Ryan Kalil and Sam Baker Team Up to Host Football Camp
Los Angeles Times
July 17, 2009
USC teammates-turned-NFC South rivals will be reunited on the field today when Atlanta Falcons tackle Sam Baker and Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil host a free one-day football camp at Servite High School in Anaheim. The camp, which takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., is for kids ages 7 to 14 and is expected to draw about 400 participants. Some have preregistered, but there will be walk-up availability.
"Football helped shape who we are," Kalil said. "We just wanted to do something to give back to the community."
Although Baker and Kalil will be helping out with the drills, the camp is being run by two of Kalil's high school coaches, Rick Garretson and Ed Drzanek, and his father, Frank Kalil. Among the instructors will be former USC standouts Matt Leinart, Keith Rivers and Kyle Williams, as well as Carolina running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart.
- by SAM FARMER
NFL players put on camp for 400 kids
The Orange County Register
July 18, 2009
ANAHEIM - More than 400 kids didn’t have anything better to do on a Saturday morning.
Forget Disneyland. The heck with the beach.
This particular swarm of kids, aged 7 to 14, turned up at Servite High, where they spent hours running, catching, blocking, sweating (a lot) and learning more about the fundamentals of football.
And they were having fun doing it.
Carolina Panthers center Ryan Kalil and Atlanta Falcons lineman Sam Baker came up with the idea. Dubbed the Kalil-Baker Football Camp, the former USC players felt it would be a good way to give something back to the Orange County community.
Kalil played football at Servite, and Baker at Tustin.
“It’s something we always talked about doing when we played at USC together,” Kalil said. “I love kids.”
Kids are what Kalil, Baker and a small army of football coaches and assistants got on Saturday morning. Servite's coaches were there in force, with Rick Garretson overseeing the offense, and Ed Drzanek the defense.
Some campers came from as far away as Palm Springs (it’s cooler here). Some were preparing for their first season in tackle football, while others hadn’t reached that point yet.
Some looked like future high school and college stars, while others showed how hard they were willing to work to attain that.
“I hope he has fun,” said Sylvia Adams, who brought her son, Nolan, from Riverside. “I hope he learns some good techniques and skills that will keep him confident in himself and make him a better player.”
Carolina Panthers running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams worked with some of the young players, teaching them about catching and carrying the ball and about making those all-important cuts up the field.
“It’s all about developing a consciousness of being a running back,” said Stewart. “It’s more about reacting to what’s in front of you.
“I saw a couple of guys that are gifted and already have attributes with being a running back.”
One such camper was Adam Miles, 12, of Palm Springs. Miles and Jr. All-American teammate William Olvera spent two hours of practice in the 117-degree desert heat on Friday so Saturday’s camp was more of a relief.
“I used to speed through everything,” Miles said. “I learned that when I get that ball, slow down and wait for stuff to develop.”
- by AL BALDERAS
Kalil/Baker Football Camp Held in Anaheim
WeAreSC.com
July 18, 2009
The first edition of the Kalil/Baker Football Camp was held today on the Servite High School campus with former USC offensive linemen Ryan Kalil and Sam Baker hosting over 400 kids in a free, all day camp which provides youth the opportunity to work on their football skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork skills.
Among the current and former USC football players in attendance were:
Ryan Kalil
Sam Baker
D.J. Shoemate
Kyle Williams
Matt Kalil
Nick Howell
Keith Rivers
Thomas Williams
Chris Galippo
- by WeAreSC STAFF
