Sunday afternoon 125 players and three managers got the 2007 Wabash sports season underway. The seniors reported to the Allen Center at 12:30 p.m. to make certain all the preparations to welcome the new class of Wabash football players to the team. The juniors and sophomores joined them over the next two hours, putting all the final touches in place.

Finally, at 3:30 p.m. the first of 55 freshmen walked into the Allen Center. Senior co-captain Richard Roomes announced each name as one by one the wide-eyed newcomers became part of the 2007 squad.

Then the real fun began. There's nothing like going through the excitement of having your name announced to the entire football team, followed by filling out paperwork over the next 12 minutes for the SID. Then after a short break to go back to the room and get somewhat settled, it's back to the Allen Center for dinner, then off to the doctors for more paperwork and physicals. By 10 p.m. Sunday night the last families had said goodbye and the members of the Class of 2011 were ready to hit their beds for the first time as college students.

Monday it's a different 12 minutes that awaits them. Each member of the team participates in the 12-minute run. The distance each player must traverse is determined by their weight and position. If you complete the run, you get your "W" for your helmet; but even more importantly you don't have to do the run anymore this season. For the seniors it's an even bigger event. Every year I hear the same cry from seniors who have trained all summer long for this day.

"I'll never have to do the 12-minute run every again!"

Both of the 12-minute ordeals serve a purpose. The paperwork each young man fills out Sunday afternoon allows us to share their stories with you through the media and the Wabash web site. The 12-minute run not only helps improve the endurance of the team, it provides a common bond, a shared experience, a reason to reach out and help a teammate take those few extra steps to complete the run.

By Monday afternoon the players completed the run around the track at Hollett Little Giant Stadium and their first practice. Now they are off campus in Hillsboro, discussing their goals for the season and for their lives. 

Photos - (top left) Freshman Brad Hilts gets ready to meet with the coaches after being welcomed by his brother, Brian (an All-NCAC offensive lineman in 2006 and a senior on the 2007 team) and the rest of the Wabash squad.

(bottom right) Senior Gabe Guerrero grabs a water bottle during Monday's 12-minute run. Guerrero finished well ahead of 12-minute time limit, earning his "W" for his football helmet.