Stars have a message for area youth

TUSCALOOSA | Five years ago, three men wanted to show the youth of West Alabama that you didn’t necessarily have to come from the big city in order to make it to the big time.

One way of doing that for Eric McAlpine, Tony Dixon and Terry Jones Jr., was to start a football camp. There were some early struggles, but the three were persistent.

Five years later, the Positive Young Men of West Alabama football camp -- which is open to local youth -- features a stellar roster, all geared to promoting the group’s message.

“The biggest thing for us was to let kids know that there are some very successful people who come from West Alabama," McAlpine said on Wednesday.

“You don’t have to come from Atlanta, New York or Chicago to make it in business, academics or athletics. That’s what we want the kids to see."

Jones, who is currently seeking a free agent deal in the National Football League after stints as a tight end with the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, said he is expecting the largest turnout ever for the camp.

“The first year, it was basically just a three-man operation," Jones said. “This year, we’ve got so many people coming back and we’ve added some new guys like Chris Harris [the former Central High and Alabama defensive end who recently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs]. It’s gratifying to see so many people try to give back whatever they can."

In addition to Jones and Dixon, a defensive back at UA and, later, with the Dallas Cowboys, several other former Crimson Tide stars will work the camp. That list includes Harris, Kenny Smith, Marcus Spencer, Michael James, Brandon Brooks and Marvin Constant. Other stars in attendance include former Central and LSU players Harold Bishop and Brandon Washington; former Central and Florida State fullback B.J. Dean; Stillman star Harvey Logan; Central graduate Othese Wells, who now plays indoor football with the Lakeland (Fla.) Thunderbolts, and several others.

“We had 120 kids last year and expect that many or more this year," McAlpine said. “It’s a non-contact camp so they just need to show up at Stillman College on Friday morning at 8 a.m. with a white T-shirt, tennis shoes and cleats.

“We’ll do a lot of fundamental drills, and we will move fast for the two days. We will try to show them some of the secrets that the players have learned in college and professional football. That’s the best way to learn, learning by example from someone who’s been there.

“That’s one reason why the camp is growing. Another reason is that the longer you stay with something the more contacts you develop. A lot of my former teammates are now coaches in the area, so that attracts a lot of players."

The Positive Young Men camp will kick off tonight with a reception and autograph party at the Bryant Museum on the UA campus.

“That’s open to the public and we invite the community to come out and meet the guys," McAlpine said.

Open registration for players from grades 7-12 will begin on Friday morning at Stillman College