Field House Dedication

Friday March 28th 2008 served as another moment in Faulkner University football history as we dedicated the new Leopold D. Lee field house.

If anyone knows the Lee family, then they know how well loved this family is not just in Montgomery, but in all of Alabama.
















It was an very emotional day for Tim Lee, as the dedication to the facility for his father was a surprise to him.














Dr. Hilyer was at his best while speaking to the crowd about the short, but exciting history of this young program. There is no bigger Faulkner football fan then Billy Hilyer, who took time with coaches afterwards discussing the upcoming season. Don't let his title fool you, this man knows football.












Coach Nichols points to the coaches to let us all know that we will be burning the midnight oil in this facility...like it or not! Trust me, when you see that finger going like that you know that we are about to get to work!

























The new locker room.















A few of the coaches offices.













The future view of the Faulkner Eagle Football Complex. Great things like this take time. One step at a time and today was a HUGE step toward our goal. The future of Faulkner football is looking better everyday.


Go Eagles!

On the field and off.

During this season on my blog I want to take time to give credit where credit is due. With that in mind, there are guys on our team that go above and beyond in the classroom as well as the field of play. Here are just a few guys that can get it done with the ball as well as with the books.

Sean Thom a Jr. linebacker from Fort Walton Beach, Florida has an overall GPA of 4.0. He is also one of our teams leading tacklers. Always on time for class and early to the weight room everyday. He's also looking for a pair of shoes that Coach Nichols owes him.

Dr. Kenny Betts, a Sophomore from Alabaster, Alabama is going to be our team doctor one day. He is one of our leading receivers and our kick-returner. He carries his 3.7 GPA just like he carries the rock.

Bobby Britton is a 5-6 150 pound missile from Panama City, Florida. Don't let his small size fool you, he carries a heavy GPA of 4.0 and runs like a deer. He switched from defense to offense in the middle of the season and looks to make an impact this season in the slot.

Landon Taylor from Killen, Alabama packs a big punch in the classroom as well as on the field. His 3.5 GPA is not to shabby. If you think you see double, well, you are. Landon has a twin brother named Lincoln that also has a 3.6 GPA. That's what you call a "1-2 punch".

Frank Chinoski is the true definition of the word "leader". A sophomore safety that switched from quarterback in the middle of the season last year. Along with his hefty 3.6 GPA, Frank has done two tours in Iraq. He is currently a United States Marine. Thank you Frank for everything you have done overseas, at home, on the field, and in the classroom.

There are many more great stories on our team. Stay tuned for more.

GO EAGLES!

Spring is in the air!

The weather is getting warmer (between snowfalls) and spring practice is around the corner. This year spring ball will start April 3rd and ending with the Blue and White game on April 26Th. The entire team and coaching staff is chomping at the bit to get started. Unlike last year, we have actually had a strength and conditioning program the entire team has embraced. Before we even take the field this spring, the coaching staff can notice a huge difference in our teams overall condition. As many of you know, our conditioning lacked a little last season. Not because we didn't care about it, but we just didn't have the time or facilities to do what we needed. That is no longer the case. I can tell you that this will have a profound influence during games this season. Games are won and lost in weight rooms, and Coach Howell and Coach Franklin have done everything they can to win ball games with this in mind.

As of right now, we have been running our guys two days a week at 5am. Yes, that is 5 am in the morning. Coaching staff reports at 4:30am to get things ready. I can assure you that it is very dark and very cold during that time of the day. The first morning we had several players slumped over a trash can or two. The players now have responded well and are taking it up a notch. They have only one thing in mind...Huntingdon Sep. 13th. Players and coaches alike are focused on being ready for the Hawks this time around. We know that in order to perform well on that date, we need to be running at 5am. While other teams are still in the rack catching some more winks, we are getting better, faster, stronger. So know this, while you are hitting the snooze button a couple more times, your Faulkner Eagles are already hard at work.

GO EAGLES!

Who's driving this bus?

Before we get into details about the team, I need to introduce you to the cast of characters that will be leading this squad into battle: Let's start from the top.

Jim Nichols is our fearless leader. A master of organization, motivation, and a texting crazy man. This man knows only one speed...WIDE OPEN! If you think I'm kidding, come by the office at 2am and you'll find him here doing everything from drawing up plays to vacuuming the complex. Nobody puts in more time than this guy. I challenge anyone who thinks they can lay down a text message faster then Jim. On a serious side, I never seen someone care more about the well being of his players then Jim.

Eric Howell is our Defensive Coordinator/Strength and Conditioning guru. If it has to do with a weight or a defense, this man knows it. A jack of all trades, Eric can have a discussion on financial planning and the state of the nations economy to spitting out every fact on 80's music trivia that you can throw at him...who said All-American linebackers can't be smart? This man wakes up every morning at 4am to throw up some weight, delivers his kids to school, then puts a full day at work. Whatever you do, don't think you can cross him up at Xbox...cause it aint happening.

Dean Briggs is our elder statesman. Dean-O, is our resident color commentator on life. Along with being the linebackers coach, he is a great guy to just sit and talk with. Life experience??? This man has got it. I would have to start another blog just to list the stuff this guy has been a part of. Don't let his 5'8 frame throw you off. He has the heart of a 7 footer. A great and kind hearted man that has a little touch of the crazys...I mean that in a good way. His players give him a ton of respect and give him even more when he rolls up to practice on his Harley.

Gregg Baker is one of our newest additions to the staff. He jumped the "ditch" from ACA to Faulkner over Christmas break. Jim Nichols felt that he needed a bodyguard so he chose Gregg. A big nasty from Georgia Tech, Gregg will be whipping our running game into shape. Don't let his bald head scare you. There is a huge brain in that big knot, and nobody knows our offense like Gregg. Hey, if he can teach me our offense in a week, then our lineman actually have a great chance this season.

Chad Franklin, former Faulkner baseball player turned D-line coach. You throw in Assistant Strength Coach top it off with graduate classes and you have a busy man. Last season he drove the equipment truck to every away game...okay, maybe not drive, but he did sleep in the truck while Blake drove. He is never short on laughs and never short on hard work. As you can tell by his picture, he is never short on a photo op. This guy has a great heart and loves doing what he does. He has got no problem with throwing an elbow on you everytime you pass him in the office...sometimes it hurts...a little.

Here we go...

People are always wanting updates on the progress of the Faulkner University football team. So, in an effort to keep people more up to speed I've created a Faulkner football blog. My plan is to update this often to keep all you eagle heads in the loop. I'm not a big writer, so please keep that in mind while reading my posts. Hopefully this will give everyone an inside look and a new and growing program. To be honest with you, it should be a pretty cool ride following the growth of a young program. Feel free to comment at anytime. So, it's time to strap it up and get to work.