For the Love of the Game

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2008) – After a freak injury ended the “senior” season of Anthony Ostland, he made the decision and commitment to come back for a final year wearing black and orange. Mid-way through the fall, following back-to-back stellar performances, he suffered yet another uncommon setback, sidelining him once again.

Playing the game he has always loved has been his favorite thing to do since he can remember, which is why he has worked so hard to get back out there, not just for himself, but for the team he speaks of so highly, so sincerely.

Four days before the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs, while his team is out on the field reviewing plays, practicing and fine tuning, the 6-foot-2, 230 pound linebacker works diligently in the training room, doing everything he can to get back out on the field with his team. He is prepared to play with pain, but the thought of not having the opportunity to help his team, his friends, his brothers, on the gridiron come Saturday afternoon is even more agonizing. For this captain, that is not an option.

A year ago against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Ostland took a hit to the side, which ultimately put him in the hospital with a collapsed lung. Though he has recovered entirely, the prospect of his football career ending like that was unacceptable. Once cleared by doctors and medical staff he was back to work, preparing for another season, this season.

“The decision to come back and play a fifth year at Oxy was a no-brainer,” he said. “I know I can help this team succeed and that was my biggest motivation to return for my final season.”

Help he has. From the incoming freshman class to his senior teammates, Ostland has earned the respect, admiration and trust of his teammates.

Trust is a very important aspect that goes into any relationship, but what does trust have to do with football?

The answer: everything.

“In all my years of playing sports, this is by far the closest, most dedicated team I have ever been a part of. The bond that we have developed is so unique to anything I have ever experienced.”

What triggers these friendships the most are the team building activities that this program has encouraged and used throughout the season, starting early on and continuing into the post season.

“When you have a roster of 80 some guys, sometimes it is hard to keep everyone motivated and on the same page working together. The team building exercises have helped to unite this group, starting at the beginning of pre-season workouts this summer.”

Among the activities the team has participated span from physical activities, like the “Olympics” that the coaches developed at the beginning of the year to writing thoughts down on paper.

Early this season the coaches divided the team into integrated groups to compete against one another while simultaneously getting to get to know one another. Age and position did not matter because everyone had an important role to play and each was asked to lead, from the rookies to the veterans.

Another activity this team shares are favorite quotes. After each practice someone different shares his favorite quote, why he chose it and how it inspires him. Everyone on the team has had an opportunity to speak, explain and share his thoughts. This has helped the quieter players open up and allowed the other team members to get to know every other person on his team.

“Because you can’t just flip a switch on game day, I want to encourage players to start speaking up early and often throughout the week in an effort to build momentum going into the game on Saturday.”

Their most recent team building exercise was encouraged by newcomer Nick Saraceni. Again this activity was inspired by the coaching staff.

“In an effort to motivate the team to play at its best, our coach always tells us to imagine the one or two people that would most inspire you to perform at your best sitting in the crowd watching you play.”

This week each player filled out a card and created an “O” in the locker room, sharing who that person is or are and a short description of why. The cards are displayed near the door so every time players enter or exit they think about what they shared on that card, in turn promoting them to play their best.

“Having read all the cards on the wall, I am in awe with everyone's willingness to open up and write down some very personal things for everyone to see. I think it goes to show how much we trust one another and how close we actually are.”

Beyond the bond are other factors that make this group so special.

“Everyone understands what needs to be done, not just to win games, but to work together towards a common goal. A lot of people think that all it takes is getting the best players on the field. Not so. It is so much more than that. It is understanding the team dynamic and our dynamic here at Oxy goes well beyond any football game. We respect one another, support one another, and know how to push one another both on and off the field,” Ostland went on. “In my opinion, the best thing that brings a large group of guys together under the same common interest is the fear of failure; more specifically, the fear of letting his teammate, his brother down. The fear of losing the respect of his teammate motivates one to rise above normal expectations.”

In recent years the Tigers have had success with four SCIAC titles in five years, a 32-game regular season win streak between 2004 and 2007 and an appearance in the Elite 8. That success breeds high expectations that they have created for themselves. The Tigers have been successful on the field and do not want to let that tradition end.

“We demand excellence in a new era of football at Oxy. We work hard because second place is not good enough. Essentially, because of our success, we like to remind ourselves that we have created a monster and we strive to feed that monster.”

When Anthony was a freshman he was on a team that won a pair of playoff games before losing to Linfield, who went on to win a National Title.

“As the only player on the team who has won a playoff game in college, it is a great feeling to be back in this situation. This is why I play football”

The post season is what every single Tiger is playing for.

“My freshman year we played Willamette and won and now we have an opportunity to do it again.”

Not only are they playing a team they defeated four years ago, but they are playing with the best. Between September and last weekend there were 235 teams playing Division III football. Now there are 32 left. After Saturday there will be 16 teams still playing. Will the Tigers be one of those teams?

“It is going to be a battle so we are going to have to show how mentally tough we are. We will dictate the outcome of the game. If we take care of our responsibilities, we are going to be tough to beat.”

He loves the game. He loves to compete. He loves working with a group of guys year round, then getting to put all that hard work into a season where he can get immediate results and gratification for all his hard work.

“The brotherhood that forms with football is probably the best part about the sport because it will never go away. I am confident that the friendships I have made on this team will last forever.”