Video: Northwestern got a surprise team building exercise at 7am yesterday

Northwestern players showed up for their usual 7am workout yesterday, and left with a new appreciation for the military, a stronger team bond, and every player left covered from head to toe in sand.

That's because Pat Fitzgerald and the strength staff decided to surprise the team with a military-style team building session. They showed up expecting a regular grueling workout, and instead got pushed beyond what their body and mind had previously thought possible. 

These military style workouts are popular for coutless programs around the country, but completely blindsiding your team with it is a nice touch. One reason I really like it is that it allows you to see how guys respond to adversity, and with three of their first four games against Cal, Northern Illinois and Penn State, that could prove to be very valuable.