The first-ever Ryan Ramczyk Lineman Camp was held June 27, and by every possible measure it was a smashing success.
Almost 150 young athletes participated – 63 ninth through twelfth-graders in the high school camp, and another 75 third through eighth-graders in the youth camp.
Both sessions were held at Goerke Field in Stevens Point and were sponsored by D1 Training and Stevens Point Orthopedics.
Athletes came from across the state, some as far away as Eau Claire, Milwaukee and Superior, to participate in the camp, which featured instruction from Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) graduate and New Orleans Saints lineman Ryan Ramczyk, along with coaches from SPASH, UW-Stout, UW-Whitewater, UW-Stevens Point and D1 Training.
In addition to receiving instruction on offensive-line techniques and training tips, campers got to meet and talk with Ramczyk, who was a first-team All-American in 2016 and a second-team All-Pro in 2018.
SPASH head football coach Pete McAdams helped organize the camp. Prior to camp, he said, “Ryan’s desire to return home to have this camp and work directly with youth and high school football players is about as good as it gets, and speaks directly to Ryan’s character and how important this community is to him.”
After the camp, everyone involved was happy and a little tired – but not too tired to think ahead to next year.
As Randy Ramczyk, Ryan’s father and manager, said post-camp, “The professionalism and expertise each of you brought to the entire experience from the initial meetings to the final event was incredible.
“We got home last night and had a nice conversation with Ryan. He clearly enjoyed working with the kids, and I think realized the significant impact he has on both them as well as the community. I personally enjoyed taking in every minute of the day yesterday watching those smiles on the kids’ faces – as well as Ryan’s.
“We’re already looking forward to next year!”
So are we, Randy. So are we.
