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While the vast majority of EWU students will be enjoying the dog days of summer break in their entirety, returning football players earn only a short reprieve before heading to Cheney.

The Eagles’ summer weightlifting program requires players to report on June 24. While the program is technically optional, those that participate have a better chance of seeing playing time. “You want to be here to get better,” wide receiver Cooper Kupp said. “If you want to play on this team, you got to be getting better.”

Just 10 days after the last scheduled date of final examinations, Kupp and his teammates will leave their hometowns and train under the supervision of head strength and conditioning coach Nate Brookreson. Kupp is eager to see his family in Yakima, Wash., over the break. “I just want to see my little sister, actually,” Kupp said. “I haven’t seen her in a while. I’m looking forward to that.”

Quarterback Vernon Adams, who played at 175 pounds during the 2012 season, set strength and weight goals for the summer. “I’m definitely looking forward to getting stronger,” Adams said. I’ve been taking protein a lot, and I want to get my weight up to a solid 193-195 so I can take hits. I might be running the ball a lot more this year, so I want to be able to take hits.” Adams is close to his goal, currently weighing in at 188 pounds.

Adams added, “I’m trying to get my weight up, but also keep my speed up at the same time, if not get faster.”

A sizeable contingent of the players — 20 to 25, approximately — will take on a summer job refereeing basketball games at the Camp Classic Basketball Tournaments, held every weekend in July in Spokane. Each game worked, either as a scorekeeper or referee, earns a $10 check. “They do a great job representing the university,” tournament director Arnold Brown said of his summer workers.

“Like I always tell them, I take a little pride in their championships because I feel like we’re building their character here throughout the summer, getting them all together and building that camaraderie amongst the team,” Brown said.

Wide receiver Ashton Clark will coordinate the player involvement for the 2013 Camp Classic. “We have a good relationship with [Brown], and he knows that guys are going to be here throughout the summer,” Clark said. “It’s a chance for guys to get jobs since we don’t get any financial aid over the summer.”

Per NCAA rules, the football team cannot hold organized practices with coach’s involvement. This does not stop them from holding a few heated games of 7-on-7 every week. “Those get pretty competitive,” Kupp said. “With all the guys, there’s always competition.”

Kupp singled out defensive back Allen Brown as the leading trash talker amongst the players. “He just stays talking. If it’s a sideline catch, it’s automatic that we’re going to argue about it for about five minutes before we figure out if it was actually in bounds or not.”

Rather than refuting the trash-talking allegations, Allen Brown takes pride in them. “It’s just a part of the game,” he said. “I’m always giving them a hard time. It’s all competition.”

Another activity for the players to enjoy is a game known simply as “Candy Bar.” Players take turns throwing tennis balls into a garbage can, and the last one to make it has to buy everyone else a candy bar. Kupp said running back Jordan Talley was on the hook for 17 or 18 candy bars a few weeks ago after losing the latest round. “You just text him what you want,” Kupp said. “His phone was all candy bars, all the way down.”

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