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Miracle League scores big with coaches, athletes

ELM GROVE — It wasn’t your ordinary football camp. Anything but. Rather, it was a Miracle in the works.

For the past three Saturdays, three highly regarded and successful OVAC prep head football coaches — ably assisted by some of their players — staged a football camp for special needs individuals — also known as the Miracle Football League Camp.

The final session played out this past Saturday at the Chambers YMCA. The camp is directed by Wheeling Central’s Mike Young, Wheeling Park’s Chris Daugherty and Weir High’s Tony Filberto.

The veteran trio worked in concert with Lorraine McCardle, driving force of the Miracle League.

Some 30-40 special needs individuals were put through a series of stations, working on specific drills, much like your regular high school football practice. The coaches and their players demonstrated agility, ball-toting, passing and receiving skills to the campers. They were also taught how to spike the football after scoring a TD.

After station drill work, the players were able to play in a real game.

“This is really a great thing. It is a win-win for all involved,” Filberto said. “The campers really get excited and enjoy the instruction, while the players we bring take it seriously and really give of themselves to make it a positive experience.

“Mike, Chris and myself truly enjoy doing this. It is rewarding for us as well as the special needs individuals,” he added. “It is refreshing to be able to put on smile on their faces.”

And what would football be without cheerleaders? The final camp session featured cheerleaders from Wheeling Park and Linsly School, displaying their OVAC-championship tips to a host of eager recipients.

“This is a tremendous experience. Having the cheerleaders involved is icing on the cake,” Young said. “It has been an awesome three weeks. I am so proud of all the high school players who came here and helped with the camp. It impacted them as much as the campers. It was a special learning experience.”

One of those giving back was Wheeling Central all-stater Brey Price. The Illinois State recruit embraced the experience.

“This camp means a lot, not just to the special needs individuals but also to us who are working it. It is great to see the campers really having fun,” Price said. “I didn’t hesitate when Coach Young asked me if I would help out. It is rewarding to be able to give back.”

In true football camp fashion, t-shirts, certificates and mini-footballs were presented to each of the participants. After the closing ceremony, many campers quickly headed to the three coaches for a keep-sake photo.

“This is truly a labor of love. This camp is something Coach Young, Coach Filberto and myself really look forward to. It is a great experience for everyone,” Daugherty said. “I cannot say enough how proud I am of the players who gave up their time to help out. A lot of them have the prom tonight but still wanted to be here.”

McCardle, who has passionately championed Miracle League activities for some six years now, summed the camp up quite succinctly, “This was an awesome experience. Everyone enjoyed it.”

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