Saturday, December 20, 2008

Last Practice at Nippert

Saturday morning the Bearcats will strap on the pads for their final practice of the season at Nippert Stadium. After practice they will all go their separate ways to celebrate Christmas before meeting up again in Clifton on December 26th to board a plane for Miami. Excitement for the bowl game is starting to sink in, but for the seniors it's also starting to sink in that this is their final practice in the stadium they call home.

The last practice means more than just leaving a stadium. For most it's like members of a family going their separate ways. In his interview after practice DeAngelo Smith put his arm around head football trainer Bob Mangine. A man that has had a tremendous impact on so many young men since he came to UC in 2001.

As the seniors walk out of Nippert after their last practice they can look back and say that they are leaving the program in better shape than it was when they arrived.

The seniors also know that the program is in good hands. Not just the coaches, but the younger players that will keep going what they have started.

One of the under lying benefits of playing in a bowl game that is scheduled on New Years day is the extra practice time. Not necessarily to get ready for the opponent, but to get the younger guys some extra practice time. Ask any coach and they will tell you that this is a tremendous benefit for developing a team. The team leaves for Miami on Dec 26th and will begin practice on the 27th. During a normal week the team practices Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday with a walk through on Friday. Leading up to the bowl game they will get an extra day of practice. Bearcat Sports Page.com wishes everyone on the football team a safe trip home for the Christmas and look forward to seeing them in Miami.

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