Big Horn Basin Football Camp starts Monday

Athletes from all over Wyoming and several other states are preparing to hit the gridiron here in Thermopolis at the 31st Annual Big Horn Basin Football Camp.

Starting on Monday, campers from 23 Wyoming teams, Montana, Colorado, Phoenix, Ariz., Boise, Idaho and Chadron, Neb. will be camping out on the field as they participate in the camp.

An amazing group of coaches are on tap for this year’s camp, including several college coaches from South Dakota School of Mines, Chadron State, Black Hills State and Henderson State. Having college coaches on hand gives the athletes a chance to showcase their talent.

The camp isn’t just for high school students, it provides everyone from kindergarten on up, with one on one coaching opportunities for all ages.

Along with individual training in offense, defense and special teams, the players have seven-on-seven competitions to try out the new skills they’ve learned.

What some folks may not realize is the level of skill the camp coaches bring to the field.

For instance, Quinn Brown played four years with the University of Missouri and coached for six seasons with William Jewell College, the University of Wyoming and University of Northern Colorado before returning to William Jewell as the offensive line coach and recruiting coordinator. He is now coaching at Henderson College.

This is Brown’s fifth time coaching at the camp and said he returns because of how great the camp is.

“This is a great camp because of the experienced coaches that are running the drills,” he said. “The coaches at the BHB camp are focused on developing fundamentals and having fun.”

Building a relationship with his players is at the forefront of his coaching philosophy.

“If I build that relationship they want to work harder for me than anyone else,” he said. “At BHB I want the players to gain a greater understanding of the fundamentals of playing offensive line. Every coach teaches the techniques of playing offensive line a little bit different. I want them to learn that we are teaching the same thing their high school coach is teaching, but maybe just in different words.

“Hopefully, they pick up on one or two new things that make them a better player while helping them gain confidence in what their high school coach is teaching them as well.”

Making his 14th appearance at the BHB camp is Lander High School coach Scott Schultz.

Schultz has been coaching for 20 years and has been part of the Wyoming Shrine Bowl coaching staff four times.

So why does he continue to come back?

“The atmosphere of the camp and the campers,” he said, “the coaches interactions and rapport. It is fun!”

Schultz said he’s always wanted to give back to what made him who he is – coaches.

“I want every student athlet to come away with three things,” he said. “Desire to be good i all aspects of life, pride in themselves and what they have and will accomplish, and dedication to work hard and attack the challenges that they face in life with everything they have, every day, even when they’re down.

“I want these athletes to come away from the camp with quality football skills and a new or renewed passion for the game.”

Heath Hayes, son of LeRoy Hayes who brought the camp to town, is the Camp Director.