Summer camps are sometimes about more than summer camp

   ODU assistant coaches Michael Zyskowski and Ron Whitcomb were among 250 coaches who were at Lafayette College on Sunday working a camp with almost 1,700 high school football players in attendance.

   It was the seventh annual Lauren’s First and Goal Football Camp and more than $67,000 was raised for Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation for pediatric brain tumor research, cancer services and family support. With the proceeds from the camp, the foundation has raised more than $1 million since its creation in 2004.

   “The success of this camp would not be possible without the hundreds of volunteers and coaches and the unwavering support of Lafayette College,” said John Loose, who created Lauren’s First and Goal in honor of his 13-year-old daughter Lauren, a pediatric brain tumor survivor. “It is their dedication to this event that allows us to continue funding the search for a cure and to help families who battle this disease every day.”

   The Lauren’s First and Goal Football Camp welcomed high school student-athletes from 15 different states and Canada. Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo was the featured guest speaker and addressed the campers over lunch. Niumatalolo talked about the four quarters of life and the importance of showing gratitude, making good decisions and being selfless.

   Along with the Pennsylvania camp, the foundation will be hosting another one-day event at Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio on Sunday, June 27. The camps raise money through a $30 registration fee for each student-athlete as well as non-camper donations. Of every dollar received, the foundation donates 90 cents toward research, services, family support and awareness of pediatric brain tumors and cancer.

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here.
- Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it.