Carrollton, GA - The first annual Running with the Wolves is set for next Saturday, August 21, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. at University Stadium. Leading up to that event, www.uwgsports.com will highlight several athletes that fans will have a chance to meet at this event.
The first is West Georgia offensive lineman Ukandu Emeonye. Known as Ukon to his teammates and coaches, Emeonye is the anchor of the UWG offensive line. Heading into the 2009 season, he was slated as the starter at center, but a preseason broken leg kept him out of action for the whole of the year.
A sophomore out of Osborne High School in Marietta, Emeonye was a stalwart on the line in 2008, starting at center as a true freshman.
Since coming back, he has stepped back into that role as the leader of the offensive line. As he led the line out onto the field for the first play from scrimmage in the final scrimmage of spring practice, he let out a yell and that followed with a loud cry of "Let's Go!!!"
Q: How difficult was the 2009 season for you?
Emeonye: "That was a very tough time for me. I love playing and I had to sit out and watch my teammates go through a very tough year. That was the one thing that was almost unbearable, because I couldn't help in any way but with what I said to them."
Q: You were the most hyped up player at the spring game. Talk about that moment.
Emeonye: "I had so much emotion built up at that time. Being on the field at the stadium for the first time in pads and going up to the line, I just had to get it out."
Q: What was this summer like for you in preparation for this fall?
Emeonye: "It's all about hard work and determination. That is part of the theme that we have adopted this year. We are tired of going through what we have been through and as a team, we are holding each other accountable."
Q: So is this year going to be the year of the Wolf?
Emeonye: "We have a lot to go through before we can say that, but we are working harder than ever before. We want to be successful this year and working hard is the only way we can get there."
The junior offensive lineman and many more of the 2010 Wolves will be on hand at University Stadium next Saturday from noon-2:00 p.m. Fans are encouraged to come out, under the main grandstand, to meet and greet players from all of the 2010-11 teams.