Those in Texas are gearing up for the 2014 Native All-Star Football Classic, held July 5, 2014 at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). 45 young men from all over Indian Country will attend the football camp this week and show off what they've learned during a final game for the public on Saturday night.
The Dallas Morning News had a great write-up on the camp. Here's an excerpt from an interview with one of the advisers.
“These students are at a critical point of their lives in decision-making,” said Dr. Les Riding-In, Native American Student Association’s student adviser and UTA’s assistant dean/director of graduate studies for the College of Liberal Arts. “Higher education is an option for them. Not everyone is going to take that option.”
“This is not the end of the road for these students. The opportunities are there. And to have a good, solid crowd come out and support them — for them to see that we are supporting them in that next step — is something I think is important for them to be part of.”
Here's an interview with one of last year's players, Casey, and how the camp affected him.
And here's a message from the founder Steve Cardwell and why this camp is so important
The players will also take part in the Arlington Fourth of July parade. Their homemade float will honor Chester Nez, one of the 29 Navajo Code Talkers who served in World War II.
For more information on the game, or how you can help sponsor next year's game, please visit Native Revision online or on Facebook.
