Ball State University Athletics
Football Spring Practice Report #3
March 31, 2012 | Football
Ball State's football team completed its Spring Practice No. 3 and head coach Pete Lembo answered questions from the athletics media relations office.
You have two healthy quarterbacks at practice this spring getting lots of practice time. How beneficial is that for the quarterback position?
Yes. Brooks Medaris had his appendix taken out last week so he is sidelined for now. Keith Wenning has been taking all the repetitions with the first group and Kelly Page with the second group. It's all about balance. You like the personal attention and ability to work with such a small group. At the same time, you want to keep developing younger players and spring practice is a great time to do so. When preseason rolls around, we will have freshman Ozzie Mann on campus and perhaps another walk on to add to the mix. Like other positions, we are still building our depth and it's a work in progress that will take time. Keith and Kelly continue to be extremely coachable, dedicated players. They have responded very well to Coach Rich Skrosky's instruction and our players believe in their ability to run our offense.
You talked a lot last fall and during the offseason about the strength and conditioning program. Are you seeing the dividends of the weight room work at practice this spring?
Some guys definitely look a step quicker or perhaps a bit more explosive than they did in the past. Numerous guys are moving with better body control and change of direction. Some of the gains are offset by young guys that are still learning and processing out there. You can't take full advantage of your strength and athleticism if you are thinking too much. I am pleased with some of our receivers so far. Jamill Smith and Jack Tomlinson look very good in the slot and catching punts. Willie Snead is playing more physical. Connor Ryan is steady and a great competitor. Chris Shillings has also made a few plays. Nathan Ollie looks pretty stout so far at defensive tackle. Our cornerbacks are stronger and seem to be playing with better physicality. Jeffery Garrett was very solid last fall and his confidence is growing.
As the school year winds down, are you pleased with the amount of community service your program was able to participate in during the academic year?
Every single player on our roster was involved in some form of volunteer activity on the Ball State campus or in the Muncie community this semester before spring practice kicked off. In the offseason, we break our team up into six "mini-teams". Each "mini-team" has a mix of players from different positions and various years in the program. We evaluate and grade everything they do, including academic performance and winter workouts. Part of the plan is for every "mini-team" to do community service as a group. Just last weekend, we had 14 players out on McGalliard Avenue helping the folks from Muncie Clean and Beautiful clean up the road sides. Several coaches helped out too. Little by little, we are trying to build a positive culture inside and outside the program. We are all in it together both here on campus and in this community. We don't want to live in our own little world in the Fisher Complex. We are not perfect, but we want every member of this program to promote that ideal and build that kind of support.
