After Successful Mini-Camp Goltz Back to the Books
LOS ANGELES, Calif. (May 6, 2009) – For three days Justin Goltz got a taste of what life in the National Football League would be like as he participated in the Detroit Lions rookie mini-camp in what he described as an amazing weekend and a dream come true. While he is not ready to let that experience fade away, he returned to Southern California to completing another dream: completing his college finals and walking at graduation.
Last weekend Goltz took a break from the books to show the pros what he could do on the gridiron. In a long weekend that flew by all too fast, the 6-foot-6, 220 pound quarterback had the opportunity to train with the No. 1 overall pick, Matt Stafford, as well as other players chosen in the 2009 draft and rookie free agents.
Their days began at 6:00 a.m. and when other players hung up their helmets and pads at the end of the day, Goltz hit the books. This time the play books.
“Learning the playbook and seeing the depth of the game was the most challenging part of the weekend,” he said. “It takes the whole game to another level and the mental aspect of things is something that takes a lot of work, a lot of thought, with not a lot of time to process it.”
Because of the short time in which the camp ran, Goltz took the extra initiative at night to study a extra, allowing him to stay on track and find a rhythm on the field.
Upon arriving at camp players passed physicals before meetings, practices, lifting sessions and more practices. The team ran drills both indoors and outdoors and while the sunny Southern California was lacking, the overcast Michigan skies opened up into a beautiful afternoon and Goltz felt right at home.
What prepared him most for the weekend was the people he spent the last four years around from his teammates to his coaches, from his classmates to his professors.
“Occidental instilled a sense of confidence in me that if I worked hard enough, anything was possible.” On the field and in the classroom the people I have been around have been very influential and driven me to succeed in everything I do.”
The three-sport athlete has played a significant role not only on the football field, but on the baseball diamond and the basketball court as well.
“Justin is the quintessential Division III athlete,” said Head Football Coach Dale Widolff. “He has always worked hard and has been able to succeed not only on the football field but in numerous other athletic situations during his four years at Occidental.”
His first two years he played both football and baseball and this past winter, after leading the Tigers to their third Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in four years, he took to the court where he immediately became an impact player for the Tigers basketball team.
“As soon as he stepped on the court Justin played a huge role for us,” Head Men’s Basketball Coach Brian Newhall shared. “The athleticism and confidence that he brought to the court were a big help to a very young team. His rebounding and post defense were instrumental to our having a solid SCIAC season."
Since the season ended, Goltz has been working out on his own and with teammates to improve and be ready for an opportunity like the one he experienced this weekend.
Now that it is over, he will continue to train locally with other hopeful and already signed NFL athletes. Between working out and having completed his academic responsibilities, the only thing left for Goltz to do while he waits for the phone to ring is to enjoy his final weeks as a Tiger in anticipation of graduation on May 17.
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