CURBSTONERS Heacock praises senior leaders

Yancey Marcum and Norris Kennedy were two Penguins singled out by their coach.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BOARDMAN -- Youngstown State football coach Jon Heacock spent Monday night talking about the thing he enjoys the most -- his football team, especially his senior players.
Heacock was the featured speaker as the Curbstone Coaches kicked off their season with a night session at the Lockwood House.
Heacock, in his fourth season, is getting the Penguins ready for the Gateway Football Conference season, which begins Saturday when the Penguins travel to Western Kentucky.
YSU (2-2) is coming off a 27-17 victory over Liberty.
"I've been asked if we are ready for the Gateway season," Heacock said. "I said then that we'll find out on Saturday night. We've done all the things we can do to get ready."
Heacock praised his seniors, giving a couple of examples of their leadership on this year's team.
"We have a great group of seniors who want to do anything and everything they can to help this team," he said.
Examples
"Senior linebacker Yancey Marcum, who was elected one of our co-captains, has had to give up his final season after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. He had surgery this past Thursday in his home town in Kentucky," Heacock said.
"I called him Thursday to see how he was doing and he told me he was coming back for Saturday's game. He had his family drive him back so that he could be here for his teammates," Heacock added. "That's the kind of individual he is.
"We have another senior, offensive lineman Norris Kennedy, who has had back problems all year and might not play any more this season, but he's out there for his teammates every week.
"I can't stand up here long enough to tell you all about my seniors," he added.
"Will we be ready for the Gateway, I won't have an answer until Saturday night, but I do know that after Saturday, half the teams in the conference will have a loss. I know that our football team wants to go play."
Not enough time
Heacock also talked about the time that the coaches are allowed to spend with the players both during the season and out of season.
"We are allowed to be coaching them 20 hours a week as set by the NCAA," he said. "Three of those hours each week are taken up by games. We have to take into account team meetings and supervised workouts in the weight room also. We also have to give them a mandatory day off each week. For us that day is Monday."
Heacock said that he feels the time allowed during the off-season is nowhere near enough.
"We are only allowed eight hours a week in the off-season and I can tell you from experience that we've noticed that during those times the grades are not as good as in season and more problems arise."
He also explained some of the rules and regulations with the school's recruiting process.
"When I was coaching at West Point there was a sign that said 'recruiting is like shaving, you go one day without it and you look like a bum,' " he added.
Upcoming
Next week at Curbstone, which will be held at its regular noon luncheon, Paul Kreps, the athletic director at Bowling Green University will be the guest speaker.
The Curbstoners will also make their annual trip to Mountaineer Park on Oct. 18. Members interested should contact Ed Winson at (330) 782-8330 for a reservation.
mollica@vindy.com