’Hawks work hard to earn coveted warrior jerseys

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By Pete Conrad, Staff Writer 11:33 PM Friday, August 13, 2010

OXFORD — There are a few simple rules on how football players can survive and succeed at Miami University summer practice.

Don’t walk when everyone else is running. The correct response to just about any comment from a coach is “Yes sir.” And don’t mess around with the guys in the camouflage jerseys.

You don’t mess around with warriors.

Three members of Miami’s offense are wearing the distinctive jerseys at practice this week: sophomore center Brad Bednar, sophomore tackle Matt Kennedy and redshirt freshman fullback Justin Semmes.

“The camouflage jersey is something that Coach Watts and his staff came up with as a warrior jersey,” Miami head coach Michael Haywood said, referring to offensive coordinator Morris Watts.

The warrior jerseys, Haywood explained, go to “guys giving everything they have each and every play of practice, guys that are giving a winning effort.

“It’s voted on at the end of every week,” Haywood said. “It’s not just for a one-day performance. It’s for a week’s performance. These guys won their warrior jerseys in spring ball. You have to keep giving a winning performance to keep it.”

Givens wants to give

Chris Givens, Miami’s talented and reliable wide receiver who is a senior in the classroom but still has junior eligibility, has a good idea of what he wants to do with his life after he graduates. It doesn’t all involve football.

Givens was awarded a medical redshirt in 2009 after missing most of the season with a shoulder injury. He said he might graduate early or pursue another major in his fifth year, maybe political science. Now he majors in sports studies with a minor in management and coaching.

He is trying to prepare.

“One of the things I like about (political science) is the analytical and conceptual classes I’ll be able to take, because one of my goals is to become an athletic director as well as start my own personal foundation,” Givens said.

The purpose of the foundation would be to give financial aid to students.

“I feel those classes will help me excel not just in helping find government grants or working with the government, but as well just understanding the whole idea of different cultures, different racial backgrounds and being able to apply that to a foundation,” Givens said.

He explained that his foundation would be a nonprofit organization.

“We would help subsidize student-athletes or regular college students, to help with their financial aid,” Givens said.

“I’ve gone back home and seen friends and acquaintances that have struggled at the collegiate level with finding financial resources,” he said. “I want to be there to help those individuals who may not be aware of certain financial assistance.

“I don’t want to see the next generation struggle,” Givens said. “If I’m able to help even three or four people financially at a collegiate level, then I’ll be happy.”

Contact this

reporter

at (513) 820-2197 or pconrad@coxohio.com.

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