Ty Detmer Youth Football League Holds Sports Camps and Other Events

GRANTS, NM – This weekend multiple sports camps and events were held for the DYFL (Ty Detmer Youth Football League). All sports covered were Volleyball, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Tennis, and Football. Some of the coaches for these sports camps included: The University of New Mexico volleyball coaching staff, Edna Campbell former WNBA player, Jason Giambi former MLB player, Anthony Gordon former MLB player, Ty Detmer former NFL player and Heisman Trophy winner, and a few others.

The events kicked off on Thursday, June 1 with a doubles round robin tennis tournament. There were 16 teams with a pro player and an amateur player on each team. The pro players alternated with each amateur player, so each player would get the chance to play with each of the pro players. The pro players included, Paris Corley who is currently in the Women’s Tennis Association, Kolie Allen who is currently in the WTA and is doubles partner with Corley, Vicky Maes who is the current head coach of the women’s tennis team at UNM, she was a former head coach for the women’s tennis team at U of A, and was also a former professional player in the WTA, and Yue Lin “Polly” Chen who is the graduate assistant coach for the women’s tennis team at UNM. During the final round Sonny Patel and Paris Corley played against Joshuah Sausa and Polly Chen. In the end Sausa and Chen won, but both Patel and Sausa received gift cards for making it to the finals.

The next events took place on Friday, June 2 with sports camps in volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball, and tennis. The sports camps are to build on skills in each sport, ranging from motion, basic rules, handwork, footwork, etc.

The volleyball camp had 30 participants ranging from 8 grade to 12 grade. During the camp players worked on their skills in volleyball from passing, serving, attacking, setting and play. They were coached by the University of New Mexico coaching staff, which included, Jon Newman-Gonchar who is the head coach of the women’s volleyball team at UNM, and April Sanchez who is the assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator for the women’s volleyball team at UNM.

The basketball camp had 25 participants. During the camp players worked on their skills in basketball from layups, defending, footwork, shooting, attacking, hesitating, etc. The players went through multiple drills working on each of these skills. The players also worked on calling, which is when they let the other players know when they are open and want the ball. They were coached by Edna Campbell who is a former player in the WNBA.

The tennis camp had 11 participants. During the camp players worked on their skills in tennis from handwork, footwork, hand grip on the racket, hitting the ball, stances, etc. The players were coached by Joey Blake who is a former player in the Association of Tennis Professionals, Paris Corley, and Kolie Allen.

The baseball/softball camp had 30 participants from both the Grants High School baseball and softball teams as well as other participants who were not on the teams. During the camp players worked on multiple skills including batting, catching and pitching. The players also worked on fast balls, curve balls, hand placement when pitching, where to aim when pitching, their grip when batting, and many others. The players were coached by Anthony Gordon who is a former player in the MLB, and Jason Giambi who is a former player in the MLB.

The football camp had 50 participants from both the Grants High School football team as well as other players who are not on the team. During the camp the players worked on skills that include quarterback training, footwork, catching, throwing and timing. Participants also worked on arm and elbow position, pivoting to stay level, plays, and general basics of football. The players were coached by Ty Detmer who is a former player in the NFL for 14 seasons, as well as a Heisman Trophy winner, and Terance Mathis who is a former player for UNM, as well as for the NFL.

All camps ended with players playing full games in each sport to practice on the skills that were worked on during the camps, as well as just to have fun. The Ty Detmer Youth Football League holds events such as every year in the first week of June, so keep an eye out for next year. Anyone who wants to donate to the Backpack Rotary Program can also reach out to JoAnne Martinez at 505--287-1196. All donations are greatly appreciated and go to help children that are in need of food during the weekends and breaks from school.