Las Cruces, N.M. –New Mexico State head football coach Hal Mumme announced Friday, June 27 that the Aggies will partner with Bill Avalos, the Las Cruces site coordinator for the NFL Junior Player Development Program (JPD) and the Arizona Cardinals to offer middle school football players, ages 12-14 a free football camp that will run from July 21 through Aug. 1. Times for the camp will be Monday through Friday, 6:00-8:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at the Aggie football practice fields.
The JPD is designed not only to teach kids about the game of football, but about life skills education and the development of middle school aged kids. Campers will receive a jersey provided by the Arizona Cardinals, a daily planner, wrist bands with life skill instructions and a t-shirt. Equipment for the camp will also be provided.
“The reason why we were so diligent on getting this event to Las Cruces was for the fact, not only to teach the great game of football but to teach these kids better life skills as far as managing things these middle school kids go through on a daily bases, such as gangs and making better choices in life,” said Avalos.
“We’ve wanted to get a camp together like this one for a couple years now and when the NFL came to us about coming to Las Cruces we thought it was a great idea to join up and hold this free camp,” Mumme said. “I think Greg Harrod (Director of Football Operations) and Bill Avalos have done a great job of setting this event up. We want these young football players to have an opportunity to come to New Mexico State University to start learning how to be a football player and satisfy some of their curiosity about being a Division I player.”
“We also want to introduce them to the Aggie football program. We have done a couple of these camps in Gallup, N.M. and around the state the last couple of years and now we can finally bring it to Las Cruces,” Mumme said.
The NFL JPD program was developed in 1998, as an instructional football camp for children age 12-14 in underserved communities. The program provides step-by-step instruction for every position on both offense and defense in a fun and engaging atmosphere. It also serves as a feeder system for high school football programs that may not have organized football in nearby junior high schools.
JPD integrates on-field skills development with life skills and character development. As youngsters plan for future high school interscholastic activities, participants receive instruction from NFL-selected high school coaches, as well as counseling that focuses around a variety of life skills, such as responsibility, goal-setting, sportsmanship, self-control, smart moves and teamwork. Each life skill addressed through the context of football allows coaches to make the connection between life skills as they are applied on the field, in school, at home and in the community.
Other cities considered for this camp included El Paso, Texas, Albuquerque, N.M., and Las Vegas, Nev.
The City of Las Cruces is also in support of this great opportunity for the young football players in the community. Las Cruces Major Ken Miyagishima, along with City Manager Terrance Moore will be in attendance for the opening day of the event.
"I think this a great opportunity for our youth to know that success off the field is just as important as success on the field. The NFL JPD will teach our youngsters the tools to be successful in life, such as responsibility, respect, discipline and striving to your best in all that you do," Mayor of Las Cruces, Ken Miyagishima said. "I am elated that the NFL JPD will be here in Las Cruces, I want to thank the Avalos' and the Arizona Cardinals Organization for their hard work and support in making this a reality."
“The NFL Junior Player Development Program is a fantastic way to drive young people’s interest in athletes, as well as the community,” Moore said. “The City of Las Cruces is extremely excited for the NFL Junior Player Development Program to come to town and the city will continue to offer support in anyway possible.”
In addition, the Aggie Football team will hold a free camp on Aug. 2 for all kids eighth grade and under beginning at 9:00 a.m. The campers will receive instruction from head football strength and conditioning coach Matt Walter in the Coca-Cola Weight Center in the morning, meanwhile coach Mumme will hold a clinic for all coaches attending the camp with their players. Lunch will be served, followed by afternoon drills with the NMSU coaching staff and Aggie football players.
For more information about the NFL Junior Player Development Camp call Bill Avalos at (575) 639-0750 or the Aggie Football camp call (575) 646-2521.
Courtesy: New Mexico State University
