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Expert: Vic Winnek - 6/25/2009


Question
Hi, my name is Ogechukwu. I am 18 and a sophomore at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Recently we have voted to have a football team that will begin to play in 2010. I was wondering what is the possibility of me walking on the team. I am 6'0 210 can bench 225 around 15 times. Technically I have 0 football experience, I couldn't play in high school because my school was 40 mins away so I had transportation issues. So the only thing close to real football experience that I have is Intramural 7 on 7 flag football. I really don't care to much about playing time, Im more focused about getting my degree in engineering, but I would like to see if I have the ability to make it. Also working out with a team would help me keep in shape. So what are the possible positions I could play (personally I would like to be a running back)and anything else that you think can help me.

Thanks!

Answer
Ogechukwu
Go for it!  The answer to your quest rests with the coach, however if you have the skills and desire to walk-on I say go for it.  Remember, your competition will be from those who want to play and want playing time, not just to be on the team.  So, you may want to rethink whether you really desire to play and if you do I say go for it. How exciting to be a part of the University of Texas at San Antonio's first football team.  The skills you have learned in flag football will transcend to some degree to tackle football.  Next thing you need to do is to contact the coach and ask him for his workout  program.  

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Vic Winnek

Expertise

Will Answer all queries RE: Rules of Football - NCAA & Federation; Officiating; Instruction on Football; Mechanics & application of rules; Setting up Instructional programs and clinics for: Officials, coaches and media; Liability Issues (Legal & Insurance questions)arising from coaching, playing, refereeing, product liability. Serve as an Consultant and Expert Witness in Football Related Matters in Tort and Contract (Standard of Care for: officials, coaches, players, assignors, BOD; Player, equipment, field & stadium Safety; Fee issues, independant contractor workers compensation. History of the College football game -its evolution. MY PURPOSE IS TO INFORM & EDUCATE FANS, MEDIA, THOSE INTERESTED IN FOOTBALL ABOUT: THE RULES, THEIR APPLICATION, PHILOSOPHIES; OFFICIATING; LEGAL ISSUES INVOLVING FOOTBALL. I WILL NOT RESPOND TO BASHING OF TEAMS, COACHES OR OFFICIALS. I will not dignify rude or disparaging comments with a response, nor entertain questions that use profanity or questions that suggest Football officials are corupt, such an insinuation is ridiculous and ludicrous.

Experience

24 years officiating High School & College football, NCAA Referee, Umpire, Back Judge & Line Judge 2 years Arena Football-substitution official Instructor of NCAA & Federation Officials, Played prep and college football; coached High School football; Athletic trainer; 23 years of instruction in Officiating Football

Organizations
Past President of Calif. Football Officials Assoc; Western Collegiate Football Officials Assoc.; CFOA-Long Beach Unit Board of Directors CFOA-South Bay Unit & Long Beach Unit, Pres. Executive Council of Calif. Football Officials Assoc.; CIF Presidents' Council on Officiating; Chairman Ethics Committee

Publications
Referee Magazine; California Football Officials Assoc. Instructor's Guide; NACC Div. 1-AA football officials' clinic; CFOA instrutional materials; Articles written: Line of Scrimmage mechanics, Forward Progress, Side Line Warnings, 2006 NCAA New Timing Rules; various instructional materials, UWLA Law Review

Education/Credentials
BA USC 1987
JD UWLA School of Law 1996
3 Years Reno Football Officials Clinic
4 Years UCLA Football Officials Camp Big 12 Mini Clinic NFL Grass Roots Clinic Aloha Clinic, Honolulu, HI West Coast Alliance Clinic

Awards and Honors
NCAA Div. 1 FCS & Div. III, 9 post season Bowl Games, play-offs, CIF Div. 1,2,3,5,8,9,10,12 Final, 10 years CIF Semi-finals, 19 years of CIF play-offs, California State High School Football Div. 1 Championship, Southern California Jr. College Championship, NCAA Div. III Semi-Final

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