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Iowa State University Athletics
GAs Make Short-Term Sacrifice for Long-Term Goals
02.08.2011 | Football
AMES, Iowa - As myth has it, graduate assistants do all the dirty work for a college football program. “GA's” typically work long hours while attending graduate school. They sacrifice their time, energy and finances in hope of becoming a college football coach.
Former Cyclone standout Ben Barkema is one of the GAs for Iowa State's football program. He is a 2008 Iowa State graduate a native of Muscatine, Iowa. Barkema was a three-year starter at tight end as a Cyclone compiling 52 catches, 566 receiving yards and four touchdowns between 2004 and 2007.
“I haven't had to do anything ridiculous for them,” Barkema said. “You work to win.”
Iowa State running backs coach Kenith Pope says hard work comes with the territory.
“They have to have tough skin,” Pope said, “They put in a lot of work. Everywhere is different but in 2011 they are being treated with respect. We don't have them wash our cars or anything. We really exist because of our GAs. We ask them for a lot of information in a hurry. It's so fast in this day and age.”
Typically Barkema does video breakdown of opposing teams and recruiting.
“I know I have to do a lot of the grunt work,” Barkema said.
Iowa State defensive coordinator Wally Burnham recalls GA duties back to the 1960's.
“Today GA's are still very involved on the field. They also work with computers and electronic media and are very knowledgeable in doing so.” Burnham said.
Burnham was a GA for West Alabama back in 1966.
“During that time, we had a lot more responsibility because the coaching staff was much smaller,” Burnham said. “I was much more involved in my position and even had the opportunity to recruit a bit. Many have heard the horror stories of the GA's duties; running petty errands to make them feel worthless. I never had to do that, thank goodness. I would never ask a GA to do those things.”
In December to February Barkema assists on campus visits of potential players until signing day, which was Feb. 2.
“(The recruits) fly in Friday afternoon, you are with them all day Saturday and then you take them back to the airport on Sunday.” Barkema said. “In February we focus on program evaluation. March and April is spring ball and in May we begin working on our first four opponents. We then have camp in June. July is our vacation. Then it starts. The biggest thing is to understand how recruiting works. It's not about how many people you sign, it's about how many of them end up playing.”
Barkema must build relationships with the players. It was initially challenging for him to earn credibility with the defensive players because they played football at ISU at the same time he did.
“You have to be honest with them and if you don't know something tell them.” Barkema said. “If they believe you are correct in what you're saying, they will respect you.”
As coach Paul Rhoads has always told him, “Praise them when they do something good.”
Barkema understands.
“You can't be all over a kid who doesn't take it well,” Barkema said.
NCAA FBS football is a round-the-clock everyday all-year business.
“As a player you never really realize the time, effort and energy put in to run a college football program on a day-to-day basis,” Burnham said.
Pope appreciates the sacrifice made by GAs.
“GA's are absolutely necessary,” Pope said. “They are unappreciated except by those who work with them daily. The staff relies on them to get close to the players to relay what's going on in their lives, such as homesickness. It's a tough life but they get the opportunity to coach and motivate young men.”
This is Barkema's third year as a GA. He is getting his master's in higher education. His ultimate goal is to become a college coach at the FBS level, however, and has watched GA's sacrifice short-term financial stability in order to get one step closer to the long-term goal, becoming a college football coach. That goal is on the horizon of every graduate assistant.
Former Cyclone standout Ben Barkema is one of the GAs for Iowa State's football program. He is a 2008 Iowa State graduate a native of Muscatine, Iowa. Barkema was a three-year starter at tight end as a Cyclone compiling 52 catches, 566 receiving yards and four touchdowns between 2004 and 2007.
“I haven't had to do anything ridiculous for them,” Barkema said. “You work to win.”
Iowa State running backs coach Kenith Pope says hard work comes with the territory.
“They have to have tough skin,” Pope said, “They put in a lot of work. Everywhere is different but in 2011 they are being treated with respect. We don't have them wash our cars or anything. We really exist because of our GAs. We ask them for a lot of information in a hurry. It's so fast in this day and age.”
Typically Barkema does video breakdown of opposing teams and recruiting.
“I know I have to do a lot of the grunt work,” Barkema said.
Iowa State defensive coordinator Wally Burnham recalls GA duties back to the 1960's.
“Today GA's are still very involved on the field. They also work with computers and electronic media and are very knowledgeable in doing so.” Burnham said.
Burnham was a GA for West Alabama back in 1966.
“During that time, we had a lot more responsibility because the coaching staff was much smaller,” Burnham said. “I was much more involved in my position and even had the opportunity to recruit a bit. Many have heard the horror stories of the GA's duties; running petty errands to make them feel worthless. I never had to do that, thank goodness. I would never ask a GA to do those things.”
In December to February Barkema assists on campus visits of potential players until signing day, which was Feb. 2.
“(The recruits) fly in Friday afternoon, you are with them all day Saturday and then you take them back to the airport on Sunday.” Barkema said. “In February we focus on program evaluation. March and April is spring ball and in May we begin working on our first four opponents. We then have camp in June. July is our vacation. Then it starts. The biggest thing is to understand how recruiting works. It's not about how many people you sign, it's about how many of them end up playing.”
Barkema must build relationships with the players. It was initially challenging for him to earn credibility with the defensive players because they played football at ISU at the same time he did.
“You have to be honest with them and if you don't know something tell them.” Barkema said. “If they believe you are correct in what you're saying, they will respect you.”
As coach Paul Rhoads has always told him, “Praise them when they do something good.”
Barkema understands.
“You can't be all over a kid who doesn't take it well,” Barkema said.
NCAA FBS football is a round-the-clock everyday all-year business.
“As a player you never really realize the time, effort and energy put in to run a college football program on a day-to-day basis,” Burnham said.
Pope appreciates the sacrifice made by GAs.
“GA's are absolutely necessary,” Pope said. “They are unappreciated except by those who work with them daily. The staff relies on them to get close to the players to relay what's going on in their lives, such as homesickness. It's a tough life but they get the opportunity to coach and motivate young men.”
This is Barkema's third year as a GA. He is getting his master's in higher education. His ultimate goal is to become a college coach at the FBS level, however, and has watched GA's sacrifice short-term financial stability in order to get one step closer to the long-term goal, becoming a college football coach. That goal is on the horizon of every graduate assistant.
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