The Panther football team will face some tough teams this year, like Illinois, Illinois State, and Central Michigan. In order to play well against these teams, the Panthers want to train hard and get in tip-top shape.

Eastern’s strength and conditioning coach Michael Hall is taking the task of helping the Panthers get to where they want to be.

“In the summer, we are trying to get size and strength back,” Hall said. “As they go through games, players get weaker. We start to make gains in January; but then we have spring ball, and that takes a toll on their bodies again.”

According to Hall, summer training is a time for the players to make strength gains and work on speed.

“We work on speed more in the summer because the players have more free time,” Hall said.

The training sessions for the football team are split into four different groups. Hall mentioned that the groups are not divided by any specific categories.

“We normally don’t have any specific way of putting them into groups,” Hall said. “Although some players take it upon themselves to go together”

The sessions are divided into two-hour workout blocks. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, the team spends about 45 minutes to an hour working on speed, agility, and flexibility. The next hour is spent on lifting.

Tuesdays and Thursdays contain 45 minutes of conditioning in the evening with no lifting.

One complication that can occur during the summer is the summer camps. The team tries to adjust to the camps’ schedules.

“Sometimes the bands interfere,” Hall said. “If we can’t be on the (football) field, then we go in the grass on the practice soccer fields.”

Not every football player can be in Charleston for the summer. However, they don’t leave empty-handed.

“I make a program for all athletes to train with,” Hall said. “For the athletes who stay, we just adjust the program a little on some days.”

Hall recommends that all athletes do some type of training over the summer.

“If an athlete doesn’t train and tries to go from 0-100, they are more likely to obtain injuries,” Hall said. “The guys who stay here in the summer have an advantage to stay healthier.”

One thing that is different from last year is the number of bodies.

“I’m not doing a ton different, but there are more guys,” Hall said. “This is the most guys I’ve ever had in the summer. I think it makes a better atmosphere and better attitude.”

One of those players who stayed is junior cornerback Adrian Arrington.

Arrington said that he has yet to miss a training session, even though he has a schedule to work around.

“I’m taking classes right now, so I have to fit (lifting and conditioning) into my schedule,” Arrington said.

Not only did Arrington take classes in the four-week session, but he is also taking classes in the six-week session.

One thing Arrington wants to work on is his speed.

“I’m a bigger cornerback, so I’m doing a lot of speed work,” Arrington said.

Arrington feels that he is at an advantage being a taller cornerback.

“People are starting to look at bigger cornerbacks,” Arrington said.

The junior has set the bar high for himself this season.

“I want to be All-Conference and play every game,” Arrington said.

Arrington finished the 2007 season with 48 solo tackles and 24 assisted tackles for a total of 72 tackles in twelve games played.

He also had two tackles for a loss of six yards.

Arrington placed third among the defensive leaders list.

Hall oversees all of Eastern’s sports; however, football is the only team that sticks around in the summer.

“Sometimes I’ll get some stray athletes in here, but for the most part football is the only team sport I have in the summer,” Hall said.

The Panthers will face the Central Michigan Chippewas on Aug. 28 in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Molly Clutter can be reached at 581-7944 or at mkclutter@eiu.edu.

Members of the Eastern football team practice running drills at a practice on June 19 at O’Brien Stadium. The Panther’s condition every Tuesday and Thursday evening. (Erin Matheny/The Daily Eastern News)

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