For four TCU starters, day one of Big 12 Media Days brought them more attention than they’ve ever had.
“It’s kind of crazy. You’re never really prepared for this. They tell you about it, but it’s crazy,” Blaize Foltz, TCU offensive lineman, said. “It’s a little bit different than what we’re normally used to.”
Junior quarterback Casey Pachall, junior defensive end Stansly Maponga, senior Ross Forrest and senior offensive lineman Blaize Foltz represented the Horned Frogs during Big 12 Media days, which was the first media day for all four.
The players spoke with radio stations, national and local television stations and print media.
“It’s a big stage, even just on the media level, it’s a nice welcoming,” Forrest said.
The Big 12 conference signed up more than 400 people in media credentials, Joni Lehmann, associate director of communications for the conference, said.
“I’ve never seen this many cameras in one place, and they’re all for us,” Forrest said.
From 9 a.m. until roughly 3 p.m. the players and Head Coach Gary Patterson rotated to each media outlet where they were asked different questions regarding next season and the team's mentality going into the new conference.
“At some points it’s a little overwhelming because you go to different areas and stations with a ton of cameras on you,” Pachall said. “But it’s been kind of fun so far.”
Foltz said that preparation from TCU’s media staff going into the day played a big part in helping them stay at ease during their experience.
“The biggest thing they told us is that if there’s anything that you aren’t comfortable with, you don’t have to answer,” Foltz said.
More than anything, Forrest believes that the newfound attention from media day would really help strengthen the momentum going into the conference.
“It just goes to show how big of a deal this is. This is a major conference and we’re apart of it. We get to compete with every one of these teams,” Forrest said. “It’s definitely motivation.”
Pachall agreed.
“I think this will help a lot. I think there are a lot of people that will finally realize who we are,” Pachall said. “A lot of people underestimate us.”
