It may have been April in Columbus, but it felt like Fall with more than 95,000 people in attendance at the Ohio State Spring game. 95,722 to be exact, a national record for a spring football game. The day began early, as the Ohio State University Marching Band began practicing right next to us. Playing such OSU favorites as “Hang on Sloopy” and the OSU alma mater “Carmen, Ohio.”  The parking lots were filled with tailgaters already marking their territory when we arrived in the early morning, pulling out their grills, popping up tents, and flying their Buckeye flags. We were set-up just outside the stadium, as fans stopped by to see what USA Football was all about and try their luck at our football toss.

Matt and I talked with the fans, many were intrigued by the Junior National Championship and excited that two Buckeye recruits were going to be playing for Team USA. Matt and I were able to meet Team USA Head Coach Chuck Kyle, as he presented Storm Klein and Jack Mewhort with their Team USA helmets during a break within the game. I talked with Coach Kyle about how he is preparing for the upcoming Junior World Championship and his coaching success. After talking with Coach Kyle, I don’t think Team USA could have picked a better coach. He is insightful, knowledgeable, and has a great appreciation for the game. Coach Kyle is a class act.

Speaking of which, I was able to meet former OSU and NFL Linebacker Chris Spielman the day before at Upper Arlington High School. Speilman was a two-time All-American at Ohio State , and won the Lombardi Award as the best college lineman or linebacker. He played 10 seasons in the NFL and was a Pro-Bowler four times. Spielman did not play during the 1998 season, taking time off to be with his family during his wife’s battle with breast cancer. We were at Upper Arlington to help raise money for The Stefanie Speilman Fund for Breast Cancer Research. Kids and parents donated money towards the cause, and Team USA gained a few more fans.

Matt and I made so many friends here it will be hard to leave. However, the Team USA Road Tour is moving on to meet more players and visit their hometowns. But for a week, Columbus felt like our hometown.

With two events under out belt the Team USA Road Tour is officially rockin’ and rollin’. After spending a few days checking out the sights of city, and having a little fun with the locals  it was time to get to business on Friday with our first event. Mick and I arrived at Upper Arlington High School just pass three as the kids were checking out for the weekend. We rolled the bus through the parking lot and into the mega sports complex of Upper Arlington. Setting up at  a perfect location just inside the entrance gate to their Lacrosse game against Detroit Country Day. Soon after setup we were quickly swarmed with people, trying their skills at the football toss and getting pictures taken with the Official Team USA gear. The best thing about the event was that we were partnering up with the school to raise money for a great cause, the Stefanie Spielman Foundation. There was a huge range of support and participation, from the community, her Sunday school students, and the Spielman family.

It was a quick turn around the next morning for the Ohio State spring game. With a crowd of over 95,000 in attendance we knew had to get there early and be on our “A” game. We began our setup on the south side of the stadium early as the sun began to rise and stadium workers slowly arrived.What started as a beautiful and pleasant morning turned into a blistering hot and windy day as the game kicked off. While this was not an “official” game you would never know by the turnout. With tailgaters out, security patrolling, and lines stretching around the stadium I would of swore it was early fall.

The highlight of the day came when Mick and I were able to meet Team USA head coach Chuck Kyle and escort him onto the field. As we walked down the north ramp,  there was a different feeling in the stadium compared to our first visit a few days earlier. This time as we entered the field the stadium was packed. Screaming fans, pads crushing against each other, and a massive amount of security, media and trainers were spread throughout the field. This was truly “Game Day.” As we waited for the 3rd quarter break to be recognized I had a chance to talk with coach Kyle. A very intelligent, sincere, and down to earth person. It was refreshing to see that despite all of his success, including his ten state championships, there was no feeling of arrogance or cockiness. This from a guy with a list of accomplishments as long as any high school football coach in the country.

One thing coach Kyle  spoke about that I found interesting was the way he plans to get Team USA familiarized with plays in such a short amount of time. With only a few weeks of practice available before the Junior World Championship he’s breaking out all the stops. Including developing a video game similar to “Madden”  that players can use to learn about the different formations and routs in the playbook; a very innovative way to get players excited about learning.

Columbus has been a great experience for Mick and I, but it’s time to move on. Though our surroundings have become familiar it’s our duty to gas up the bus and  get on the road,  spreading the word about Team USA and the Junior World Championship. Make sure to keep following along as our crazy adventures roll on.

Till next time, and check out our pictures!

Matt

Matt and I are getting familiar with our surroundings here in Columbus. Today we were able to tour Ohio Stadium, or “The Shoe” at Ohio State University. Matt ran the stairs to the top of the stadium, and we were even able to play a little catch in the south end zone. Even though the stadium was empty, it was still impressive. I can only imagine what it must be like playing in front of 100,000 fans. For two players on Team USA, they won’t have to imagine it, they will experience it this fall.

The Team USA Road Tour will be at the Ohio State Spring Game this Saturday, and Team USA head coach Chuck Kyle and future Buckeye players Storm Klein and Jack Mewhort will be honored at halftime. The game should be interesting, as students are encouraged to wear beach gear and attend a  “Beach Party” in the south endzone. We will be located just outside the southwest entrance, so make sure to stop by and pick up some great prizes or just say hello.

As I stood in the south end zone, I immediately thought of  the Ohio State University marching band dotting of the “I” in the script Ohio. For those that don’t know, the script Ohio is the most identifiable trademark associated with Ohio State football and the Ohio State Marching Band  (often called The Best Damn Band in the Land or TBDBITL by fans). Each time the formation drill is performed, a different fourth- or fifth-year sousaphone player has the privilege of standing as the dot in the “I” of “Ohio.” It is one of the best college football tradition.

Following our visit, Matt and I headed to downtown Columbus to spread the word about Team USA. We talked with several people who were hanging out on their lunch break at the Capitol. We had fun interacting with fans, playing catch on the Capitol and making new friends. We met a father and son, who enjoyed playing football together. We talked with football moms Rebecca and Sharon, as well as a business man who completed a pass to Matt.

We are looking forward to a great weekend and continue to spread the word about the Junior World Championship.

Till next time
-MICK

Hi Gang,

The skies in Ohio have finally cooperated with our road trip, as we woke up to sunshine and bright blue sky on Thursday. Mick and I decided we hadn’t seen enough of The Ohio State campus so we headed back, determined to see the inside of Ohio Stadium this time. As we parked the van, all we could do was think about how we could get a glimpse inside the famous “Horseshoe.” Our first attempt failed, as the door we thought would take us into the stadium led us to the student service center that shares space in the stadium. Their suggestion was to walk around the stadium and look for an open gate - fat chance we thought…. Low and behold as we walked south along the outside of the stadium, a gate was slightly cracked. Mick and I rushed in and made it down the ramp before anyone spotted us.

Walking down the runway, the stadium opened up to us as we were both were lost in a gaze. The 100,000 seat stadium was as massive and spectacular as everything else we’ve seen so far in Columbus. With the bright red end zones staring directly at us, we couldn’t help but play catch on the field. Four passes later a booming voice yelled from a suite high above, “Get off the field.” We quickly rushed off, trying to act like we belonged there. Before I left, I couldn’t help but run the stairs hearing “The Eye of the Tiger” in my head as I tried to do my best Rocky impression. After taking a few minutes to take it all in from the bleachers, we headed out wondering what it would be like to be playing on the field with so many fans screaming and cheering for you. Two Team USA members will soon find out, as there will be special recognition for Storm Klein, Jack Mewhort by head coach Chuck Kyle during halftime of the spring game this Saturday.

The weather was too good to head inside so Mick and I decided to check out downtown Columbus. As quickly as we parked and hopped out of the van, people were already asking us about Team USA and the Road Tour. After giving them the low down, we armed ourselves with an official Team USA helmet  and football looking to have a little fun while spreading the word about the Junior World Championship. Since we got kicked off the field earlier interrupting our session of catch, we continued on the the front lawn of the Ohio Capital building, inviting people to join in. I even tried my skills at touchdown catches from the locals walking by. Don’t let a man in a suit fool you, he may have a rocket arm hidden in the sleeve, others not so much…

Just another “tough” day on the tour…

Later on,

Matt

Hey Gang!

Matt from Columbus here checking in with you….

Mick and I rolled into Columbus, Ohio on Tuesday greeted by hail and rain from the skies above central Ohio. After we raced into our hotel trying to keep our sweet Under Armour Team USA gear dry, we discussed how we planned to attack the town and spread the word about the tour. We outlined two places that were must-hit hot spots in Columbus: The Ohio State University, and Upper Arlington High School. Two storied amateur athletic institutions with huge followings. The perfect fans that we want cheering on Team USA during the Junior World Championship in Canton, Ohio.

At our first stop today we checked out the ginormous campus of the Buckeyes, turning heads as our decked-out tour bus rolled through. I’ve heard about the size of the campus, but you simply have to visit it to get a true understanding. Huge buildings dart the sky’s with a student transit system large enough for a small city. Two Team USA members, Storm Klein and Jack Mewhort, will soon ride on this transit system, sit in the classrooms  of these buildings, and play on the turf  of  Ohio Stadium. A shrine to Ohio State Football as  massive as the campus and of the school’s football resume.  I can’t wait for this weekend, with the Spring Game happening, and us smacked dab in the middle of it, representing the JWC and Team USA!

In the afternoon we crossed town and headed over to Upper Arlington, checking out Upper Arlington High School and its massive sports complex (that’s me in the picture). Forget Texas — everything is bigger in Ohio!!  With three (really nice) baseball fields, turf football field with huge grandstands and 32 varsity sports  on the books, the Upper Arlington Golden Bears are truly an athletic powerhouse. The Men’s lacrosse team alone has won 12 state titles while competing in the state finals the past 16 years.  Alums include professional golfer  Jack Nicklaus (aka The Golden Bear, no relation were told), and Pro Football player  Simon Fraser of the Atlanta Falcons. Friday we’ll be set up at the UAHS’s biggest lacrosse game of the season when The Golden Bears will be taking on Detroit County Day High. Not only will we be promoting the JWC, we be taking donations for the Stephanie Spielman Breast Fund for Breast Cancer Awareness, named for wife of former-OSU football player and 4-time Pro Bowler Chris Spielman.

Make sure to come check us out at both events. Email me or Mick at usafootballtour@usafootball.com or tweet us as TeamUSAFootball.

Till next time, catch you on the flip side!

Matt

The Team USA Road Tour pulled into Columbus, Ohio, home of the Ohio State University. Matt and I made our way to Ohio Stadium or “The Horse Shoe” to learn more about the Buckeyes. Ohio State has a rich football tradition, seven national championships, seven Heisman Trophy winners, and the legendary coach Woody Hayes. The campus of Ohio State is impressive, but not nearly as impressive as the Buckeye football tradition. The program has turned out  All-Americans and NFL superstars like Chris Spielman, Eddie George, Orlando Pace and Chris Carter. The Buckeyes have had recent success under Jim Tressel making back-to-back BCS championship game appearances in 2006 and 2007. And, the NFL is loaded with Ohio State alumni like Mike Vrabel, AJ Hawk, Antoine Winfield, and Troy Smith.

Team USA will feature two future Buckeyes; Storm Klein, LB, Newark, OH and Matt Mewhort, C, Toledo, OH. Team USA will play in Canton, OH this summer in the IFAF Junior World Championship. Perhaps, these two players will carry on that Buckeye tradition. The Team USA Road Tour will be at the Ohio State Spring Game on Saturday, April 25th.  Be sure to come and check us out!

Here’s some pictures from our day out at the stadium.

Later!

-Mick

Hi I’m Matt and I have the wonderful opportunity to be part of the 2009 Team USA Road Tour for USA Football. I’ll be traveling around the country representing some of the best high school football players in the US. While I have years of experience  traveling and being involved in  sports, nothing could prepare me for this trip . One bus, two managers, and a whole lot of miles between the 20+ cities we’re going to invade. Bringing cool giveaways, and hosting some fun events to helping share USA Football’s Junior National Team with you.

The IFAF Junior World Championship is a great stage to showcase some of the best young talent in football, and I’m just glad to be a part of it. Today we made our first stop in Canton, checking out the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and making it be known that the world will in town in June for the  tournament. It’s cool to think that someday a few kids playing in the game might make into the HOF one day.

Also – I found an article about Team USA’s Jack Mewhort on the Toledo Blade. Here’s the interesting part:

Although the Buckeyes normally redshirt most of their offensive line recruits to give them an additional year to gain strength and learn the system, Mewhort said Bollman has told him to approach spring practice with the intention of playing this fall for Ohio State.

We’re crossing our fingers for you, Jack!

And don’t forget: we’re tweeting from the road (does that make us ‘tweeters’ or ‘twitter-ers??’). Follow us and get up to the minute updates.

Until next time -
Matt