Coming from as far away as Charlotte, N.C., more than 35 youths
participated in the Adonal Foyle Athletics and Academics camp last
Thursday and Friday.
By Paul Doherty Staff Writer
Morgan Hill – Coming from as far away as Charlotte, N.C., more than 35 youths participated in the Adonal Foyle Athletics and Academics camp last Thursday and Friday.
With guest speakers, inspirational videos, hours of basketball, and starring a veteran NBA player, the camp stressed the importance of education.
Camp director Michael DeGrazia, from Dublin kept the pace going.
“We want to make sure that the kids are learning and having fun,” DeGrazia said. “We try to entertain and educate as well as work on basketball skills so the kids can learn and become better players.”
As part of the educational aspect of the camp, participants listened to guest speakers Roy Byrd and Timi Wussu, and watched a film on Michael Jordan.
Byrd, who travelled the world as a Harlem Globetrotter, spoke to the kids on Thursday about his experiences in school and on the court, focusing on education.
“You really can mold kids’ minds and get them to do what you want,” Byrd said. “So I stressed the importance of getting an education before trying to become a pro athlete.”
Gilroy resident and camp counselor Larry Green has known Foyle since playing against him for the Naval Academy, and was asked by Foyle to help him set up the camp in Morgan Hill.
“I am more than happy to help,” Green said. “A lot of other camps don’t emphasize the academic component, which is just as important as athletics.”
Green, and other camp organizers are already looking into having the camp in Morgan Hill again next summer because the community has been so great, Green said.
While the majority of the campers are from Morgan Hill, there are also campers from Gilroy and Hollister, among other places.
Anchor Point Christian School sophomore Jon Wylie, 15, from Gilroy enjoyed the competitive games at the camp, as well as learning from the counselors.
“I came to stay in shape for the basketball season, get a good workout, and learn the fundamentals from people who played college and pro ball,” Wylie said.
