Pelicans Practice Pigskin

Published on April 27, 2009 under American Association (AA)
Pensacola Pelicans News Release


The Panhandle Youth Football Academy will hold three full-fledged football academies during the summer for players ages 10-14 at the Pelicans Training Academy. The climate-controlled, indoor location will play host to three sessions: June 15-June 18, June 29-July 2, and August 3-August 6.

Camp Director Stephen Ruckman has found the Pelicans Training Academy to be the perfect location for the Panhandle Youth Football Academy: "You just come in here, and you can get to work. There is more than enough room to do any football drill effectively. The venue is ideal in that you're never going to be rained out and it's never going to be too hot. This facility here is ready when you are."

The camp emphasizes speed, agility, and strength training for middle school football players looking to gain the skills necessary to excel at the high school level. Instructors will provide position-based drills and lessons, as well as a competitive atmosphere to practice the teachings of the day.

Instruction comes from coaches with NFL, collegiate, and international experience. Coaches include Larry Bielat (Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys), Clay Ingram (National Champion Florida State University), and Kevin Sluder (Mississippi State and NFL Europe).

"We've developed a solid lineup of coaches that have either played or coached football at every level of the game," Ruckman notes. Ruckman himself has helped coach summer football clinics at the University of Alabama and The University of Southern Mississippi and Tate High School in Pensacola, FL. Ruckman played professional arena football as well. He sees the Academy as a fundamental part of local players' development.

"This is just another way to help build on to the great football tradition here in the Florida Panhandle and South Alabama area," Ruckman points out. "Our intent is to work with parents to develop the next class of high school superstars."

Interested players can register and participate at the Pelicans Training Academy, located at 4920 N. Davis Highway, Pensacola, FL 32503.

Registration runs until June 1. Registration is $200 to the first 20 applicants, and $230 for all others.

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American Association Stories from April 27, 2009


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