USD Football 1994

Trains,Planes and Automobiles continued gives our players a full day of classes they won't have to miss. We'll work out here on Friday, and then fly to where we're going. Most teams take off Fri- day morning or afternoon, and miss at least half a day---0r a whole day---ofclasses. They'll go to the site of the game, work out that afternoon, then go back to the hotel. I never have believed in doing it that way." Finding the proper hotel environment is also a very appreciated during the game on Saturday, but their presence can sometimes be a hindrance the night before---0r in one par- ticular case in I980-the day of the game. The 1980 Pitt Panthers, fea- turing a roster loaded with 11 players who would be selected in the following spring's NFL draft, were 4-0 when they ven- tured to Tallahassee to play the Florida State Seminoles on a Saturday night. The Panther

meals, college football teams- unlike some basketball teams, whose travel routines are gen- erally slightly more relaxed than their football colleagues- take all their meals together at one time, usually in a private dining room. "As far as meals, the trainer and the conditioning coach have most of the input, and I'll then talk to the hotel's catering people to sec if they are able to meet our needs," said Kramer. Ground transportation can be a problem, particularly the day of the game when the team-along with thousands of fans- is on its way to the stadi- um. Most teams use police escorts provided by the local department. Several years ago, the Pitt Panthers had a mix-up at an airport in North Carolina which caused some nervous- ness. "In 1991 at East Carolina, the buses didn't show up to meet the team when we arrived at the airport," recalled Kramer. "In 17 years, that was the first time we ever had that problem. It was total panic. You'd have thought that someone had stolen one of our top military secrets!" But coaches, understand- ably, don't want foul-ups and distractions to break the con- centration of their players in the 24 hours leading up to kick- off. "Everybody gets ready in his own way, but there's no place for anybody to bring embarrass- ment to other members of the team by being rowdy, disorder- ly or boisterous," said Majors. "That goes for the bus, the plane, hotel, restaurants wherever. Some people might be a little more energetic or vociferous, but they have to consider that there are other people who like quierness, so therefore it's a simple matter of having respect for your team- mates." Majors, who played at Ten- nessee during the 1950s, re- called those days when the Vol- unteers traveled primarily by train, partly because most of continued

"There were too many dis- tractions when we got down there for that game," admitted Pitt's coach at the time, Jackie Sherrill. "The mistake I made was having the team stay right in town, and a lot of the rela- tives of our players were around the hotel during the day. I should have had the team stay out of town, isolated from everything that was going on. We were not ready to play that night. I could sense it before the game. 11 Pitt lost, 36-22, and finished the season I I- I-ranked sec- ond in both wire-service polls. Many coaches are also par- ticular about their own accom- modations on the road. 11 1always make it a point to let the hotel management know that the coach is not to be disturbed for any reason," said Alex Kramer. "The head coach usually wants to be isolated from the players. As long as I'm on the(hotel) property, the head coach is not to be contacted. I am the person who should be contacted if something comes up that needs to be addressed. I'll then make contact with the coach if necessary." At Pitt, seating assignments on airplanes are usually made by Kramer, with starters seated toward the front of the aircraft, and larger players on the aisles to allow for more leg room. But hotel rooming lists are often times made by the assistant coaches, according to position, or how those positions interact during a game. "We always try to put play- ers on the fewest number of floors possible," said Kramer. "That makes it much easier at bed-check time. As for meeting rooms, you need to be sure there's one room large enough to hold the entire team, then two separate rooms-one for the offense and one for the defense." Other considerations within the hotel are elevators and food service. With a travel party of approximately 100 people, one or two elevators would be grossly inadequate. As far as

Texas A&M head coach R.C. Slocum prefers to travel on Friday evening for a Saturday game, holding a final practice on Friday afternoon. This allows the players to attend all their Friday classes.

roster was also heavily stocked with players who called Flori- da, Georgia and Mississippi home. Pitt chose to stay at a hotel in downtown Tallahas- see.

important consideration. Many teams prefer to keep their play- ers away from loud, bustling scenes. The enthusiasm gener- ated by well-wishing fans, fam- ily members and a.lumni is