Off to practice we go!
Well, hell it never rains in Switzerland …. so what is going on here? It is actually raining right now! Actually, I’ve been snowed on once a few years ago while 
leaving Bern (that’s the capitol of Switzerland by the way for you non-geography … or is it geology? Majors). But rain – I think it might have sprinkled once or twice in my several visits.
There aren’t any domed stadiums around these parts that I know of. So, we’re going to get wet out there at practice. But, just feel pretty fortunate that I am able to get out on the field and watch some players get to work.
The under-19 Thun Tigers are the defending champions of the Swiss American Football Verband (Association). Last year they were an athletic and deeply talented team that was able to sweep through the league and win it all. Unfortunately for the Tigers they lost several key players as they crossed the 19 year-old threshold.
Big Danny Antolovich – who truly is gigantic even by US standards (6-6 300+) will attend the University of Connecticut to play football, QB Bay Harvey will move on to Johns Hopkins to compete for the Baltimore school this fall. These critical losses coupled with many other players moving up to the senior team open a lot of holes in the Tiger’s line-up.
But, that is the way it is. As a team, you have to make adjustments and continue to move forward. Unfortunately, in Europe – and Switzerland in particular – It is hard to reload. Where in the US there are always young players fighting to get noticed – since most teams are local clubs many smaller towns have trouble finding replacements.
Often, it is not the lack of talent in players that gets you in trouble overseas – but, it is just sometimes just the inability to gather enough core players to provide depth. So, you might have a team that has gifted players, but due to the fact they often cannot get some rest at points of the game – they can wear out.
But like my old friend Frank Gansz used to say. “No one said it was going to be easy … and no one said it was going to be fair!”
One thing about the entire Thun Tiger organization from the top to the bottom – it is filled with capable people. Men and women who are committed to helping the young men on the squad. I am honored and humbled that they invited me to be a small part of their organization.
It was a great weekend where I was able to reunite with my friends Stephan Pulver and Daniel GyGax of the “Erste Mannschaft” or First Team. Stephan is the head coach who was a fine player and has established himself as a very strong leader of the older players of the team.
Daniel has coached many positions and currently is working with the running backs. Interestingly I am living on the bottom floor of his father – Ruedi’s – house outside of Thun. What a fantastic place ax well.
The coaches of the Junior (U-19) squad are also outstanding. Head coach Arne Denecke has brought great success to the younger squad – the combination of his defensive knowledge and the great expertise of Christian Warzecha the offensive coordinator makes a very strong pairing to lead the team.
As we move forward you grow to understand what a great group the Tigers have. But even great leadership you need a solid foundation of assistants to move forward. It will become evident who these coaches are as we move forward over the next several months.
I just feel lucky to have a chance to be a part of such a grounded staff.
A few things about the City of Thun:
First off, it is a beautiful place. But, since it has been raining – well, have to get some better pictures for later on. However, eventually you will get to see some excellent shots. After all – I have six months to get them to you.
Thun is located along the Aare River as it flows out of Lake Thun (Lake Thun is also known as the Thunersee – yeah look it up!) As the river leaves the lake the 45,000 residents – 80,000 in the entire region rises around the water.
Aside from being a great place with really nice people Thun has its own castle (Amazingly called Thun Castle!) OK there are a lot of castles in Switzerland. 
More than 500 castles and forts throughout the country!That might seem like a lot … but remember Germany has over 20,000! For us people in the states (do we even have any?) it is amazing.
I would recommend seeing one to anyone!
You have to admit, I do have it made being able to see this great place!