Wisconsin football's Brady Collins on summer conditioning, Badgers leaders and adapting
Wisconsin's director of football strength and conditioning spoke to Badger Observer about leaders emerging this summer, adapting to construction and more.
Brady Collins has had to get creative at times this summer amidst all the work being done around the University of Wisconsin football facilities.
Collins, Wisconsin’s director of football strength and conditioning, has seen the program’s locker room displaced and his weight room cut to one-third of what it’s normally as construction has been ongoing around Camp Randall Stadium. The shifting of areas have led to some adversity before the team’s new facility is able to be used, but they’ve still found a way to get work done during summer conditioning.
Some adjustments have been needed due to weather, such as moving a running plan to the next day. There’s also physically moving the players into unique environments, which included training in the Tom Talbot Wrestling Complex inside Camp Randall Stadium. Anyone that’s been in Wisconsin’s wrestling room knows it gets steamy during wrestling practices in the winter. Collins’ description of “sauna” felt like an understatement, but he said that audible “turned out to be one of the greatest days ever.”
He praised the players for their work not just that particular day but for adapting to the conditions during this transition period.
“They’re in the visiting locker room right now, and it’s really cool because they don’t have the luxurious big lockers and all the cold and hot tubs,” Collins said. “They’re all tight, and it’s hot in there and it’s sticky, but it’s old school. They’re getting to know each other more, and they’re being accountable and cleaning up.
“We know what’s coming. There’ll be a beautiful facility, and if all those things truly matter deep down, then maybe your heart isn’t in it for all the right reasons. Because the passion’s got to be to play this game, to be around the people that you want to do it with, that make you better, that hold you accountable and push you need to be your ultimate best every single day. So it’s been unique, it’s been challenging, but it’s been awesome. … Trust me, we don’t need much room, but we’ll get it in.”
Collins spoke to Badger Observer on Friday afternoon about a variety of other topics, as seen below.
