Training Day

BRADENTON — Adrian McPherson has walked the same path countless times.

Growing up, the former Southeast High quarterback relied on his talent and his work ethic to prepare him to play at the next level, whether advancing from youth football to high school, high school to college, or college to the NFL.

McPherson’s coaches guided him along the way, but with more than 50 other players competing for their attention, they could only do so much.

The Bradenton native didn’t have a former player — someone who had achieved the goals McPherson set for himself — to look up to or turn to for guidance.

And although that didn’t deter McPherson from following his dreams, looking back it was something he always wished he had.

Now, McPherson, who played at Florida State and spent a year with the New Orleans Saints before moving to the Arena Football League, hopes to be that source of inspiration for the area’s young up-and-coming athletes.

On June 16, McPherson officially launched his summer athletic training program at The McPherson Athletic Compound at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. MAC is an advanced-training curriculum that addresses all areas of athletic performance and promotes character, development, leadership and overall personal progress.

The seven-week training program, which is open to children ages 8 and up, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Athletes may attend full- or half-day sessions. Registration for the program is ongoing. McPherson had 40 children registered as of press time Tuesday and planned to cap the program at 150 participants.

The program consists of strength training, mental conditioning, speed and agility, yoga and Pilates, nutrition, guest speakers and more. The program is designed for all sports and athletes of all skill levels.
Working alongside McPherson will be Amy Whittington, owner of T3-Prep, a testing and performance training center in Lakewood Ranch; USF strength-and-conditioning coach Graham Anderson; and former Lakewood Ranch player Cody Hughes, among others.

“I take more pride in seeing the kid who isn’t confident and helping them develop into the player they want to be,” McPherson says. “This is stuff I use getting ready for my seasons now. I wish I had this when I was younger. There are a lot of great coaches who may know but don’t have the time to put it in place. This is the type of program I wish I had growing up.”

McPherson came up with the idea last fall after meeting Lakewood Ranch High quarterback Nate Strawderman at a football game. Strawderman asked McPherson if they could throw together sometime.
The two began throwing together on a routine basis, and, two months later, McPherson was working with about 20 kids. At that point, McPherson thought about the possibility of making a career out of training children.

“This is home,” McPherson says. “I’ve walked the same path. I want to be able to walk around with my head held up and do anything I can to help kids achieve their goals and the dreams they set for themselves. I know what’s here and out there, and I just want to do my part to help kids.”

McPherson partnered with St. Stephen’s because of its new state-of-the-art athletic facilities, as well as its academic reputation.

Following this summer’s camp, McPherson, who is rehabbing from a hand injury, will head to Canada, where he plays for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League.

However, the training program will continue on a year-round basis. McPherson plans to continue to be a part of the program even while he’s on the road.

“I can’t leave the kids (behind),” McPherson says. “I’m going to keep coming back, so I can see how they’ve grown. I want them to understand accountability, integrity and character. You don’t just get better as a player if you haven’t done the job. It’s about life and making better kids. That’s what I’m striving to do.”

For more information or to register visit, mcphersonathletics.com, or contact Amy Whittington at 448-8445.

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].