The Laker football team recently spent three days training at Saginaw Valley State University, July 27-29.
For Laker coach Dave LeVasseur, this is not the first time his team attended the camp. At other coaching stops, including Oscoda, his teams visited this camp as well as a camp at Northwood University.
“SVSU’s camp was the first camp I ever took a team to,” he said. “Both SVSU’s and Northwood’s camps are fantastic, they do a great job. We went to SVSU this year, as it’s been a while since I was there. I wanted a change of scenery for our team. It was amazing. We enjoyed it very much. We brought varsity, JV and middle school this year.”
At SVSU, there are different types of camps football teams can attend. In this instance, the Lakers were given the facilities for three days, and coached the camps themselves.
“We didn’t have any interaction with any SVSU’s coaches,” LeVasseur said. “However, we used their facilities, stayed in their dorms, and used their cafeteria and pool. More than anything, we ran more of a regular practice schedule. Our schedules are pretty crisp.”
“What’s more important coming out of this camp, besides the skills and drills, are the relationships and team chemistry that’s made,” LeVasseur added. “The experience is really what we were looking for. That’s the foundation we build on each season, as each season is different.”
According to LeVasseur, most of the planning he and coaches do for camp are activities geared toward enjoyment.
“We’re not driving long distance just to do sprints,” he said. “We’re doing these camps in order to build a bond with one another.”
The first night of camp consisted of practice and a team visit to the pool.
“We had a team meeting, but it was more of a game night, competition and party,” LeVasseur said. “We took about three hours and did that. With 60 kids, you have to keep a tight schedule. But, the kids enjoy it.”
“Thirty years from now, you may remember only one or two plays vividly,” LeVasseur added. “However, you’ll remember all the extra stuff, how much you enjoyed and valued it, significantly more. That’s what we try to do.”
The second night of camp consisted of three practices. Two by themselves, and one with the Hemlock Huskies.
“I’m good friends with (Hemlock) coach Adam Clark,” LeVasseur said. “We ran some walk-through stuff with them, as well as seven-on-seven. This camp breaks down great for the relationships you build, making clear what our expectations are. What the standard is, and where we want to go from here. We establish who we want to be, and that’s the theme for the first day.”
“Last year, our theme was mental toughness,” LeVasseur added. “We want to be mentally tough. This year, we carried that theme over as we used it well, and added commitment to it.”
According to LeVasseur, finding out the team identity is a major part of the camp.
“We take a team song every year,” he said. “Last year, it was Blue Suede’s ‘Hooked on a Feeling.’ We sing a certain song after every win, it’s one of the things we do. It strikes that stamp on a team with identity. That was our focus for us, who we want to be and what we want to do.”
“We do a ton of stuff, but it has to be squeezed into a short amount of time,” he added. “We do this to get to know our players, everyone is exposed to everyone. We find out how we gel together, what makes each other tick, and it’s important to gauge one another.”
LeVasseur also had a message for coaches that don’t regularly plan off-season camps.
“It’s incredibly valuable,” he said. “Any coaches that doesn’t do this should find the money and take the time. Last year, camp was important to achieving our success. We got to the point we did based on how we built with one another. The closeness and cohesion was a springboard from camp. This camp worked out just as well. It sends us on a trajectory we’re comfortable with.”
MHSAA official practices begin Aug. 8.
