In a time when it's a challenge to find a positive headline about the NFL, the league is at least getting one thing right: investing in the youth of America.
Glenn Gaston / Special to The Citizen
Port Byron football coach CJ Kudla, right, instructs a drill during the NFL Junior Player Development camp in Auburn last summer. The NFL will also bring a high school camp to Cayuga County later this month.
Port Byron football coach CJ Kudla, right, instructs a drill during the NFL Junior Player Development camp in Auburn last summer. The NFL will also bring a high school camp to Cayuga County later this month.
For the second straight year, the NFL will ship up to Auburn to hold a football camp. After the smashing success that last summer's camp brought - more than 120 youngsters from all over Cayuga County participated - the program is expanding this year. In addition to the Junior Player Development Camp that was held a year ago, Auburn will also play host to a high school program as well.
Auburn football coach Dave Moskov, who was one of several principle organizers last year, couldn't be more excited about the NFL's desire to contribute.
“Somewhere across America, the future of the NFL is out there,” Moskov said. “(The NFL is saying) let's reach out in a very positive way and start to build some bridges now. The emphasis is on character education, being a good citizen and fundamentals. They really have their priorities straight.”
With Pacman Jones, Chris Henry and, yes, even Marvin Harrison stealing the offseason spotlight for alleged transgressions, events such as this football camp - paid in full by the NFL, including jerseys, bags and even insurance - are a bright spot for aspiring gridironers.
“That shows the NFL people are sitting down and looking at things from the top of the league to middle school and asking, 'What message do we want to put out there?'” Moskov said. “They're ahead of the curve in major league sports for being proactive.”
Active is certainly a good description of the camp. In the junior program, the emphasis is on fundamentals. Every single camper gets a chance to play every position. Moskov described it a perfect learning environment for both the fresh faces to the game as well as those with some pigskin experience under their belts.
“Every kid learns to throw, catch, tackle, block - every aspect of the game - and that kept camp real fun,” he said.
For the high schoolers, the crux of the camp is teamwork. Schools can sign up their entire team to receive specific instruction in areas that need improvement. Not only is it a great way to improve the skill set, but it's also a great time to start bonding. “It's going to be an opportunity for every kid - veterans and rookie players - to get together with teammates and get the team focused in terms of basic things they want to get done in the fall,” Moskov said. “Here in June, they can get that on the table. Being in competition with other schools makes it that much more exciting.”
But like so many things in sport, it's what happens off the field that makes this event that much more special. Because the camp is intended for all of Cayuga County, the program brings rivals together on the same turf - not as competitors, but as comrades.
“That builds bridges to other communities,” Moskov said. “You might be from Skaneateles and he might be from Port Byron, but we're working toward the same things, building a fraternity among student athletes.”
Moskov is optimistic that the NFL camp can become a summer staple in Central New York, and that has him eager to see what the future holds for Cayuga County football - a systematic training regiment from Pop Warner to modified up through junior varsity and varsity.
“It's part of a progression,” Moskov said. “Players have opportunities from a young age up to high school age that are very positive and keeps it in perspective.”
From where Moskov stands, the view is just fine.
NFL camp kickoff
- The Junior Player Development Camp (ages 12-14) will run from July 7-19 at Seward Elementary in Auburn.
- The High School Player Development Camp will run from June 16-20 at Auburn High School.
- For more information call Dave Moskov at 255-3198.
Auburn football coach Dave Moskov, who was one of several principle organizers last year, couldn't be more excited about the NFL's desire to contribute.
“Somewhere across America, the future of the NFL is out there,” Moskov said. “(The NFL is saying) let's reach out in a very positive way and start to build some bridges now. The emphasis is on character education, being a good citizen and fundamentals. They really have their priorities straight.”
With Pacman Jones, Chris Henry and, yes, even Marvin Harrison stealing the offseason spotlight for alleged transgressions, events such as this football camp - paid in full by the NFL, including jerseys, bags and even insurance - are a bright spot for aspiring gridironers.
“That shows the NFL people are sitting down and looking at things from the top of the league to middle school and asking, 'What message do we want to put out there?'” Moskov said. “They're ahead of the curve in major league sports for being proactive.”
Active is certainly a good description of the camp. In the junior program, the emphasis is on fundamentals. Every single camper gets a chance to play every position. Moskov described it a perfect learning environment for both the fresh faces to the game as well as those with some pigskin experience under their belts.
“Every kid learns to throw, catch, tackle, block - every aspect of the game - and that kept camp real fun,” he said.
For the high schoolers, the crux of the camp is teamwork. Schools can sign up their entire team to receive specific instruction in areas that need improvement. Not only is it a great way to improve the skill set, but it's also a great time to start bonding. “It's going to be an opportunity for every kid - veterans and rookie players - to get together with teammates and get the team focused in terms of basic things they want to get done in the fall,” Moskov said. “Here in June, they can get that on the table. Being in competition with other schools makes it that much more exciting.”
But like so many things in sport, it's what happens off the field that makes this event that much more special. Because the camp is intended for all of Cayuga County, the program brings rivals together on the same turf - not as competitors, but as comrades.
“That builds bridges to other communities,” Moskov said. “You might be from Skaneateles and he might be from Port Byron, but we're working toward the same things, building a fraternity among student athletes.”
Moskov is optimistic that the NFL camp can become a summer staple in Central New York, and that has him eager to see what the future holds for Cayuga County football - a systematic training regiment from Pop Warner to modified up through junior varsity and varsity.
“It's part of a progression,” Moskov said. “Players have opportunities from a young age up to high school age that are very positive and keeps it in perspective.”
From where Moskov stands, the view is just fine.
NFL camp kickoff
- The Junior Player Development Camp (ages 12-14) will run from July 7-19 at Seward Elementary in Auburn.
- The High School Player Development Camp will run from June 16-20 at Auburn High School.
- For more information call Dave Moskov at 255-3198.
