The 2009 Georgia Southern football season may be months away from an opening kickoff, but the fields alongside Beautiful Eagle Creek were brimming with action last week. Four days of drills, scrimmages and tournaments concluded as nearly 100 children completed GSU’s annual youth football camp.

The camp provided children ages 6-12 with the honor of being an “Eagle for a week.”

“It’s good for all these young boys to come out here and learn some football skills,” GSU head football coach Chris Hatcher said. “It’s great for the community and hopefully many of these guys will grow up wanting to be Georgia Southern Eagles.”
The four-day camp offered its participants a little taste of everything. Each day’s itinerary featured an hour of fundamentals and ball drills, followed by a chance to work on newly learned skills in games and tournaments. Split into groups, the children make their way from one station to the next, working on a different skill at each one.

To the delight of all campers, the workouts were a little different than the intense practices usually held at Eagle Creek.
By implementing a slip-and-slide and foam footballs into the activities, Coach Hatcher and his staff hope to make the camp both fun and educational.

“We teach them basic football skills, but everything out here is geared to having a good time,” he said.

The camp’s final day was the highlight of the week for most in attendance. Every player received a T-shirt commemorating the event, a signed Georgia Southern Football and a picture with Freedom, GSU’s real-life mascot. Two awards were given out for Punt, Pass and Kick competitions.

For information regarding next year’s camp or any others held by Georgia Southern, visit online at www.georgiasoutherneagles.com.