Jets’ Smith plans free football camp

The event will be July 11 while Mooney’s camp is set for Monday and Tuesday.

Vindicator staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Brad Smith wants to give city children an opportunity he never had.

For the second straight year, the Chaney High graduate and New York Jets wide receiver is holding a free camp for football players entering grades 1-8 on July 11 at Old West Junior High.

The camp, which begins at 9 a.m., is open to the first 150 players to register.

“I want to give the kids an opportunity to see something they could be,” said Smith. “I kind of want to open their eyes.”

The non-contact camp focuses on offensive and defensive techniques and is open to players of all skill levels. There also will be a cheer camp open to the first 50 girls registered, focusing on basic cheer skills.

More than 150 kids attended last year’s camp. There also will be a “Bowling with the NFL stars” event with a silent auction at 7 p.m. on July 10 at Mahoning Valley Bowl. It is open to adults ($25 each) and children ($20).

There will be an NFL celebrity basketball game on July 11 at 7 p.m. at Chaney High, which features a postgame autograph session. Tickets cost $5 online and $8 at the door.

Chaney High graduates Michael Zordich (Eagles, Cardinals), Jerry Olsavsky (Steelers) and Keilen Dykes (Cardinals) are slated to attend the weekend festivities, as well as Jets safety Eric Smith, Browns quarterbackBrett Ratliff and Browns defensive lineman C.J. Mosley.

“We want to do as much as we can to help the kids and give back to the community,” Smith said.

Smith, a fourth round pick out of Missouri in 2006, will play for first-year head coach Rex Ryan this fall. His former coach, Eric Mangini, now coaches the Browns.

“I’m excited,” he said. “So far, he’s [Ryan] been great. Just his whole personality, his confidence, it’s contagious.

“I think it’s something we can take and transfer to the field. I think it’ll be a great year for the team and for myself.”

For more details on the camp, visit www.BradSmith.info or call Chaney High School at (330) 744-8822.

Camp of Champions

Cardinal Mooney will hold its annual Camp of Champions Monday and Tuesday at the high school.

The camp will be headlined by collegiate coaches Bo Pelini of Nebraska and Mike Stoops of Arizona, both Mooney alumni.

The camp runs from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and is for students entering grades four-nine.

Other special guests will be assistant coaches Jay Paterno of Penn State, D.J. Durkin (Stanford), Tim Beck (Nebraska), Nick Siciliano (Ohio State), Reno Ferri (Akron), Pete Rekstis (Kent State), Mark Stoops (Arizona) and Carl Pelini (Nebraska).

Beck, Ferri, Mark Stoops and Carl Pelini also are Mooney graduates, while Durkin is from Boardman High and Siciliano from Austintown Fitch.