Cardinal Mooney sets camp for June 26-27

Ohio State's Jim Tressel headlines the camp for youths in grades 3-8.
VINDICATOR STAFF REPORT
YOUNGSTOWN -- When Cardinal Mooney held its first "Camp of Champions" back in 2002, Cardinals assistant coach Ron Stoops saw it as a chance for him and his brothers to give back to the community.
He still does.
"I think all the guys who have been a part of it like to come home and give back," said Stoops. "Not just to Mooney, but to our community.
"We make this available to kids all over our community, regardless of where they go to school."
The camp, which is open for football players entering grades 3-8, will be held June 26-27 at Mooney High School. The camp runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 both days.
The event features Ohio State coach Jim Tressel, YSU coach Jon Heacock and Cincinnati coach Mark Dantonio. Other guests include LSU defensive coordinator Mark "Bo" Belini, Arizona defensive coordinator Mark Stoops and former NFL standout Mike Zordich.
"We've had a lot of positive feedback," said Stoops. "We even have people who plan their vacations around it. They've moved out of state and they come from Iowa and Maryland and Michigan to attend."
300 attend annually
About 300 kids attend the camp annually. The cost is $55 and includes a souvenir bag, hat and T-shirt, along with an autographed camp photo.
"The football part is nice, but I think the greatest value is, hopefully, the inspiration the kids get from hearing guys like Jim Tressel and Bernie Kosar," said Stoops. "These are all successful people and they all emphasize the need for kids to do well in school.
"Young kids need to hear that. Sometimes they bury themselves in grade school and by the time they get to high school, they're too far behind and it's difficult to catch up."
Bocce social at MVR
Mooney will also hold a bocce social from 12 a.m. to 9 p.m. on June 25 at the Mahoning Valley Restaurant near YSU's campus. Cost is $135 per person.
Brochures on both events are available in Boardman at Sports World, Creekside Beverage and Fields of Dreams; in Canfield at the new Pizza Joe's on Main Street near Canfield High School; and in Poland at Friendly's Restaurant.
You can also visit www.cardinalmooney.com or call the school at 330-788-5007.