With the growth of prospect camps in recent years, it says a lot that William & Mary is preparing for the 25th edition of its annual football camp. For camp director Bob Solderitch, there’s a simple explanation for that success.
“This is more about learning football,” he said, adding that a lot of high school players today are attending camps where they will be evaluated on their college, and even pro, potential. “I don’t think there’s enough fundamental teaching of youth.”
He said that is a big part of the Tribe’s camp, which is open to those age 8 to rising high school seniors, particularly because it seems to attract more middle-school players than any other group.
“What we try to do with those guys is not lock them in to one position,” said Solderitch, a former W&M player who now is the team’s assistant head coach and offensive line coach. “We try to give them the fundamentals of all positions.”
He noted it’s especially important to take that approach for the younger age groups.
“We’ve had some guys come here as a quarterback and wind up being a receiver,” Solderitch said. “Or some guy comes here as a tight end and winds up being a lineman. We’ve had quarterbacks become linemen. You never know.”
But the learning isn’t confined to football, Solderitch said.
“It’s the whole experience of camp,” he said. “It’s a growth experience for a young man to stay in the dorm, have that responsibility. Those types of things.”
When the camp was started in the mid-1990s, Solderitch was there as a coach. (He’s been the camp director since 2000.) But he said there were no grand plans.
“I didn’t really envision where it was going to go but I knew it was great for the community, for William & Mary and for football in general just to keep it in the public eye.”
That last part is important to Solderitch, who has been on staff at W&M since 1996. The health risks of playing the sport are in the news more often, sometimes overshadowing the sport itself.
“We are more educated (about the health risks),” he said. “And that’s a good thing.”
It’s interesting to note that the growth of the camp, which draws anywhere from 250 to 400 kids each year, has come despite little advertising.
“We really don’t advertise it too much. It’s a lot of by word of mouth,” Solderitch said.
He said the camp has a lot of players who come back year after year, which is advertising in itself.
“Because of the quality of the camp, this parent tells another,” he said. “Or it’s a case of ‘My brother went. Now I’m of age. Now I can go.’”
Of course, anyone who knows anything about the Nike Colonial All Pro Football Camp, which will be held June 24 through 27, is that current NFL players make guest appearances. This year, quarterbacks Kirk Cousins (Minnesota Vikings) and Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans) are scheduled to appear. Past players have included Russell Wilson, Bruce Smith, Brett Favre, Peyton Manning and Michael Strahan.
Those players are there for more than just their football knowledge. They often deliver their own message about the importance of schoolwork, teamwork and working hard.
“Hearing it from a coach is one thing, but hearing it from a guy that you’ve seen on the TV and a guy you’ve kind of grown up idolizing, which we all did, that makes it worthwhile,” Solderitch said.
And it’s not too bad if you happen to play catch with one of the pros or shake their hand.
“That’s something not too many people can say,” Solderitch said. “That’s the thing that’s neat, if you give (the campers) the appreciation of football, fundamentals, having fun. And then maybe tell your kids one day, ‘I met Brett Favre, Peyton Manning.’”
Does he envision it lasting another 25 years?
“I don’t know. I just take it one year at a time. I hope it continues because I think it is important to keep our youth excited about football.”
For more information or to sign up for the camp, go to the football camp page.
