By Chris Hagan
Review Staff Writer
Listen to any sports radio or soak up a little ESPN and it soon becomes evident that the chances of making it to the NFL are slim. In order to play at the professional level players have to be at their mental and physical best to compete.
The Lake Orion Football Program understands that level and has continuously produced top performing athletes that reach the professional level.
One such athlete is 2009 graduate Jeff Heath, 24, who now plays for the Dallas Cowboys.
Heath is now in his third season with Dallas and in doing so has not forgotten his roots and the ideals he learned as a kid. In an attempt to help guide local elementary, middle, and high school athletes, Heath is hosting a football camp on Wednesday, July 8 at the Lake Orion High School’s football field.
The camp is segmented into two sessions with the first starting at 9 a.m. for kids in grades 3-8. The two-hour session is an opportunity to learn different roles and positions on a team as well as techniques.
Starting at 1 p.m. there will be a two-hour session for high school athletes where participants will concentrate on the skills and techniques taught at the college and NFL level.
‘We’re excited for all of the kids to meet Jeff and hear what it’s like to play high school college, and professional football,? camp coordinator and Varsity PEPP Mom Lisa Gould sad. ‘You have a guy who’s local, who comes back to his home town, and who’s an all around great guy.?
The camp will also be conducted by Varsity Football Coach Chris Bell, various coaching staff members, and other Dragon alumni who played at the collegiate level.
The registration cost is $50 per player and the proceeds will go towards refurbishing the High School’s weight room. Heath has pledged to match the amount earned through the camp’s enrollment.
The pro-Dragon attended Saginaw Valley State and signed with Dallas as an undrafted free agent in April 2013. He played in all 16 games of his rookie season, starting nine. For anyone interested in registering call 248-425-8902.