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By BILL WAGNER, Staff Writer
Chris Baucia could have gone anywhere when he decided to develop a youth
football camp.
As the longtime offensive coordinator at perennial prep powerhouse
DeMatha Catholic, Baucia has strong connections in Montgomery and Prince
George's counties along with northern Virginia.
Yet Baucia chose to implement his Little Pro Football Camp in Anne
Arundel County. As a Crofton resident, he felt a certain obligation to
contribute back to the community.
"I saw a need in this area for a camp that taught the young kids the
proper fundamentals and techniques," Baucia said. "My goal from the outset
was to do my small part to help raise the level of play in Anne Arundel
County."
After just three years in existence, Little Pro has become one of the
most popular youth football camps in the county. Held this week at the
Gambrills-Odenton Recreation Council Park, Little Pro attracted 220
youngsters from all over Anne Arundel.
Baucia said the campers, ranging in age from 6-14, hailed from such
communities as Arnold, Severna Park, Crownsville, Annapolis, Edgewater,
Deale, Linthicum, Glen Burnie and Severn.
"Judging by the addresses I'm seeing on the registration forms, it's
grown into a county-wide camp," Baucia said.
Baucia is entering his 12th season as the offensive coordinator and
quarterbacks coach at DeMatha, a national-caliber program that annually
sends 8-10 players to the Division I ranks. The 36-year-old was a standout
quarterback at DeMatha who went on to start for Virginia Tech.
Baucia's vision for a youth football camp was to combine high-level
coaching with a fun and relaxed atmosphere. One of the primary objectives
listed in the Little Pro brochure is: that each camper loves the game of
football more by the end of the week.
"My No. 1 requirement in hiring counselors for camp is that they enjoy
working with kids and know how to treat them," Baucia said.
One of the strengths of Little Pro is a 50-man coaching staff that
includes some notable names. Among the lead instructors are Old Mill head
coach Mike Marcus, former Washington Redskins defensive back Billy Hunter
and former Notre Dame defensive lineman John Talieffero.
"We have about a four-to-one ratio of campers to coaches, which allows
for a lot of individual instruction," Baucia said. "We work hard to teach
the proper techniques because we want the kids to walk away feeling more
confident in their overall skills."
Campers are divided into teams that are led by two coaches. Each team
rotates through stations directed by the likes of Marcus (offensive line),
Talieffero (offensive line) and Hunter (defensive backs).
As a dozen 10-year-olds looked on, Marcus gave an animated demonstration
on how an offensive lineman should step when pass blocking. He then divided
the youngsters into four groups so they could practice the techniques under
the supervision of some Old Mill linemen who were helping.
"One of the great aspects of this camp is that over the course of four
sessions the kids are taught all the key skills that are required at each
position," Marcus said. "That's important because you might be a running
back at the recreation level, but you could become an offensive lineman in
high school."
Syeed Mahdi, an 8-year-old standout on the GORC 75-pound team that
captured the county championship last fall, enjoyed the various drills
conducted at each position station.
"I liked when we practiced interceptions and I liked hitting the pads
when we practiced coming off the ball," Mahdi said. "It's fun learning about
all the different positions and getting to try them out."
Mahdi, who plays running back and linebacker, thinks the camp is a great
warmup for preseason practice, which gets underway next week.
"It gets me fired up for football season to start," he said. "One thing I
like about camp is that it's really fun, not like regular practice."
Baucia patrols the field throughout each two-hour session and makes sure
there is no down time. Campers are constantly moving and doing something,
there is virtually no standing around.
"Our motto is coach on the run, stop to praise," Baucia said. "The
feedback I get from parents is that they are impressed by the way we manage
200 kids. We keep them active and focused on football for the entire time
they are on that field."
Numerous DeMatha products who starred in college and either got drafted
or signed with the NFL visit the camp as guest speakers. Recent Maryland
graduates Scott McBrien (Green Bay Packers) and Dennard Wilson (Washington
Redskins) addressed the campers this week.
McBrien pulled a 9-year-old out of the audience and told the campers
that's how big he was as a freshman at DeMatha.
"Don't worry about where you are now, just keep working toward your
goal," he said. "Everyone told me I was too small to play in high school and
too small to play in college. I succeeded at those levels and now I'm
getting a shot in the pros."
Wilson discussed academics and attitude, telling campers they could not
advance in football without good grades and dedication.
"We try to use football as the bait to teach these youngsters some life
skills," Baucia said. "Scott McBrien told the kids to obey their parents
because they're the ones trying to lead them in the right direction. Dennard
urged them to listen to their coaches because they're the ones working to
make them better players."
Other NFL players who have spoken at camp include Marvin Brown (Kansas
City), Brian Westbrook (Philadelphia Eagles) and John Owens (Detroit Lions).
Baucia was thankful to the GORC organization for the use of its complex,
noting that commissioner Jamie Johnson and several of his coaches helped
with registration and other tasks.
Marcus said Baucia delivers a simple message to the counselors during a
meeting prior to camp.
"Chris always says, 'Let's make football fun.' He wants to teach the game
the proper way in a positive, upbeat manner," Marcus said. "Based on all the
smiles I saw out there this week, I think the camp is meeting that mandate."
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