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About 100 women walked into the football weight training room at the Tow Diehm Complex Thursday night during a tour of the facility. Lobo strength and conditioning coordinator Ben Hilgart wanted to convey the level of energy the Lobos possess when they work out, so he told the women to exit and insisted they return with more “juice.”
On their second attempt, the women dashed into the room, hooting and hollering and high-fiving some of the UNM players.
“When we come in, we take it to another degree as far as our energy and excitement coming into the weight room,” Hilgart said. “We just wanted to give them a taste of what our football players do each and every day.”
Those women, 211 in all, received an inside look at the Lobo football program during the 20th annual Lobo Football Women’s Clinic. Split into two groups, they toured the training room, locker room, weight room, coaches’ offices and film study room; tried on football equipment; witnessed strength exercises; and learned about play calling, cadence and the Lobo philosophy.
Following the tours, the women gathered on Branch Field at University Stadium to engage in football drills that incorporated some fundamental elements: passing, ball handling, blocking, tackling and agility. Clinic participant Erica Downing, a football fan who attended the event to learn more about the game, said the passing exercise was among the toughest.
“I just never threw a football before,” she said. “I can’t get it to spin.”
The clinic also served to introduce the women to second-year head coach Bob Davie, his assistant coaches and his players. Davie said he had never been part of, or even heard of, a women’s clinic before arriving at New Mexico, but said it has become one of his favorite events.
“I’d been in coaching, last year at this time, 36 years either coaching or broadcasting, and had never been involved in a ladies’ clinic,” he said. “I was a little bit skeptical, wasn’t sure what was going to happen — but I tell you what, I’m a big fan of this.”
The benefits are three-fold, Davie said.
First off, all proceeds from the women’s clinic, which cost $35 to attend, go to the Send-A-Kid program, which gives underprivileged children tickets to attend UNM football games. That may sound like a minor thing, Davie said, but it could make a difference in a child’s decision to go to college or play college football.
Second, the women who were at the clinic left with one more bit of football knowledge than their significant others. Davie promised that.
“That’s a pretty big deal because a bunch of those guys think they know what’s going on, but really they don’t know what’s going on,” Davie told the ladies after a provided dinner.
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Thirdly, Davie said it establishes a connection between the football program and the community. He said the team is riding a wave of momentum after other events it held this summer. The Lobos hosted a youth camp earlier this year with more than 300 children in attendance, whereas only 40 were involved last year. The team held a high school coaches’ clinic and a 7-on-7 skills camp.
“It’s not going to happen overnight where you see that momentum on this scoreboard, but it’s gradually going to start to happen and I think we’re on an upward plane right now,” Davie said.
As they visited the locker room, many women were surprised by the amount and size of the equipment used by the players, particularly with shoe sizes that range from 8 1/2 to 21. Some women even squared off in a race to dress in complete football attire.
After her trial with the uniform, Kathy Leyba said she found it difficult because the equipment was heavy. Though not a football fan, she said it was a fun event.
“Oh, my girlfriend is such a big Lobo fan,” Leyba said. “She asked me to come and I said yeah, sure. I went to the (basketball) finals in Las Vegas and it was great. I’m sold — I will be back.”
During his presentation, offensive coordinator Bob DeBesse stressed safety as a top priority and said the responsibility of caring for other parents’ sons is one the team takes seriously.
DeBesse said he understands that as well as anyone because his son, Cameron, is a sophomore wide receiver for the Lobos.
“What I want as a father is the same thing a father wants or every mother wants, and that is for their son to learn life lessons that will help them go off and be the best man they can be, best husband, best father, the best member of the community,” he said.
“And they want them to be safe, and we take a lot of pride as coaches to make sure our guys stay safe both on and off the field.”
Several players answered a few of the ladies’ questions, as well.
One asked senior linebacker Dallas Bollema how he keeps in touch with his feminine side. He replied that he does so by cooking and cleaning.
Bollema said he enjoyed his role at the clinic. As an athlete, he said he likes to coach others and had a good time showing the participants what the players go through and how they prepare for the season. The women had great attitudes and energy, he said, and were willing to learn the game.
“I hope they just leave more knowledgeable in what we do,” Bollema said. “Football is a game to the fans, but inside of the football, inside of the helmet, it’s a whole different sport. There’s a lot of thinking going on, there’s a lot of checks, and it’s really dense with information.”
Isabel Betancur, who supports the Lobos even though she attended college out of state, said she was impressed with the closeness displayed between the UNM coaching staff and the players. The clinic provided a welcoming feeling, she said, which could help break the stereotype football is a “good ol’ boys club.”
“This is a program that welcomes women with open arms and says, ‘Look, we want you here,’” she said. “The fact of the matter is women are very competitive and when we feel like we’re welcome, like we can be a part of this, then we’re just as good if not better as a fan of football. What the Lobos need are just good, supportive fans.”
