2nd Annual Health Jaguar Mini Camp

By: Chassity Oubre and Kristen Bryson

When I first heard of the 2nd Annual Jaguar Mini Camp, founded by Southern University’s offensive lineman Anthony Mosley and Linebacker Demetrius Carter, I thought that it would be interesting. However what I observed at this educational and fun day amazed me. To say that the Jaguar fans are supportive would be an understatement. It is the summer in south Louisiana right now and as you are aware unless you never leave the house, it is blisteringly hot outside. Yet at the Jaguar Mini Camp there was a whole parking lot full of fans decked out in Southern University gear ready to support their team. This kind of devotion would impress even the most jaded football player.

The set up for the camp was relatively simple the Southern University Army ROTC provided a tent under which student-athletes and coaches divided up the children into groups for the day. The student athletes ranged in the area of their preferred sports from track and field to tennis and football. These student-athletes demonstrated an enthusiasm for working for the students that rivaled even their passion for game day. Energized and anxious to get the camp underway, the two founders of the program busied themselves with organizing and waiting on the children to arrive. Also under the tent were two tables loaded with healthy foods like fresh fruits and cool water. There were also Southern University t-shirts that were to be given to the children at the end of the day as a reward.

Thirty minutes after I arrived, I heard cheering from off in the distance. A few seconds later the campers marched in cheering and making a ton of noise. Even though the words were hard to understand the children’s enthusiasm was infectious. (If you want to watch this for yourself check out our Facebook page and Instagram) Most of the kids who had come to last year’s camp ran up to the coaches and hugged them. That showed me the special bond these coaches had formed with these young kids from last year’s camp. The coaches always remembered the kids by name. A particular favorite with the kids seemed to be SU’s Running Back, Lenard Tillery. Some of the kids jumped on Tillery nearly knocking him to the ground, but he didn’t seem to mind. After the kids were settled in, they were then assigned to coaches for certain drills. There were multiple drills to be completed by each group such as: catching drills, ladder drills, and cone drills. The coaching staff took great pains to make sure the kids stayed hydrated. The children really got into the drills and activities. Even when the coaches needed to make a correction to technique it was done with love and patience. After the drills, the campers were given a break to refresh themselves. Once the campers were rested, they were divided into four teams to play a game of football. Clearly this is what the children and athletes had been waiting for, because the minute this was announced they all burst into cheers. They were so excited they said things like, “I can’t wait to play football. I’m a beast!” The game was set up so that the winners from each game played each other and the losers from each game played each other. Both children and coaches kept their excitement throughout the football games. Players who weren’t on the field playing at the time cheered for their teammates. The fans who had come to watch the camp cheered for the campers and apparently had called their friends because I promise you that there were even more fans by the end of the games. As their parents and other fans started cheering the campers started running faster and blocking harder. Everyone was truly having a wonderful time.

As the camp came to a close, the kids lined up by the tent and received their t-shirts. The happy campers then ran up to their proud parents exclaiming “Look, look what I got!” Along with huge smiles on their faces it was clear they had also learned something about healthy choices. I feel that any parent out there that would love to have their kid(s) to participate in the 2nd Jaguar Health Mini Camp. Well I hope I have persuaded some if not all of you to check out this amazing camp after reading my personal experience. If you want to learn more about Jaguar Health Mini Camp, you can contact Anthony Mosley at sh***********@ya***.com.

Alec Miller