|
 In February, soccer coach Jon Akin led five Oglethorpe soccer players and four Atlanta-area soccer coaches to St. John the Baptist Parish outside New Orleans to work with the Louisiana Spirit River Team in hosting a youth soccer camp. The Oglethorpe players were Eric Horne ’07, who is from the parish, Matthew Brisindine ’08, Michael Muller ’09, Danner Marsden ’10 and Michael Hadjisimos ’10.
“We want to teach these kids that the skills they learn tomorrow on the field will help them succeed during a game and in life. If you practice everyday, work hard and stay determined you can be a success on and off the field,” said Akin.
The camp, targeted to children in two FEMA Transitional Trailer Communities in Edgard, Louisiana, was a collective effort, with the parish school board and city council offering transportation to camp, the parish recreational department providing refreshments, the Louisiana Spirit River Team giving away t-shirts and Atlanta businesses donating 100 new soccer balls. The parish did not have goals for the camp to use, so Akin took Oglethorpe’s goals for the week-long camp.
“This soccer camp is a welcomed outlet and creates a lasting beginning for future recreational ventures in the area of St. John the Baptist Parish,” said Councilman Lester Rainey.
“We definitely accomplished our goal of providing a meaningful and worthwhile experience for the displaced children who live in St. John Parish. This is the greatest reward of all of our efforts. I feel the students grew in a way that we just can’t explain,” said Sandra Horne, Eric’s mother. “Everyone in the community has been smitten with the soccer bug.”
Akin plans to repeat the camp again next spring and hopes to make it an annual event. “After all, I get more of a kick out of it than the kids do,” Akin exclaimed.
Find out more about Oglethorpe's soccer programs. |
