NFL's Gene Washington To Visit Hampton University Football Program

July 7, 2001

Hampton, VA - Gene Washington, the Director of Football Development for the National Football League, will visit Hampton University on Monday, July 9 to meet with Pirate head coach Joe Taylor and Dr. Dennis Thomas, Director of Athletics. The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the initiation of a program between Hampton University, Hampton Roads Community and the NFL that will help repair the infrastructure supporting youth football by establishing a year-round program among area coaches, student-athletes and parents.

Intended for area youth between the ages of 7-17, the program plans to utilize a combination of academic and athletic involvement to provide children with various opportunities to enter the game of football. Academically, classes will be taught in both English and Math while a SAT Prep course will also be given. On the field, Hampton University will host a two-week football camp during the month of June to assist players with their skill development. A Drug Awareness Program will also be included in the football camp.

The primary purpose of the program will be to help the young student-athletes, it is also designed to enhance the relationship between youth coaches, the Hampton University coaching staff and the National Football League. Youth coaches participating in the program will have the opportunity to spend a great amount of time within the Pirate football program in the form of practices, staff meetings and film sessions, before spending a day with an NFL coach during the off season.

Washington will meet with various administrators throughout the campus before meeting with the media at 5:30 p.m. inside the football offices of Armstrong Stadium to answer any questions concerning the NFL initiative to reach our youth in partnership with Hampton University.

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