Training day

As the sun worked its way out under gray skies on a cold Tuesday morning March 13 in Veterans Stadium, Tyrus DeMinter’s boot camp class was in full swing.

 DeMinter, who on a daily basis shows up in sports clothing to conduct his class and coach the men’s track team distance runners when dressed-out of the ordinary to full fill what a boot camp class really is, and what it needs a general.

I am one of his students.

The Army camouflage hat, shirt and pants are a good fit for his character, a man who pushes his students to work hard and push their bodies to their limits. His energy is transmitted through every shout, every word of motivation and every scream.

Daniel Rivera, 21, an architecture major, said, “This class pushes my body past its limits, something I never thought I’d do.”

After running a lap around the track, a group of his students were on the wrong side of the field. DeMinter, raising his arms and screaming in a humoristic tone, said, “What are you doing over there? The party is over here, “as he pointed with his finger to the other students who were doing their sit-ups and pushups.

DeMinter said humor is “important” to his class and constantly students can’t help but laugh at his jokes, making the exercise routine easier for them.

DeMinter has a major in physical educational. He was an LBCC student and a cross country state champion in 1990 and 1991 and earned an Associate of Arts degree in speech communications. He later went to Cal State Long Beach were he gained an athletic scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in speech communication.

This is DeMinter’s second year teaching a boot camp class, DeMinter said he “hopes” to have the class next Fall semester because of budget cuts.

While teaching, DeMinter said he noticed how many young people are coming out of high school unhealthy. “If these young people understand how to be healthy, they will teach their kids how to stay healthy too.”

The “motivation” that moves DeMinter to teach his two classes every day is the “the war on fitness.” He said students need to understand how important it is to exercise and to keep their bodies active.

DeMinter said, “I spend an hour with them every day and I try to incorporate workouts that will help them grow stronger and healthier.”

Candy Hernandez, 20, a forensic science major, said, “Mr. DeMinter’s class is a good class to take if you are committed and motivated into losing weight or staying active.”

DeMinter asked with a blank look on his face, “How many people in LBCC can run one mile under 10 minutes?” He took a deep breath and said, “Not so many and we are losing the way in my eyes.”