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nickgyp
07-20-2009, 11:42 AM
Recent article in Enquirer:

At XU, football means titles
The Enquirer • July 18, 2009

The Xavier club football team was formed in 2006 with 45 guys and three footballs. Back then, they were a novelty on campus with a decent portion of the roster comprised of players who had never been in an organized football game. Three years later, the team is aiming for its third straight Midwestern Club Football Conference championship. Finding players is no longer a problem.

"People nowadays are not surprised that football is on the Xavier campus and we don't get as many people who have never played before," head coach Tom Powers said. "Having said that, every Xavier student is invited to play and we don't want to turn anybody away. This team was originally put together for the students, and so far that's been successful."

A third straight MCFC championship for Xavier will be tougher to come by this season. The conference has expanded from four teams to include Wright State, Ohio State, University of Michigan at Flint and New Orleans. The additional teams will test Powers' team not only physically but financially.

Like most club teams, Powers' group relies on fund raisers and contributions to pay for travel and equipment. The extra games and distances mean the team's travel expenses will at least double. Powers credits Xavier football alums and private contributors for helping the school field a team and allowing him to focus on winning games.

"They have all been very generous," he said. "That's what makes our program go."

To join the team, players must pass a physical and be a registered Xavier student. They are also required to fill out the necessary waivers and pay a participation fee.

Paying fees doesn't guarantee you'll play, but your attitude might.

"What you do in practice determines playing time," Powers said. "We know we are a club team, but that's not the way we look at it. It's not a social club, it's a football team and we play to win. We don't want to waste the efforts of the last three years. We want to keep the ball rolling and keep working to stay on top."

Team conditioning begins Aug. 10. The first practice is Aug. 17. Powers is looking for a running backs coach and an assistant coach to work with wide receivers.

For more information on Xavier club football, go to www.xu.edu/football or e-mail Powers at tepowersjr@yahoo.com.


2009 schedule

Saturday, Sept. 19: at Marquette * Milwaukee, TBD

Saturday, Sept. 26: Univ. of Michigan - Flint * Roger Bacon, 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 4: at Miami ** Oxford, 1 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 11: at Ohio State University * Columbus, noon

Saturday, Oct. 17: S.I.U. - Edwardsville * Roger Bacon, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 24: Wright State University ** Roger Bacon, 1:30 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 1: at Wilmington College (JV) Wilmington, 1 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 7: at Univ. of New Orleans ** New Orleans, TBD

Saturday, Nov. 14: Notre Dame College Roger Bacon, 7 p.m.

* Midwestern Club Football Conference Northern Division games.

** Midwestern Club Football Conference Southern Division games.

Game times and dates are subject to change.