revised, team travel is being confirmed, expectations are being set, our staff is constantly meeting to review our objectives, recruits are scheduling unofficial visits, coaches are scheduling recruiting home visits, locker room is being cleaned - all in anticipation of a fabulous 2009 season.
