Michael Fields hits the UNCG Football fields:Yes, UNCG does have a football team!

(Courtesy of Michael Fields, 103.1 UNCG radio and GreensboroSports.com collegiate writer/correspondant)

Yes, UNCG does have a football team!

Most people probably think that UNCG does not have a football team. UNCG has never officially had a football team in their Division 1 program. However, the Spartans do have a club football team that most people do not know about. There may be speculation that this club team does not have any talent. That is not the case at all for this squad. This football team is full of players that have plenty of football experience in the past.

“I have been playing football competitively since middle school” senior defensive tackle and right guard AJ Kerrington said. “I played throughout high school and had a chance to play at my previous college but did not take advantage of it. When I got to UNCG, I realized how bad I wanted to play football.”

It is not like it is random students who throw the football around for fun. These players are legit and serious about representing this incredible university. This football team has players that love the game of football. These players have always had fun playing football. Some of the players love the contact or use it as a means of anger management. They are serious about football though. It does not matter if others try to classify it as a club sport. These players do not see it like that at all.

Some outsiders may wonder how these players are so good. One reason is the players try to model their game after players in the NFL. These players try to play like superstars in the NFL from the past and present like: Jason Pierre Paul, Michael Oher, Jordan Gross, Ray Lewis, Julius Peppers, and Kawann Short. These players are bound to get better if they imitate their games after these NFL greats. This will significantly help them in the future.

These players have goals in place for their individual self and the team as whole. They get to practice during the winter and spring to prepare for their upcoming season. The season for this club football team is the fall semester. There is no time to be taken off for this squad though. Goals have been set for the fall. They will not stop until their goals have been met. It does not matter what it takes. These players are ready to give everything that they have for their coaches and teammates.

“We want to go all the way” senior defensive end and center DeSean Mason said. “We want to win eight games and play for the state championship in Salem, Virginia in the fall.”

It is obvious that this team is focused and driven. These players and looking forward to getting back on the field in the fall. However, they are trying to look into the future as well. This team obviously wants to see a NCAA Division 1 program at this university. Also, they just want the football players running out on the field with a Spartan leading them out while riding a horse. There would definitely be school spirit up at UNCG if this were the case. That would definitely have a different vibe for the athletic program at UNCG.

“I just wanna be recognized by the athletic program” senior linebacker Quan Pratt said. “We deserve the same benefits as the others athletes here.”

I am sure that many people are not familiar with this club football team on campus. One thing is for sure. These players are constantly working to get better at their loved sport. They have coaches that are getting these players better as well. These players just want people to support and care about them. I do not think that is too much to ask. Here are some statementS that sum up the club football team at UNCG very well.

“We are here” senior tackle Darryl Fleming said. “We are real and ready to go. People need to come out and support us in the fall.”