So, what are you doing this summer? Sitting around eating nachos and playing video games? Maybe you’re doing something to prepare for next year’s sports seasons, like a little running, or playing hoops once a week. Or, maybe you’re truly dedicated and making a serious commitment to excel. For Mt. Shasta High School football player Tim Jaegel, it’s all about commitment and dedication.

Jaegel, a junior, said his goal after high school is to land a division-I football scholarship, and he knows that to even come close will require a tremendous amount of work—work he is willing to do.

“My long term goal after high school would be, of course, to get a scholarship to play division-I football, but I understand that to achieve a far fetched goal such as this I have to put in my share of hours in the weight room, track and the football field,” said Jaegel. “Right now, I’m going through a summer program that includes lifting and running three days a week. I run with Shannon Maas the track coach at COS to get my 40-yard-dash time down to a 4.7, and I lift with my step dad to also get me faster and stronger.”

In addition to the informal workouts this summer, Jaegel attended the University of California Full Contact Football Camp, held at UC Berkeley’s Memorial Stadium. The camp is run by Cal Head Coach Jeff Tedford and his staff. Jaegel said that he spent most of the three day camp working with tightends coach Pete Alamar.

Jaegel was up at 6:45 each morning and started practice at 8:00 am—something he was less than thrilled about. He then spent the first part of practice with his position coach running routes, and working on blocking and 1-on-1s. For the first two days, the attendees worked through game situations with only light hitting, “Thud Tempo.” The final day of camp was “full out contact,” Jaegel said.

Jaegle, who roomed with Mt. Shasta’s Jordan Hanna and Modoc’s Matt Mays, said he gained a great deal from the camp experience.

“I gained so many things at this camp, both physical and mental. Everyday going through drills and coaches explaining every little detail about how to do it perfect sticks with you for a long time just because of the caliber of the coaches there. They really know what they’re doing. As for the mental part, knowing that you can’t be tired or sore or hurt while you’re there because the coaches won’t see your full potential. You just gotta suck it up and play to the whistle,” said Jaegle.

Apparently, Jaegel has gained the coaches attention. He has been selected as the MVP of the camp at his position for all three years that he has attended, beginning with his freshman year. Jaegel explained how the award is determined.

“At the end of the camp, we all go down to the lacrosse field and the coaches get us in a group sitting down. Then, each position coach will stand up calling out their MVP for the camp. The award is based on skills during your individual drills and games. I believe that is also based on how hard you work. I believe the coaches saw how hard I have worked during this camp for the past three years, and for that I have received MVP,” said Jaegel.

While the coaches doled out praise for Jeagel, he also has high praise for the camp.

“I recommend any Siskiyou County football players to attend this camp. It’s a great camp and you get to play football a month earlier then everyone else,” said Jaegel

To learn more about the Cal Football Camp go to www.calbears.com/camps/football.html