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Normally, a flood in Canton, Ohio, would bear no connection to Claremont McKenna College, or its athletics department. In fact, before this summer, many people in the CMS athletics department had never heard of the place---at least, not until an order of new lockers bound for the College floated away with a shipment that was caught in the region's recent floods. But such unusual circumstances do not deter members of the CMS athletics staff from prepping for fall semester and the return of students. In this case, for instance, the old athletics lockers will be reinstalled until the new shipment makes its safe arrival.
And so it goes at Ducey, with summers typically reserved for preparations of year-round wear and tear. Indoor courts and floors are cleaned and waxed, the pool is re-chlorinated, and the track is tidied. Last year, Ducey also was given a major face-lift with new floors for the basketball court. When possible, athletics fields get a summer reprieve from heavy foot traffic, and Jose Huezo, assistant director of facilities and campus services, prescribes whatever nutrition or planting is necessary to keep lawns green and healthy.
Ironically, though, prepping for the new academic year is more a cerebral than a physical job, says athletics director Mike Sutton '76. "Coaching is a year-round job," Sutton says, and each coach uses summer to perfect his or her craft. Head football coach Rick Candaele spent the summer observing the San Diego Chargers' summer preparation for the fall season, and many of his other colleagues also take time during summer for conferences, clinics, camps, and a number of athletic events and games.
Summer also is the time for coaches to reconfigure their teams, which change drastically due to senior departures, and collegiate coaches must be skilled in the art of unifying talent and team spirit with new players every year, Sutton says. "Summer is truly about readying for the coming year. And the challenge, always, is in pulling groups together and incorporating the many talents."
**Don't miss the first Stags football home game against Chapman University on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m.
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