Feed My Starving Children

As part of a team organized service project last Thursday, a group of over sixty players and coaches of the North Central College Cardinal football team volunteered two hours of their time to pack meals for an Aurora based organization named Feed My Starving Children. Feed My Starving Children is a non-profit Christian organization committed to feeding starving children in more than sixty countries worldwide. In about two hours, the Cards packed 139 large boxes of food which consisted of thousands of meals. These meals are enough to feed 83 starving children for an entire year. For more information about Feed My Starving Children and how you can volunteer your time, visit their website at http://www.fmsc.org/Page.aspx?pid=361.

Countdown to Switzerland

Now, just 30 days until our Swiss adventures begin!

Recruiting Update

I would like to start by welcoming another talented recruiting class into the North Central College Football Family! As of today, May 8th 2009, 56 athletes have put down a deposit and are committed to playing for the Cardinals! In addition, there are 5 more recruits who have verbally committed. This is especially exciting as we have just added a 9th freshmen game. Beginning on September 13th, our newcomers will participate in game competition each and every week through November 8th! As the recruiting coordinator, I would like to publicly thank all the coaches, admission counselors, players and administrative staffs that have helped these fine young men enjoy their recruiting experience and make the decision to attend North Central College.

With next season’s team returning 17 key starters that are seniors or juniors, it was imperative to follow up last season’s recruiting class with another very talented group. As the recruiting season comes to a close, the coaching staff feels our last 2 classes have solidified our future at each and every position. This should allow the Cardinals to continue to be the winningest program in the CCIW! (25-3 over the last 4 seasons)

This years recruiting class features 7 players from out of state and brings our team total up to 18 (FL -5, MO-3, MI-3, IN-2, AZ-1, CA-1, KS-1, NJ-1, WI-1). To find out more about each new player, you can visit our web page at: http://northcentralcardinals.com/index.aspx?tab=football&path=football and link to “2009 Recruits” on the right hand side of the page.

As we finish up spring ball and get started on the Switzerland practices, I want to invite any and all recruits to stop out to the stadium and watch a practice. (And if you stop out, bring the best junior player from your high school team to come with you!)

Enjoy your summer and keep working hard.

Coach Ponx
Assistant Head Coach
Recruiting Coordinator
reponx@noctrl.edu

Countdown to Switzerland

37 days and counting until Switzerland.

Countdown to Switzerland

44 days and roughly 9 hours until we take off for Switzerland!

Spring Has Sprung!

Two weeks of Spring Ball practice will conclude today at Benedetti-Werhli Stadium. The Cardinals have had an excellent turnout throughout the Spring and continue to set their sights high for their 2009 campaign. All are welcome to come and watch the Cardinals as they continue working throughout the upcoming weeks.

Countdown to Switzerland

Now 52 days until we leave for Switzerland!

Player Perspectives: Alex Haan

This edition of Player Perspectives features Freshman Quarterback Alex Haan. In his piece, Haan discusses the first week of Spring Practice, his experiences during recruiting and what he plans on accomplishing during the Spring and the upcoming season. Haan, a native of Homer Glen, Illinois, is a 2008 graduate of Chicago Christian HS.

After the first week of spring ball, I think things are going really well for me and the team. Coming together for 16 practices can only make the team better; it’s a great way to show all the hard work we have put into the off season. Getting out on the field is great because it keeps us up to speed with the knowledge of the game and gives us a chance to compete for a starting job. Spring practices are really good for recruiting and getting kids to come out for the football program because we can show the kids how we run practice and give them a feel for what our program is all about. We show that we work very hard each practice, but we also have fun while doing it.

The winter term went well academically. I decided to take four classes during my winter term to stay busy. Throughout the winter term I ate lunch with a recruit almost every day. During the recruiting overnights I hosted three recruits including a recruit from Connecticut. I had a great experience with Dom Sulo on my overnight recruiting visit so I feel like every other kid who decides to take an overnight visit here deserves the same.

Some of my personal goals are being the number two quarterback behind Aaron Fanthorpe throughout spring ball as well as the upcoming season. During the summer I want to improve my 225 max from 15 reps to 20 reps and my max squat 315 from 8 reps to 12 reps. Next season as a team I think we have all the tools and players to make it deep into the playoffs. I believe that if we stay healthy we can compete with any team in the nation.

I am going to Switzerland this summer with the team and I could not be more excited. Going out of the country with all my best friends and also playing football will be an unbelievable experience. Coach Spencer has done a great job setting up fun activities throughout each day. I think that Switzerland will be an unforgettable and I am really looking forward to the summer trip.

Countdown to Switzerland

Now only 59 days until departure to Switzerland!

Championship Rings

The Rings are in! If you have not yet received yours, it can be picked up in Coach Spencer's office. Also, be sure to swing by and pick up your framed poster of our ring's compliments of Josten's.

Pizza with the President

Cards, don't forget Pizza with the President tonight at 6 p.m. in Wentz Concert Hall. Players from the 2008 season should attend.

Count-down to Switzerland

73 Days until Lakes, Mountains, Rafting, and football!

2009 Cardinal Spring Ball Dates

Welcome back Cardinals! The following is a list of Spring Ball Practice dates and times. All are welcome to come and watch as the Cardinals continue their preparation for the 2009 season. Practices will be held in Benedetti-Wehrli stadium.

Mon April 13th 4:00-6:00 PM
Tues April 14th 6:00-8:00 PM
Thur April 16th 6:00-8:00 PM
Mon April 20th 4:00-6:00 PM
Tues April 21st 6:00-8:00 PM
Thur April 23rd 4:00-6:00 PM
Fri April 24th 4:00-6:00 PM
Mon April 27th 4:00-6:00 PM
Tues April 28th 6:00-8:00 PM
Wed April 29th 4:00-6:00 PM

Fri May 1st 4:00-6:00 PM
Mon May 4th 4:00-6:00 PM
Tues May 5th 4:00-6:00 PM
Wed May 6th 4:00-6:00 PM
Mon May 11th 4:00-6:00 PM
Tues May 12th 4:00-6:00 PM
Tues May 26th 4:00-6:00 PM (Switzerland)
Wed May 27th 4:00-6:00 PM (Switzerland)
Thur May 28th 4:00-6:00 PM (Switzerland)

Mon June 1st 4:00-6:00 PM (Switzerland)
Tues June 2nd 4:00-6:00 PM (Switzerland)
Wed June 3rd 4:00-6:00 PM (Switzerland)
Mon June 8th 4:00-6:00 PM (Switzerland)
Tues June 9th 4:00-6:00 PM (Switzerland)
Wed June 10th 4:00-6:00 PM (Switzerland)

Count-down to Switzerland

Only 87 Days until Switzerland!

Count-down to Switzerland

94 Days until Switzerland. Remember to get your Passports!

Player Perspectives: Derek Sulo

This edition of Player Perspectives features Junior Defensive Back Derek Sulo. Sulo, a three year starter in the Cardinal defensive backfield, earned CCIW First Team honors as a junior in 2008 as well as a spot on the D3Football.com’s North All-Region Third Team. In his career, Derek has accumulated 124 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5 interceptions, 25 pass breakups and 3 fumble recoveries. Sulo and his classmates have won three consecutive CCIW Championships and are poised to win a fourth in 2009. In addition, they have also made it to the second round of the Division III NCAA playoffs three years in a row. In his piece, Derek discusses being recruited by North Central, his early seasons, playing alongside his brother Dominic, and his goals for himself and the Cardinals in 2009. Derek is a 2006 graduate of Mt. Carmel High School.


I went on a few visits to opposing CCIW schools, and I had a great time. However, those other schools were missing something. That is when my brother introduced me North Central College. He told me that he had just met a crazy white haired guy named Coach Wienke. He told me that I had to come for a visit to see what the school and guys were like. I did what he told me, and came for an overnight visit with a bunch of other recruits. It was a great night, but more importantly the people were great. After that visit I told myself that I want to be a Cardinal, and the rest is history.

In my first season with the Cardinal football team I was fortunate enough to come in and contribute right away. I got to know everyone really fast, but mostly the juniors and seniors. Guys like Chris Bazant, Tim Bellazzini and of course the rest of my teammates didn’t treat me as a freshman, but as a friend. There was nothing more memorable than winning the CCIW championship with a group of guys who worked so hard. I believe that those guys set the standard for the next season and eventually our undefeated CCIW championship this last year. Off the field there are so many opportunities that the school offers. One of my most memorable experiences off the field happened just recently. I was nominated to go to a Regional Division III Leadership Conference. I got a chance to meet a lot of new people, and I learned a lot about myself as well.

The team has always been very connected with each other. I believe that everyone is treated like a person and an individual, not just a freshman or a number. You can always pick out the football guys in a crowd because we are loud and proud of whom we are.

I have been watching my brother Dominic succeed in athletics since grade school. It really is fun to watch him play because I know how much time and effort he puts into football. I am to a point in my athletic career, where I don’t even need to look up to see him; I just listen to the crowd cheering. I know every time that he gets the ball on offense he has a chance to score, and I think that is why he has been so successful. He is easily one of the hardest workers on the team. The benefits of going to school with my brother are endless. First off, I know that I will always have some sort of competition wherever I go. There are too many benefits to talk about, but I know that there will always be someone who knows were I have been and where I want to go.

I would like to help lead the Cardinals past the second round of the playoffs. A fourth consecutive CCIW championship is a very realistic goal as well. As far as personal goals, I would like to contribute in any way possible. I want to achieve first team CCIW honors as well as all-region. No matter what happens, I want everyone to know about our new tradition at North Central.

Each year we have improved, but we haven’t been able to get over the hump of the second round. I myself am putting everything I can into my final season as a Cardinal. I believe that we as team need to work hard to reach our ultimate goal. Once we can get everyone to buy in to the program you will see North Central in Salem, Virginia where we belong.

Count-down to Switzerland

Only 101 days until Switzerland!

Football Recruiting At North Central College

Welcome to North Central College’s first football recruiting post. As the recruiting coordinator, I would like to explain a little bit about our process and program through a question and answer session. I will post some of the frequently asked questions and our program’s response.


1. When does North Central begin contacting recruits?

A: We will begin mailing and emailing as early as the spring of your junior year. Some coaches will begin calling to introduce themselves in the summer. Most coaches will begin calling recruits once we finish with our pre-season camp in September.

2. How do you collect my contact information?

A: I will send out questionnaires (mail and email) to all Illinois high school coaches asking for student athletes who are interested in continuing their football career in college. This goes out during the spring of your junior year. We also purchase recruiting information from a private vendor who contacts high school coaches individually.

3. When should I start to visit campus?

A: As early as your junior spring/summer you should begin to visit college campuses. Our coaches will have an opportunity to sit down and talk with you when you are on campus. We also invite recruits to campus on Saturday’s during our season to view a game and meet the staff.

4. How many athletes do you plan on recruiting each year?

A: Because of our “Make it Fun” philosophy, we have established an 8 game Freshman Program. In order to maintain a functional freshman and varsity team we will always strive to enroll 50-60 new student athletes. These numbers will include walk-on participants.When you consider a 2-deep roster is composed of 44 players, the addition of kickers & punters will quickly bring this number up to 50 new players.

5. Can freshmen participate on the varsity?

A: Absolutely. Each year we have 10-12 players from the freshmen class earn a letter for varsity participation. In fact each of the last 7 years freshmen have earned starting positions on the varsity roster.

I will continue to post questions/answers that frequently arise during the recruiting process. In addition, I will begin to post updates on our current recruiting class. As of this writing, we have secured 15 outstanding recruits for this year’s class along with another 15 verbal commitments. This weekend we will have 9 recruits on campus from Florida, 1 from Missouri, and 1 from Maryland. There is still lots of work to do, but this class is shaping up nicely.


Coach Ponx
Assistant Head Coach
Recruiting Coordinator
reponx@noctrl.edu

Congratulations Coach Stuedemann

Congratulations to Coach Stuedemann as he accepted a position as an assistant strength coach and position coach on Mississippi State's coaching staff. As he continues his coaching career in the SEC, the North Central Football program would like to wish him the best of luck and thank him for everything that he has done for the school and football team.

Switzerland Calls to alums

Calling nights for Switzerland will be March 5, 9, 10, 11-taking place in the alumni office on the 4th floor of Old Main from 5:30 pm-8:30 pm. Pizza and refreshments will be provided. Sign up in Coach Spencer's office asap.