LUBBOCK, Texas - It is Monday morning. Starting the day before 6 a.m., he warms up with a group of 55 to 60 football players and heads to the weight room for heavy lifting. He continues to the field for conditioning drills. After class, he returns at 2 p.m. for a voluntary film session. At 4 p.m., he begins offense versus defense drills. He finishes the workout with more quarterback drills.

According to senior quarterback Sonny Cumbie, the summer is the most important time to train for the upcoming season. It is a time to motivate and solidify the team. Off-season training establishes in-season performance.

Texas Tech football players are undergoing an eight-week summer strength and conditioning program at Jones SBC Stadium and the new E.J. Holub Strength and Conditioning Center to prepare for the upcoming 2004 season.

"I feel really confident in the team. We have several seniors that have stepped up as leaders," Cumbie said. "We don't allow anyone to cruise thru the summer workouts."

With the aid of the strength and conditioning staff, the players have a weekly routine consisting of four-straight days of weight lifting and conditioning drills from Monday to Thursday to build momentum. Monday and Tuesday are heavy lifting days, while Wednesday and Thursday are lighter lifting days. The conditioning drills always correspond to the muscle groups worked during the weight training.

The person responsible for designing and implementing the summer program is Head Strength and Conditioning Coach Bennie Wylie. The upcoming season will be his second at Texas Tech.

"Last summer was Bennie's first here at Tech. Everyone was starting to learn his drills," senior defensive end Adell Duckett said. "This summer is much smoother. Four- straight days of training is better than having a day off in between. With Friday, Saturday and Sunday off, I feel good by Monday."

According to Wylie, the summer strength and conditioning program is completely different from in-season training. Everything the team does is planned. The schedule this year was planned in January.

"There's a foundation to what I do, but I always have to look at the team and look at what the head coach wants," Wylie said. "My job is to make theirs easier."

After the bowl game, Wylie re-evaluates the team to find areas of weakness. First, he talks with the head coach. Second, he talks with the position coaches for specific needs. For example, the defensive ends may need more hip flexibility.

"I am working on my hips, hands and getting off when the ball snaps," Duckett said. "I waste steps in movement. Bennie is helping me lower my steps."

According to Duckett, Wylie is strict but motivational. The team accomplishes more with Wylie than past strength and conditioning coaches. Everything the team does is related to game situations.

"I train their bodies for what they're going to do on the field," Wylie said. "I tailor the workout to get the most out of the player."

According to Wylie, his program is unique compared to other Big 12 schools. There are some similarities, because the science of strength and conditioning is set. Success depends on how you adapt the program. The players have to believe in it and your focus.

"I am very hands on," Wylie said. "If the players run, then I run with them. I can't push them from the sidelines. It's a matter of respect. I won't tell them to do something that I can't or won't do."

According to Wylie, summer training is voluntary for the players. If not 99%, then the Texas Tech football team has 100% attendance. Wylie provides workouts at 6 a.m., 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and an offensive lineman workout at 1 p.m.

"I love him," Cumbie said. "Everyone is cheering each other on. There is a family atmosphere. Bennie really builds a sense of camaraderie."

Wylie uses a variety of conditioning drills to keep player interest. One day, the team will turn 600-pound tractor tires across the football field. Each player concentrates on starting low, using hips and pushing the tire over with their hands. Another day, the team will pull sleds to build speed skills. Other days, they will perform swim or sand drills. If a drill is not done to his standards, Wylie will start the whole drill over.

"If we're going to win," Wylie said. "It always has to be done the right way."

The summer strength and conditioning program is essential to prepare Texas Tech Football for the 2004 season.

"This summer is intense everyday," Cumbie said. "That's what it takes to be a championship team."