Mark Stoops let his team take a break from camp and have some fun last week. (UK Athletics Photo)
Kentucky’s football took a break last week and enjoyed a retreat at Crossings at Cedarmore.
The Wildcats enjoyed a time of fun and games and most of all, fellowship during the team-bonding retreat last week. For a team that’s taking a business-like approach to the season, Kentucky enjoyed nearly two days of fun and games during the getaway that allowed them time away from the grind of the season starting.
“When you cross the white lines, when you’re on the field, it’s a business, it’s your job,” Kentucky offensive lineman Josh Braun said. “Once you’re past the field, and you’re in a team situation, like we did (last) Wednesday night. That’s where the fun begins.”
While away from the practice field and film study rooms, the Wildcats took advantage of what Crossings at Cedarmore had to offer during the retreat.
“We were on a lake, we were swimming most of the afternoon and just breaking bread with each other, getting outside of the walls of this facility,” Braun said. “I mean, it’s a great facility, but it doesn’t beat the lake with your boys.”
Braun’s hangout crew included fellow offensive linemen Shiyazh Pete, Jagger Burton and quarterback Zach Calzada. In addition to cooling off in the lake, Braun and some of his teammates played a game of Risk Europe.
“None of us had ever played Risk Europe, and it took us about 30 minutes to get it all set up,” he said. “We realized that it was going to take about three to four hours if we played by the rules. We kind of played Risk Europe on the board, but with just regular Risk rules for battle.”
Braun credited Pete for drawing the team’s attention to traditional board games, including chess, which he says helps bring the team closer together in person. Chess has been a regular routine for Braun during preseason camp.
“I love playing chess,” Braun said. “I never thought to bring it into the facility, and he (Pete) did, so credit to him. We’ve been playing chess all throughout training camp. Me, him, Calzada, Coach Ed. … You can play video games, and that’s all fun. But I think there’s a level of intimacy when you’re across the board from someone, and it’s different than just being on the screen in the headset.”
Braun was glad Pete took a “risk” and brought a blast from the past.
“Some guys brought their PS5, only to find out that there are no TVs in the cabins we’re staying in,” he said. “I don’t know what they thought was going to happen, but good thing for us, Pete bought Risk.”
This much is for sure: Kentucky did not take a risk in choosing Crossings at Cedarmore to get off the grid and take some time to themselves before the long college season begins in less than two weeks..
Crossings at Cedarmore was the perfect place to clear their heads before the season begins Aug. 30 against Toledo at Kroger Field.
One Response
Saw on another site ( sorry LV ) that 3 of the top 50 kids in the country were from Louisville.
Interview included scheduled visits they have lined up – was a who’s who of college football powerhouses. UK wasn’t listed by any of the 3. If we’re EVER gonna make a breakthrough we will need to cash in on an opportunity like this. UL won’t need to have OV’s – they live there !
Have to be old to remember this, in the early to mid sixties Kentucky had an inordinate number of top 20 high schoolers – Norton, Calvin Byrd, Hutchinson et al – Cats were pre season #1 . These ops don’t come along very often.