Alabama State football team has come agonizingly close to success in the past two seasons. However, despite their efforts, they have fallen short of their goals.
During the Southwestern Athletic Conference Media Day held last week, the Hornets were chosen by coaches and sports information directors as the favorites to win the Eastern Division.
Head coach Eddie Robinson Jr. expresses optimism that this squad will have a successful third season.
In an interview with HBCU Sports, Robinson expressed his optimism about the upcoming games, saying, “Let’s hope everybody’s right. That’s everybody’s goal.” He acknowledged the competitive nature of the Eastern conference and the entire league, emphasizing the importance of each game. Robinson stated that the team’s main objective is to win every day and that this has been their motto from the beginning. The team has set high expectations for themselves and plans to stick to their process to achieve their goals.
In his initial two seasons at the helm of his Alma mater, Robinson’s Hornets had secured the third and second positions in the SWAC East. However, with the addition of transfer players like quarterback Andrew Body from Texas Southern and running back Daquon Quincy from Clark Atlanta, the offense is now more robust than ever, coupled with the backing of a solid defense. This may very well be the year for Alabama State. Robinson understands that it all comes down to their performance on the field.
“We understand the importance of hard work and are aware of the progress we have made from the previous year. However, we recognize that the other teams in the conference have also improved,” he explained. “This is precisely why we will focus on playing to the best of our abilities in each game.”
Robinson believes that a few key plays in 2023 prevented ASU from clinching the division title and possibly competing in the Celebration Bowl. As a result, the coach is determined to instill a mindset of winning each game and playing with a sharper focus.
“Our word for the year is ‘intentional’,” he says. “We strive to do everything with purpose and at the highest level. We know that there were only a few plays that prevented us from winning the championship last year, and we can’t predict what those plays will be this year. Therefore, we approach every play and practice with the intention of being perfect and improving on our past performances.”
Robinson is optimistic about Alabama State’s chances of winning the SWAC East, the conference, and the Black College national championship in 2024. He is encouraged by the hard work his team is putting in as they prepare for their season opener against North Carolina Central at the Orange Blossom Classic in Miami Gardens on Saturday, Sept. 1. The ultimate goal for Alabama State is to be the best and Robinson believes his team has what it takes to achieve that.
He stated that the main goal of competing every year is to win games and ultimately win a championship. Even though they fell short in the first two years, the drive to succeed remains strong.
According to the coach, the team has high expectations and is dedicated to the process. Winning a championship is a common goal, but the real question is whether the team is willing to put in the necessary hard work during the summer months to make it happen. As of now, the team is focused on this process.
