June 23, 2011
Press Release

THINK DETROIT PAL COACHES ATTEND MAYHEW COACHING ACADEMY
OVER 100 COACHES RECEIVE TEACHING FROM SOME OF THE STATE’S BRIGHTEST FOOTBALL MINDS AT DETROIT LIONS TRAINING FACILITY

Allen Park, Mich. – On Saturday June 18th, coaches from all 23 Think Detroit PAL organizations took part in Detroit Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew’s Youth Football Coaching Academy.  For the third time, Think Detroit PAL football coaches were invited to the Lions’ Headquarters and Training Facility in Allen Park for a full day of instruction from highly respected football minds. 107 coaches attended, which is the highest turnout in the event’s young history.

“For the third year in a row now, Mayhew has afforded our football coaches the opportunity to learn from very good high school coaches in the area and from former professional football players,” said Dewayne Jones, director of athletics for Think Detroit PAL.

The clinic, which lasted from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., focused on kicking and punting fundamentals, as well as the fundamentals of offensive and defensive line play.

The NFL players that took part in the coaching academy were former Detroit Lions offensive tackle and 18 year pro Lomas Brown, former Lions defensive end Dewayne White  and former kicker Eddie Murray, who played for the Lions from 1980 to 1991. Other football instructors included Jim Hamilton, tight end coach at Siena Heights University, and Jason Larsen, defensive line coach at Lake Orion High School.

The morning session began with instruction centered on organization, practice planning, appropriate equipment fitting and concussion awareness and recognition. This portion of the academy was instructed by Dr. Barbara Semakula, Chief Resident of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Wayne State University and Art Rosales, Equipment Manager at Detroit Country Day High School.

According to Jones, the coaches that attended the academy believe the knowledge that they obtained will be extremely beneficial to them when they hit the field with their teams this summer and fall. Jones also commended the football coaches of Think Detroit PAL for their effort and dedication.

“These are volunteer coaches, they are not getting paid,” Jones explained. “They are community minded members that go into the community, get our kids involved in sports and teach them character education through sports.”

Jones also had high praise for Mayhew and the Lions organization for conducting the event. He mentioned that the work put in by the Lions show that they are just as committed to having an impact off the field as they are on it, and that they believe in the Think Detroit PAL mission.

“I know the positive impact all of my coaches have had on my life and career, so I view this academy as a way to say ‘Thank You’ to all the youth coaches - not only in Detroit but everywhere,” Mayhew said. “These coaches are on the front lines dealing with the future of our youth, so the opportunity to provide them with some additional teaching and training tools is the least we can do.”

During lunch, Detroit Police Chief Ralph L. Godbee, Jr., who played for the Eastside Cowboys in Think Detroit PAL as a youth, served as a special guest speaker.

“He gave us a very good, motivating speech about what Think Detroit PAL has not only done for him in his life, but how he sees it doing some good in our community,” Jones said.

To view photos click here.

Martin Mayhew Interview

Think Detroit PAL was formed in 2006 with the merger of Think Detroit Inc. and the Detroit Police Athletic League.  In partnership with the Detroit Police Department and community volunteers, Think Detroit PAL builds character in young people through athletic, academic and leadership development programs.  In 2010, Think Detroit PAL served over 10,000 girls and boys through 10 sports, making it one of the largest youth organizations in the state of Michigan. More than 80 cents of each dollar donated to Think Detroit PAL goes directly into programming.

For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please contact Think Detroit PAL at 313-833-1600 or on the web at www.thinkdetroitpal.org.