KENOVA òòò½ÊÓƵ” The third annual Dalton Tucker Football Camp kicked off at Ceredo-Kenovaòòò½ÊÓƵ™s football field on Saturday.
Marshall offensive lineman Dalton Tucker, along with several other Thundering Herd athletes, hosted a free camp on Saturday. They led kids through drills and technique, as well as sharing their love of the game.
Tucker originally brought his idea of this day camp to his hometown of Paris, Kentucky, which led to a lot of support, but a low outcome, he said.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI started a camp when the first NIL stuff was passed back in 2021,òòò½ÊÓƵ Tucker said. òòò½ÊÓƵœEveryone was very supportive back home. I did it, but didnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t really have many kids show up.òòò½ÊÓƵ
In hopes of fulfilling his dreams of a camp, he worked with local West Virginia coaches.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI help coach the middle school; I volunteer whenever I have free time. I mentioned it to the coaches that I was helping. They said, òòò½ÊÓƵ˜Why donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t we just do it here?òòò½ÊÓƵ™òòò½ÊÓƵ Tucker said. òòò½ÊÓƵœWe did it last year and had a great turnout; everyone loved it. I just enjoyed doing it.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Tucker wants to make sure that his young athletes get to experience this influential training.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI think it is really important to have camps like this, especially nowadays with technology,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœKids donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t really want to go outside, but if they have a chance to, come out and play. They all donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t go to the same school, so they get in with each other before high school and middle school. Thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s great and they can start making friendships.
Tucker also found it important to make the camp cost-free.
òòò½ÊÓƵœThis is great for all these kids,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœI think that camps are a great opportunity. Even for parents, they want to do something for their kids, but financally, it isnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t fine. Thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s why I do it for free. Just bring your kids out; we are always happy to have anybody.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Perry Morrone, who coaches in Ceredo-Kenova youth system, expresses his appreciation and respect for the time donated for the kids of his community.
òòò½ÊÓƵœJust seeing the interaction between these guys that play at Marshall and these kids, literally from 5 years old, to guys that I coached out here that are juniors in high school (is good),òòò½ÊÓƵ Morrone said. òòò½ÊÓƵœTo see these older guys working with these younger kids and caring is my favorite part, to see that this is what these college athletes are wanting to be doing. I make sure the kids thank them, because they donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t have to be here; they are here because they want to be here. Thatòòò½ÊÓƵ™s what I like about it.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Morrone, too, valued the not-for-profit angle of the event.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI guarantee that there are kids out here that wouldnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t be here if it wasnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t for free,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœA lot of people take $5 for granted. But it makes a difference that it is free, and itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s great that it is free. We are appreciative. This is great for our community. Iòòò½ÊÓƵ™m impressed with these guys.òòò½ÊÓƵ
These kids are not the only ones who enjoyed the camp. The Marshall players who attended got to share their knowledge and contribute to the next generationòòò½ÊÓƵ™s love of the sport.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI remember doing camps like this when I was younger. I never thought that I would be out here running them,òòò½ÊÓƵ Herd offensive lineman Logan Osburn, a Cabell Midland graduate, said. òòò½ÊÓƵœSo, it means the world to be out here with these kids, trying to teach the kids the game. And, to me, the best part is coming out here and just seeing the kids have fun.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Marshall defensive lineman Owen Porter, a Spring Valley alumnus, has a soft spot for the youngest athletes on the field and enjoys how they mirror the beginnings of his career.
òòò½ÊÓƵœWe love doing it every year,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœIt is always fun to see the little kids. That is probably my favorite part. I started playing football at 7, 8 years old.
òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s just nice to give back. I think it is good for kids nowadays. Kids donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t get out as much as we used to. Itòòò½ÊÓƵ™s good to get out and get them to enjoy football as much as I always have.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Tucker hopes to be able to continue this tradition. He wants to grow the sport in this community and particularly in each of the athletes that go on the field.
òòò½ÊÓƵœYou see these little kidsòòò½ÊÓƵ™ faces light up and running around, energetic,òòò½ÊÓƵ he said. òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s enjoyable to me to see how much joy it brings to everyone else. Come to camp and have a great time. Even if your kids donòòò½ÊÓƵ™t play football, they can come out and see if they really want to. They do the drills, and they end up really liking it. You never know where the game might take you.òòò½ÊÓƵ