C-Day: Building the 2018 Class
When most people think back to the best team that they were a part of, they might remember a pivotal moment in a big game, they might recall the feeling they got when they raised a trophy, or they could think back to the hours of hard work in practice. However, the thing that nearly every former athlete that I know values the most, are the relationships they make with their teammates over the course of a season and a career. Hours on a bus, in the weight room or film room, and running sprints until you think you might puke, form a special bond between teammates. The personal sacrifices that each person makes only strengthen the team and create relationships that last well after the playing days are gone.
The South Dakota State University football program got a jump-start on building those bonds with the class of 2018 by hosting "C-Day" on July 30th. The "C" stands for commitment; not just for the program, but also to one another. C-Day was the creation of recruiting coordinator Dan Jackson. Jackson said, "With signing day being on December 20th this year, we knew we needed to get our future Jackrabbits together this summer. We organized fun activities for them and built in time for them to meet our players, but their energy and enthusiasm made the day special. There's nothing better than seeing a group of commits and future commits bond together and feel even more comfortable with us. They came here as a commit and left as brothers."
The day included 13 players, and their families, who have already verballed to the Jacks, or are still considering SDSU as their school of choice. The players were able to get in full uniform, have lunch with the current team, play competitive and fun games against one another, spend time with Coach Stig creating a vision for their class, and attend position meetings and practice. It was a full day but the players seemed to love the experience and getting to know one another better. Seth Benson, linebacker from Sioux Falls, loved the hype video and the games claiming to be the only one to "hit the target on the run." Referencing a rolling target that he shot with a bow and arrow. The highlight for Mason McCormick, offensive lineman from Sioux Falls, was the opportunity to put on all the gear. He said, "It felt right. I knew SDSU was perfect for me. That just sealed the deal."
For a player like Saiveon Williamson, a safety from Waseca, Minnesota, the campus and day felt really familiar because he has attended the SDSU team camp for the past few years. However, he was "impressed by how close knit the team and coaches are. It truly felt like a family."
Other players like Nick Garlisch, a defensive back from St. Charles, Illinois, campus wasn't quite as familiar but he still found everyone "really cool and welcoming." Nick was impressed by the "intensity and how fast paced practice was."
Garret Greenfield, offensive lineman from Rock Valley, Iowa, knew Caleb Sanders, defensive tackle from Glenwood, Iowa, and has played against Ryan Van Marel, defensive end of Sheldon, Iowa but had yet to meet many of the other guys. He said that "he enjoyed getting to know his future teammates and hanging out with them more." Greenfield and Van Marel will square off on the field again this fall which should be a fun match up to watch for Jackrabbit fans.
Other verbal commitments who attended were J'Bore Gibbs, quarterback from Chicago, who spent the afternoon shadowing and studying the quarterback drills. Max Howard, offensive lineman Brandon, SD, spent the afternoon with Coach Eck and observed the drills. Brock Walker, kicker from Sioux Falls also spent time with the team. Verbals, Tijaih Davis, Joey Johnson, and Zach Heins were unable to make it because of prior commitments.
Bryce Stai, tight end from Norris High School in Nebraska, Blake Peterson, a 2019 defensive end from Beresford, South Dakota,and RJ Clarke, a defensive end from St. Francis, Wisconsin are the players who were present that have yet to verbal. All of these players would be outstanding Jackrabbits and valued members of the SDSU family.
Coach Stig and the Jackrabbits pride themselves on family. They care about the players as men of character first and then about their play and ability on the field. Hopefully, C-Day showcased that to the Jackrabbit recruits of 2018.
(Photo courtesy of Ryan Van Marel)
The South Dakota State University football program got a jump-start on building those bonds with the class of 2018 by hosting "C-Day" on July 30th. The "C" stands for commitment; not just for the program, but also to one another. C-Day was the creation of recruiting coordinator Dan Jackson. Jackson said, "With signing day being on December 20th this year, we knew we needed to get our future Jackrabbits together this summer. We organized fun activities for them and built in time for them to meet our players, but their energy and enthusiasm made the day special. There's nothing better than seeing a group of commits and future commits bond together and feel even more comfortable with us. They came here as a commit and left as brothers."
South Dakota state knows how to set up a visit 🙌🏻🏈🐰 #GoJacks pic.twitter.com/aXQJLq0iQW— Bryce Stai (@StaiBryce) July 30, 2017
The day included 13 players, and their families, who have already verballed to the Jacks, or are still considering SDSU as their school of choice. The players were able to get in full uniform, have lunch with the current team, play competitive and fun games against one another, spend time with Coach Stig creating a vision for their class, and attend position meetings and practice. It was a full day but the players seemed to love the experience and getting to know one another better. Seth Benson, linebacker from Sioux Falls, loved the hype video and the games claiming to be the only one to "hit the target on the run." Referencing a rolling target that he shot with a bow and arrow. The highlight for Mason McCormick, offensive lineman from Sioux Falls, was the opportunity to put on all the gear. He said, "It felt right. I knew SDSU was perfect for me. That just sealed the deal."
Looks good in Blue pic.twitter.com/AcEFnjn4ic— Lee McCormick (@leehoops1010) July 30, 2017
For a player like Saiveon Williamson, a safety from Waseca, Minnesota, the campus and day felt really familiar because he has attended the SDSU team camp for the past few years. However, he was "impressed by how close knit the team and coaches are. It truly felt like a family."
Other players like Nick Garlisch, a defensive back from St. Charles, Illinois, campus wasn't quite as familiar but he still found everyone "really cool and welcoming." Nick was impressed by the "intensity and how fast paced practice was."
Garret Greenfield, offensive lineman from Rock Valley, Iowa, knew Caleb Sanders, defensive tackle from Glenwood, Iowa, and has played against Ryan Van Marel, defensive end of Sheldon, Iowa but had yet to meet many of the other guys. He said that "he enjoyed getting to know his future teammates and hanging out with them more." Greenfield and Van Marel will square off on the field again this fall which should be a fun match up to watch for Jackrabbit fans.
Other verbal commitments who attended were J'Bore Gibbs, quarterback from Chicago, who spent the afternoon shadowing and studying the quarterback drills. Max Howard, offensive lineman Brandon, SD, spent the afternoon with Coach Eck and observed the drills. Brock Walker, kicker from Sioux Falls also spent time with the team. Verbals, Tijaih Davis, Joey Johnson, and Zach Heins were unable to make it because of prior commitments.
Bryce Stai, tight end from Norris High School in Nebraska, Blake Peterson, a 2019 defensive end from Beresford, South Dakota,and RJ Clarke, a defensive end from St. Francis, Wisconsin are the players who were present that have yet to verbal. All of these players would be outstanding Jackrabbits and valued members of the SDSU family.
Coach Stig and the Jackrabbits pride themselves on family. They care about the players as men of character first and then about their play and ability on the field. Hopefully, C-Day showcased that to the Jackrabbit recruits of 2018.
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