Aug. 9, 2010
Day One Photo Gallery
Bronx, N.Y. -
The 2010 Fordham University football Rams reported to campus last night and today took care of administrative duties before experiencing team building exercises in the afternoon. And they got to move into their brand new locker room!
The day started with players receiving physicals, undergoing physical testing, picking up equipment and taking head shots in the morning. After lunch, a team meeting was followed by the first session of Judgment Day, a team building exercise developed and administered by The Program Athletics, a program that instills courage, commitment, integrity, perseverance and selflessness to the team and inspire it to superior performance on the athletic field.
Eric Kapitulik, the CEO of The Program Athletics and a 1995 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy who served as both an Infantry Officer and Special Operations Officer with 1st Force Reconnaissance Company, 1st Marine Division, led the team through the exercises. During the workout, Kapitulik instilled on the Rams lessons on communication and motivation. Sounding a bit like Yoda from Star Wars, he made a point to tell the players that "you do something or don't do it, there is no just trying."
Similar to a football game Judgment Day consisted of four quarters, the first comprised of calisthenics, with the Rams put through various push-ups, jumping jacks and other exercises. The second quarter saw the players broken into smaller teams with the players, two at a time, running sprints while carrying 50-pounds bags while the rest of the team held a 14-foot pole, lifting it over their heads while switching it from one shoulder to the other.
The exercises were broken up by Kapitulik and his assistants, who inspired the Rams to work as a team, noting that when things get difficult, the people who will be helping you through those times are your teammates.
The third quarter was a further lesson on teamwork as the Rams were paired up and made to carry their partner in a fireman's carry, covering 21, 41, 61, 81 and finally 101 yards. The fourth quarter involved the 50-pound bags and the 14-foot poles again and pitted the offense against the defense. The players took turns sprinting with the bag while the rest of the team had to do sit-ups while holding the pole.
At the end of the day, Kapitulik sent the Rams off by saying "when you go to bed tonight you'll know that nobody outworked you today. And you'll be able to say the same thing tomorrow. If you can say that all year, you will be champions."
Tomorrow the team will experience the second session of Judgment Day in the morning and then hit the field in the afternoon for practice.
