GREENVILLE, OH – The Light Foundation, founded by former New England Patriot and 3x Super Bowl Champion Matt Light and his wife Susie, recently held its 2023 Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp. The community-based program took place on Monday, June 19th and Tuesday, June 20th at Greenville High School’s Harmon Field.
In recent years, online registration for the program has resulted in extremely high demand. The camp routinely fills up in record time, but this year it was at capacity in just under 14 hours! Last year, the Foundation offered additional spots – thanks to the Bill Belichick Foundation for providing it with a $10,000 grant! The grant continues to give, enabling the Foundation to grow the program nearly 20% with contribution.
This year, 250 young athletes entering grades second through sixth attended the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp to enhance their skills and knowledge of the game. Additionally, fifty students entering grades seventh and eighth registered under the Light Leaders’ mentor program for an opportunity to lead the younger generation under the guidance of experienced coaches.
“We can mentor future leaders through our Leadership Academy by offering this camp to 300 area students,” Matt Light states. “While the purpose of the camp is to help kids develop the fundamental skill of being a great football player through instruction, the objective is much greater. We offer the campers a variety of hands-on learning activities that support their social and emotional learning; build strong, good character; and equip them with the tools and skills needed to start their leadership journey and stay with them every step of the way.”
Aaron Shaffer, Greenville High School’s Athletic Director, and Head Coach of the Camp is excited about another year of growing young leaders who can pay their lessons forward. “The two-day program offered attendees a chance to learn about pride, discipline, attitude, and team play, with an opportunity for Light Leaders to take on a more challenging role,” says Shaffer. “This is where Matt played during grade school, and it’s really inspiring for these young athletes.”
The camp is well known for the knowledgeable coaching staff, which consists of many high school coaches from the surrounding area, college coaches and former college and pro-players.
Schools represented at the camp included Ansonia, Arcanum, Bethel, Bradford, Brookville, Camden, Carlisle, Celina, Coldwater, Concord, Cookson, Covington, Dayton Christian, Decolores Montessori, Eaton, Fairfield, Franklin Monroe, Forest, Fort Recovery, Greenville, Heywood, Huber Heights, Miami East, Minster, Mississinawa Valley, National Trail, Piqua Catholic, Piqua Central, Preble Shawnee, Randolph Eastern, Spinning Hill, Springcreek, Tri-County North, Tri-Village, Troy, Troy Christian, Valley Forge, Van Cleve, and Versailles.
“When Larry Masters started this tradition nearly three decades ago, he wanted to ensure it was free for the community, and the only way to do that was to get local businesses to financially support the annual Camp,” notes Light. “That same level of support still stands all these years later. We remind the attendees and their families every year who our local supporters are and encourage them to patronize those businesses and thank them for underwriting this much-needed program.”
Financial support for the Matt Light All-Conference Football Camp had been provided by the following: Touchdown Sponsors: The Findlay-Hancock County Community, Bass Pro Shops & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Greenville City Schools, and Schmidt Photography. Next up are the First Down Sponsors: American Legion Post #140, C.F. Poeppelman Inc. / PEPCON, GNB Banking Centers, Wayne Health Sports, Wayne Healthcare, VPP, My County Link, Dr. Dave Trimble, Dairy King, and Treaty City Industries. A nod of gratitude goes to the Second Down Sponsors: Flaig Lumber and Park National Bank. The Third Down Sponsors stepped up to help, too. Thank you to: Wolf Tent, Domino’s, The Cater Box Food Service, Ansonia Lumber Co., Beanz Buttercream, Dick Lavy Trucking, Double M Diner, Fullenkamp’s Frenchtown Trailer Sales & Supply, MM Defense, Spirit Medical Transport, Stephen R. Stentzel, D.D.S, Prosperity Promotions, Hupman Lawncare & Landscaping, The Darke Elks Benevolence Group, and Zechar Bailey Funeral Home. Thank you to the Fourth Down Sponsors as well: Bruns Animal Clinic, Cobalt Civil LLC, G&G Floor Fashion, Greenville Federal, Hamilton Auto Sales, Studio 1 Hair Design, Troutwine Auto Sales, and Walker Construction.
Program and Marketing Manager Brandi Turner is especially excited. “The four desired outcomes of our Leadership Academy are for the youth we serve to become more informed, more inspired, to build additional skills, and to believe in themselves,” she adds. “We are looking forward to growing the mentorship opportunity through the Light Leaders. Since adding it last year, we have new ways to help inspire them to be better leaders.”
About the Light Foundation:The Light Foundation (www.mattlight72.com) was established in 2001 by 3-time Super Bowl Champion and 3-time Pro-Bowler Matt Light. Matt was drafted in 2000 out of PurdueUniversity and became the anchor for the Patriots Offensive Line until his retirement in 2012. The Light Foundation strives to instill and augment the values of responsibility, accountability, and hard work by providing youth with unique outdoor learning experiences that assist them in reaching their highest potential. Its goal is to lead young people down a path to becoming responsible members of their communities who can pass on the torch of leadership and achievement to their friends and families. Matt Light received the third New England Patriots Ron Burton Community Service Award in 2005, and in 2008, was presented the President’s Volunteer Service Award for his outstanding work in the community by the Bush administration. In 2012, he won the Pop Warner Humanitarian Award, and in 2014, was selected by All Sports United as its Humanitarian of the Year. Since its inception in 2001, the Light Foundation has raised nearly $6 million for various programs and initiatives. For more information, please check out the Light Foundation’s social media pages at www.facebook.com/LightFoundation and www.instagram.com/LightFoundation
