Mark in your calendars July 29,2014 | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Mark in your calendars July 29,2014

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Because someone knows good company when he sees it, he/I get this? You really need to come to this so we can break bread and share a cocktail. Your view of me will never be the same. It may be worse, but it won't be the same. :rolleyes:

We already met at this event a few years ago. If you take 90% of what I say with a heavy dose of sarcasm you'll be better off.

I'll be there with my little guy again.
 
Looks like we've got a pretty solid crew... looking forward to meeting you guys.... some for the second time now!
 
Best Boneyard interest yet. Get your questions ready for the Q & A guys!!
 
This is an interesting date for the dinner considering the AAC media days are July 28 and 29 in Newport
 
This is an interesting date for the dinner considering the AAC media days are July 28 and 29 in Newport

It's always that date. Coaches and players high tail it up from Newport every year.
 
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Media Day is over around noon on the 29th.
 
Because someone knows good company when he sees it, he/I get this? You really need to come to this so we can break bread and share a cocktail. Your view of me will never be the same. It may be worse, but it won't be the same. :rolleyes:
Folks - we have 30 seats left til there is a sell out - anyone debating should register now. Just let me know so I can have you sit with other BONEYARDERS!!

www.uconnalumni.com
 
I have 5 seats left til a sellout - any last people who want SPORTSART's autograph want to come?
 
What time does it all begin tonight at The Rent. I'm heading down after a meeting. Any special entrance etc. Thanks.
 
What time does it all begin tonight at The Rent. I'm heading down after a meeting. Any special entrance etc. Thanks.
Doors open at 4:45 got to entrance where you go inside the club levels - don't remember what gate - just look for the cars behind the stadium
 
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Please be sure to post afterwards. Should be very interesting this year.
 
Can someone who's going to this ask Coach Diaco why he doesn't have his own personal twitter account? Even if he just had an SID run it it makes a ton of sense especially with how big into marketing Diaco seems to be. Look at Tim Miles (Nebraska basketball coach) if you want an example of what a coach on twitter can do to drum up interest for a program that is behind the "behemoth" program at their respective university. He's something like the second most followed college basketball coach in the country.
 
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Jim I'm horrible at threading the needle. Haha... Do you have that pic?
 
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Thanks for posting updates guys. I'm following on Twitter. Saw the standing O. Full house. Looks great! Wish I could have made it.
 
Warde was really great. His main message was : We need you now. Not later, not depending on the opposing team... UConn Football needs everyone now. Buy tickets, fill the stadium, support the team. Because if we want things to happen ("I'm speaking in code but I see nodding heads out there") we need to show support. If you know people that had tickets but gave them up... Encourage them to come back. If you see seats go unused, make sure those folks know when they show back up that they were missed.
 
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Just got back. Great event. First the periphery: The food was excellent and Diaco took some credit for changing the burger/dog menu to Chicken Marsala, BBQ Brisket etc. It all went smoothly. Diaco took a photo with every table and was engaging during the entire evening. No players were present but Diaco explained that Susan Herbst worked with the staff to create an academic schedule that was more amenable to the team. This led to them being off these next few days as they prepare for rigorous football training camp starting Friday.
Diaco explained the last eight months as a real game changing time.
1. Players were physically transformed--literally. Casey Cochran lost 26 lbs, others gained but lost body fat. it was a very calibrated program. They all bought in.
2. Discipline was made very simple under Diaco. If you don't go to class you don't play. Period.
3. Wants explosive down the field offense. Needs strong running game to keep the QB healthy.
4. All players are ready for camp. No injuries.
5. While Warde played down the expectations Diaco expects maximum performance leading to positive outcomes.
6. A lot of emphasis on folks buying tickets and attending the games. It was stressed several times. We need you now--not sitting and waiting for better times--but right now--supporting the team. Warde's next words were telling---(paraphrased)"especially if you want us to get where you want us to be--if you get my drift".
7. Expect some of the Frosh RB's to see field. Its a matter of them being able to adapt to strain of learning "6 inch playbook" and coping with new environment without requiring the game to slow down for them.
8. Several QB's will see the field when and if their skills warrant it for the play at hand--but he will name the starter during camp. Each QB brings different skills to the team.

I'll leave it to others to fill in the blanks on the recruiting comments.

There were several standing ovations and a few bricks were scattered from the wall we all ran through returning to our cars. Suffice it to say that this season will be the most anticipated since 2003 when Indiana opened the Rent to unknown expectations. The feeling I got was that the stars are aligning for a great run of UConn Football.
Enjoyed sitting with UConn Bill and CT Mike and meeting Jim Dish. Missed being with Sportsart who underwent emergency gall bladder surgery today. Get well soon!
 
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For the folks that were curious about the strength and conditioning improvements... Diaco left no doubt. So many jaw dropping stats that he put out there, I wish I could remember them all. Cochran lost 26lbs and 14 PERCENT body fat. That's insane. More people than I can count gained weight while losing body fat - all muscle. Player after player he rattled off significant improvements... Really impressive. Players have 100% bought in.
 
Warde Manuel and Coach Diaco absolutely hit it out of the park. UCONN Bill asked whether we will play 3-4 or 4-3 and Diaco said it is a 50-50 split he has run for the last 6 years!!!
Then he showed what issues there were with the old 50 defense and showed how staying in the scheme with gaps created gaps with a member of the audience.

The numbers on the change in body weight versus body fat were amazing - he answered the Balis question before anyone had a chance to ask. He will name a QB but each QB has a strength and if it is needed during a game, he will use it.

My favorite quote: Culture beats scheme everyday.

Everyone got a picture with the coach at their table to take home. This event sold out this year and will be harder to get into next year as he builds momentum.
 
One of the BY Tables : In no particular order, UConn Bill, Nostical, UConn Ric (Did I get that right?), myself, my good friend Rob, and a few others who I'm sorry I didn't get names for.
BY Table.jpeg
 
Warde was really great. His main message was : We need you now. Not later, not depending on the opposing team... UConn Football needs everyone now. Buy tickets, fill the stadium, support the team. Because if we want things to happen ("I'm speaking in code but I see nodding heads out there") we need to show support. If you know people that had tickets but gave them up... Encourage them to come back. If you see seats go unused, make sure those folks know when they show back up that they were missed.

His "code" speak was very clear. You want to get to the next level (ie: conference), buy tickets, bring friends. Show up or shut up! (he didn't actually say that) We need to win / dominate in this conference.

And great info on the progress of our strength and nutrition program with specific athlete references. Good feedback for sure.

Thanks Hardcore!
 
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