Things didn’t quite go according to plan for KSU’s club football program, which played its first ever game against the Macon State Blue Storm on Saturday at KSU’s Sports and Recreation Park, falling 57-0.
“We got crushed,” team president Danny Payne said with a chuckle of optimism. “We played Macon State. They are a first year program just like us. We had pretty good attendance for the game. About 150 of (Macon State’s) people and about 100 parents and KSU students showed up, so it was really encouraging to see.”
To say that the Owls were a little thin for the game was an understatement. The club team, which began last spring under the leadership of Payne and fellow students John Lawrence and Anthony Osburn, dressed just 27 players for the contest.
During the spring the team had over 50 players on roster, but according to Payne it has been a struggle to keep players due to commitment, scheduling, and finances.
“We found that it’s a little difficult, getting guys to commit,” Payne said. “Especially since football is such a physical sport.”
The players that have stuck with the program are tight knit, however.
“We do have a good core group of guys. About 25 to 30 guys that come out to every practice,” Payne said.
Two of those players that have stood out are team officers and fellow cornerbacks E.J. Brown and Rudy Ingraham, who have been vocal leaders to help form a strong nucleus.
“I single those two out because they are two leaders on the team and all of the guys really rally around them,” Payne said. “It’s good to see that they have stepped up like that.”
Payne said the team is actively looking for as many players as they can get. Depth wise, the team needs support on the offensive line., as well as other positions.
“The key is depth,” Payne said. “A lot of guys are having to play both ways. That’s a lot to ask for.”
Despite a tough beginning, Payne plans on being the team president as long as he’s at KSU. He plans on graduating in December of 2013, and has laid out a plan with his team officers, including Brown and Ingraham, to make sure the program continues to grow. The team competes in the NCFA (National Club Football Association), which includes Clemson, South Carolina and Chattahoochee Tech’s club teams.
“We all set up a structure that will allow for the team to be successful once all of us are gone,” Payne said. “We believe that what we set up will lead to continual growth and success for the team.”
The Owls will have a bye week this weekend before hosting its second home game of the season against Rollins College. Rollins, out of Orlando, Fl., is a very tenured program, having fielded a football team since 1949.
“They are very well established. They seem like a really classy organization. It will be good because we will have ample time to prepare for them. Hopefully we will see some improvement. We are going to be promoting this game pretty heavily, so hopefully we will see more students out at the game,” Payne said.
KSU will play all of its home games at the new KSU Sports and Recreation Park across from The Lofts apartments on Big Shanty road. For more information on the club team, or to sign up to play, you can visit ksuclubsports.com.
