Over 200 area youth between the ages of six and 16 will be at Laidley Field this Saturday, May 26, 2007 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to participate in the 12th Annual “Giving Back to the Community” Free Football Camp. Mark Mason, founder of the program, and a 1991 Marshall University defensive player of the year and former all-star linebacker for the Charleston Rocketts, will be directing the charitable football camp.
Mason says the purpose of the camp is to provide an opportunity for young people within the community, who may not have the resources, to attend an athletic camp focused on teaching values and providing counseling services.
Over 200 area youth between the ages of six and 16 will be at Laidley
Field this Saturday, May 26, 2007 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to participate
in the 12th Annual “Giving Back to the Community” Free Football Camp.
Mark Mason, founder of the program, and a 1991 Marshall University
defensive player of the year and former all-star linebacker for the
Charleston Rocketts, will be directing the charitable football camp.
Mason says the purpose of the camp is to provide an opportunity for
young people within the community, who may not have the resources, to
attend an athletic camp focused on teaching values and providing
counseling services.
“The first and most important thing is respect. We try to teach the
kids to have respect for parents, their coaches and other kids,” said
Mason.
Activities throughout the day consist of guest speakers, instruction on
offensive and defensive techniques as well as counseling services to
promote “Stay in School,” “How To Succeed In Life,” and “Say No To
Drugs.”
During the “Say No To Drugs” Seminar Mason brings former prisoners in
to speak with the kids about what can happen when bad decisions are
made.
“We try to teach the kids that life is full of choices and by making the right ones they will be able to succeed,” said Mason.
Mason was inspired to start the camp while still in school by Shirley
Singleton who challenged him to give something back to his community.
This challenge led to Mason creating the “Giving Back to the Community”
football camp free of cost to all kids.
“Our organization is proud to join with Mark and others to contribute
to a successful event…The Kanawha Valley has a rich tradition in coal
mining and athletics and the camp stresses fundamentals, teamwork and
succeeding in life,” stated Chris Hamilton, Senior Vice President of
the WVCA.
In addition to several former WVU and Marshall University players, last
year’s event featured WVU Hall of Fame Coach Don Nehlen, Marshall’s Bob
Pruett & NFL All-Star Troy Brown.
This is the 12th year the free football camp will take place and is
sponsored by the Charleston Rockets Team Foundation, Friends of Coal,
the Charleston YMCA and other special donors.
For additional information regarding the event please contact Audrey
Shelton with Friends of Coal at 304-342-4135 or by e-mail at
ashelton@wvcoal.com.
