Ryan Creps' First Job

For a guy that had never been out of the country before enrolling at Grinnell College, local Grinnell High School product Ryan Creps '12 sure has come a long ways.  He spent a semester abroad in South Africa during his junior year and now, after graduation this May, he'll be heading to Egypt for his first job:

Upon graduation, I am moving to Egypt where I have accepted a position as a Presidential Scholar in the Development Office at the American University in Cairo (AUC) for the 2012-13 academic school year. As the Development Intern, I will work closely with the Associate Vice President for Development on various tasks, such as writing grant proposals and coordinating administrative duties.

The Presidential Scholars Program at AUC is designed to provide recent college graduates with the chance to work at an international university, learn Arabic, and live in the cultural center of the Middle East. I am excited for the opportunity to live abroad, to gain valuable experience working at a premiere international university, and to learn more about the Middle East.

Congrats Ryan and good luck in Egypt! 

Cody Weber's Summer Job

Cody Weber '13 landed a job in Nashville this summer at a sports performance institute.  Read Cody's thoughts on the job:

This summer I've been blessed with the opportunity to work as the Corporate Marketing and Public Relations Intern for D1 Sports Training and Therapy in Nashville, Tennessee.  Not only will I be learning the numerous aspects of how the business side of a fast-growing sports performance company is run, but along with that I have the opportunity to train and play football with incredibly high level college and pro athletes everyday.  The level of coaching and training provided is some of the most elite in the whole country--they pride themselves on providing all members with a D1 atmosphere as well as character development.  The fact that the company is faith based (its motto is "Iron Sharpens Iron" from Proverbs 27) is perhaps the most exciting aspect of all.  The only way I was able to make this internship happen is through the incredible funding Grinnell College provides for summer internships.  I applied for and received funding for my relocation, food, and housing costs for the summer, meaning I'll break even even though the internship is unpaid!  I'm so blessed to be at a school where they value my future just as much as I do.  I'll be spending all 12 weeks of my summer running football camps such as the Eric Berry DB camps as well as learning day to day operations and assisting with grand openings of new locations in Detroit (MI), Orlando (FL), Raleigh (NC), and Abilene (TX).  I'm pumped for the experience and ready to take on this new challenge.  A summer of physical and athletic preparation while working at D1 Nashville will make me more than ready for the upcoming season.  Watch out Nashville, GC Pride coming your way!

PS~I can't wait to hit the live music scene and open mics. Maybe I'll get signed so I don't have to finish college! I'm just kidding... But seriously.

Have fun Cody, and if you do get signed and become world famous, don't forget Pioneer Football!

Grinnell Launches New Athletics Website

Today, Grinnell College launched its new athletics website in association with Sidearm Sports.  Check it out for yourself!

http://pioneers.grinnell.edu/index.aspx

Chris Jarmon Accepts Job with ESPN

We've been a little heavy with Chris Jarmon's goings-on lately, but man has he deserved it!  This past week, Chris accepted a job with ESPN, as a member of their Content/Production Associate Program.  Chris had an internship in a similar capacity this past summer and here are his thoughts on his first job:

I'll be starting out as a Production Assistant in ESPN's Content Associate Program at the Bristol, CT headquarters. This means I'll be working on various projects in the company's three main Production areas: Event, International, and Studio. My first assignment this summer is to help with ESPN's production of the 2012 EURO Cup in soccer. I really enjoyed my time there as an intern last summer, and I'm very excited for a new challenge.

Good luck Chris!

Esera Tuaolo

On Thursday, Esera Tuaolo was on campus doing a number of speeches, talks and sessions with people all across campus.  If you don't know Esera's story, he's the most-prominent, and only 3rd, openly gay current or former NFL player.  His experiences in the uber-jock environment provided plenty of ridicule and difficult times and he's sharing those stories. His message revolves around eliminating hatred and disrespect of all types, from generic bullying to the homophobia that can be so prominent within male athletics.

Official Pioneer Football photographer Alysia Horcher '15 was on hand for Esera's speech to the students, where roughly 80% of the audience were student-athletes!

A few of the Pioneer Football guys with Esera Tuaolo post speech.

Blind Side Blog

Chris Jarmon '12 continues producing amazing work on his second blog, Blind Side Blog, about football's X's & O's with a particularly biased focused on line play!

Check out Chris' latest post about the Y-Stick concept and picking up blitzes and twists upfront:

When teams choose to use empty protection in the pass game, the offensive line is under more pressure than usual. Essentially, empty pro (also sometimes referred to as "big on big") is a pass protection concept that only involves the offensive line.

Most pass plays involve an extra blocker; teams either keep the running back or tight end in to pass protect (or have him at least chip a defender while leaving for a route), or motion in a slotted tight end to help out. There are plenty of creative ways to protect the quarterback on pass plays, but empty protection is by far the riskiest.

That's why it's nice to tie empty protection in with a good route combination that will come open early, especially if the defense blitzes. The Y-Stick concept is popular among Air Raid and Pro Style offenses alike, and it's a perfect match with empty pro. Let's take a look at why this is so effective:

2012 Season is Underway!

With the start of our Spring Ball practices this past Tuesday, the 2012 season is officially underway!

Official Pioneer Football Photographer Alysia Horcher '15 was on hand to capture some of the early morning workout.

Coach Jason Martinez talks with the defensive front seven

Coach Ben Cooprider works with the defensive backs set-up

TJ Schaid '13 runs away from Colton Feller '14 and Kevin Hwang '13

Coach P leaves the field after practice #1

Drove Highlight

Our own Brian Taylor '13 put together this off-season video of our Drove (Pioneer Offensive Line) Highlight.

Enjoy!