Posted 4/20/07
UW-Platteville's Marcis Davidson is an all-conference offensive lineman from Waunakee. He and the Pioneers are in the midst of spring practices, preparing for the 2007 season.
Spring football practices are relatively new in NCAA Division III. What do you work on and what do you try and accomplish?
"We're just trying to go back to basics and work on fundamentals. It's good for the older guys to review things and just try and get better, and it's good for the young guys to get used to the plays and things they haven't had before. It's going pretty well, although we've had problems with the weather and had to reschedule three practices. It's nice to get out of the gym and get back on the field."
A big trip for you coming up is a trip to Germany in May. How excited are you for that and what do you expect to gain out of the trip?
"I'm really excited just to go over there with a bunch of friends who have been playing together for three years. It's good sight-seeing opportunities, but we'll also have a couple of scrimmages and a game. It's going to give our younger players some experience and getting timing down. More playing time means more experience which means better opportunities."
You talked about playing with the same guys for three years. The offensive line is undoubtedly the most experienced unit. Do you feel that you some of the leaders for this fall's team?
"There's a little bit of pressure there, but all of us have been playing together since our sophomore year and starting, most of us. I think a lot of people look up to us. Even if they don't say it, they look to us for leadership. We kind of know that we are carrying a lot of the weight."
Where do you see the Pioneers in the fall?
"I'm excited. We have a very good opportunity to do some good things. I feel like this year may be one of my best years here. We have a lot of guys returning, a lot of experience; hopefully enough experience to help the young guys get used to it. I think it will be a good year."
You have also succeeded in the classroom with an extremely high grade-point average (3.87). What is your major and how do you balance everything?
"I'm a mechanical engineer major. If football wasn't here, it would be harder because football makes you use your time wisely. Instead of goofing around during the day and waiting until night to do homework,. I try and get it done before practice. It actually makes me stay on top of school better."
What is your Pioneer career highlight, your all-conference award?
"That's awesome as an individual thing, and I was really happy about that, but last year was the highlight so far because the year before we were 1-9 and everyone was kind of down. We turned it around a little bit (going 5-5 in 2006) and hopefully this year we can work off that. I really want a conference championship, badly. If that happens, that would definitely be the highlight."
Interview by SID Paul Erickson