FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The Syracuse football team spent its second day training at Fort Drum on Wednesday. Half of the Orange participated in air assault training in the morning, while the rest of the team completed an obstacle course. Syracuse held practice at Sligh Field in the afternoon and finished their workout with a series of pugil stick bouts.
Members of the Orange rappelled down a 45-foot wall with the help and guidance of the 10th Mountain Division. Soldiers instructed the student-athletes on how to properly tie a Swiss seat, as well as how to maneuver while suspended in the air. The task appeared daunting at first, but many players conquered their nerves and completed the obstacle. Freshman quarterback Zack Mahoney was the first one down the wall.
"Honestly, when you first get up there I was a little nervous, but it was safe like they said," Mahoney said. "When you got up there and felt safe, there were no worries."
The players not involved in air assault training took on Fort Drum's "Confidence Course," a series of obstacles that included a rope swing, balance beams and different climbing challenges. Soldiers were there to help assist the student-athletes, but it was fellow team members who pushed one another to the finish line.
Antwan Cordy, who is not fond of heights, was one of those who faced his fear and overcame it with the help of his teammates.
"I've seen a lot of teamwork come out of working with us," Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey McPherson said. "There was a guy (Cordy) who was really scared and didn't want to go over one of the towers on the course. His teammates came around, huddled up, cheered him on and he completed it."
After the morning activities, the team held its second Fort Drum practice at Sligh Field. A 15-minute instructional session on fighting techniques followed the practice session. The seminar helped prepare the players for a series of pugil stick bouts where one offensive player and defensive player battled using padded jousting sticks. Head coach Scott Shafer picked the matchups and refereed each fight.
The men and women of the 10th Mountain Division enjoyed the pugil stick competitions just as much or more than the players and coaches. For McPherson and the rest of the soldiers it's a great experience just to have the Orange on post.
"This is a pretty awesome interaction because we don't get to see stuff like this every day," McPherson said. "It's cool for the community because more and more people are coming out every day to watch and this is just something we don't always get to usually do."
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