MikeDamone
Active poster
By Mason Kelley
CoachSark.com
All eyes shifted toward Damore’ea Stringfellow.
The freshman from Perris, Calif. stood up. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound receiver introduced himself to his teammates.
But he wasn’t quite loud enough. His teammates prompted a better response.
"What?" a full auditorium of Division I football players shouted in unison.
So, with everyone watching, Stringfellow raised his voice and introduced himself again.
This response was greeted by cheers. One by one, each newcomer to Washington’s football program was welcomed to the family.
An annual rite of passage, there was a mix of laughter and banter with senior Sean Parker and sophomore Shaq Thompson leading a boisterous bunch.
But, after the introductions, it was time to get serious. All eyes shifted to coach Steve Sarkisian.
Once the room was quiet, he delivered the theme for the Huskies’ 2013 season.
It was a simple message: “Anywhere, anytime, anyone."
Sarkisian mentioned the program’s 11-2 record in home games over the last two seasons to illustrate the point that the Huskies are focused on taking their Seattle success on the road.
He then invited quarterbacks coach Marques Tuiasosopo to the front of the room.
"I’m jacked up," Tuiasosopo said.
He emphasized three points:
Respect.
Mental toughness.
Pride.
"We’re close," he said. “We’re right there."
He then backed up his statement by talking about his junior season (1999-00), which didn’t have the ending Washington wanted after the Huskies lost two of their last three games.
The next year, Washington won the Rose Bowl.
"You’re ready," Tuiasospo said.
As the Huskies open fall camp, this is a year of great expectations. In addition to Sarkisian and Tuiasosopo, the floor was opened to players. Thompson, Jaydon Mickens and DiAndre Campbell were among those who spoke.
It was Campbell who summed up the Huskies’ mentality as they begin preparations for the Aug. 31 season opener against Boise State at Husky Stadium.
"Gone are the days when average is good enough," Campbell said.
CoachSark.com
All eyes shifted toward Damore’ea Stringfellow.
The freshman from Perris, Calif. stood up. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound receiver introduced himself to his teammates.
But he wasn’t quite loud enough. His teammates prompted a better response.
"What?" a full auditorium of Division I football players shouted in unison.
So, with everyone watching, Stringfellow raised his voice and introduced himself again.
This response was greeted by cheers. One by one, each newcomer to Washington’s football program was welcomed to the family.
An annual rite of passage, there was a mix of laughter and banter with senior Sean Parker and sophomore Shaq Thompson leading a boisterous bunch.
But, after the introductions, it was time to get serious. All eyes shifted to coach Steve Sarkisian.
Once the room was quiet, he delivered the theme for the Huskies’ 2013 season.
It was a simple message: “Anywhere, anytime, anyone."
Sarkisian mentioned the program’s 11-2 record in home games over the last two seasons to illustrate the point that the Huskies are focused on taking their Seattle success on the road.
He then invited quarterbacks coach Marques Tuiasosopo to the front of the room.
"I’m jacked up," Tuiasosopo said.
He emphasized three points:
Respect.
Mental toughness.
Pride.
"We’re close," he said. “We’re right there."
He then backed up his statement by talking about his junior season (1999-00), which didn’t have the ending Washington wanted after the Huskies lost two of their last three games.
The next year, Washington won the Rose Bowl.
"You’re ready," Tuiasospo said.
As the Huskies open fall camp, this is a year of great expectations. In addition to Sarkisian and Tuiasosopo, the floor was opened to players. Thompson, Jaydon Mickens and DiAndre Campbell were among those who spoke.
It was Campbell who summed up the Huskies’ mentality as they begin preparations for the Aug. 31 season opener against Boise State at Husky Stadium.
"Gone are the days when average is good enough," Campbell said.
