Lauren's First and Goal Football Camp Raises $20,000 for Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

EASTON, PA -- Franklin & Marshall College football defensive coordinator Tony Thompson was one of 57 volunteer coaches from 34 colleges, as well as one assistant with the Indianapolis Colts, to take part in the Lauren's First and Goal Football Camp held on June 5 at Lafayette College which raised over $20,000 for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United State (PBTFUS).

Lafayette defensive coordinator John Loose organized the one-day clinic, which featured NCAA Division I, II and III coaches giving back to the community. Over 350 junior high and high school players took part in the camp.

"I can't express how thankful I am to everyone who contributed to the camp," Loose said. "The kids that were here raved about the coaching they received and several of the coaches on staff stressed how much they would like to do this again next year. I can't say thank you enough to the coaches who volunteered their time, the players here at Lafayette that helped out or the College itself for donating the facilities and helping promote the event."

Army head football coach Bobby Ross served as the guest speaker, while New York Giants wide receiver Willie Ponder also spent time with the campers. Ross talked to the campers about the importance of setting and achieving goals and possessing mental toughness.

"Coach Ross was phenomenal. All the feedback we have received was that everyone was impressed with his message," Loose said. "The kids really enjoyed having Willie out here as well, and we appreciate him taking the time to come out."

The campers were divided into groups based on age and position and received instruction on both offensive and defensive technique. Each camp attendee paid a minimum $25 registration fee, all of which was donated to the PBTFUS.

Each year over 3,000 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with brain tumors. Brain tumors have surpassed leukemia as the number one cancer causing death among children. The PBTFUS is a non-profit organization that provides the majority of funding for research into the treatment and search for a cure for pediatric brain tumors. They also serve the families of patients by providing support programs.

Loose's seven-year-old daughter, Lauren, was diagnosed with multiple brain tumors at age two. Over the past five years, the Loose family has experienced first-hand the significant support of the PBTFUS.

For more information on Lauren's First and Goal Football Camp, contact John Loose at firstandgoal@rcn.com

LAUREN'S FIRST AND GOAL FOOTBALL CAMP STAFF
Coach Affiliation Conference
Reno Ferri University of Akron Mid-American Conference
Mike Kashurba Allegheny College North Coast Athletic Conference
Phil Hallahan Amherst College New England Small College Athletic Conference
Bobby Ross Army Conference-USA
Adam Waugh Army Conference-USA
Tucker Waugh Army Conference-USA
Art Asselta Indianapolis Colts NFL
Wade Boxleitner Brockport State University Independent
Frank Sheehan Brown University Ivy League
Marc Klaiman Bryant University Northeast 10
Jim Meert College of New Jersey New Jersey Athletic Conference
Mike O'Connor Columbia University Ivy League
Rich Skrosky Columbia University Ivy League
Mike Roark Cornell University Ivy League
Dave Cohen University of Delaware Atlantic 10
Frank Lupin East Stroudsburg Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Mike Santella East Stroudsburg Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Andrew Cohen Fordham University Patriot League
Joe Dougherty Fordham University Patriot League
Ed Foley Fordham University Patriot League
Joe Tricarrio Fordham University Patriot League
Tony Thompson Franklin & Marshall Centennial Conference
John Keady Hamilton College New England Small College Athletic Conference
Greg Giganteno Hofstra University Atlantic 10
Ethan Waugh Illinois Wesleyan University College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin
Jon McLaughlin University of Iowa Big 10
Jim Margraff Johns Hopkins University Centennial Conference
Frank Tavani Lafayette College Patriot League
Bob Heffner Lafayette College Patriot League
Matt Borich Lafayette College Patriot League
Josh Carter Lafayette College Patriot League
Matt Hachmann Lafayette College Patriot League
Antoine Smith Lafayette College Patriot League
John Troxell Lafayette College Patriot League
John Loose Lafayette College Patriot League
Steve Mannino Lafayette College Patriot League
Chris Jones Lafayette College Patriot League
Tim Guillerault Lafayette College Patriot League
John Powers Lehigh University Patriot League
Chris Rorke Lehigh University Patriot League
Paul Fuller Mansfield University Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Mark Fabish Monmouth University Northeast Conference
Will Luca Moravian College Middle Atlantic Conference
Mike Donnelly Muhlenberg College Centennial Conference
Jeff Knarr Muhlenberg College Centennial Conference
Drew Christ University of Pennsylvania Ivy League
Don Dobes Princeton University Ivy League
Toby Ninas Temple University Big East
Gordy Combs Towson University Atlantic 10
David Jones Trinity College New England Small College Athletic Conference
Rick Ulrich Ursinus College Centennial Conference
Mark Reardon Villanova University Atlantic 10
Corey Wenger Villanova University Atlantic 10
Jeremy Cameron Wagner University Northeast Conference
Jim Gibbons Wagner University Northeast Conference
Jonas Jackson Wagner University Northeast Conference
Daryl Yarmolovitch Wagner University Northeast Conference
Rick Flanders Yale University Ivy League