De Anza College athletes utilize the off season to build up power and resistance to persevere through the regular season and stay acquainted with plans to transfer.
Team strength training, summer sports programs and rehabilitation recovery in the off season are key components to the success of students in De Anza College’s athletic program.

“After the baseball season, we go back to the trainer’s room for rehab to get back to 100 percent health. said Danny Molinari, 19, baseball catcher and political science major. “A lot of our arms and legs are beat up by then. After a couple of weeks, our coaches put us in the weight room for flexibility and mobility.”

The Dons’ football program combines an intense four days a week training session with tutoring to ensure academic and athletic focus prior to the fall football season.

“The players are in a comprehensive conditioning program since January 5 that includes cardio and strength conditioning year round,” said Dan Atencio, head coach of the De Anza Dons football team. “We’re also out on the field practicing two days a week, but tutoring with the FAST (Football Academic Success Program) program is a big part of it.”

Players on the team rotate between using the physical education weight room for strength training and the open studio typically used for yoga classes for stretching and core work on training days.

“The moves that benefit us most are hitting the weights and plyometrics to help with balance and explosion,” said Alejandro Orozco, 19, athlete and communications major. “Getting out of the field now help us progress during the season.”

The women’s water polo team uses the spring swimming season to prepare for the sports matches in the Fall.

“I’m in swimming now, and we have weights in the morning and I go to the gym on my own sometimes,” said Thuy Phi, 19, women’s water polo attacker and nursing major. “I’m playing water polo in the Fall again and we have summer polo that is three days a week to scrimmage to swim.”

Men’s basketball, football and women’s water polo teams hold summer programs dedicated to maintaining a regular team practice routine in the off season.

“We need to focus more on plays and techniques during the season so we focus on getting stronger and faster in the off-season,” said Thao Do, 19, women’s water polo attacker and business major..

Individual team players also stay committed to fitness through workout routines outside of mandatory team practices.
“I stay fit by going to Right Stuff Gym myself,” said Orozco. “But it would be easier if there was a full access gym on campus for athletes.”

The DASB Senate allocated $74,000 of its budget to the De Anza athletics program for the 2014-2015 school year and plans to budget $72,300 for next year.

“Every De Anza athlete should be here to be getting bigger and stronger because most of us are here to transfer so we can keep playing the sport,” said Molinari. “The off season is a big time to get ready for the regular season.”