FALL 2010

FALL 2010 has arrived! I am attending Norfolk State University on a full-ride football scholarship! I am now a Interdisciplinary Studies major and am adjusting to life at an HBCU (historically black college/university). About 95% of the school consist of black students, with the other 5% other races.

When I received the offer to come out to Virginia to play football on the 1st of August, I was forced to make a quick decision, as fall football camp was scheduled to begin August 9th. With only a few days to make a decision, my family and a couple close friends came to the conclusion that I really have nothing to lose. Although I was very timid, I packed up my bags on August 8th and left for Virginia that evening.

When I pulled up to campus in the morning on August 9th, reality began to set in and my stomach turned upside down. After signing the scholarship papers that day, I realized there was no turning back...

Fall camp began and I wasn't given any time to settle in, I just had to make the quick adjustments and run with it. My day of arrival was spent in meetings, had to get a physical, and overwhelmed with jet lag and no sleep leading up to my arrival, I had my first football practice that evening.

First Practice of Fall Camp

In a local newspaper, it was stated that "NSU finalized the signings of two players on the first day of camp. The Spartans have brought in punter Troy Muenzer, a former University of Hawaii player, and running back Marvin Ford, a two-star Rivals recruit who had signed with Colorado State but backed out after being asked to greyshirt. After watching players punt Monday night, Adrian said Muenzer will be his starter. He said Ford has the athletic ability to help immediately if he can master the playbook.

Fall camp was rather strenuous and a tough challenge to face after having had spent last semester studying abroad and the summer relaxing. About the only training I had done all year was race around Europe/Africa, stand up paddle board during the summer, as well as a few run swim runs and just a few punting sessions with ex-NFL player Michael Husted and ex-Idaho State Punter Daniel Zeidman.

With just three weeks until my very first Division 1 football game vs. Rutgers University in New Jersey, I was forced to work hard to get back into playing shape while at the same time adjust to life on the East coast living in a dorm again, but this time at a historically black university.

My first game since playing for Grossmont College as the punter and kicker in the 2009 Beach Bowl, was quite exhilarating. Within just a couple minutes of kick-off, I had to step onto the field in front of national television (ESPN3) and a sold out crowd of over 52,000 people in Rutgers Stadium!! I punted a personal game high 10 times, averaging 37.3 yards per punt and a career long 61 yard punt which was downed at the Rutgers 2 yard line. I also recovered snaps all over the place, one that was snapped very fast and skipped on the ground 3 times before reaching me. I was forced to quickly get it off, as Rutgers rushed me on every single punt, concluding in multiple deflections as my line struggled to do any blocking. On one punt that I bombed down field pinning Rutgers deep in their territory, the punt returner managed to squeak by my whole punt team, forcing me to make the tackle around mid-field as I recorded my first career solo tackle at the Division 1 level.

PUNTING @ RUTGERS UNIVERSITY in BRUNSWICK, NJ

In just my second game of the season, I was recognized as a top performer in my conference. The following was said, "Troy Muenzer (NSU) averaged 38.0 yards on three punts and landed 2-0f-3 inside the North Carolina A&T 20-yard line."

My second longest punt of the season, came in a 58 yarder from out of the end zone at two-time defending conference champion South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

This week I am preparing for my homecoming game vs. Florida A&M University! My parents will be coming to see me play for the first time in Dick Price Memorial Stadium. I could not be more excited to see them, as it will be 77 days since I left home. It has been a very, very long journey and quite a difficult experience overall. Life here in Virginia is miserable compared to life back home in Southern California. I can't wait to go home!!