Check out the article about Jeff Woody, a former SE Polk athlete who worked out at AI throughout his high school career...
Cyclone football: Jeff Woody in mix to be Alexander Robinson's backup Ames, Ia. — Jeff Woody is goal-driven, and if you don’t believe it, have him tell you about the notes he tacks daily to the walls of his apartment:
Get on the field.
Get on the field as running back.
Get on the field on special teams.
Earn all A’s in the classroom.
“They’re written down,” the Iowa State tailback from Southeast Polk said Monday. “I have a list of goals that I want to accomplish every day. I post them on my wall every day, and I look at them before I leave my room.”
He’ll meet one of those goals during the Cyclones’ annual spring game at 2 p.m. Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium, where admission is free. He’s one of three trying to be No. 2 behind 1,000-yard rusher Alexander Robinson.
“That A-Rob fella,” the talkative Woody said. “He’s all right.”
But No. 2 is up for grabs among Beau Blankenship, James White, incoming recruit Shontrelle Johnson, Bo Williams once he recovers from a concussion, and Woody.
“He’s a physical, hard-running football player,” coach Paul Rhoads said of the 234-pound Woody, a walkon who didn’t play last season.
“He’s hard to tackle, and if he’s not lining up at tailback, he can line up at tight end, or we can use him as a blocker at fullback.
“He can play on special teams, too. Jeff Woody will help this football team in 2010.”
Iowa State's 2010 football schedule
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On the field and in the motivational department, thanks to wisdom passed on by Scott Belger, Woody’s high school baseball coach.
“He brought in a speaker once who stressed the importance of setting goals, and it’s stuck with me,” the redshirt freshman said.
“When you have a goal that you see everyday in the mirror or on the wall or in your wallet, you’re going to subconsciously know that all your actions will be based on achieving that goal.”
Cyclones blog: Video from Paul Rhoads' press conference
Goals also extend to the classroom:
Turning all homework assignments in on time.
Study a week in advance for all exams.
So far – mostly so good.
He says he’s getting A’s in Chemistry, Sociology and in two labs.
He’s getting B’s “so far” in Physiology and Computer Science.
“Haven’t had the finals yet, though,” he said. “I’m a positive thinker.”
Most of the time.
Woody once wondered whether he’d ever be placed scholarship, but this time a friend set him straight.
“I got down on myself seeing others on scholarship, thinking Oh woe is me,” recalled Woody, who still isn’t on scholarship. “My girl friend reminded me that if I was playing just for a scholarship, -- you’re playing for the wrong reasons.
“That snapped me back to reality.”
