Sacramento Bee

Playmakers Camp Helps Build Community Spirit While Coaching Football.

By Jason Jones -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Thursday, June 1, 2006

Roeszler doesn't mind recruiting playmakers and isn't afraid to go to other campuses to get them.

But the coach isn't breaking any rules. The Playmakers are student athletes who attend a football camp at West Campus free of charge.

All Roeszler asks is for these athletes to go into their communities and continue to give back, then return to help in the future.

Roeszler's camp last year included West Campus, Encina and Burbank. This year's camp is slated for June 29 through July 1 at West Campus.

Roeszler said he wanted to provide a camp for schools that otherwise could not afford to attend a team camp.

"They get great basic fundamental teachings," Roeszler said. "This is a team camp, so it gives your team a chance to work together."

Aside from football, the camp is a platform for the players to learn about what they can do to help those around them.

"That's the conduit to talk to the kids about how we go into the community and serve throughout the year," Roeszler said.

Players from West Campus took the message to heart. After Hurricane Katrina ravaged Southern states, the Warriors donated money to relief efforts -- money from a team car wash that had been earmarked for team equipment bags.

The players also served in the community during the school year.

And Roeszler's biggest playmaker from this past football season has continued to be a Playmaker off the field.

Football standout and two-time Bee All-Metro pick Corey Jackson held a camp for eighth-graders a few weeks back.

He gathered some of the area's best prep football players to help with the camp.

"Imagine if really notable coaches were leading their kids to serve in the community," Roeszler said. "We would absolutely go crazy, and we would be developing Playmakers."

The camp later this month still has openings. Schools interested in sending teams or players as well as businesses or individuals looking to sponsor athletes can contact Roeszler at (916) 220-1284 or can visit www.theplaymakers.org.