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Editor's note: This is the first of series of diary/blog submissions, accompanied by videos and still photos Rock Sports Information Director Bob McComas will file to chronicle the activities of Brandon Fusco as the first-ever SRU football student athlete to participate in the Under Armour Senior Bowl, the premier postseason football game for aspiring NFL draft prospects.

MOBILE, Ala. -- Good afternoon and greetings from the sunny and warm (61 degrees) south.

Sorry, but I had to say that. After shivering and sniffling our way through the western Pennsylvania winter we are definitely enjoying the warmer weather.

“We” in this case includes Brandon, myself, Rock Head Football Coach George Mihalik and former Rock football standout/longtime Rock football benefactor Jerry Bejbl.

We got the opportunity last night (Sunday), while the Steelers were securing their Super Bowl berth (GO STEELERS!!), to spend a few minutes with Brandon in between meetings and interviews with prospective employers in the form of NFL team representatives. Here are some of his initial thoughts on the Senior Bowl experience:

“I'm a little overwhelmed,” he said. “There's a lot going on and a lot of people to meet and talk to. But it's also fun. And I am excited. I can't wait to get back to playing football!

“It's a little hard to believe that I am here with all these big-time guys, the other players in the Senior Bowl and all the NFL people,” Fusco added. “But I am also definitely focused on what I need to do while I'm here.”

Initially, he needs to remember to “stay low,” his agent, Allen Herman, reminded him while we were all talking. “You can't get up high against these guys or they will make you pay and maybe look foolish.”

Schedule – Fusco and the rest of the Senior Bowl participants began their official schedule of events Sunday night with the player check-in, followed by team meetings.

Today's (Monday) schedule began with the National Scouting Weigh-In, which was attended by several hundred members of the media and NFL personnel. Each player took his turn on the stage of the Mobile Convention Center ballroom to have his height measured and his weight recorded. Fusco checked in a shade over 6-feet-4 and 302 pounds and was among the biggest players in the group. And he looked very fit after four weeks of intense workouts at the IMG Performance Institute in Bradenton, Fla.

The first practice session starts at 2:45 p.m. (all Central times) today and is scheduled to run 90 minutes. Following that will be a Kickoff Reception, Media Night at the Battleship USS Alabama anchored in Mobile Bay and a Fellowship of Christian Athletes Coaches Fellowship session.

Fusco and his North teammates will hit the practice field for a second workout starting at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, which will be followed later in the day by a Quarterback Club reception and another FCA Coaches Fellowship.

An Athletes in Action Breakfast will precede Wednesday's practice session, which is also set to start at 9:30 a.m. At 6 p.m., we all head for the Seafood Jubilee in the Mobile Convention Center.

Thursday's only scheduled event is a 9:30 a.m. practice session.

The final practice prior to Saturday's game will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday and will be followed by a players' visit to the USA Children 's and Women's Hospital in Mobile. Closing out that day's schedule will be the Coca-Cola Meet the Players event in the Convention Center.

Interspersed throughout the week will be interview after interview tih representatives from the 32 NFL teams.

Game day features a Tailgate Challenge and Food For Less Tailgate Party leading up to the 2:30 p.m. pregame show and 3 p.m. kickoff.

The game will be televised live by the NFL Network.

Coaching staffs – Fusco will wear jersey number 79 for the North squad in Saturday's game. The North will be led by Marvin Lewis, head coach of the NFL Cincinnati Bengals, and his staff.

The South squad will be coached by the Buffalo Bills staff headed by Chan Gailey and including former University of Pittsburgh/Chicago Bears/Miami Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstadt, who was hired last week as the Bills' defensive coordinator.

Jones sighting – Jerry Jones, owner and general manager of the Dallas Cowboys, was also one of the many NFL dignitaries on hand for Monday's weighing and measuring of the Senior Bowl participants. Upon conclusion of the session, he held his own impromptu media session in the lobby of the Mobile Convention Center as he was enveloped by a horde of media representatives seeking his opinion on a variety of NFL-related topics.

Stay tuned -- Well, I hope you enjoyed this initial look at all the activities surrounding this year's Senior Bowl. We hope to file a second segment later today (Monday), so check back later.

GO ROCK!!

Bob McComas
Sports Information Director