I.E. Give Back Football Camp

PAL Charter Academy's newly installed turf football field played host to the "First Annual Inland Empire (I.E.) Give Back Football Camp" for youth 4 to 18 years of age. PAL Charter Academy Executive Director, Dwaine Radden Sr., said, "This is what it's all about! Today’s event was a huge success for the Inland Empire. I am proud of these young men for wanting to give back and make a difference in these kids' lives."

The event had a few visitors attend. They included Council Member Ms. Kimberly Calvin of Ward 6, Dr. Gwen Rogers of the San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD) Board of Education, and Police Chief Paulino of the SBCUSD, to name a few. Ms. Calvin gave the young student-athletes some encouraging words of wisdom.

Athletes from all over the Inland Empire came out to get free training. Maurice Ross Sr., of Amateur Athletic Union Football (AAU), spoke about the source of the idea and how he hopes events like this can close the divide felt in the city.

There were National Football League and College football players who were a part of the day. Many of them were youth football players formerly under the tutelage of Coach Radden. Mr. Radden said, "It is moving for me to see all of these young Afro-American men give back to a city in need".

Gary Walker of The Baltimore Ravens was a player for Coach Radden in Pop Warner Football almost 28 years ago. The Radden tentacles run deep in the I.E. Rodney Harris said, "He is why I am here. I still live and train with the 3D code that Coach Radden instilled in me when I was a kid, and I'm 39 years old now". Harris played for Kansas State University. And currently runs a gym in Texas for an NFL player.

Chris Tickell, Principal of San Bernardino's Henry Elementary School, brought 40 of his students, his Scholars. Tickell said that the scholars learned a lot and this will help them understand that training the body will help train the mind, and also teach them discipline. The event had over one hundred participants.

Stay tuned for next year's event. It will undoubtedly change the lives of young athletes in the Inland Empire.

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