Titan football stars take to the hardwood

NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.-- When football season ends, most of the team's players look forward to a much-needed break. They take some time off to relax before getting in the weight room and eventually getting back together with the team in the spring.

Westminster’s Dak Britt and Steve Ferringer do things a bit differently. These two-sport athletes do not get much of a break after football season, because basketball season looms right around the corner. The quick turnaround presents some obstacles. Britt says one of the hardest things about transitioning from football to basketball is the change in schedules between the two sports.

“We’re used to going to practice, having Monday off, practicing Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, game Saturday,” he said. “Now we have two games a week, we’re practicing at different times, it’s just a whole new schedule.”

While both players excel as athletes, Ferringer admits that the physical differences between the sports provide the biggest challenge.

“It’s a different kind of ‘in-shape,’” he said. “Football is a stop and go, explosion kind of thing, and basketball is constant running, up and down.”

Britt started at quarterback for the Titans this past season after transferring from Division II Notre Dame College. While at Notre Dame, he focused his efforts solely on football. When he came to Westminster, he knew he would have the opportunity to play both sports, and he jumped at the chance.

“I just missed it,” he said when asked why he decided to join the basketball team. “I feel like we have a good team here, a good coach that came in, and I feel like it could be a good opportunity.”

Ferringer took the opposite route. Last season he played solely for the basketball team, but he says he missed football too much to sit out this season. He decided to play both sports in his second year at Westminster, and performed admirably as a safety and on special teams.

“I couldn’t not be playing (football) when I still had the chance to play,” he said.

When the Titans started this basketball season, Britt and Ferringer were forced to watch from the sidelines in their polo shirts and khaki pants, as they were not able to play in the games yet. While football season was well underway, the rest of their basketball teammates were in the gym practicing and preparing for the season. Britt and Ferringer need some more practices under their belts before they can get some game action. Because they played football this year, they will have to adjust on the fly to get prepared for basketball. But both players look forward to getting back on the floor.

“Hopefully I can get back in to shape as quick as I can, and get back on the court,” Ferringer said, with Britt in agreement.

Hopefully their presence will lead to a few more Titan victories on the hardwood.

Hear an interview with Britt and Ferringer here: