Hull Springs Into Football
March 29, 2004

Spring has arrived. As the days get longer and the weather gets warmer the Ashland University football team heads outdoors to begin spring football. Anticipation is high for the 2004 football season to begin and no one could be more excited than junior wide receiver Mike Hull (Cincinnati, OH/Sycamore).

“My biggest hope is to learn the new offensive strategy and get a grasp on that,” Hull said. “We’re anxious to get moving.”

During the 2003 season Hull caught a team-best 57 passes for 622 yards (10.9 ypc.) and two touchdowns. He’s AU’s career leader in receptions with one more season left to play. Hull was sixth in the GLIAC in receptions per game (5.18) and eighth in receiving yards per game (56.5). Heading into his final season he holds AU records for catches in a game, season and career.

One of the biggest challenges for Hull this season has been adjusting to a new coaching staff and guiding the team through the transition.

“It’s been good so far. The team has been very receptive to the new coaches. We’re getting used to the new discipline, which has been the biggest change for the team so far,” Hull said. “The training styles are different and the biggest adjustment is getting up at 5:30 a.m. for practices.”

Hull is the returning captain for the Eagles, who finished 2-9 in 2003. He has been looked at to lead the team during the shift of coaches and during practice. Head coach Lee Owens expressed the importance of having Hull on the team.

“It’s so hard to find leaders to be good role models. The other coaches and I feel fortunate to come into this program with an experienced captain. It’s a very good thing,” Owens said. “Everyone realizes you can count on him and he has the respect of the team. He’s a very unselfish player.”

“I just try to play my part. I try to lead by example. Problems have been addressed and Coach alleviates the players’ concerns,” Hull said.

Hull has his personal and team goals in place and is anxious to get into competitive play again.

“We are optimistic that things will change quickly. The goal is always to win the conference and we are very close to being a really good team,” Hull said. “Personally, I’m just trying to lead the team and play my role the best I can. I want to be more of an impact player and a bigger threat in the conference.”

With Owens and a new staff in place a new offensive strategy is going to come into the works, which should mean good things for Hull.

“Mike was a record-breaking performer before the new direction of the program,” Owens said. “He is going to perform well under any situation because he is an all-league type of performer.”

“I’m excited for this new style of offense. We had success last year and we had a strong defense. We want to try and put up more points resulting in more wins,” Hull said. “Anything I can do to help win more ball games I’ll do.”