Running back Josh Parks breaks through defensive players in a scrimmage drill at practice. Parks, a first year, had 141 rushes for a total of 967 yards with 12 touchdowns and only two fumbles in the 2016 season. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Coach Caruso amps players as they cheer on FB Jeremy Molina (left) and linebacker Steven Harrell (right) at tug-of-war. The players run battle each other in tug-of-war each practice as their teammates watch; Harrell won the matchup. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Coach Glenn Caruso directs the football team’s spring practice from on the field. The 2017 fall season will be his tenth season with the team, which has appeared in two NCAA National Championships under Caruso. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
The St. Thomas football team practices twice each week in the spring to prepare for the fall season. The Tommies will open the season on September 2 at home against UW-Eau Claire. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Quarterback Ronnie Jones runs drills at a Wednesday practice. Football runs in Jones’ family; his dad, Ron, played for Humboldt State and brother, Danny, played for UW-Whitewater. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Players cheer for defensive lineman David Danhauer as he wins a one-on-one game of tug of war. This is sophomore Danhauer’s first season with the team, in which he had seven solo tackles. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
Wide receiver Tanner Bedard runs the ball down the field, successfully executing a play in practice. Bedard’s tattoo says “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” Hebrews 1:11. (Natalie Hall/TommieMedia)
The NCAA Division III Council voted on April 12 to eliminate multiple football practices with contact per day for the 2017 season impacting the St. Thomas football team.
While teams can’t hold a second contact practice in the same day, they are still permitted to conduct a walk-through session, where there is no contact and helmets and pads are not allowed, after a three hour recovery period.
The statement on the NCAA website cited “the most up-to-date consensus from leading medical groups and football coaching organizations” in their decision.
St. Thomas head football coach Glenn Caruso understands the safety concerns that come with two-a-day practices, but sees them as important tools to teach his team proper safety technique.
“Any coach or professional needs an appropriate amount of time to teach those things that keep our players healthy,” Caruso said. “The biggest concern moving forward is not just that you use those practices, but that you miss the opportunity in those practices to teach the proper technique, which in my opinion is part of what makes our student athletes healthy.”
The amount of two-a-days allowed has been reduced in the past, and Caruso didn’t notice a major difference in injuries.
“Just reflecting back … I didn’t necessarily see an enormous reduction in injuries when it went from having two-a-days every day to only having them every other day,” Caruso said. “I think you will see a big change in how the coaches approach practices now, knowing that you might only have one in a given day instead of two.”
Caruso has already begun strategizing for next season, but is hesitant to make changes too early.
“We have to change some logistics. How that manifests, I don’t know yet,” Caruso said. “I want to wait until all the rules come out…We’ll evaluate and already have started evaluating, and look into the best and most efficient way to do things.”
While he is sad to see two-a-days go, Caruso is looking forward to next season.
“At the end of the day, I love to be able to be on the field with the players, and that’s why you coach football,” Caruso said. “I’m sad to see these go, but we’ll make the most of it.”
The NCAA Division I Council followed suit shortly after Division III, voting to eliminate multiple contact practices on April 14.
Mary Brickner can be reached at bric0029@stthomas.edu