May 25th 2024.
The First Annual HBCU High School Football Camp was recently held in Arizona, and it was a huge success. This event was the brainchild of Brittany and Vince Buckles, both former athletes from Howard University. Their main goal was to give Arizona high school football players a chance to learn more about Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and potentially get recruited by them.
The most important voices of the event were, of course, the kids who participated. One of them, Taylon Tucker, also known as TJ, shared his experience on social media. He had a great time competing and learning from the coaches who shared their knowledge with him. TJ's tweet was just one of many positive reviews that the camp received.
The first-ever HBCU High School Football Camp in Arizona was held on May 18 and was open to Class of '25 recruits and Arizona high school football coaches. One of the special guests at the camp was Brittany Vince, who talked about her experience at Howard University and the camp. Claudia Collins, one of the organizers, shared more information about the event on social media, including some photos of the campers and coaches in action.
Memphis Stuesser, another participant, also had a great time at the camp. He got to meet some amazing coaches and learn from the best. He thanked the staff and volunteers for their hard work and dedication, and he was grateful for the opportunity to improve his skills and have fun at the same time.
According to a report by Cronkite News, the camp was a win-win situation for everyone involved. The HBCU programs that attended had the chance to expand their recruiting efforts into the western part of the country, while the high schoolers received individual attention to improve their fundamentals. As Bobby Turner, the recruiting coordinator for Alabama A&M, said, this camp provided a symbiotic relationship. It was also an opportunity for HBCUs to showcase their athletic and academic programs to potential recruits.
Brittany Buckles revealed to Cronkite News that some HBCUs were unable to attend due to financial constraints. To address this issue, she plans to create a non-profit organization that will help cover some of the costs for the universities for next year's camp. The organizers also made sure to include the coaches in the event by hosting a networking session after the camp, where high school, junior college, and HBCU coaches could connect and share their experiences.
One of the camp attendees, Elijah Sherbin-Fox, a senior quarterback from Desert Edge High School, spoke highly of the camp. He appreciated the opportunity to learn from high-level coaches and improve his skills. Although he is currently receiving interest from other universities, he hasn't ruled out attending an HBCU if the opportunity presents itself. He also recognized the value of promoting Black culture and the importance of bringing more diversity to the West Coast.
At the camp, 35 high school players had the chance to showcase their skills in front of representatives from Howard University, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T University, Alabama A&M University, and Lincoln University. Jayden Wooden, a former safety from Morgan State, also shared his experience at an HBCU with the camp attendees. He emphasized the importance of embracing Black culture and community, something that can't be found at predominantly white institutions.
Xavier Buckles, the son of the organizers and a quarterback at Williams Field High, also spoke about the talent in Arizona. He believes that the state has some of the best football players, and it's just a matter of giving them the opportunity to shine. He hopes that more HBCUs will come to the West Coast and recruit players from Arizona, creating a cycle of success and diversity.
In conclusion, the first annual HBCU High School Football Camp was a huge success, and it highlighted the importance of promoting diversity in the world of sports. With more events like this, HBCUs can expand their recruiting efforts and give talented students a chance to showcase their skills and potential. As the saying goes, "out of small beginnings come great things." We can't wait to see what the future holds for this camp and the students who attend it.
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