Mattt Light All-Conference camp a success

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GREENVILLE – The 28th annual Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp concluded its two day free camp with over 250 campers in attendance at Greenville’s Miami Valley Hospital North Stadium at Harmon Field.

“It’s been incredible to be here this year more so than any year in the past because we’re actually getting to see kids outside having fun, being around their peers and enjoying the game they love,” said Light.

Light, a Greenville graduate is a former NFL offensive tackle who spent his entire 11 year career playing for the New England Patriots from 2001 through 2011. Light is a three-time Super Bowl winner for Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX plus he is a three-time Pro Bowl selection for 2006, 2007 and 2010 and a First-Team All-Pro for 2007.

The All-Conference Camp is open to all registered young athletes entering the second grade through the eighth grade at no charge.

The camp is well known for the knowledgeable coaching staff assembled for the camp including many high school coaches from the surrounding area, college coaches as well as former college and pro-players.

Former Iowa players, Butch Caldwell and Ernie Sheeler returned once again to coach at the camp.

Caldwell was a four year starter for the University of Iowa and was named MVP of the 1976 Iowa Hawkeyes football team. Caldwell signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Colts and San Francisco 49ers. Ernest Sheeler, a 1978 Iowa graduate was a four year running back for the Hawkeyes.

Versailles led in numbers with 52 campers followed by Greenville with 36 participants in the two day camp with four Light Foundation staff members, four volunteers and 20 coaches under the direction of Greenville Athletic Director, Aaron Shaffer making it a memorable football camp.

Schools represented at the camp included: Greenville, Versailles, Tri-Village, Ansonia, Mississinawa Valley, Arcanum, Bradford, Northmont, Brookville, Tri-County North, Eaton, National Trail, Valley View, Dixie, Milton-Union, Preble Shawnee, Miamisburg, Anna, DeColores Montess, Tippecanoe, Troy Christian, Miami East, Dayton Christian, Minster, West Carrollton, Deca Prep, Troy, Covington, Homeschool, Huber Heights, Fairfield, Sacred Heart and Northeastern.

“It’s great to be back out here,” said Shaffer. “We have 253 kids registered for camp. Last year the Light Foundation put on a virtual camp, did everything they could to make sure kids still had an opportunity to learn life lessons and much more but you can’t replace the face to face interaction.”

“It’s a testament to Matt Light and the camp and what they have been doing here at Greenville,” said Versailles football coach Ryan Jones. “It’s a great camp, it’s a great opportunity for these kids to be coached by top coaches in the area, meet Matt Light and get some experience and learn some different skills.”

“We have had people supporting this event year in and year out,” Light stated. “We have national people that have jumped on board with what we do with the foundation in a big way and this camp is a big reason why they do it.”

“Dick’s Sporting Goods and the National Football League have been a part of helping with what we do here as well through opportunities we apply for grants but really it is the local communtiy.”

“Larry Masters started this camp 28 years ago and when he started this camp it was always based on the idea that this is going to be a free camp for kids and the only way he was able to do that was to go around to this local community to get people to buy in – so we’re blessed to have that exact same support,” added Light. “The 250 kids that sign up here understand that because we harp on it.”

Vandalia-Butler head football coach, Ty Cates gives instructions at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Ty-Cates-Vandalia-a.jpgVandalia-Butler head football coach, Ty Cates gives instructions at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp.

Matt Light demonstrates a blocking move at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_u-Matt-Light.jpgMatt Light demonstrates a blocking move at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

Tri-County North head football coach, Adam Hall instructs young campers at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Adam-Hall-TC-North-a.jpgTri-County North head football coach, Adam Hall instructs young campers at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

Matt Light gives high five at the All-Conference Football Camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_b-Matt-Light-High-Five.jpgMatt Light gives high five at the All-Conference Football Camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

Greenville head coach, Bart Schmitz hands the ball to quarterback camper at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Bart-Schmitz.jpgGreenville head coach, Bart Schmitz hands the ball to quarterback camper at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

Former Iowa quarterback, Butch Caldwell instructs campers at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Butch-Caldwell.jpgFormer Iowa quarterback, Butch Caldwell instructs campers at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

Campers go for a pass at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Campers.jpgCampers go for a pass at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

Former Iowa Hawkeyes running back, Ernie Sheeler sends a camper out for a pass at the Matt Light All-Conference Football camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Ernie-Sheeler.jpgFormer Iowa Hawkeyes running back, Ernie Sheeler sends a camper out for a pass at the Matt Light All-Conference Football camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

Matt Light looks on as a camper runs through a drill at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Matt-Light-a.jpgMatt Light looks on as a camper runs through a drill at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

All-Conference campers go high for a pass at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Matt-Light-All-Conference-Football-Camp-2021-314.jpgAll-Conference campers go high for a pass at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

Matt Light signals touchdown at the All-Conference Football Camp at Greenville.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Matt-Light-TD.jpgMatt Light signals touchdown at the All-Conference Football Camp at Greenville. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

Campers work out at quarterback at the Matt Light All-Conference football camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Quarterbacks.jpgCampers work out at quarterback at the Matt Light All-Conference football camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media

Versailles head coach, Ryan Joners hands off to camper at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp.
https://www.dailyadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/web1_Ryan-Jones-Versailles.jpgVersailles head coach, Ryan Joners hands off to camper at the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp. Gaylen Blosser |Darke County Media
All-Conference football camp host 253 campers in two day free event.

By Gaylen Blosser

DarkeCountyMedia.com

Contact Darke County Media Sports Editor Gaylen Blosser at [email protected] or 937-569-0122

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