Rec Sports

State champion Louisville to look for new coach

Louisville high school basketball video beating St Ignatius at buzzer Video of Brayden Gross muscling in a shot from the right side of the lane & the celebration as Louisville boys basketball beats St. Ignatius in OT. LOUISVILLE ‒ Like raising a son from birth to manhood, Tom Siegfried has tended to Louisville boys basketball […]

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2 months ago

April 28, 2025

Your Sports Nation

LOUISVILLE ‒ Like raising a son from birth to manhood, Tom Siegfried has tended to Louisville boys basketball for the last 18 years.

Watching it mature. Watching it fail. Watching it succeed — and the Leopards succeeded to the highest degree under Siegfried.

The Louisville High School boys basketball program is all grown up now. Siegfried feels it’s the perfect moment to let it go.

Siegfried is stepping down as Leopards coach after his tenure culminated in a Division III state championship last month. He spoke to the team about his decision Monday morning.

There are many reasons the time is right for Siegfried to make this move, most notably his desire to watch his point guard and son, Beau, play at Ashland University next year.

But it still wasn’t an easy decision, not after almost two decades of time and toil to build a basketball power in a football town.

“I’ll never take that for granted because I remember what it felt like when it wasn’t that way,” Siegfried said. “That’s the frustrating part for me, knowing you did all this building to get to the top, and then to release it. It’s almost like you’re releasing your children to college or adulthood or whatever, and you have to trust that whoever comes next, it’s going to be in good hands.”

The 50-year-old Siegfried will stay on as the history department head and assistant athletic director at Louisville. He also has a fence and deck business he runs during the summer.

Louisville athletic director Terrie Horn knew Siegfried was considering stepping away as coach.

“I still got choked up when he told me,” Horn said. “I know what we’ll be missing and I know those shoes are big ones and it’s going to be very hard to fill them.”

Louisville went 270-155 under Siegfried, making him the winningest coach in program history by a mile. Louisville was strong for most of Siegfried’s career, with 15 winning seasons overall and 12 straight to finish his time as coach.

It went to another level the last four years, with an 86-20 record, a boatload of significant wins, two district titles and the first state championship in program history. The 2022 district title was Louisville’s first in 29 years. Louisville went 24-5 this season — the most single-season wins in program history after it had tied the record last year when it went 23-3.

These last four years included his son on varsity. Beau Siegfried is Louisville’s all-time leader in assists and 3-pointers.

“Not too many coaches can say they went out on a win with their son,” Tom Siegfried said.

Siegfried guided the Leopards to four NBC titles before the league unceremoniously dumped Louisville in 2018.

He coached the last four Repository Stark County Players of the Year: Will Aljancic twice, Hayden Nigro and Brayden Gross.

He watched Louisville’s scoring record be broken four times during his tenure, first by Drew Noble (1,078), then by Chris Libertore (1,146), Aljancic (1,409) and Nigro (1,434). Bob Gladieux’s record of 1,024 had stood for 51 years when Noble broke it in 2016. Overall, Siegfried coached the top five scorers in Louisville history, with Gross finishing third with 1,167 points.

Siegfried’s final two wins were the stuff of movie scripts.

The Leopards rallied to beat Garfield Heights and Ohio Mr. Basketball Marcus Johnson 49-48 in a state semifinal that included 4,120 fans in a rocking Memorial Field House.

They then survived a furious rally by Cincinnati Aiken to win the state final 63-61 in front of 7,178 fans at University of Dayton Arena.

“When I was younger and we were trying to build it and do it the right way, and you have some losing seasons, you just want people to have trust and faith in you,” Siegfried said. “You know you’re working hard and you’re going to get there at some point. And now that we’ve got there, it’s hilarious selling out a game in a 4,500-seat place like the Field House. I can remember having 350 people at a Friday night game. Basketball was just something the football players did in the offseason. Now, this town has become basketball.”

Horn, in her eighth year as AD, explained Siegfried’s role in the emergence of Louisville basketball like this: “He has a passion like no other. He gives 100 percent to everything he does. The time he spends planning, organizing, building relationships with not only the kids but the parents and the community, it’s second to none. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Siegfried started referring to Louisville basketball as “The Program” about 10 years ago. The ostentatious moniker, which irked opposing coaches and fans at times, was part of Siegfried’s plan to give an identity to Louisville basketball beyond just the varsity team.

He saw it as a top-to-bottom vision for hoops in Louisville, and he lived it by being heavily involved with youth basketball.

“That’s what started all of this, I believe,” Horn said, “was building those relationships and showing up for those kids and showing them that he cared.”

Siegfried called the state championship “icing on the cake” of his career, not the reason to step away now.

He felt there was symmetry in finishing with this year’s rotation, which consisted of eight seniors who basically were born the year he became head coach.

Another reason he feels comfortable stepping away at this point is the overall health of the program.

Louisville’s junior varsity and freshman teams went a combined 34-4 this past season.

“We definitely are not in a rebuilding stage anytime soon here at Louisville,” Siegfried said. “They should have the opportunity to do a lot of winning here coming up and keep this thing going. That kind of lent itself to being a good time for fresh thoughts and fresh ideas to come in with some of the foundation that I’ve laid and the expectations we’ve laid as a staff.”

Siegfried expects varsity assistant coach Owen Gramoy and JV coach Dave Wertz to be among the candidates applying to succeed him.

A 1993 Alliance High School graduate, Siegfried is in his 26th year at Louisville. He spent two years as the freshman girls basketball coach, then six years with the boys basketball program under Matt Miglich before becoming the head coach in 2007. He also spent 14 years coaching with the baseball program.

His tenure as head coach covered four athletic directors, four principals, five superintendents, five girls basketball coaches and five football coaches at Louisville by his count.

Siegfried does not consider this a retirement from coaching. He assumes he’ll return to the sideline at some point down the road. The college ranks always have intrigued him.

For now, he won’t officially be “Coach Siegfried,” but chances are he’ll always be Coach Siegfried at Louisville.

“It does become part of your identity,” he said. “You always feel like you have your guard up, trying to do what’s right for a million different people, whether it’s a Little Dribbler, a varsity player or past alumni.

“Those relationships will still be there. They’ll just be a little different.”

Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com

On X: @jweirREP

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Stammen Classic, Day 3…Pictures Of The Essentials

No future pitching coach would suggest it, but none would question, either. When you’re this age you play by instinct…and to have fun! (Press Pros Feature Photos) It doesn’t cost $250 for a family of five to attend, and it doesn’t cost $1,500 for a twelve-year-0ld to play. What wrapped up this weekend in Versailles […]

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11 minutes ago

June 23, 2025

Your Sports Nation

No future pitching coach would suggest it, but none would question, either. When you’re this age you play by instinct…and to have fun! (Press Pros Feature Photos)

It doesn’t cost $250 for a family of five to attend, and it doesn’t cost $1,500 for a twelve-year-0ld to play. What wrapped up this weekend in Versailles was baseball for the sake of fun, and family…and no one worried about spin rate!

Versailles, OH – To a veteran observer of the game, it’s easy to enjoy what Craig Stammen and a corps of volunteers in Versailles lends to a simple game of pitch and catch…hit and run…focused specifically on young boys, ages 7 to 14.

VPP proudly sponsors youth baseball on Press Pros Magazine.com.

Play baseball and have fun.

Create some memories.

Publisher/editor Sonny Fulks writes OHSAA sports and Ohio State baseball for Press Pros Magazine.com.

Dreams of the future.

Appreciate the game for as long as you can…with that special group of guys you call friends.

And let no one criticize or demean for lack of spin rate and velocity.

Let no one be discouraged because at twelve someone judged that they weren’t good enough to play, and weren’t asked.

Let no one be embarrassed because they didn’t have $1,500 to be among the ‘select’.

Somehow Stammen and his friends in Versailles have managed to do all that, and have for years…for the sake of the essentials. Boys playing baseball.

And boys who’ve never heard of Prep Baseball Report, or Perfect Game…or a recruiting profile.

Naivete’ is a wonderful thing when you’re twelve…of not knowing what you don’t know. I couldn’t help but laugh this weekend when talented twelve-year-old Garrett Siefring (from Fort Recovery) admitted to me that he didn’t even know who Craig Stammen is, or where he had played.

The ‘Edge’ proudly sponsors the best in area youth sports on Press Pros Magazine.com.

“I really don’t,” he admitted, a little puzzled over the question. “Someone told me he was major something…that’s all I know.”

Oh my. Out of the mouths of the young, no doubt! I’m just here to play baseball.

Major something, indeed!

It if comes naturally, so much the better. Fort Recovery’s Blake Homan delivers a pitch in this weekend’s Stammen Classic.

Someone once said that a picture is worth a thousand words…easier to enjoy, easier to understand. You can see it all…skill, competitiveness, joy, and frustration. And no words were ever more descriptive than the above photo of 11-year-old pitcher Jack Seinbrunner, from Versailles. No pitching coach would ever teach it, but none would ever question, either. When you’re eleven you play the game – do what you can – to have fun.

Witness the intent and focus of 12-year-old Blake Homan, from Fort Recovery. There’s a lot of things right about the way he throws the baseball, despite the fact that his hands are barely big enough to grip, or spin it!

You see kids who are obviously blessed with dads who played, and who spend the time now to play with them. How do you tell? Because they know when to backhand the ball, and when to catch it with your open palm. Sometimes you see kids who step with the wrong foot when they learn to throw. But in Versailles, where dads teach their kids, you never see it.

And in a seven-year-old game on Saturday I observed a little second baseman literally flop on a ground ball to stop it, like a chicken covering her brood. Not exactly good hands at that age, but it doesn’t matter. Because as soon as he realized he’d stopped the baseball he was on his feet and throwing it to first. He had been taught…you might still have a chance to get an out. His throw beat the runner by a step!

Just like Elly (De La Cruz), Max Bruns snaps a throw to first for an out.

Once upon a time we were young, and we threw a baseball incessantly. The minute the bell rang for noon hour at school, we were assembled on the tiny playground diamond within minutes. And one of the favorite games we played was called ‘burn out’, where you literally tried to throw the ball harder than someone could catch.

Without anyone ever being there to coach, we learned to throw…overhand, sidearm, even submarine…any way to get it there harder, and more accurately. And when the games began we took that knowledge to the field, because you can’t turn the double play by winding up to throw. It’s has to be a snap throw, and by instinct…like St. Henry’s Max Bruns (pictured, above).

In today’s culture of ‘select’ baseball you might not get that chance…because by the time you’re 14 you might be so discouraged that you quit the game altogether.

Your local Kaup Pharmacy proudly supports amateur baseball on Press Pros Magazine.com.

“We’re losing nearly half of the future baseball gene pool because kids are giving up the game before they mature physically enough to play it,” said a major league scout at last year’s Big Ten Tournament. “We’re losing too many of the ‘tweeners’ and the late bloomers.”

And those who know will tell you that about half of the baseball’s hall of fame is comprised of late bloomers in the game, including the great Brooks Robinson.

Hard landing…sliding is not one of the five tools of baseball, and a skill you learn, usually from watching the older kids.

Craig Stammen laughs at Garrett Siefring’s inability to identify him, just two years removed from his playing 13 years in the major leagues. But recognition is no longer his passion in baseball. Seeing the next generation learn and love the game…is!

“The best thing is telling them something that the whole baseball world knows, but they’ve never been exposed to it,” he explains. “And when they figure it out for the first time they literally have the biggest smile they’ve ever had. It’s Christmas morning when they learn to field a ground ball and throw it to first with a crow hop. Something as simple as that.

“Right now the only ‘Major something’ that concerns me is learning how to run a 7u baseball tournament,” he adds with a smile. “These kids are in their own little world. Maybe they’ll become major leaguers, and maybe not. If they don’t know me it’s no big deal. But with a tournament like this hopefully there’s someone in every neighborhood who believes in baseball, who can pass on the values of baseball, the opportunities and the lessons learned. That’s what’s important…what’s beautiful about baseball. It starts with your dad passing it down to you, and when you get older the older kids teach the younger kids. It works that way at every level.

He got it all…New Bremen’s Landon Overman (7u) was flying high following his home run Sunday against Coldwater.

“When I was a rookie the veteran players taught me how to play big league baseball. And by the time I retired I was the veteran teaching the rookies how to play big league baseball. That’s how it works. The learning process – being a mentor – never stops.”

So no, there was no Prep Baseball Report.

No radar, no metrics, no rankings…and no one caught the exit velocity of Landon Overman’s home run in the 7u championship game between New Bremen and Coldwater. All he knew was that it went over the fence in right field. His feet barely touched the ground as he rounded the bases. His team won. And he won with his friends in front of his town.

Memories that will sustain him and his teammates far longer than a five-hour drive to Louisville for a travel tournament in 98-degree heat, and the justification of it being better competition. And then, of course, a five-hour drive home.

More incentive to play baseball for as long as you can…to improve…to learn…even a late bloomer!

Ask Landon Overman.

Ask Garrett Siefring.

Community baseball at home. Nothing could be better.

You know….Ol’ Major something’s tournament!

Knapke Kitchens and Baths, of Versailles, proudly sponsors youth baseball coverage on Press Pros.

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Monumental Sports & Entertainment and Monumental Sports Network Honored with Record 12 Capital Emmy Awards

MSE honored with Capital Emmy for Community Service, alongside multiple wins across teams, talent, and original programming Washington, D.C. (June 22, 2025) – Last night, The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) and Monumental Sports Network (MNMT) as recipients of 12 […]

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1 hour ago

June 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

MSE honored with Capital Emmy for Community Service, alongside multiple wins across teams, talent, and original programming

Washington, D.C. (June 22, 2025) – Last night, The National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) and Monumental Sports Network (MNMT) as recipients of 12 Capital Emmy Awards, including an honor in the Community Service category recognizing the organization’s extraordinary efforts to uplift and empower the DMV community. The dozen award wins are a new all-time high for MSE.

MSE’s awards recognized groups and individuals in front of and behind the camera across MNMT and MSE’s productions and marketing teams for their work from January 1 through December 31, 2024. MSE and MNMT earned a record 21 Capital Emmy nominations in 13 different categories this year. Winners for this year’s awards were unveiled during the 67th Emmy Awards Gala in Bethesda, MD, attended by hundreds of professionals in the D.C.-area television and production industry.

“These Capital Emmy wins are a testament to the creativity, innovation, and dedication across our entire organization, from our production crews behind the camera to the on-air talent who bring our content to life,” said Zach Leonsis, President of Media & New Enterprises at MSE. “Monumental Sports Network continues to raise the bar for regional sports platforms, and we’re proud that our bold investments in original programming, alternate broadcasts, and cutting-edge technology are being recognized by our industry. Just as importantly, we’re honored to be celebrated for our community impact—using our platform to give back and help strengthen the region we proudly call home. The national capital region is home to some of the most talented professionals in television, and it’s an honor to be recognized alongside them.”

MSE’s 2024 Capital Emmy Awards wins (acceptance speeches linked where available):

Community Service: Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Talent: Sports Play-By-Play: Joe Beninati

Talent: Anchor – Sports: Alexa Landestoy

Talent: Anchor – Sports: Wes Hall

Interview/Discussion: Politics Aside with Chris Cillizza: Political Pick Up

Sports Program – Post-Produced or Edited: Beyond the Buzzer: Los Wizards Take Mexico City

Sports Program – Post-Produced or Edited: Caps Red Line: Hockey Fights Cancer

Sports Program – Post-Produced or Edited: Mystics Courtside: Summertime Celebrities

Live Sporting Event/Game (Single Program): Monumental Deportes: NBA En Vivo – Wizards vs. Heat

Live Sporting Event/Game (Single Program): Washington Mystics Game Broadcast – History in the Making

Sports Open/Tease: Capitals 50th Open

Public Affairs Program: Rise And Strive: College Signing Day 2024

For the full list of individuals associated with each award win, please CLICK HERE.

In 2024, MSE advanced its “double bottom line” mission by delivering nearly $4.5 million in donations and logging close to 2,000 volunteer hours. A standout achievement was the launch of District of Play, a multi-year, multi-million-dollar youth sports initiative designed to create equitable access to play across the city. From refurbishing courts and supplying equipment to increasing programming for girls and delivering 29,934 basketballs to every PreK – 5th student at 80 D.C. public schools, the initiative reflects Monumental’s deep-rooted commitment to meaningful, lasting impact.

“We believe that strong communities build strong teams—and giving back is central to who we are,” said Monica Dixon, President of External Affairs and Chief Administrative Officer at MSE. “It’s a wonderful honor to receive this Capital Emmy Award for Community Service and a testament to the vision of Ted and Zach Leonsis, who have instilled a deep sense of purpose in everything we do. With initiatives like District of Play, we’re not just investing in sports but we’re investing in opportunity and the next generation of leaders.”

2024 was a year of impressive growth for MNMT. In addition to owning and distributing the local broadcast rights for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards, WNBA’s Washington Mystics, and NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go, MNMT made several recent additions to its programming lineup. These include four categories of alternate broadcasts (including Spanish language broadcasts), original programs with national names like Hometown with Rachel Nichols, Politics Aside with Chris Cillizza, and Sports Business Journal: Inside the Industry, and the launch of Monumental+, an upgraded state-of-the-art app. MNMT also unveiled its bleeding-edge production facility and broadcast studios in March 2024.

“This record number of Capital Emmy honors is a direct reflection of the hard work and passion our network team pours into every aspect of broadcasting and production,” said Friday Abernethy, General Manager of MNMT. “These honors reflect the strength of our group and our commitment to delivering world-class content to fans across the region.”

MSE and MNMT (previously NBC Sports Washington) have a long history of success with the Capital Emmys. The organization has now won more than 50 Capital Emmys and has received nearly 100 nominations over the past dozen years.

CLICK HERE to watch the full video from the 67th Capital Emmy Awards Gala.

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About Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Monumental Sports & Entertainment is one of America’s leading integrated sports and entertainment companies and is ranked as one of the most valuable globally. Our people, players, teams, and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans, and our people. To learn more, please visit monumentalsports.com.

About Monumental Sports Network

Monumental Sports Network is wholly owned and operated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). The network holds exclusive local television media rights for the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards and WNBA’s Washington Mystics games. MNMT is also the TV and digital home to the NBA G League’s Capital City Go-Go and the NBA 2K League’s Wizards District Gaming as well as exclusive behind-the-scenes content and original sports and entertainment programming. The network also boasts the most comprehensive regional high school and collegiate sports programming in the greater Washington D.C. metro area. For more, visit monumentalplus.com.

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Rec Sports

Youth reigning supreme at 2025 ZDGA Amateur

High school stars chasing first crown but Hartford lurks ZANESVILLE — A final round for the ages is brewing at the Zanesville District Golf Association Amateur. Eight players are within six shots of the lead entering the final round at Zanesville Country Club on June 22, three of them 18 or younger. John Glenn 2025 […]

Published

6 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

High school stars chasing first crown but Hartford lurks

ZANESVILLE — A final round for the ages is brewing at the Zanesville District Golf Association Amateur.

Eight players are within six shots of the lead entering the final round at Zanesville Country Club on June 22, three of them 18 or younger.

John Glenn 2025 grad Noah Dever, who will play at Division II Charleston, roared back with a second-round 67 — 5-under-par — which was a five-shot turnaround from his opening round 72 at River Greens.

He made four birdies on the front nine and two more on the back at Cambridge as he played the first 10 holes at 4-under. He holds two-shot leads over River View High School phenoms Gavin Gress and younger brother Colton Gress, who are at 3-under after shooting 71 and 69, respectively, at Cambridge.

Dever and Gavin Gress were Division II All-Ohio players in 2025 at Akron Firestone. Gavin Gress was a first-teamer as a freshman. Both brothers are seeking to become the youngest Amateur champions in the event’s 48-year existence.

A collection of former champion Blake Hartford (1-under 143), Jay Smith (143), David Link (143), Collin Linnabary (144) and Cameron Henry (145) are also firmly in the mix as they chase the kids.

Henry, who plays for Hartford at Muskingum, shot 3-under 69 at River Greens to assume a one-shot lead entering CCC, where he posted 35 on the front. A double bogey on the par-5 10th and four bogeys that followed led to a 76 on Saturday to stunt his chances.

John Glenn grad C.J. Dolan (74-75 — 149) and Chatum Courson (75-74 — 149), a Fort Frye alum, rounded out the top 10.

Others to make the cut included Zanesville grad Corey Hull (75-78 — 153), John Glenn and West Liberty (West Virginia) University product Derek Graham (76-77 — 153), West Muskingum grad and Maryville (Tennessee) product Jack Porter (79-74 — 153), Maysville grad Owen Lutz (78-76 — 154), Crooksville and Malone grad Brock White (81-73 — 154), Kelson McCurdy (78-77 — 155), Michael Fulk (79-77 — 156), Brock Hurley (79-78 — 157), Nick Luniewksi (81-77 — 158), Maysville and Muskingum product Jason Baughman (75-84 — 159) and Mike Shook (77-85 — 162).

Tee times are set for 11 a.m. as the top 21 players made the cut from the June 21 round at Cambridge Country Club.

sblackbu@gannett.com; X: @SamBlackburnTR

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Orange County high schooler hosts “Bake a Wish” summer baking camps for underserved youth

Orange County high schooler hosts “Bake a Wish” summer baking camps for underserved youth – CBS Los Angeles Watch CBS News Suzie Suh speaks with the 17-year-old Orange County high schooler who was able to host a series of summer baking camps through her charity Bake a Wish, thanks to help from another local nonprofit. […]

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6 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Orange County high schooler hosts “Bake a Wish” summer baking camps for underserved youth – CBS Los Angeles

Watch CBS News

Suzie Suh speaks with the 17-year-old Orange County high schooler who was able to host a series of summer baking camps through her charity Bake a Wish, thanks to help from another local nonprofit.

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North Surry hosts Youth Football Camp | Sports

State AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWashington D.C.West VirginiaWisconsinWyomingPuerto RicoUS Virgin IslandsArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces PacificArmed Forces EuropeNorthern Mariana IslandsMarshall IslandsAmerican SamoaFederated States of MicronesiaGuamPalauAlberta, CanadaBritish Columbia, CanadaManitoba, CanadaNew Brunswick, CanadaNewfoundland, CanadaNova Scotia, CanadaNorthwest Territories, CanadaNunavut, CanadaOntario, CanadaPrince Edward Island, CanadaQuebec, CanadaSaskatchewan, CanadaYukon Territory, Canada Zip Code Country United States of […]

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7 hours ago

June 22, 2025

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UTEP legends Aaron Jones, Will Hernandez team up for big, free camps

Will Hernandez, Aaron Jones excited to collaborate on camp Will Hernandez, Aaron Jones excited to collaborate on camp This was always going to be a huge weekend for youth sports in El Paso. Aaron Jones, the star running back for the Minnesota Vikings and a UTEP and Burges alumnus, has made an annual event of […]

Published

7 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Your Sports Nation

This was always going to be a huge weekend for youth sports in El Paso.

Aaron Jones, the star running back for the Minnesota Vikings and a UTEP and Burges alumnus, has made an annual event of returning to his hometown to conduct a free clinic with his A&A All the Way Foundation and by last year encompassed both football and basketball and more than 1,000 campers.

The A&A All the Way Foundation picked Saturday, June 21 for its big event.

Also, last year, Jones’ former Miner teammate, who paved the way for him, NFL veteran guard Will Hernandez, brought his own free Mijo Things football clinic to El Paso, which debuted with 500 campers. He couldn’t wait to come back and do it again.

But when?

“We were planning it out this year again, and it turns out we were going to do it on the same day” as the A&A camp, said Hernandez, who had a standout season with the Arizona Cardinals last year and is a free agent at the moment. “‘Why don’t we get together and make this thing happen?’ Do it big. We got around 500 last year; he got more than 1,000. We might as well bring them all together.

“Two heads are better than one. We can cause a greater story, we can affect a lot more kids when we work together. The power of collaboration is crazy. It’s something, not only do I not take it for granted, it’s something I try to do in every aspect of my life.”

The result will be on display Saturday, June 21, when the re-dubbed A&A The Mijo Way Football Camp, which now includes a soccer clinic to accompany the football and basketball, will draw 1,300 campers to the SAC2 (football and soccer) and Coach Wally Hartley PK-8 School (basketball).

With 1,300 campers expected to attend all three camps (registration is now closed), Jones and Hernandez called it the biggest youth camp in El Paso history at the promotional press conference.

“I feel like it was long overdue for us teaming up, the same way we teamed up in college,” said Jones, who left as UTEP’s all-time leading rusher behind many holes made by the second-round draft pick Hernandez. “We made a name for ourselves, now we felt like it was time to do it together. Put bigger eyes on what we’re doing, a bigger scope on what we’re doing.

“I’m excited to be doing it with a guy I went to battle with and now playing at the highest level.”

As always, they’ve brought some of their NFL friends with them, including former Miner star and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrise Knight. Among the notable helpers at the soccer camp are former El Paso Locomotive and FC Juárez stars Leandro Carrijó and Eder Borelli.

Both Jones and Hernandez say putting on this camp is a highlight.

“It means everything, these full-circle moments,” Jones said. “This is why I do this, this is why I put my jersey on and go out and play, so I can use my platform, so I can give back. At a young age, I found out giving back was my joy. That fills my heart.

“El Paso means the world to me. Not too many people knew about me (when he was at Burges in 2012), not many people talked about me, but now we leave them with no choice but to talk about us and El Paso.”

Hernandez said the best part for him is being with the campers.

“It’s the chance where they don’t just see me through a video screen or a phone screen, they see me live, in person, in front of them, eye-to-eye,” he said. “To me, that’s where we make the biggest impact. There’s a psychological thing that happens when they see you and you’re in the same room as them.

“Unconsciously, they think the goal is a lot closer than they thought. We bring to life the dreams they have. That’s the coolest part of it, we know we have that effect on them. We’re there wholeheartedly.”

They will be there wholeheartedly with 1,300 campers Saturday, June 21.

Bret Bloomquist can be reached at bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.

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