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What We Believe! "CORRECT REPETITION BREEDS CONFIDENCE, AND CONFIDENCE BREEDS SUCCESS" Our Mission at the Huddle Up! Academy, is to provide a platform for youth to receive proper education and instruction from experienced educators and coaches. Camps and Clinics are specifically designed to meet the needs of a wide range of age groups and skill levels. Our expectations are that we would influence youth in their knowledge and recognition of Character and overall health and fitness, and why making positive character and health decision can enhance their lives. WE BELIEVE SPORTS CAN HAVE A POSITIVE INFLUENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN, AND ASSIST THEM IN REACHING THEIR HIGHEST POTENTIAL. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON TEACHING THE CORE VALUES OF LEADERSHIP, TEAMWORK, SPORTSMANSHIP, RESPECT AND HARD WORK. WE BELIEVE SPORTS HELP YOUTH OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND FAILURE POSITIVELY. WE BELIEVE THAT ATHLETES SHOULD BE WELL TRAINED, PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY. THAT MEANS NO DRUGS, NO ALCOHOL, BE ACADEMICALLY EDUCATED, RESPECTFUL OF PARENTS, COACHES, AND TEAMMATES, AND MUST DEVELOP A DESIRE TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITY IN A POSITIVE WAY.
Founders and former Pro Athletes: Robert Banks and George LaFrance bring years of experience as players,coaches, and Administrators on a high school and professional level.
Athletes will be instructed by current and former coaches and players from the High School, College and Professional, Certified fitness and health experts, and Educators and Parents.
Who We Are:
ROBERT BANKS- 
Co-founder/VicePresident
Attended Adrian College in Michigan where he was recruited originally as a quarterback and because of his athletic versatility, his talents were needed at other positions. Robert played defensive back and receiver. He ultimately became an NCAA Division III All American as a receiver in Football as well as a National Qualifier in 2 events (110 M HH/ 400 Intermediate Hurdles) in Track And Field. He went on to sign a Free Agent contract with the Miami Dolphins in 1988 as a receiver, and after being released from Miami Played overseas in England in 1989 in yet another new position (Running Back) where he excelled and was awarded Impact Player of the year. He was Drafted by the World Champion Detroit Drive of the Arena Football league in 1990 as a receiver/quarterback /Defensive Back and also played in the AFL with Cleveland in 1991-93. Robert has coached in High School and on a professional level and was promoted to the League Office of the AFL as the Director of Football Operations for the af2, where he played an instrumental role in developing the af2 which is the AFL's small market presence across the United States boasting a high of 34 teams in his five year tenure. Robert was inducted into the Adrian College Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. He received his MBA from the University of Phoenix 2008. He currently resides in Chandler, Arizona.
GEORGE LAFRANCE-
Co-Founder/Vice President
After Graduating from New Iberia Senior High School in Louisiana in 1983, George attended Eastern Arizona College in Thatcher, Arizona. In 1987, George excelled as an athlete at Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas. After a stellar college career as a Receiver, George went on to play Arena Football with the Detroit Drive and was part of the 1988 World Championship Team. After a short stint with the Green Bay Packers and a knee injury, George returned to the Arena Football League and had an incredible career with Detroit Drive (1988-93), Tampa Bay Storm (1994-99), and New Jersey Red Dogs (2000). Twelve years later George had won Six World Championships, and was a two time League MVP 1989 and 1991. George was also a three time Arena Bowl MVP in 1989, 1992, 1995, and gained over 20,000 all-purpose yards. In 2002 George was inducted into the Baker University Athletic Hall of Fame. Today George lives in North Eastern Arizona, on the Navajo Reservation. He is employed with the Chinle Unified School District, in Chinle, Arizona, and has finished his first successful season as the Chinle Head Football Coach. George is married and has three daughters, Ahsaki, Nizhoni, and LaBelle LaFrance.
D.B. Brooks - Co-Founder/ Operations Co-ordinator
Born in Huntington Park, CA and currently residing in Scottsdale, AZ Coach D.B. draws upon many different experiences at various age levels to shape his unique coaching style. After graduating High school in 1988 D.B.'s love for the game lead him to the Semi-Pro Level where he played QB for the Lancaster Crusaders in California. More recent experience saw him go to Winterthur, Switzerland as a QB and offensive coach(2002) and also Head Coach for the American football team in Pontoise, France (2003). He Co-founded the AZ Football Academy after he finished his Physical Education teaching duties at Looking Glass Charter School in Phoenix, AZ. His extensive youth coaching career began while pursuing a Music Degree at the Maricopa Institute for Entertainment Technology in Scottsdale, AZ (1999-2002). During which time D.B. coached youth sports for the City of Scottsdale. He also served as Field Activities Co-ordinator for Boys and Girls Club in Scottsdale, AZ. He is unmarried and has no children.
The Academy has access to some of the top Former and Current Coaches and Players for instruction, the camp coaches will be announced prior to each camp.
These Coaches have contributed to the Academy as partners:
CRAIG COLEMAN- Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator Second Season at SSU
Craig Coleman will begin his second season as Defensive Coordinator. After his first season with the Tigers, head coach Theo Lemon named Coleman Assistant Head Coach in March of 2007. Prior to his appointment at SSU, Coleman served as secondary coach at Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference member Clark Atlanta University. Before his move to Clark Atlanta, Coleman was defensive coordinator at Morris Brown College. Coleman also coached at Wayne State University (1997-2001), Kent State (1995-1996), Ohio University (1993-1995), Morehouse College (1992-1993), Western Connecticut State University (1990-1992), Kansas Wesleyan University (1988-1990), Adrian College (1987). He earned his bachelor's degree in 1986 from Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan and his master's in 1988 from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama. A native of Canton Ohio, Coleman is married to wife Donna, and the couple has four children, Styron (23), Styvon (20), Craig (11), and Calah (9).
MARIO MCGHEE- Defensive Line
BOB SMEDLEY- OFFENSIVE LINE/TIGHT ENDS
Division III All American Tight End, Assistant Coach-State of Michigan Class AAA State
Finalist Plymouth Canton Chiefs
EARNEST WILSON- Running Back Coach, New Mexico State
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