Story Poster
Photo by Rick Kimball/ISD
Notre Dame Football

Pride Running Road to Success

May 15, 2017
7,015

Troy Pride Jr. ended his senior year of high school on a high note, as the 5-foot-11, 183-pounder won State Titles in the 100m (10.55), 200m (21.28), 400m (48.28), and the 4x100m relay (42.20).

The Greer High School (S.C.) star then headed to South Bend to start his football career and then transitioned to the track during the winter.

Over the weekend, Pride qualified for the ACC Outdoor Track and Field Championship finals in the 100m, which is a significant accomplishment for someone who isn’t a full-time track athlete.

“It means a lot because I haven’t got to train as much as the guys that are on a track scholarship and will run track for a living,” Pride told Irish Sports Daily. “Track is just a part of what I love to do. When I go into something, I want to do it well, and I wanted to compete.”

When the 10.47 came up, I was pretty happy. - Troy Pride Jr.
Pride not only qualified for the finals but ran a personal record of 10.47 in the 100m in the finals on Sunday night. The Irish cornerback admitted the time even surprised him when the results were posted.

“Honestly, no,” laughed Pride when asked if he thought he could have run a 10.47. “I haven’t had a lot of practice, so it was a little up and down for me. I was trying to run free. When the 10.47 came up, I was pretty happy.”

In the fall, Pride played in eight games for the Irish football team and made three starts. Pride believes playing in front of sold-out stadiums allowed him to relax on the track and simply have fun doing what he loves to do.

“It gave me a lot more confidence going into meets,” Pride said of his football experience in the fall. “If you play in front of 80,000 people every week. That’s a lot of stress in itself, so heading into track season, I focused on doing what I’ve done my entire life and not stress.”

Pride isn’t the first football player to play two sports at Notre Dame, but there aren’t a ton of guys doing it either. This year was a learning experience for Pride on and off the field, but he embraced every challenge along the way.  

“There was a lot on my plate,” stated Pride. “I don’t want to complain because my goal is to eat. I put a lot on my plate because I knew I could do it.  

“A lot of people were asking why I was doing this when I had this and that. I am built for it. I am built to sustain pressure, and it will help me out in the long run. It made me more durable and made my work ethic better.”

Rick Kimball/ISD Troy Pride Jr.
Some wondered if Pride was fully committed to the football team, as he had to balance both sports in the Spring. Pride was at every practice and never missed a workout under Matt Balis during spring practice.

“I did the same strength and conditioning program throughout the Spring,” explained Pride. “I was with Coach Balis every week. I got permission from Coach (Brian) Kelly to run track, but it came with the stipulation that I couldn’t miss anything football related.

“For the ACC Championships, my workload was lessened because he knew I had to run and he didn’t want me injured. I did every single workout with the team.”

Pride also has seen the impact of running track on the football field. His speed is becoming a weapon and speed is something that you can’t teach in football.  

“It teaches me confidence,” Pride said of the benefits of doing both sports. “Track is all on me, and I control where I place. It’s helping me with my makeup speed on routes and getting my feet quicker. In track, I have to be as fast as I can and a lot quicker than some of the guys that have been doing it all year. It allows me to make up on deep balls and different routes.

“It helps me run more fluid and being a more versatile athlete on the football field.”

Pride wanted to do both sports since the day he signed with Irish, and while his freshman year had its ups and downs, Pride embraced the opportunities given to him.

“I never really could have envisioned my freshman year,” said Pride. “It was a shake up. I had some highs and some lows. You will have those throughout life. My freshman year went very well. I was able to be a two-sport athlete and maintain my grades.

“I want to continue to the success into summer workouts this offseason, then football season, and hopefully track season after that. I am taking it one step at a time, and it’s all football right now.”
Discussion from...

Pride Running Road to Success

6,220 Views | 0 Replies | Last: 6 yr ago by mattfreeman
There are not any replies to this post yet.
Refresh
Page 1 of 1
 
×
subscribe Verify your student status
See Subscription Benefits
Trial only available to users who have never subscribed or participated in a previous trial.