June 11, 2015
Coach Mason with best attitude award recipients, from left, Brian Colon, Lucy Litwin and Nate Lindseth.
Head Coach Derek Mason and the entire Vanderbilt staff ushered in the start of Vanderbilt football summer camps earlier this week with a successful three-day activity for Commodore youngsters on the Nashville campus.
The program’s second annual Rising Star Camp on June 8-10 attracted a great turnout of youngsters in grades 3-8. Fundamental instruction, teamwork and fun activities were the focus of the event that took place in Vanderbilt Stadium and the indoor practice facility. Mason and his staff provided direct teaching and coaching to the young attendees.
“We had an awesome time at our youth camp. This camp is extremely important to our staff, our program, but most importantly to Commodore families and the Nashville community,” Mason said. “I promise our staff had nearly as muchfun as our campers did.”
Awards for outstanding attitude, hustle and effort were presented at the conclusion. The Best Attitude Award went to Nate Lindseth, grades 3-4; Lucy Litwin, grades 5-6; and Brian Colon, grades 7-8. Young Cole Riley received the Gatorade Award for Hustle and Effort.
Other prizes were distributed to participants of team competitions and a punt, pass & kick activity. Campers really impressed during the camp, andt learned important lessons during multiple “Team Talks” from the staff on a number of topics, including being a great teammate, being a great citizen, valuing education, and the importance of academics, respect, and what it is to be a Vanderbilt Man or Woman.
Mason is already looking forward to the next Rising Star Camp, which will take place in early June 2016. “This event is something we’ll continue to do annually, continue to grow, and continue the relationship with our wonderful community and fan base. We hope to see the next group of Commodore rising stars and their parents next summer,” the coach said.
