Weight Room Warrior
June 26, 2005 03:15 PM | General
June 26, 2005
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – You won’t find a better conditioned or more dedicated football player than West Virginia University sophomore Marc Magro.
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| Sophomore linebacker Marc Magro is trying to become known for being more than just a workout freak.
All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks |
The Morgantown native admits he’s been interested in weight training ever since a chance meeting with former WVU strength and conditioning coach Allen Johnson when he was still attending middle school.
“I remember Al Johnson coming over to our school because his son (Adam) was with us,” Magro said recently. “He kind of introduced me to it all.”
Johnson’s introduction to weight training has almost turned into a masochistic compulsion for Magro, a well constructed 6-foot-1-inch, 245-pound middle linebacker. Magro approaches his weight training with such passion and gusto that some of his teammates from time to time have cautioned him to slow down to avoid getting burned out.
“People always say I’m going to get burned out,” Magro noted. “The young guys coming in say that and I had (former WVU All-American linebacker) Grant Wiley always telling me to slow down.
“I wasn’t playing when Wiley was here so I was always working out and doing a lot more stuff,” Magro says. “I understood that and I know when I did start playing that I was going to have to slow down because it does take a toll on your body. I have a pretty good judgment of my body so I know how far I can go.”
Naturally, Magro is an exercise physiology major who has developed a pretty good understanding of how the body works and how exercises can improve it. “(Director of Strength and Conditioning) Mike Barwis does a great job of explaining to the athletes why we do what we do.”
Unlike many athletes, Magro’s workouts are geared toward making him a better football player: not just looking good.
“If you are going to do curls then that’s on your own time,” said Magro. “Everything is geared toward making you a better football player.”
Magro explains: “If you play football you know that a hang cling helps you explode better when you hit somebody; a squat is for your legs. You kind of know what’s going on.”
Working out has many benefits according to Magro. But perhaps the greatest single benefit is the self-confidence a player gets, particularly when he begins to make rapid gains.
“I think the psychological factor is a big part of it,” he explained. “I know at the end of the year that I’ve worked hard and that no one has worked hard than me and I definitely believe (working out) gives you an edge. If you buy into it and you believe in yourself and you know you’ve worked your hardest then you’re ready and prepared.”
Magro says his tremendous work ethic comes from both his parents.
“That’s how they raised me,” he said. “I know that if you want something good in life you’re going to have to work hard for it”
There are even instances when Magro is compulsive to the point of sneaking in a workout during down time on holidays or designed breaks. “Somebody else is doing something to get better and I’m always thinking like that,” he reasoned.
Because Magro is so in-tuned with his body, he knows better than anyone his physical strengths and weaknesses. Those weaknesses are what he’s constantly focusing to improve on.
“I’m blessed with some size but I’m not blessed with the best athletic ability so I’ve got to work on the little minute things that other guys might not have to work on,” he said. “For one thing I’m stretching all of the time because my muscles are always tight.”
But at the same time Magro wants to be known as more than just a workout freak.
“I’ve got three years left and that’s why I’m working so hard in here and up in the film room,” he admitted. “I’m watching film and I hope I’m getting something from it. Coach (Jeff) Casteel tells us what to look for when we’re watching film and how to become a smarter football player. This is my year to pick it up and I’m ready for the ride.”
Magro says his first experience playing last year as a redshirt freshman was one he’d just as soon forget. He was on the kickoff return team and on his very first kickoff against East Carolina he completely whiffed his block attempt.
“Kickoff return is hard,” he admitted. “You’ve got to sprint backward, turn around and pick up a guy sprinting straight at you. I was trying to hit him a little too hard and he just gave me a little juke.”
The University High product, who works behind good friend Jay Henry at middle linebacker, was also able to see some time at linebacker and believes that experience was beneficial, too.
“It was exciting and it was a good first year for me last year,” he noted. “I broke the ice last year getting in there a few times and I’m hoping to have a good camp and then I should be ready to roll.”
