Athletes and EPALS
This camp is a part of the National Police Activity League program, a non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting positive youth development through athletics, recreation and education. Eugene Police officers and trained volunteers will provide a safe and fun environment throughout the week.
Our athletes wanted to give the camp participants the experience of being an Oregon Duck athlete. "We put them through coach Rad's warm up," Nate Costa said, "with 3 stations after the warm up." Some football players wanted to share some of the drill they do on a daily basis. A route running, passing, tackling on a bag, and fumble recovery station were included in the day of fun the kids and our athletes had. The day finished with a spirit filled game of two-hand touch football and a relay race between two teams.
Nate Costa was kind enough to return the next day and speak on the final day of the camp. He spoke about overcoming obstacles in his life; from coming from a small town where people doubted his ability to play at the division I level, to dealing with injury. He gave credit to the people of Eugene and the admiration of the kids in the camp that gave him the perseverance to continue through his struggles. The message was simple. Pursue your dreams and don't give up when you are down.
