Claremont McKenna College Claremont, California
Entering our 37th summer in business, Contact Football Camps are known worldwide and have been called the finest instructional football camps and football schools for both High School Football and Youth Football in the United States by coaches, Pros and the media.
Directing the football camp is Head Coach Kyle Sweeney.
Highlights Include
- Individual Camp ages 8-18
- Grouping by age, weight and ability
- Contact Drills and Scrimmages
- Contact Football Camp T-shirt and Prizes
- Great exposure to college coaches
- Daily training to develop speed, strength and agility
Claremont McKenna College (CMC) has been the perfect location for our Nike Tennis Camps for the past five years and now plays host to our Contact Football Camps. Located 30 miles east of Los Angeles, Claremont is best known for its tree-lined streets, historic buildings and college campuses.
Camp Director
Kyle Sweeney
Kyle Sweeney comes to CMS after two years as the defensive coordinator at the University of Chicago. During those two years, Chicago enjoyed their best season since 1998 and back to back winning seasons for the first time since 2001. In 2010 Chicago won the University Athletic Association title outright. Coach Sweeney's defense finished last season with national rankings of second in sacks and third in tackles for loss, as well as leading the conference in rushing defense.
Read Full BioCoach Sweeney was the head coach at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. From his first to second season, the team was arguably the most improved team in the country. The scoring offense and defense improved a combined 29.5 points per game, including moving up more than 140 positions in three Division III statistical categories during his stay.
Prior to MacMurray College, Coach Sweeney served as the defensive coordinator at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts for four seasons. The defense amassed some impressive statistics during his tenure. Endicott had seasons that included leading the nation (all divisions) with 30 interceptions, first in Division III in turnovers gained and third in pass defense. In 2004, Endicott ranked 19th nationally in rushing defense. In 2005 and 2006 Endicott ranked in the top 10 nationally in several defensive categories, including a first in turnover margin, third in pass defense as well as 12th in scoring defense. Endicott also ranked first in the New England Football Conference in scoring defense in 2006. All are impressive feats considering there were more than 230 teams in Division III and Endicott's first year of competition was 2003.
Preceding Endicott, he worked as a recruiter at his alma mater, Occidental College, during the spring of 2002 where he helped recruit a team of Tigers that led Oxy to a 9-1 record, including two NCAA playoff wins in 2004, and a 9-1 finish, including a playoff appearance in 2005.
Coach Sweeney was the defensive back coach at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois for two years. During those two years, Illinois Wesleyan won back-to-back conference titles for the only time in the last 45 years and was ranked in the top 20 nationally in Division III by the American Football Coaches Association each season. While at Illinois Wesleyan, two of Coach Sweeney's defensive backs earned All-American recognition and both were selected to play in the Aztec Bowl, the annual Division III All Star game at that time.
As an undergraduate, Coach Sweeney was a four-year starter at strong safety for Occidental College. During his senior year, he enjoyed a opportunity unique in college football today, playing both wide receiver and strong safety. He was also a four-year starter on the baseball team at Occidental.
Assistant Coach
Amahl Thomas
Amahl Thomas is entering his 14th year of coaching receivers at the collegiate level and his 12th with Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. During this time he has also served as Co-Offensive Coordinator for the Stags. Coach Thomas’ other two years coaching were at Chaffey College where he helped build the current program under Head Coach Carl Beach.
At CMS Coach Thomas has been able to coach the receivers in a wide variety of offensive styles. His receivers hold the vast majority of receiving records at CMS. During his tenure as receiver’s coach, Thomas has coached many All-SCIAC performers as well as one who turned professional. Most recently, the receiver position has prided itself on being the toughest/peskiest receiving unit in the league who flourish because of the one on one match-ups that are created due to the nature of the successful CMS run-based offense.
As a player, Coach Thomas lettered in three sports (football, soccer and track) at Santa Barbara High School. He was voted captain in all three sports and the school’s most outstanding athlete as well as the citizen-athlete of the year during his senior year. Thomas’ high school accomplishments earned him an induction into the Santa Barbara High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He joined other great Dons such as Sam and Randall Cunningham, Marv Goux, Eddie Mathews, Ernie Zampese and Jesse Orozco. After high school, Thomas attended UC Santa Barbara where he started at receiver for all four years. During his time at UCSB Coach Thomas set various records which included most catches in a season, most touchdowns in a season, most receiving yards per game and most catches in a game. Thomas also has the distinction of scoring the last touchdown in UCSB football history (the football program was cut following the 1991 season). These accomplishments earned him All-American honors following the 1991 football season.
Off of the football field, Coach Thomas teaches at Montclair High School, where he has been for the past 16 years. Thomas is dedicated to being an advocate for all students. Coach Thomas’ most recent endeavors involve the co-creation of The Brotherhood Academy- an organization which focuses on mentoring young males both academically and emotionally, as well as the co-organizer of the Miles For Montclair project which has raised almost $70,000 in the past three years for Montclair High School’s homeless student population. In addition to his high school teaching, Coach Thomas teaches undergraduate and graduate courses at Claremont Graduate University in the field of Education. Coach Thomas is also the co-host of an educational radio show Thinking Out Loud which has the sole purpose of highlighting the achievements of educators and schools in the Inland Empire.
Assistant Coach
Pat Rotchford
Pat Rotchford comes to CMS from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa where he served as a graduate assistant in 2009 and 2010. While at St. Ambrose, Pat spent time working with the offensive line and also served as the JV head coach and offensive coordinator during the 2010 season. Pat most recently served as the tight ends and H-backs coach while finishing up his Masters Degree in Organizational Leadership in the spring of 2011.
Prior to his time at St. Ambrose, Rotchford worked as the offensive line coach at MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Illinois during the 2008 season. During his time at MacMurray the offense saw big improvements over the previous season: scoring offensive improved 16.8 points per game, total offense rank improved 179 spots, passing offense rank improved 209 spots and scoring offense rank improved 144 spots.
Before MacMurray, Coach Rotchford had the opportunity to work as a scouting assistant with the Buffalo Bills in the summer of 2007. Pat worked with the scouting staff as a player personnel intern through training camp.
Rotchford graduated from St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY in 2007 where he majored in Sports Management and played offensive line for the Cardinals. During his four years, the St. John Fisher College Cardinals saw outstanding success winning two Empire 8 Conference Championships. It was during Rotchford’s senior year he was part of a team that won the east region and made it to the national semifinals of the Division III Championships, eventually losing to Mount Union.
Assistant Coach
Michael Nahl
Mike Nahl is in his second season as the offensive line coach at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. Coach Nahl will also be heading up the strength development program for the Stags for the second consecutive year.
In Nahl’s first year with the Stags the offense excelled including setting the all-time scoring record for a single season at 268 as well as tying the record for touchdowns scored in a season at 36. The 2010 Stags led the conference in rushing as well as sacks given up, third down efficiency, turnovers, and red zone efficiency.
Nahl graduated from Whitworth University in Spokane Washington where he majored in Kinesiology and received a minor in athletic coaching. Nahl started all three years he attended Whitworth, was a repeat all-conference guard for the Pirates, and helped them to a NWC title. Nahl also competed on the Whitworth track team for three years and helping them to win two NWC titles. Nahl also made three trips to nationals and ended his career as an All-American in the shot put.
Prior to attending Whitworth, Nahl attended the University of Washington and played on the Husky football team under Tyrone Willingham for two seasons. Nahl played offensive line alongside NFL player Khalif Barnes and blocked for NFL players such as Isaiah Stanback and Zach Tuiasosopo. Due to unfortunate family circumstances Nahl left the University of Washington and relocated to Spokane where he later transferred to Whitworth.
Mark Odin
Coach Mark Odin is returning to CMS entering his 15th year of coaching and fifth year in the SCIAC. Most recently, Coach Odin was the Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers Coach at the University of La Verne (2008-2010). In his two years as coordinator, the defense continuously improved in SCIAC ranking (2nd red-zone defense) and had two All-SCIAC recipients each year. He also served as the offensive line coach in 2008 and had one All-SCIAC offensive line recipient.
Prior to ULV, Coach Odin served as the Offensive Line Coach/Run-Game Coordinator at Chaffey College (2007). He also coached Tight Ends, H-Backs and Tackles at Division-IAA Sacramento State University (2006). Odin served as the offensive line coach here at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps. In his one year (2005) with the Stags, Odin coached Jeff Manassero to Second Team All-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors.
Prior to moving to CMS, Odin was the offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Ganesha High School in Pomona, Calif., for the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He also spent one year as the running backs coach at Pasadena City College in 2001. Odin had two All-Conference Running Back recipients and coached Philadelphia Eagles’ Jerome Harrison who earned 2005 College Football All-America Team Honors, who broke the PAC-10 record with 16 consecutive games with 100 yards+.
Odin began his high school coaching career in 1997 at Northview High School in Covina, Calif. He was the team’s offensive line coach for two years before shifting to San Dimas High School as the offensive line and tight ends coach from 1999-2000. Odin also coached the offensive line at Diamond Bar High School in 2001 where he coached New England Patriots’ Ryan Wendell who earned FWAA Scripps Freshman All-American Honors as well as Sporting News Freshman All-American Third Team awards at Fresno State University in 2004.
Assistant Coach
Bob Sierra
Bob Sierra is entering his tenth year of coaching defensive backs at CMS. Born and raised in Compton, CA, Coach Sierra began his coaching career in 1985 and has been a key member of the staffs at various high schools and colleges.
A three-sport athlete in football, wrestling and track at Norwalk High School, Coach Sierra is dedicated to the recruitment and instruction of exemplary scholar-athletes to compete at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.
In the off-season, Coach Sierra is an events manager for Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, responsible for the coordination of large-scale athletics events and national competitions.
Contact Football Camps feature full contact drills and scrimmages with a staff of major college coaches and players. At camps "contact" is introduced in a slow, gradual progression before any actual "contact" is initiated. Campers are divided according to age, weight and ability.
The instruction (3 times a day) stresses both individual positions and team play with every camper. Thousands of our previous football campers played, or are now playing college football (many at schools represented by our coaching staff).
SPARQ TRAINING SYSTEM - This is only offered at Claremont McKenna College this summer!
WHAT IS SPARQ?
It’s a short question, with a not-so-short answer.
First, the easy part. SPARQ is an acronym, standing for Speed, Power, Agility, Reaction and Quickness. Simple enough. But what does that mean?
It means that SPARQ’s mission is to help athletes improve in all of those areas through focused, dynamic training. If they improve their overall athleticism, there is no question they will improve their game.
You’re already fast? SPARQ can make you faster. You’ve never made the team? SPARQ will help you make the cut. Because we believe strongly that, while not every person is a born athlete, through training every person can become a complete athlete.
SPARQ is dynamic performance training — explosive, athletically-based movements designed to help athletes/individuals get faster, quicker, stronger, and more explosive.
Individuals will be doing exercises such as:
- Dynamic flexibility
- Lateral change of direction
- Maximum acceleration and velocity
- Vertical jump explosiveness
- Core strengthening, power, and stability
- Reaction based movements
- Foot quickness
The result is a more complete athlete – blazing speed, explosive power, fluid agility, innate reaction and jump-start quickness.
So, what was the question again? What is SPARQ?
SPARQ is the difference between being a player and being an athlete.
Rental Equipment
Campers need a full set of football equipment - helmet, shoulder pads, two jerseys (one light/one dark), pants and pads, football shoes (NO metal-tip cleats), athletic supporter, cup and mouthpiece. For campers without equipment, Contact Football Camp has equipment for rent prior to camp at $80 per set (helmet, shoulder pads, pants and pads) and $90 per set if rented on the first day of camp. Individual pieces of equipment are available at $40 per item.
HALF DAY MORNING SPECIALTY CLINIC - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (first morning) - $135
Quarterbacks – Personalized attention and instruction by our quarterback coaches. The focus of the instruction includes the following: leadership, passing techniques, drop-backs, quickness, footwork, speed and agility, ball handling, hand-offs, pitches and options, passing techniques, sprint-outs, bootlegs, rollouts and play-action, passing drills, grip, QB/center exchange, pivots, sprint-draw and play-action pass, progression for finding the open receiver, mental and physical preparation for playing QB, warm-up drills, reading coverages, secondary pressure, and audibles.
Wide Receivers - Personalized attention and instruction by our receiver coaches. The focus of the instruction includes the following: reading coverages, correct pass routes, working back to the ball, catching the ball at the highest point, catching the ball, following the ball to the hands, speed control, how to get open, spotting defensive coverages (man-to-man, zone and combinations), running drills, receiver drills, stance, release, patterns: out, post, hook, curl, post/corner, fade, in, fly, cross, etc.
HALF DAY MORNING SPECIALTY CLINIC - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. (first morning) - $135, must sign up separately for this program!!!
Sample Daily Schedule
- Day 1
- 12:00 p.m. Camp Check In
- 2:00 p.m. Intro/Rules/Orientation
- 2:30 p.m. To Field
- 3:00 p.m. Practice #1
- 5:30 p.m. Dinner
- 6:30 p.m. Chalk Talk/Film
- 7:00 p.m. Practice #2
- 8:30 p.m. Development Series
- 9:00 p.m. Day/Extended Day Campers Depart - Free Time
- 10:30 p.m. Lights Out
- Days 2-3
- 7:00 a.m. Wake Up
- 7:30 a.m. Breakfast - Transition to Field
- 9:00 a.m. SPARQ Training
- 10:00 a.m. Practice #3 and 6Lunch/Free Time
- 11:30 a.m. Head to Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. Chalk Talks/Film
- 2:00 p.m. Practice #4 and 7
- 4:00 p.m. Day Campers Depart/Pool Cool Down
- 4:30 p.m. To Dinner
- 6:00 p.m. Transition to Field/Warm Up
- 7:00 p.m. Practice #5 and 8 - Competition
- 8:00 p.m. Development Series
- 9:00 p.m. Extended Day Campers Depart/Free Time
- 10:30 p.m. Lights Out
- Day 4
- 7:00 a.m. Wake Up
- 7:30 a.m. Breakfast
- 9:00 a.m. Practice #9 - Competition
- 11:30 a.m. Head to Lunch
- 1:00 p.m. Practice #10/Final Competition
- 3:45 p.m. Awards-Camp Recognitions-Camp Wrap Up
All Skills Camp Check In: Sunday - 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Check in takes place at the dorms. Signs will be posted.
The first General practice starts at 2:00 p.m. - (Day and Extended Day Campers will depart that evening at 9:00 p.m. after Dinner, Evening Practice and Nightly Meeting.)
Morning Clinic Check In: 8:30 a.m. on first day of camp. Clinic will end at 12:00 p.m.
Check Out: Wednesday - Camp ends following the awards ceremony for each age group, which immediately follows the final scrimmage. Scrimmages start after lunch on the last day starting with the youngest campers and ending with the oldest campers. Departure is by 4:00 p.m. on the last day of camp.
Read camper reviewsAfter this camp I can't wait for football season to start!
This was my first overnight camp and I could not stop talking about it when I returned home. My love for the game was only reinforced when I had the opportunity to attend this camp. I felt that my skill level was increased and cannot wait until the football season starts to show others what I learned and also what they could learn by attending this wonderful camp. I look forward to next season.
Coaches and Counselors were fantastic role models.
We were so impressed with the professionalism, dedication and organization of the camp. The coaches and counselors were fantastic role models for our son. We were more than impressed! Thanks!
Campers and Counselors were very accommodating to all!
My son was the youngest camper at the Contact Football Camp at Claremont McKenna. Initially I was nervous about him participating, but the camp counselors made sure he was in a group with kids around his same size. He was easily immersed into the games/drills by all. The kids were great and he had a wonderful time. We will be sending him again next year.
Camper
I learned so much.
I had a great time! I played the offensive and defensive positions that I wanted. Thank you! The coaches seemed tough at first, but in the end I learned so much. I really appreciate the time the coaches spent with me! I met new friends who will be coming back next year and so will I.