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University of Minnesota Athletics
Football Feature ? Daring To Dream
6/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Head football coach Tim Brewster brought a new aura and new energy to the Gopher football program following the announcement of his hiring in mid-January. Gopher fans throughout Minnesota followed the team’s progress during spring practices and the spring game at the Metrodome to get a glimpse of what autumn may hold in store.
Throughout the past two weeks, kids from the second grade through the 12th grade decided to get even closer to the action by attending the Tim Brewster Golden Gopher Football Camps to see what the hype was all about.
The three sessions of camp, which included an individual skills camp, a youth camp and a kicking camp, drew well over 700 kids to the Gibson Nagurski Football Complex and gave the kids a chance to dream of what some day could be a reality the chance to represent the Golden Gophers and attend the University of Minnesota.
“There are a lot of dreamers out here on this field,” Brewster said. “We want these kids to go home and dream about playing for the Golden Gophers and about one day being a part of our program. These kids see how much fun it is to be part of something and they will remember these moments and how much fun they have had here this week.”
During the sessions, campers get their photo taken with Brewster standing behind the team’s six national championship trophies. They are also able to utilize the same amenities used by the Gopher football team, giving them an early look at what it would be like to suit up and play for the Maroon and Gold.
Just like a Gopher football practice, Coach Brewster is a constant figure at the camps and takes the time to visit with the campers, giving them the motivation and encouragement to become not only better players, but better people as well. Whether he is coaching his own team, traveling throughout the state of Minnesota on the Coaches Caravan, or working with the campers, the message from Brewster is always clear and consistent “Play With Passion And Love The Game.”
“Myself and my staff really enjoy working with these kids and seeing the fun they have with the game,” Brewster added. “This is another way of bringing everybody together and building that strong base of Golden Gopher fans, regardless of age. Everybody needs to have ownership in this program and these camps and kids are a perfect example of that.”
Coach Brewster and his staff always make sure to emphasize the basics, giving the campers a solid base from which to grow. The credit also goes back to the campers, however, for making the commitment to become better players.
“We want to work on the fundamentals with theses kids so they can take the basics home with them and work to become better football players as they get older,” Brewster said. “I give these kids a lot of credit. It is hot out here but they wanted to be here and take part in this. Some of their buddies are sitting at home in the air conditioning right now playing video games, but these kids decided to come out here and exercise and work hard. You can see a fire in their eyes already at this young age and that they have a passion for the game, which makes this enjoyable for the staff as well.”
