NSU Athletics to offer football camps in mid-June

(Tahlequah, Okla.)--Northeastern State University's Department of Athletics will offer four instructional non-contact football camps during the middle of June to enhance the skills of young players.

Each camp has a different focus. Offerings include a specialty camp, a mini-camp, an elementary camp and a strength and speed camp.

"These camps are an excellent opportunity for players to learn more about the sport of football and see the facilities of NSU," said head football coach Kenny Evans. "They learn some basic skills and have some fun, plus a lot of parents enjoy watching the camp. The sessions permit insight into football at NSU and how we operate."

Evans said an ancillary benefit of allowing such insight is that students and their parents can be informed about NSU when choosing a college of university.

"The camps have helped our recruiting," he said. "Over the past four years, we've met about 15 players who we knew nothing about. But we learned about them, they learned about us and they came to NSU. Even if they don't become college football players, this gives us a chance to make an impression on them and their parents. We want them to have a positive experience, and hopefully they will come back to our campus in the future."

Registration continues until the camps begin or reach full enrollment. Camps offered in mid-June include:

• The Charlie North Specialty Camp is offered June 16 from 9 a.m. noon. North is a legendary coach who oversaw special teams and tight ends at the University of Oklahoma from 1979-94 and also served on the staffs at Arkansas and Texas A&M. The camp, open to grades 9-12, is for kickers, punters and deep snappers. Fee is $30 per camper.
• Mini-Camp is June 17 from 1:30-4:30 p.m. The session is for players entering grades 8-12 and focuses on testing and position-specific drills. All drills are non-contact. Fee is $30 per camper and includes a T-shirt. Those also wishing to attend the July 20 one-day Mini-Camp may attend both sessions for $50.
• Strength and Speed Camp is June 16 from 9 a.m. noon. The session is open to students in junior high and high school and focuses on strength, speed and agility training. Campers will receive football-specific instruction and demonstrations of weight training and speed development. Enrollment fee is $30.
• The Elementary Camp runs June 13-15 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Campers learn the fundamentals of each position and participate in Hawkball games. Enrollment is $50 per camper and includes a T-shirt. Those also wanting to attend the July 18-20 Elementary Camp may attend both camps for $80. The camps are for boys and girls ages 6-13.

"Girls have been some of our best elementary campers," Evans said. "Last summer our outstanding elementary camper was a girl. Even if the campers don't play organized football, this is a chance for them to get basic skills, play some games and spend time around other kids their age."

Brochures containing registration forms are available online. Visit "Football" and click on the "2012 Summer Camps" link. Parents may also register the day of the camps at Doc Wadley Stadium. For more information call Mike Barela 918-444-3904.