Mayhew’s Youth Football Coaching Academy focused on fundamentals of offensive line play, fundamentals of defensive line play and fundamentals of kicking and punting with the assistance of Lions Director of Youth Football programs Chris Fritzsching along with college and high school coaches from across Michigan. Former Lions’ players Lomas Brown, Eddie Murray and Dewayne White also participated in the academy.
Camp instructors who also serve as area coaches, doctors and support staff, included: Jason Larsen, defensive line coach at Lake Orion High School; Jim Hamilton, running backs coach at Siena Heights University; Dr. Barbara Semakula, Chief Resident, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Wayne State University; and Art Rosales, Equipment Manager at Detroit Country Day.
“I know the positive impact all of my coaches have had on my life and career, so I view this academy as a way to say ‘Thank You’ to all the youth coaches not only in Detroit but everywhere,” said Mayhew.
“These coaches are on the front lines dealing with the future of our youth, so the opportunity to provide them with some additional teaching and training tools is the least we can do.”
Think Detroit PAL football is among the largest after-school tackle football leagues in the nation. More than 3,200 Detroit young people, ages 8-14, participate in the league each fall. The Lions sponsor the league and again will host the Think Detroit PAL championships at Ford Field in November.
“Think Detroit PAL is extremely grateful to Martin Mayhew and the Detroit Lions for providing our coaches the opportunity to participate in the Martin Mayhew Youth Football Coaching Academy, “said Tim Richey, Chief Operating Officer for Think Detroit PAL.
“Our volunteer coaches were treated to a world class facility, feedback and tips from former professional players, words of encouragement from former Think Detroit PAL football participant Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee, and formal instruction from top high school and college coaches in the area. The Academy will significantly improve our coaches’ ability to not only teach football skills, but life lessons as well.”
The academy began in the morning with classroom instructions on practice planning, concussion awareness and recognition, as well as a session on proper equipment fitting.
Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee served as a special guest speaker during lunch. Chief Godbee is a former Think Detroit PAL athlete himself as he was part of the Eastside Cowboys as a youth. He stressed the importance that each one of the coaches has in being the best male role model they can be.
Afternoon sessions shifted to the field for hands-on coaching of techniques with the assistance of the former Lions including Murray, who led the session on kicking and punting.
Lomas Brown played offensive tackle for 18 seasons in the NFL including his first 11 (1985-95) with the Lions. Murray was a star kicker for the Lions from 1980-91 and ranks 12th all-time in NFL scoring. White, who was a defensive end for the Lions (2007-09) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was a four-year letterman at the University of Louisville.
