Published: May 24, 2009 02:19 am      

Football camps set this week at FSU

Trio of Steelers slated to appear

FAIRMONT — Fairmont State’s football program will sponsor a number of individual position camps beginning this week at the school.

The camps are open to individuals between the ages of 8-18 and the cost is $30 per session. Prospective campers can register for the camps 30 minutes prior to their start. All checks should be made payable to Fairmont State University.

On Tuesday, May 26 a camp for defensive backs and defensive linemen will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Duvall-Rosier Field.

On Wednesday, May 27 a camp for quarterbacks, wide receivers and offensive linemen will take place from 6-8 p.m. This camp will feature appearances by a trio of Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receivers. Limus Sweed, Dallas Baker and third-round draft pick Mike Wallace of the University of Mississippi are all expected to be on hand Wednesday evening at the camp.

Originally Steelers’ defensive back Ryan Clark, who was a high school teammate of FSU wide receivers coach and special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield, was scheduled to attend. Clark, however, had to back out because of a prior commitment with Verizon and Brumfield, who serves as a volunteer coach with the Steelers in the offseason, got Sweed, Baker and Wallace to agree to attend.

“Anytime you get the opportunity to work with a pro athlete it’s a good experience,” said Brumfield. “They’ve made it to the highest level and they know what kind of skill and commitment it takes and kids tend to look differently at them. I know Limus, Dallas and Mike are looking forward to coming down and working with the kids for an evening.”

Running backs and linebackers can take part in a camp from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, May 28 and on Friday, May 29 from 6-8 p.m. a camp for kickers and punters will be held.

On Saturday May 30 a speed and strength camp which is open to both boys and girls and athletes in any sport between the ages of 8-18 will take place from 1-5 p.m. That camp, which costs $60, will be under the direction of Fairmont State strength coach John Marano.

FSU will also host a 7-on-7/offensive line team camp for grades 9-12 on Saturday, June 27 and its annual three-day Youth Football Camp for ages 8-18 on July 21-23.

In addition, a coaches clinic featuring West Virginia University head coach Bill Stewart and members of his staff will be held at FSU on Tuesday, June 2 from 4:30-9 p.m.

For information on these three events or to register for them contact the FSU Athletic Department at (304) 367-4220.

“These individual camps are a great chance hopefully for us to get a look at some of the rising seniors in the area,” said FSU head coach Mike Lopez. “We’re committed to recruiting the best local talent that we can and these camps are a chance for players to come in, check out our program and facilities, meet members of our coaching staff and see what we’re all about. In turn, it also gives us a chance to do an early evaluation of the area talent.

“Whether we’ve got four kids or 24 in a camp we’re going to teach individual skills for two hours each night. We want to give the kids drills they can do and work on over the summer to make themselves better.”

Lopez says he’s also looking forward to the school’s first speed and strength camp, which as noted, is open to both male and female athletes between the ages of 8-18 in any sport.

“I'm excited about that camp,” said Lopez. “We want to give the kids fundamental understanding of running skills, agility skills, speed development skills and obviously some basics in weight training.

“Walk-ins are welcome. We’re looking forward to a good session Saturday with coach Marano. The bottom line is we want to increase the skill level and strength level of athletes in the area. This also gives the athletes the chance to see what kinds of things are going on in terms of skill development at the college level.”