Q&A with Richland's Bryan Wedding
Posted: July 14th, 2013, 8:10 am
Who: Bryan Wedding
Position: OL/DL
Team: Richland Rams
Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/590479/highlights/36501422
Let's get to know Bryan Wedding!
Richland has really grown as a program over the last decade. Why do you think there has been so much success?
We weren't always the most dominant team but through dedication and hard work we have been able to get better. First, our coaches are awesome. They teach us and give us the tools to get better and then push us hard. Secondly, my team mates are dedicated to success. I don't think I've met a group of guys who are more dedicated to not only bettering themselves but bettering the whole team. Through that dedication comes a certain intensity, and that intensity and drive just comes to the games every Friday night.
Tell us about a person other than family who has had a really big impact on your life.
Coach Larry McCracken is a great guy and has had a great impact on me and our team as a whole. He is our strength and conditioning coach and also works with us individually. He is a great motivator. He is also one our FCA Huddle coaches and that is a great program too.
Last year was a memorable season for the Rams. What memory do you look back on from that season and cherish the most?
When the play clock hit zero at the D6 game. We had worked so hard for that moment, just the feeling that all the hard work and practice paid off was amazing. It'll be something I will always remember.
I hear you go on a missions trip every year to rural Tennessee. Tell us what that trip is like and what you do.
The past 3 years I have been going to Westmoreland, TN on a missions trip with Emmanuel Baptist Church. We usually go and do things for people that can't do it themselves. The first two years we went to man who was disabled after serving in Vietnam. This last year we went to few places, but I got to serve these people in a lot of ways. We are able to help these people in a lot of ways physically, but how we help them emotionally and spiritually is the real reason we are there. Helping those people often does more for us than it does for them. It is a week of constant learning and growing in God by doing for others. This is probably one of my favorite things to do.
Concussions have become a hot topic in football and last year you had one at the end of the season. What was it like to go through that and rehab from it?
It honestly was one of the worst things to go through. I constantly had a headaches and couldn’t stand being around anyone. Any light or sound just made it worse. I basically became a hermit until I was cleared. But worse than the physical part, was the fact that it kept me from playing or even being able to be with the team. That hurt worse.
If I was visiting your area as a fan, where would I want to go eat before the game and what would you recommend eating?
Anthony's Restaurant on Scalp; it is a delicious family-owned Italian restaurant. In my opinion the best thing on the menu is the Chicken Parmesan.
Outside of Richland, who do you feel is the best player in the LHAC?
It’s really hard to say one. Every week we face a team with a bunch of good kids.
Coach Bailey is a great guy. What is one way that he has had an impact on you?
Coach Bailey is a very goal oriented coach. Last year it was to win 13 games, and we did that and more. This year we have one goal of becoming State Champions. So he has taught me to make goals and crush them, no matter what the odds are.
Do you have any pregame traditions or rituals?
I like to relax, have a good pregame meal, and listen to music. It gets my mind in the right gear for me to go out and play the game.
What is the best thing about being a Richland Ram?
The family that not only the team but the school has become. I wouldn't trade my team for any other. They are my brothers and I know they have my back. Then the school spirit and pride has been just been getting better and better each year. It really is an awesome atmosphere.
How has football helped you to grow as a young man?
It has taught me many things. However, one that is most prevalent is that even when facing tremendous opposition, you can always fight and work hard to come out on top of whatever the obstacle. I think that this mentality can be relayed into the game of life as well.
You have to go on a date with a celebrity. Who are you picking?
Tina Fey, she is hilarious.
If you could spend one day with any historical figure who would it be and why?
I think the coolest historical figure I could spend the day with in person would be Jesus Christ. As cliché as that sounds, I'm a Christian Athlete, emphasis on the Christian. I think it would just be cool to spend the day with the person who saved us all and forever changed the course of history on so many levels.
What game do you have circled on the 2013 schedule?
Bishop McCort in week 5. It's always a big rivalry with lots of great competition and packed stands.
If you could be the star running back instead of a lineman, would you make the switch or do you enjoy being in the trenches?
I love working in the trenches! There's just something about paving the way for our backs and protecting our QB that just gives me a sense of great pride and accomplishment. So no, as much fun as it would be, nothing compares to being a lineman and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks for reading! Remember to sign up for the forums by clicking Register at the top of the page. BleacherCoaches.com is the home for Pennsylvania High School sports and is the place to be in the fall! We would love to have you join our BleacherCoaches family!
Position: OL/DL
Team: Richland Rams
Highlights: http://www.hudl.com/athlete/590479/highlights/36501422
Let's get to know Bryan Wedding!
Richland has really grown as a program over the last decade. Why do you think there has been so much success?
We weren't always the most dominant team but through dedication and hard work we have been able to get better. First, our coaches are awesome. They teach us and give us the tools to get better and then push us hard. Secondly, my team mates are dedicated to success. I don't think I've met a group of guys who are more dedicated to not only bettering themselves but bettering the whole team. Through that dedication comes a certain intensity, and that intensity and drive just comes to the games every Friday night.
Tell us about a person other than family who has had a really big impact on your life.
Coach Larry McCracken is a great guy and has had a great impact on me and our team as a whole. He is our strength and conditioning coach and also works with us individually. He is a great motivator. He is also one our FCA Huddle coaches and that is a great program too.
Last year was a memorable season for the Rams. What memory do you look back on from that season and cherish the most?
When the play clock hit zero at the D6 game. We had worked so hard for that moment, just the feeling that all the hard work and practice paid off was amazing. It'll be something I will always remember.
I hear you go on a missions trip every year to rural Tennessee. Tell us what that trip is like and what you do.
The past 3 years I have been going to Westmoreland, TN on a missions trip with Emmanuel Baptist Church. We usually go and do things for people that can't do it themselves. The first two years we went to man who was disabled after serving in Vietnam. This last year we went to few places, but I got to serve these people in a lot of ways. We are able to help these people in a lot of ways physically, but how we help them emotionally and spiritually is the real reason we are there. Helping those people often does more for us than it does for them. It is a week of constant learning and growing in God by doing for others. This is probably one of my favorite things to do.
Concussions have become a hot topic in football and last year you had one at the end of the season. What was it like to go through that and rehab from it?
It honestly was one of the worst things to go through. I constantly had a headaches and couldn’t stand being around anyone. Any light or sound just made it worse. I basically became a hermit until I was cleared. But worse than the physical part, was the fact that it kept me from playing or even being able to be with the team. That hurt worse.
If I was visiting your area as a fan, where would I want to go eat before the game and what would you recommend eating?
Anthony's Restaurant on Scalp; it is a delicious family-owned Italian restaurant. In my opinion the best thing on the menu is the Chicken Parmesan.
Outside of Richland, who do you feel is the best player in the LHAC?
It’s really hard to say one. Every week we face a team with a bunch of good kids.
Coach Bailey is a great guy. What is one way that he has had an impact on you?
Coach Bailey is a very goal oriented coach. Last year it was to win 13 games, and we did that and more. This year we have one goal of becoming State Champions. So he has taught me to make goals and crush them, no matter what the odds are.
Do you have any pregame traditions or rituals?
I like to relax, have a good pregame meal, and listen to music. It gets my mind in the right gear for me to go out and play the game.
What is the best thing about being a Richland Ram?
The family that not only the team but the school has become. I wouldn't trade my team for any other. They are my brothers and I know they have my back. Then the school spirit and pride has been just been getting better and better each year. It really is an awesome atmosphere.
How has football helped you to grow as a young man?
It has taught me many things. However, one that is most prevalent is that even when facing tremendous opposition, you can always fight and work hard to come out on top of whatever the obstacle. I think that this mentality can be relayed into the game of life as well.
You have to go on a date with a celebrity. Who are you picking?
Tina Fey, she is hilarious.
If you could spend one day with any historical figure who would it be and why?
I think the coolest historical figure I could spend the day with in person would be Jesus Christ. As cliché as that sounds, I'm a Christian Athlete, emphasis on the Christian. I think it would just be cool to spend the day with the person who saved us all and forever changed the course of history on so many levels.
What game do you have circled on the 2013 schedule?
Bishop McCort in week 5. It's always a big rivalry with lots of great competition and packed stands.
If you could be the star running back instead of a lineman, would you make the switch or do you enjoy being in the trenches?
I love working in the trenches! There's just something about paving the way for our backs and protecting our QB that just gives me a sense of great pride and accomplishment. So no, as much fun as it would be, nothing compares to being a lineman and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks for reading! Remember to sign up for the forums by clicking Register at the top of the page. BleacherCoaches.com is the home for Pennsylvania High School sports and is the place to be in the fall! We would love to have you join our BleacherCoaches family!