"We talk about mental toughness all the time. That's the biggest thing good teams have, that they can overcome adversity."  - Bryan Murray


Being mentally tough is something that cannot be taught, rather, it is a choice that an individual makes to become. The team's coaching staff puts an extra emphasis on mental toughness when speaking to the players. Being a student-athlete is a grind. Going to class every day, being on time to team functions, and working out are tasks that every student-athlete must endure during their long seasons. Being mentally tough goes a long way in collegiate athletics.


The theme for the week of practice was hard work, determination, and mental toughness. Tuesday the boys went to work with the usual "black vs. orange battle day." These days consist of the team splitting up to two teams and facing off in drills to determine a winner. The point of the day is to engage in competition. The losing team has to skate from one end of the ice to the other two times after each drill. The winning team only skates down and back one time (conditioning is a big part of hockey). These battle days bring out the best in the players. They push each other to the limit of exhaustion. The winning team of each drill is usually the one who gives that little extra to block a shot or throw a hit. Being mentally tough gives you that little extra push when your gas tank is empty.  


This weekend's games for the Warriors will test their mental toughness. Tech has a rare 3-game weekend. Friday night is a Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference game against Lawrence Tech at 7:30 P.M. Saturday is against Lawrence Tech again but just an NAIHA game. Puck drop for that one is at 5:30 P.M. Western Michigan University comes to town for a Sunday afternoon matinee at 12:30 P.M. The Warriors are coming into the weekend with a 4-2-0 record and looking to improve that, so come out to the Parkview/SportONE Ice House and support the team all weekend. #EarnIT #GoForIT