Burkey making YSU a lot stronger

The strength and conditioning coach has helped make the Penguins better.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
YOUNGSTOWN -- The success of the Youngstown State football program this season didn't all begin when fall practice began on Aug. 6.
The work toward returning to the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs began in December after the Penguins missed the playoffs, despite an 8-3 record and a share of the Gateway Conference title.
The man responsible for getting the Penguins into top shape was YSU strength and conditioning coach Todd Burkey.
The six-year veteran has spent countless hours with the returning veterans since last season ended. It's his job to get the players stronger and faster for the coming year, but even Burkey knows that the task can only be achieved if the players are willing to work hard.
"This group has been nothing short of sensational when it comes to work ethics," Burkey said.
Since he took over, the Penguins have broken strength and conditioning records every year. This season was no exception.
"Last year, although we aren't suppose to be keeping attendance records during summer workouts, we were about 76 percent in attendance each and every day," he added. "This year that percentage was close to 90 percent of the players returning."
No coaching allowed
During summer workouts the coaching staff is not permitted to be with the team during workouts. Only Burkey is allowed to supervise.
"There were times this summer when it was just me and the kids here as the rest of the university was all off campus," he said.
Burkey, a Greenford native who earned his degree at YSU in exercise science and his masters in sports science from Ashland University in 2000, was a student trainer with the Penguins during the national championship seasons in 1991 and 1993.
"This offseason has been an enjoyable one because of the kids and their desire to work so hard to get better and make a run for the post-season this year," he said.
Phelan sets mark
Senior defensive nose tackle Jim Phelan, a 6-3, 285 pounder from Chicago, recently set a school record by bench pressing 485 pounds.
Senior cornerback Jason Perry had a school-best 41-inch vertical jump, while other position bests included junior defensive end Greg Jacobs with a 35 1/2 mark, senior linebacker Jeremiah Wright with a 37 1/2 mark, senior punter Joe Bishop with a 33 1/2 jump and 6-6, 300 pound offensive tackle Tyler Booth with a 35-inch vertical jump.
Burkey said one of his most pleasant surprises came from senior offensive tackle Erik Claxon, a 6-7, 340 pounder.
"Erik has always struggled with his weight and conditioning and it was more than a couple of years ago that I had to talk him out of quitting football altogether," Burkey said.
"This summer Erik dropped about 20 pounds and worked very hard and when practice began he passed his conditioning test for the first time in five years," he said.
"I was proud and he was so excited, it made my entire summer."
Comparing the marks
The Penguins finished with 1,785 pounds of personal records this summer and 8,120 pounds of personal records over the winter. It added up to 4.95 tons of personal records over the offseason.
The team had 18 players squat 500 pounds or better, 25 bench 350 pounds or more and 27 clean 275 pounds or more.
Forty-six players had a three-lift total of 1,000 pounds or better and 11 of those were over 1,100, six over 1,200 and three over 1,300.
Stambaugh Stadium is 168 feet high to the top of the light towers. As a team, the Penguins jumped 176 vertical feet. The team also clean and squatted for a total weight of 23.8 tons, which is three tons more than your average bus.
"This team can jump out of Stambaugh Stadium and can squat and clean the bus all the way to Chattanooga this year," Burkey said.