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Show University Journal Page 20 Eoacii Continued from Page 17 philosophy, victories on the field are as important as players graduating off the field, and that philsophy has brought SUU football a long way. Still, Gregory realizes 'Birds have a long way to and he said he wants to there to see it. Id like to see our school the go, be get the maximum amount of scholarships possible (63), Gregory said. Right now, we have 4 4 to give out, and while that seems like a lot, it really only allows us to go two-deeat every position. It makes it tough to choose who gets the scholarships. In addition, Gregmy hopes to stop playing a independent schedule. Id like to see us get in a conference, specifically the Big Sky, he said. Id like to see our facilities updated to die top of the line. Most people have more bathrooms in their houses than we have in our locker room. Gregory makes an effort to ensure that the relationships he has with the players go p beyond their involvement with the team. As a result, the type of character players show is the most important thing to Gregory, as well as a willingness to concentrate on academics and athletics equally. Our team had a combined GPA of 3 0 last year, Gregory said. For a college football team, that's just unheard of. These guys are true students. To play football and take is tough. classes Playing football is like having a job. To have grades like that just say's something about our players, and the kirn I of character they have. Gregory has such a close relationship with his players that he brings his son to most practices and team activities son of C. A.J., the Ray and Kristen Gregory, can be seen on the sidelines at practice, doing his own bit of coaching. He often eats lunch with the players, and the football mind is already emerging; he plays full-tim- full-tim- e e his father at video games, such as Madden 2002, and holds his own. He has some great role models here, Gregory said. Its healthy for him to be around these guys. It makes him grow up a little faster, but hes learning a lot. He likes being around this team, and in die end I hope he can be like our players. Gregory said an important part of his focus is making some sure players learn tilings about life, and not just football. If dtey can use some of die things they learn by playing football in their lives later on, then I've done my job. He added, We've got great kids, and the team really has a good attitude. They approach things in a sensible manor They have goals outside of the game, goals for life. By playing endure football, they hardships and learn to handle themselves in all situations You have to appteciate these guys. influence The players Gregory censtandy. The coach is a fan of the band Blues Traveler, but he likes anything his players play in die locker room, from rap to country. If there is one radio show he would listen to, however, it would be Tradio on KSUB-A590, Cedar Citys station. 1 love drat show, Gregory said. People call in and sell dieir junk; it's great. Id listen to that every day if 1 had die time. It's die funniest show I could dunk of. Gregory also watches a lot of movies and is considered a bona fide movie buff. He can recite lines from a lot defensive of movies, coordinator Steve Fex said. Hes great at communicating and getting his points across to the kids. He knows his football, and hes a great teacher. season The upcoming includes strong competition and plenty of challenges, but Gregory and the Thunderbirds are confident hat die won-losrecord will improve. With a veritable football mind at die helm and plenty of opdmism, that confidence figures to translate into positive results on the scoreboard. talk-radi- s bom-to-coac- h o SUU Wednesday, August 21, 2002 new !dd in town no longer C Year of experience gives T-Bir- ds confidence to compete in league of newcomers that figures to contribute immediately By DAVID DeMILLE UNIVERSITY JOURNAL Last The soccer squad will face Utah Saturday in an exhibition game to open the programs second season of competition. Last season the Thunderbirds in their first finished year of existence, including a i mark as the new kids on . the block in the season The was far from impressive if it is judged only based on the .. teams record, but for a new team trying to SOCCER compete in a Division I setting, there was a bigger victory in just putting a team on die field. Entering its second season, SUU is looking to get past the initial feeling of newness and start producing on die soccer Mid-Con- ' field. There are a lot of different challenges as a new team, head coach Brian Stock said. There was a lot of uncertainty, and it was a learning experience. Now weve come through that first tough year and even diougli die record wasnt diat seems to great, everyone understand now what diey have to do, he added. The talent level has increased considerably diis y'ear because of the return of several of hist seasons top players and a crop years top goal-scorer- , second-tea- forward Ilene DLxon, returns to provide scoring and leadership, as do senior midfielder Lindsey Mulhner and goalie Lyndsey Sobicro The real difference this year is experience, Dixon said. We have a chance to prove ourselves and show diat we've really improved as a team. Weve set goals to get into the (conference) tournament and reach the final. Those aspirations should be easier to satisfy with a talented group of newcomers. Transfers Annalisa Banks from Dixie State College and Amber Tubbs from Mesa City College in Arizona should make an immediate impact. Banks is a solid defender and should provide some needed toughness, while Tubbs is an experienced midfielder who will provide instant leadership and can teach the incoming freshmen how to win at die college level. Some of diose freshmen will be on the field from die start, contributing enthusiasm and athleticism. Eryn Pictum scored more dian 30 goals in her senior year at El Dorado High School in Las Vegas. Her strong leg and soft touch should immediately boost die offense. Last seasons 3A MVP in Utah, BIRD WATCH SUU SPORTS INFORMATION ERIN MAOSON Brooks, will team widi Tracy McArthur and Jill Shurdeff to add speed and depth to die squad, helping returning players like midfielders Mulliner and Sarah Sillitoe, who each upped their offseason workouts in anticipation of the new season. Everyones working really hard to get ready, Mulliner said. Everything will be easier diis y'ear. Weve dropped some of the attitudes and really started to mesh together. I could tell right away when die girls Liz Field. Only students enrolled at participate in try'outs. NCAA rules forbid the university from to try out. allowing Interested athletes should contact SUU , before coach Laurel Simmons, a to determine secure and to 9 spot Sept. eligibility status. SUU are eligible to non-studen- Tryouts for the SUU baseball squad are scheduled for Thursday and Friday at 2:15 p.m. at Thunderbird Park. Only students enrolled at SUU are eligible to participate in tryouts. NCAA rules forbid the university from allowing to try out. Interested athletes should contact SUU , before coach Kurt Palmer, a secure to Thursday tryout spot and to determine eligibility status. non-studen- 586-7932- Tryouts for the SUU softball squad are scheduled for Sept. 9 and 10 at 3 p m. at The brands you want UNIVERSITY JOURNAL Jessica Miles dribbles the ball downfield past Angie Profanick during a workout at the SUU soccer field on Monday. SUU opens the season Saturday with an exhibition game vs. Utah. fust got togedier diat things are different. After the matchup with Utah, the Birds will start die regular season Aug. 30 at Weber State University, looking to make last seasons record a distant memory. The main diing is dial we maintain a sense of team, Stock We were disjointed said. before, and we cant do diat again. We ll improve the speed of play widi our new play'ers, and we ll be fun to watch, he said. be purchased for fans age 4 through high school. SUU students are admitted free with a student I D. Otherwise, there is a $4 fee. 865-8536- Season tickets and individual game tickets for SUU home football games are still available. Reserved seats cost $45 for the y'ear; general admission seats sell for $30. Individual game tickets cost $9 each. General admission tickets are $6. Childrens tickets are $4 each and may SUU sports fans who want to contribute to the athletic programs may join the Thunderbird Athletic Club. The clubs primary' mission is to fund . scholarships for The minimum donation for club membership is $50 per year. Members who donate $200 or more are eligible to purchase reserved season tickets for general admission prices. Membership applications are available at www suu eduathleticshac student-athletes- for the clothes you wear. |