Broadway hosts football camp

Many athletes spend their summers improving their athletic skills. One way they do this is by attending sports camps such as the second annual Rod Broadway Football Camp held on the campus of Grambling State University June 22-27.
The goal of the football camp was to provide campers with the finest football instruction possible in all phases of the game. This year 96 young men between the ages of 9 and 17 participated in Broadway’s camp. The campers were grouped by grades, age and ability. Junior campers included males ages 9 – 14 or grades 4 – 9. The senior campers included males between the ages of 15 and 17 or grades 10 – 12.
Andre Robinson, camp coordinator for the last three years and GSU linebackers coach, said the camp is geared towards teaching camp attendees about sportsmanship, discipline, how to get along with others as well as the fundamentals of football.
To achieve the aforementioned enrichment activities are held daily. D.A.R.E. (drug abuse resistance education) officers spoke to them about staying away from drugs, and GSU’s crisis center taught them about making good decisions. Jerry Baldwin, pastor of Ruston’s New Living Word Ministries and a former collegiate coach, told the young men about good sportsmanship from a spiritual standpoint.
RaDarius Winston, an upcoming senior and defensive back at Bastrop High said at the camp he learned better ways to help contribute to his defense next year. “This camp has made me a better payer. My hips and speed turns have improved, also, my foot work and man-to-man skills.”
“I will take what I’ve learned to help enhance my position group and defense to be prepared for the upcoming fall season. However, what I liked best about this camp was playing with other good athletes from area schools and the good coaches and coaching, ” said Winston.
Elon Grinstead, a WR and FS at Tioga High School, said that the camp has helped to make him a better player. He has learned new techniques and how to compete on a higher level.
“I would recommend this camp to others because it was very helpful and I learned a lot. I enjoyed learning new things and meeting people from all over.”
Other Tiger coaching staff included James Spady, offensive coordinator/offensive line; Cliff Yoshida, defensive coordinator/defensive line; Sammie White, receivers; Trei Oliver, special teams and recruiting coordinator/outside linebacker; Shawn Gibbs, running backs; Jay Davis, quarterbacks; Sam Washington, defensive backs; Charlie Lewis, video coordinator; and Leslie Chuck Dawson, equipment manager.
On hand to assist GSU’s football staff were Davin Pierre, Garland Spivey and O.L. Hutchinson. Spivey, an assistant coach at Green Oaks High in Shreveport played at GSU from 70 – 74. “I came as a quarterback and left as a defensive back,” he said.
“At the camp I primarily supervise the kids at night and work with Coach White and the receivers and the quarterbacks,” he said.
Spivey, who graduated from GSU in 1974, said, “As an alumnus I have been bringing players to camp since 1987 when the first camp began.”
One such camper is his son Desmond, who is currently a wide receiver at GSU and his grandson 10-year-old Rudolph Valentine, who is a fifth grader at Hillcrest Baptist in Augusta, Ga.
Running back and wide receiver Valentine said at the camp he learned how to hold the ball, how to tuck it better. “They taught me when I got the ball which hand to place on the top and which hand to place on the bottom. I learned all of the stances.
I made some friends, and I enjoyed playing games against other players most,” he said.
Spivey said that he brings players to GSU’s camp because the camp gives the players an opportunity to see experience college life and interact with players from other areas.
“Our players get a chance to play against and with other players and see their skill levels. Also, at GSU we have a four-day work out unlike other schools that have a two-day work out, and the camp is affordable.