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Tuesday, April 1, 1997

Danny Farmer strives for more on the football field and the volleyball courtBy Vytas Mazeika

Daily Bruin Contributor

No one ever told Danny Farmer that juggling two of UCLA's premier sports was going to be easy.

Although Farmer is not a two-sport star with the fame of Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson, with hard work he has been able to have an impact on both the volleyball court and the football field.

Farmer plays as a quick hitter for the men's volleyball team during the winter and spring and as a wide receiver for the football team during the fall. In fact during the 1996 season, Farmer was the first freshman to ever lead the Bruins in receiving with 31 catches, 524 yards and four touchdowns.

But the stress of playing two sports, going to class and sleeping an average of five hours every night can sometimes be too much. Farmer has little time for rest because as soon as one season ends the other begins.

"I have to do both, and it is such a time commitment and it is hard work," Farmer said. "I just want to get better. My main goal is getting better. I do not want to lose anything. So I just stick with it even though it is really hard for me right now.

"I am struggling to keep my head up. It is almost too much. I also realize that when I have so much to do, when I am so busy, that is the time I get to business and I am more successful because no time can be wasted."

This persistency encompasses his will to succeed no matter if he is playing football or volleyball. He enjoys playing both sports and refuses to express whether one is his favorite over the other.

"There are some things I like about football that I like more than volleyball and there are some things about volleyball that I like more than football," Farmer said.

"Football has national television, big crowds, big games. All of the emotion and excitement ­ 100,000 people. And volleyball is a test of ability ­ quickness, jumping, timing ­ all that. ... You have to concentrate more."

When Farmer came to UCLA in 1995, he had been recruited to play only volleyball. But he was not under scholarship so he tried out for the football team and redshirted his first year of football eligibility. It was not until the 1996 season when Bruin football coach Bob Toledo began to know what to expect from his 6-foot-4-inch, 200-pound wide receiver.

"We knew that Danny had a lot of talent," Toledo said. "He came on as a walk-on and was involved with football and volleyball. ... Then in the fall he did some nice things and made some catches and I awarded him with a scholarship."

After spending his redshirt year with the scouting team, Farmer slowly made his presence felt and eventually became a starter. His freshman season will probably be most remembered by two important catches.

His breakthrough 88-yard touchdown reception in the season opener at Tennessee ranks fifth all-time for UCLA. Then his 52-yard touchdown scamper played a big part in the Bruins' 48-41 overtime victory over USC.

"I will probably remember (the USC game) more than the Tennessee game because it is such a big rivalry," Farmer said. "I will never forget it because my dad had a touchdown against 'SC too, and he remembers his since he scored his. So I have always had a dream there to score against 'SC."

However, in volleyball Farmer does not receive as much playing time as in football. UCLA men's volleyball coach Al Scates sees Farmer as an important role player on a team capable of winning the national championship for the third straight year.

"He is not a two-sport superstar," Scates said. "He does not start for us. For us he is a role player. He comes in and gives us some instant hitting power. He has got a great float serve, he fires everybody else, he can dig the ball. We use him a lot, there is no question about it."

But no matter how much Farmer is used, the continuing process of improving in different areas of both football and volleyball will not end any time soon. The fact that Farmer spends spring playing volleyball instead of practicing with the football team makes it hard for him to progress more quickly.

"He needs to learn a lot of things yet to make him a polished receiver, but he definitely has the tools to be an outstanding player at this level," Toledo explained. "I think (he needs to learn) running routes, adjusting routes depending on the coverage, blocking ... just being more involved with what is going on."

In football, Farmer's 6-foot-4-inch frame allows him to dominate some of the smaller cornerbacks. But in volleyball, he suffers from a disadvantage because quick hitters are usually 6 feet 7 inches or taller. Since he often faces opponents that are taller than him, Farmer must recognize the other team's tendencies and have a more intimate knowledge of the game.

"He has to analyze the situation so perfectly because he needs to be about six inches taller to play the position he is playing (quick hitter)," Scates said.

"So he has to be right in his estimate of where the set is going and where the hitter is going to be. In other words, he has to have the book on opposing players and know what their favorite shots are and be able to force them to do something else. Otherwise he is not going to be a good blocker."

But Scates uses Farmer as an offensive weapon. His quickness and offensive skills open up more opportunities for the outside hitter.

"I guess something that is to my benefit is my quickness," Farmer said. "That is probably the only thing that is keeping me as a middle blocker right now."

Farmer's defensive effort equals that of his hitting. He never gives up on any balls, knowing that the only way to overcome the impossible is to try.

"That is what separates good athletes from great athletes," Farmer said. "Those that put the extra effort into accomplishing a goal."

Although Farmer may not be a starter for the Bruins, his efforts in practice allow him to play a role in the development of the volleyball team this season.

"He is a great competitor," Scates said. "He loves practice. He practices hard. He runs balls down. He just has a lot of enthusiasm for the sport. I love to watch him practice. He competes for every point like great players do."

Last season's national championship allowed Farmer to achieve a life-long dream of following his family's longstanding tradition of athletic excellence. With UCLA in his blood (both his mother and father went to UCLA), winning last year's volleyball national championship was something special. But he wants more.

"That was great for me," Farmer said. "My dad has a ring. He got one for basketball (1970). That is something I have always wanted to get. That was a high for me. But that was a year ago and I am looking for more of those. I am waiting for another one this year, and I am going to do all I can."

One ring, just like one sport, will never be enough for him. Farmer will always want more.

GENEVIEVE LIANG/Daily Bruin

Danny Farmer fulfills the role of quick hitter for UCLA's volleyball team in the winter and spring and wide receiver for the football team in the fall. Last season, Farmer helped the volleyball team win the national championship, but he's still aiming for more.