4-day Westminster program emphasizes sportsmanship

The Baltimore Sun

Brad Wilson has been running the Westminster football camp for four years with the help of veteran camp director Don Mongol and members of the Westminster High School football team.

For four days last week, Wilson, Westminster High head football coach, and Mongol, an assistant high school coach, worked with boys, ages 9-13, to teach them football fundamentals. They had help from youth coaches and members of the Westminster football team.

"I wanted to be a community-based program," Wilson said. "I wanted to get the community involved in what we were doing. I also wanted to get our football players involved in the community, and this is one of the things we do to do that."

Luis Lawson, 13, of Westminster, a second-year camper, said he was excited about coming to camp because he will get an opportunity to try a new position before high school tryouts this fall.

"This is my first year trying to play running back, so I just wanted to come to camp and learn the basics ... ," Luis said. " ... Mainly it teaches me how to do my position right."

The camp accepts children who have never played before as well as those who are going into their freshman year in high school. Depending on whether they've played Little League football or on a club team, Wilson said he breaks them into positions both offensively and defensively so he can work with them to make them better players.

"We try to let them try some new things here," Wilson said. "We try to give them a different look at things."

Mongol and Wilson said they stress that the campers must also become well-rounded individuals. To emphasize camp sportsmanship, Mongol and Wilson pick three campers each day who have exhibited excellence and teamwork throughout the day.

Those selected receive prizes and a laminated all-access pass to the Westminster Owls varsity home opener against Francis Scott Key on Sept. 7.

"In addition to skill development, it's about awareness of football," Mongol said. "How to operate in open space and also to teach them a little bit about working hard and having good sportsmanship. All those things that aren't on a stat sheet."

The all-access pass includes a trip inside the Owls' locker room before the game, as well as a chance to get inside the huddle and stand on the sidelines.

"For these kids, being in the locker room before a game is like meeting a professional team," Mongol said. "These kids really look up to our players. So it's a way of connecting with the community. It really helps create a bridge between Little League and high school."

After camp is finished, Wilson said he stays in contact with the campers by going to some of their recreation games on Saturdays.

"It's a nice connection with all levels of football," Mongol said. "You have kids now that have been doing this for years. Many of these kids are about to come into the high school scene, and we've seen them grow up."

Scott Gywn, 11, from Sykesville said he likes to use the Westminster camp to tune up for regular football season. This is his second year, and he said the camp's intensity is what brought him back.

"I thought the camp was fun last year," Scott said. "It really got me pumped up for the season. ... This camp helps me get a lot better and ready for the fall."

The camp usually averages about 100 players each year.

Most of the campers play for the Gamber Mustangs recreational program or the Westminster Optimist program. Many of the players end up going to Westminster High or Winters Mill, so Wilson said he tries to get them accustomed to what he expects from his players when they come to Westminster.

"The goals for campers are first to have fun. But at the same time, I want them to learn what we do here, because most of these kids will come here and play," Wilson said. "Second of all, I want the kids to learn as much as they can about football in four days."

Mongol said he is happy overall with the camp.

"I don't know if the camp needs any changes at this point," he said. "Maybe if we could get a connection with the Ravens, like a guest speaker or something; it would be nice to go that route. We could have the camp go from four days to five. But for right now, I like what we're doing with the camp."

eboni.preston@baltsun.com

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