Talk about a swarm of Yellow Jackets! This Georgia Tech Football squad was on the go during my most recent visit to Atlanta, as head strength Coach Lew Caralla certainly had things stirred up. This particular workout that sport science researcher and NFL player tracking specialist Dr. Ted Lambrinides and I witnessed consisted of some team building activities, some very well executed squat sets, some single-arm dumbbell bench presses. There was also a pretty serious bar hang competition going on.
Coach Caralla was appointed as head strength and conditioning coach when newly incoming head football coach Geoff Collins selected him after arriving in the ATL. Caralla hit the ground running as he assembled his staff of Ryan Horton, Ed Thompson, Kyle Seger and Zach Reed.
The hard work being done is starting to pay off now as the Rambling Wreck are transitioning from being a triple option centered offense to a more pro-style one. The recruiting focus shifts to targeting different types of players that fit the new scheme. But, in the mean time, the GT Yellow Jackets earned themselves a prime time win on their home field at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia Tech jumped out to a quick lead and then watched their defense hold off late game surges by the Wolfpack of North Carolina State University. Coach Collins also put the ball in the hands of their star runner, Jordan Mason, who was able to churn out over 140 yards of rushing as the Georgia Tech offensive line was able to jell when it was most needed.
The strength training facility is located within the football home of the Yellow Jackets, Bobby Dodd Stadium. The scoreboard flashed a message, but nobody was there to see it. However, just a short walk through the tunnel and it was a complete contrast to the action inside the weightroom. We entered the Hugh Spruill Strength Training Center at 5:44 a.m. as the strength staff made preparations for the workout. A few minutes later… the action.
ASAP Fact: On December 10, 1936, just 2 months after former head football coach John Heisman’s death on October 3, the Downtown Athletic Club (New York City) trophy was renamed the Heisman Memorial Trophy, and is now given to the player voted as the season’s most outstanding collegiate football player.
Georgia Tech’s fabled Bobby Dodd Stadium 5:42 a.m.
The Rambling Wreck in training
Black Iron Strength…. and The Pit Shark
Just a few minutes away from Bobby Dodd Field at Georgia Tech, I’d suggest The Silver Skillet Restaurant Serving Atlanta since 1956…. is kindof a BIG deal! I went with the catfish, grits and eggs. Dr Ted chose the Skillet Country Ham and red-eye gravy with eggs.