After his absence last Sunday morning for Memorial Day weekend, P.J. Fleck returned to the WCCO radio air waves and queries from Sid Hartman, Dave Mona and Mike Max on the Sports huddle. Topics covered include state tours, high school camps, players studying overseas, players that didn’t participate in spring drills, 2017 recruits arriving on campus, recruiting numbers, teaching tackling, and graduate transfers.
1) Sid opened the segment asking about Fleck's experiences visiting outstate communities:
Coach Fleck said he enjoyed the experience of getting to meet fans in southern Minnesota and looks forward to the northern tour that starts tomorrow with three stops. “We had record crowds . . . fan base is excited . . . (fans) pour out their hearts for Gopher athletics,” Fleck said.
2) Sid asked about the summer camps that have already started at Minnesota:
“We have six camps on campus and four satellite camps (in other states - I didn’t catch the sites locales, except I did hear Dallas, TX and I believe he said Chicago).” Fleck added, “We coach, our coaches coach.” He emphasized that they do not bring in coaches outside the program, as some programs apparently do. “We’ll have about a 1,000 kids come through the camps.”
The purpose of the camps, according to Fleck, “Educate . . . Evaluate . . . . Excite.” Fleck said the camps “helps in-state recruiting . . . two committed this week . . . six staying in Minnesota.” Fleck said he thought the number was six in-state recruits have committed to the Gophers.
3) Sid asked about some players studying overseas and their experiences:
Fleck spoke positively about the overseas opportunities for studies abroad that the University provides. Fleck said, “They (student athletes) get there on their own.” Fleck hopes the program expands, because he believes the experience of seeing other parts of the world and different cultures is invaluable.
4) Sid asked what the players will be doing during the summer in preparation for the fall camp:
Because of NCAA regulations, “The coaches don’t do a lot,” Fleck answered.
However, Fleck said the players will be receiving a lot strength and conditioning workouts with their strength coaches, as well as workouts conducted by the players. The players, of course, will also be attending summer school classes.
5) Sid asked if the twenty-two players that sat out spring drills will be ready when fall camp rolls around:
“They’re not all healthy, now . . . We’re fighting through it . . . . Most will be ready for fall camp,” Fleck replied.
As he has said before, all the players need to do as much as they can physically and mentally to be ready for the upcoming season.
6) Because of different commencement dates (early and late), Dave Mona asked if there were any early arrivals on campus from the 2017 recruiting contingent:
Fleck answered, “Freshmen get here in about a week . . . . Excited about getting them on campus and in summer school.”
7) Sid asked if they’ll adding anymore recruits to the 2017 class:
“We have one or two scholarships available . . . we might hold them for 2018 and then have the additional signees added to the 2017 class.”
Fleck said they want to be judicious in handing out scholarships. There must be a large need and an exceptional recruit – not just filling a slot or need.
8) Sid asked when fall drills will begin:
“In the first week August,” Fleck answered. He said they don’t have two-a-days, because of the concern for the health and safety of the players. He also said they’ll use the system they’ve used at Western Michigan.
Fleck concluded the question saying the drills must benefit the players physically and mentally, wants the players to be fresh when the season starts.
9) Mike Max asked about tackling drills and how they can tell if they’re a good tackler, especially if there is a limitation of tackling in practices:
“By watching their high school films,” Fleck quickly replied. “We’ll teach them how to tackle . . . (in practice they’ll practice) four types of tackling,” Fleck said.
As to a player displaying a willingness to be a strong hitter, Fleck said they should be able to ascertain a player’s willingness to hit by watching films.
10) Dave Mona asked the final question that was related to graduate transfers:
Fleck said a lot of discussions are going on about graduates leaving a program when they still have eligibility. Not sounding positive, Fleck said, “There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that the public doesn’t know about that needs to be cleaned up.” Fleck said it can be frustrating to lose a fifth-year player - who is an asset to the team – to another school.” He acknowledged they’ll try to help a player transfer to another school, if that’s what he wants, so as to get more playing time.
Go Gophers!!
1) Sid opened the segment asking about Fleck's experiences visiting outstate communities:
Coach Fleck said he enjoyed the experience of getting to meet fans in southern Minnesota and looks forward to the northern tour that starts tomorrow with three stops. “We had record crowds . . . fan base is excited . . . (fans) pour out their hearts for Gopher athletics,” Fleck said.
2) Sid asked about the summer camps that have already started at Minnesota:
“We have six camps on campus and four satellite camps (in other states - I didn’t catch the sites locales, except I did hear Dallas, TX and I believe he said Chicago).” Fleck added, “We coach, our coaches coach.” He emphasized that they do not bring in coaches outside the program, as some programs apparently do. “We’ll have about a 1,000 kids come through the camps.”
The purpose of the camps, according to Fleck, “Educate . . . Evaluate . . . . Excite.” Fleck said the camps “helps in-state recruiting . . . two committed this week . . . six staying in Minnesota.” Fleck said he thought the number was six in-state recruits have committed to the Gophers.
3) Sid asked about some players studying overseas and their experiences:
Fleck spoke positively about the overseas opportunities for studies abroad that the University provides. Fleck said, “They (student athletes) get there on their own.” Fleck hopes the program expands, because he believes the experience of seeing other parts of the world and different cultures is invaluable.
4) Sid asked what the players will be doing during the summer in preparation for the fall camp:
Because of NCAA regulations, “The coaches don’t do a lot,” Fleck answered.
However, Fleck said the players will be receiving a lot strength and conditioning workouts with their strength coaches, as well as workouts conducted by the players. The players, of course, will also be attending summer school classes.
5) Sid asked if the twenty-two players that sat out spring drills will be ready when fall camp rolls around:
“They’re not all healthy, now . . . We’re fighting through it . . . . Most will be ready for fall camp,” Fleck replied.
As he has said before, all the players need to do as much as they can physically and mentally to be ready for the upcoming season.
6) Because of different commencement dates (early and late), Dave Mona asked if there were any early arrivals on campus from the 2017 recruiting contingent:
Fleck answered, “Freshmen get here in about a week . . . . Excited about getting them on campus and in summer school.”
7) Sid asked if they’ll adding anymore recruits to the 2017 class:
“We have one or two scholarships available . . . we might hold them for 2018 and then have the additional signees added to the 2017 class.”
Fleck said they want to be judicious in handing out scholarships. There must be a large need and an exceptional recruit – not just filling a slot or need.
8) Sid asked when fall drills will begin:
“In the first week August,” Fleck answered. He said they don’t have two-a-days, because of the concern for the health and safety of the players. He also said they’ll use the system they’ve used at Western Michigan.
Fleck concluded the question saying the drills must benefit the players physically and mentally, wants the players to be fresh when the season starts.
9) Mike Max asked about tackling drills and how they can tell if they’re a good tackler, especially if there is a limitation of tackling in practices:
“By watching their high school films,” Fleck quickly replied. “We’ll teach them how to tackle . . . (in practice they’ll practice) four types of tackling,” Fleck said.
As to a player displaying a willingness to be a strong hitter, Fleck said they should be able to ascertain a player’s willingness to hit by watching films.
10) Dave Mona asked the final question that was related to graduate transfers:
Fleck said a lot of discussions are going on about graduates leaving a program when they still have eligibility. Not sounding positive, Fleck said, “There’s a lot going on behind the scenes that the public doesn’t know about that needs to be cleaned up.” Fleck said it can be frustrating to lose a fifth-year player - who is an asset to the team – to another school.” He acknowledged they’ll try to help a player transfer to another school, if that’s what he wants, so as to get more playing time.
Go Gophers!!
