Worcester, MA --- On Tuesday, July 31, the Worcester State University football squad partnered with the Elm Park Ministries Day Camp to provide a morning of activities for 50 children from around the local Worcester Community at Institute Park.

Through three sessions, ten football student-athletes taught the basics of tackling, running, catching and teamwork. The football players had the participants run through various stations before ending each 45 minute period with a team relay race.

"Everyone had a great time," said senior Jack Sprague, a wide receiver on the football squad. "We wanted them to have fun. We were all kids at one point and didn't want to keep things technical. Everyone was laughing, interacting and we adjusted to the age groups so we could do different things."

In its fifth year, the Elm Park Ministries is a conglomerate of 10 different churches that fund a two-week summer program in the neighborhood near WPI. The staff, directors and counselors who are involved with the camp are trained professionals from Camp Calumet in New Hampshire. They work with around 60-70 campers for two weeks during the summer while also utilizing local volunteers as counselors in training. 

"Our philosophy is to give kids the opportunity they wouldn't get due to financial burdens or location or where they live," said Co-Camp Director Bob White.

"It was great to have something like this break up the day," said Jena Handy, the other Co-Director of Elm Park Ministries. "It gave the kids an opportunity to practice football that they wouldn't normally get to do, especially the little kids. It involved them in the community and we really try to get the community piece (during) our camp."

Assistant Camp Director BJ Hill, a 2009 alumnus of Worcester State, initially contacted the athletics department with the feeling that one of the sports teams would have an interest in running an outside activity with the campers.

"I knew that if I approached a local college, one of the teams would be able to help us out, Worcester State would come through," said Hill.

Sprague jumped at the chance to get the football team involved when he was asked by athletics Coordinator of Student-Athlete Support Services Kelly Downs if his squad had interest earlier in the month.

"I responded right away; anything to give back to the community" said Sprague. "We participated in the project over at the Chandler Magnet school (this spring) and anything where we could get a new group of guys involved."

Senior Mike Goulden, a defensive back, relished the opportunity to give the campers another activity to participate in on a sunny summer day in late July.

"It was great to have the kids get away from their daily scheduling," said Goulden. "We wanted to give a little constructive criticism, have fun and run around. We taught a lot of the lessons that football teaches like teamwork, together, hard work and determination.

"A big thing we stressed, and something that Jack (Sprague) stresses, was family. (We) brought them in today to let them know we're a unit and that we all work and really rely on each other."

Nine-year old Ryan enjoyed himself in the first session and Macyn, who was eight, expressed her enthusiasm about having the opportunity to run around the open area at Institute Park.

"I liked the relay race the best," said Ryan. "Antone (Wilson) was my favorite because he was so nice when I missed catching the ball."

"I really like running," said Macyn. "Kemani (Jones) at the end of (his drill) gave me a high five. I really liked that."

Sprague expressed an interest in continuing to get the football team more involved in community activities.

"It's good to give back," said Sprague. "I want to try to get us more involved in the community, things like this during the summer and in future years too. We want to try to keep this thing going. You want your community to support you (while) you support the community.

"It's the best way to try to get people to support you and for people to try to get to your games."

Note: Also involved in the project, but not mentioned in the above story were senior teammates Kevin Bumpus, Bryan Narcisse, and Justin Pennellatore, along with junior Matt Lezama, sophomore Carrick Driscoll and freshman Noah Brum

The first group starts off the morning with stretching exercises as senior Jack Sprague leads in the middle

"Teamwork, together, hard work and determination" were consistent themes of today's activities at Institute Park as described by senior Mike Goulden

Senior Justin Pennellatore helps coach the participants on staying inside the lines during the running drill in the first group

Senior Jack Sprague and classmate Kevin Bumpus hold a blocking dummy in place while participants fine tuned their tackling and fumble recovery skills

Junior Matt Lezama runs the running station while demonstrating the proper technique for handing off the ball

Senior Jack Sprague takes a moment to give one of the kids a high five for successfully catching a pass thrown in her direction

Freshman Noah Brum smiles after he lets one go during at the passing/catching station

Junior Kemani Jones puts out his hand for a low five while helping out participants in the running drill

Junior Antone Wilson flicks a ball to one of the participants in the mornings final session

Senior Mike Goulden encouraging one of the participants to celebrate a successful touchdown with an end-zone dance

Senior Bryan Narcisse urges on one of the attendees during the relay that capped off every one of the three sessions

Campers, counselors and football players took a moment to pose for a quick photo after the last activity of the day

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