Freshmen Report To Camp
8/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 5, 2002
Bloomington, Ind. - In one of the first signs that football season is drawing near, Indiana head coach Gerry DiNardo saw his freshmen arrive at camp on Monday.
The freshmen reported to the IU campus, getting their itineraries for training camp and getting acquainted with the coaching staff as well as their new teammates.
The Hoosiers welcome 34 freshmen to camp, with student athletes coming from everywhere from Phoenix to Australia. Among the freshmen reporting on Monday were tight end Andy Halterman (younger brother of current Indiana tight end Aaron Halterman) and Julius Ware, a cornerback from the same high school (Southeast HS in Bradenton, Fla.) that produced Peter Warrick.
Also joining the Hoosiers for camp are a pair of talented special teams players in kicker Troy Grosfield, who kicked a 53-yard field goal last year at Chatfield HS in Denver, and Australian-born punter Tyson Beattie, who earned All-Australian punter honors while at Christian Brothers HS in Attadale, Australia.
The freshmen take the field for the first time tomorrow, with the rest of the varsity squad reporting to camp on Thursday. Full-squad practice begins on Saturday, with the Hoosiers getting into full pads for the first time on August 14.
Here is what the freshmen themselves had to say about reporting to camp for the first time:
Derek Frye
Defensive End, Fort Wayne, Ind. (Northrop)
On first-day jitters:
"I'm pretty nervous right now. Coach (DiNardo) runs a really tight camp and this will be harder than anything I have ever done."
On DiNardo's promise of recruiting Indiana high school players:
"I have always been interested in Indiana football, but everyone in the Ft. Wayne area has gotten really excited about this season. Coach's promise raised a lot of interest in our town."
Alex Stscherban
Tight End, Mishawaka, Ind. (Penn HS)
On the start of football season:
"I'm anxious but really prepared. The coaches have given me a lot of guidance, which has enabled me to get myself ready over the summer."
On being an in-state player:
"It means a lot to play for IU after growing up in Indiana. It's important that all of us help build the program. All of us representing Indiana have that state pride and will add a nice touch to the team."
Mike Doyle
Cornerback, Indianapolis, Ind. (Roncalli HS)
On personal summer workouts:
"I've been running and lifting everyday for this. I have also been doing a lot of defensive back drills to get my feet ready."
On beginning college:
"I'm anxious to get started with this college experience and I know it will be important to balance football with academics."
Matt O'Neal
Tight End, Terre Haute, Ind. (South Vigo HS)
On getting started with the season:
"Everything I have done this summer has been to get to this point. It's great to be here and I'm very anxious to get started."
Allen Webb
Quarterback, Denver, Colo. (Chatfield HS)
On why he chose IU:
"I chose IU because of the quarterback situation, Coach DiNardo and the business program. The whole scheme really interested me. I heard a little about coach back in Colorado and it seems like he is a great guy who can get the job done."
Rocco DeCicco
Linebacker, South Bend, Ind. (Marian HS)
On being influenced by coach DiNardo's mission:
"The first thing I read online about IU football was coach DiNardo's mission statement about traveling all around the state, and I immediately wanted to play for IU. Coach is the reason why I am here."
Marlin Lynch
Running Back, Detroit, Mich. (Deporres HS)
On coach DiNardo:
"Coach is a great guy and showed me a lot of respect when I was on my recruiting trip. He treated me like I was one of his sons."
Andy Halterman
Tight End, Greewood, Ind. (Center Grove HS)
On pressures as a freshman:
"Although I'm anxious to get started, I'm really not feeling a lot of pressure, because we're in a situation where everything is new to everyone, including the coaches."
On playing alongside older brother Aaron:
"I'm really looking forward to playing with him because all my life, he has been the one that has guided me and prepared me for this opportunity."
John Kerr
Linebacker, Cleveland, Ohio (St. Ignatius HS)
On preparing for his first day:
"I'm really excited right now. All I have done is train daily and watch tapes. I have been studying plays and offensive movements to try to better ready myself for this level."
On being influenced by the coaching staff:
"Coach Dinardo is a great coach, but it was actually coach Addazio who had the biggest influence on me. After talking with him, I knew that I wanted to come here and play. To have an assistant coach be that intense and serious about football, I knew the rest of the coaching staff had to be great."
Chris Taylor
Running Back, Memphis, Tenn. (Cordova HS)
On his collegiate football opportunity:
"This is such a great opportunity for me here at IU. The campus is beautiful and the coaches are great."
Troy Grosfield
Kicker, Denver, Colo. (Chatfield HS)
On what influenced him about coming to IU:
"The academics here are excellent and the town has a great atmosphere to it. Obviously the chance to play in the Big Ten is awesome too. I have heard a lot about coach DiNardo's shuttle run, and I'm hoping I can pass that without a problem."