Pine Bluff, AR- Several dozen student- athletes from across Arkansas and surrounding states filed into the J. Thomas May Fieldhouse early Friday morning for a pep talk from UAPB football head coach, Monte Coleman, prior to full day of exercise, drills, and scrimmages. In the meeting, Coleman covered everything from sportsmanship, academics, NCAA guidelines, to recruiting do's and don'ts for aspiring collegiate athletes.

"We drove three hours from Memphis because of Coach Coleman's reputation of caring for his players. You get more than just football pointers at this camp," said parent Terri Payne.

Yet, Payne wasn't alone in her sentiments about UAPB's football program and coaching staff. Damon Thomas, a 1993 alumna of the university, brought his son to the camp because of the school's reputation and stellar coaching staff. "I love the coaching style here. They are in your face and agressive, but they also get down on the ground and do the drills with you," said Thomas.

UAPB's coaching staff is comprised of experienced former football players from the NFL, Canadian Football Leauge, and reputable college programs across the country. They love the sport and enjoy helping aspiring ball players master their skills.

One of the benefits of the Monte Coleman Football Summer Day Camps is the hands on training each camper receives. Compared to football camps at larger schools,"this camp is more affordable and there's a lot of one-on-one instruction going on," described Darryl Collins, game operations coordinator. "Campers benefit from a gamut of drills that cover all aspects of the game including team defense, offense, running back drills, and receiver drills."

"I'm glad I put my son in this camp," remarked Tyresha Tombs of Jacksonville, AR," I'm seeing things he needs to work on and different attributes of the program. Like [the] intensity of coaches, camaraderie among staff, and the way they treat the young men."

UAPB hosts the Monte Coleman Football Summer Day Camps every year during the first week of June. Younger players can expect to learn the fundamentals of football mixed with some fun activities, while older players are encouraged to arrive with their game faces on.

By day's end, campers and parents alike are assured that UAPB's football program isn't merely about developing competitive players, it requires integrity, respect, and strong academics to be a winner on and off the field.