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Nike Football Skills Camp at Sacred Heart University

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Camp dates & prices

Secure your spot at the current rates with a deposit.
Flexible cancellation options available.

*Registration Fees are charged once per camper, per season. Exceptions may apply.

**Pricing may vary based on availability and additional fees may apply.

  • June 28–July 1, 2026

    • Ages 8-18
    • Boys
    • Football Skills Camp

    • Full Day (4-day camp)

      • Day 1: 2:00pm-9:00pm
      • Days 2-3: 9:00am-3:00pm
      • Day 4: 9:00am-12:00pm

      $629 Includes all fees *

    • Ages 12-18
    • Boys
    • Football Skills Camp

    • Overnight (4-day camp)

      • Schedule listed in Camp Details

      $929 Includes all fees *

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Nike Football Skills Camp at Sacred Heart University

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Camp Overview

Improve your game and have serious fun
at Nike Football Skills Camps

Join us for the inaugural Nike Football Skills Camp at Sacred Heart University, directed by Matt Gardner, Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator for the Division I Sacred Heart Pioneers. Designed for beginner and intermediate athletes ages 8–18, this camp features hands-on instruction from the SHU coaching staff and current Pioneer football players.

Campers will develop their skills through position-specific coaching, fundamental technique work, game knowledge sessions, and daily competitions in a fun, high-energy environment. Participants may choose between an overnight camp—featuring full days of football training and evening activities—or a day option focused primarily on on-field development.

Athletes should arrive ready to work hard, learn from college-level coaches, and enjoy an exciting and supportive camp experience.

Sacred Heart University Football Camps are open to any and all entrants, limited only by number, age, grade level and gender. This camp is not a recruiting camp and is for the purposes of skill development only.

Highlights Include

  • Nike Football Camp T-Shirt and potentially other prizes!
  • Professional Instruction from Coaching Staff
  • Daily Training to Develop Speed, Strength and Agility
  • Players Grouped by Age and Ability
  • Discussions on Proper Technique and Concussion Safety 
  • Low Camper to Coach Ratios
  • Excellent Training Facilities

Camp Coaches

  • Matt Gardner

    Matt Gardner

    Camp Director

    Garnder enters his 17th season in 2025 as the associate head coach for the Sacred Heart football team. He also serves as the offensive coordinator for the Pios. Gardner played wide receiver for four seasons at Randolph-Macon from 1999-2002. He earned his master’s degree from Sacred Heart University in May 2011.

    Matt Gardner

    Matt Gardner

    Camp Director

    COMBINED STINT AT SHU
    2017-present

    • Serves as the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach
    • Was part of the 2018, 2020-21, 2021 NEC Championship Teams
    • Helped the Pios finish 2021 ranked 22nd in the FCS National Poll
    • Guided the offense and finished second in the NEC in total offense in back-to-back seasons (2022 and 2021)
    • Ranked second in the NEC in passing in 2017, 2019, 2022
    • Coached two All-NEC quarterbacks - Kevin Duke and Marquez McCray.
    • In 2022, McCray was the second Pioneer to earn the NEFWA Golden Helmet Award.
    • Coached running back Julius Chestnut and offensive linemen Josh Sokol and JD DiRienzo.
    • Chestnut and Sokol recently signed with NFL Teams - Tennesse Titans and Minnesota Vikings.

    2008-15

    • Served as an assistant coach - quarterback coach, recruiting coordinator, and passing game coordinator
    • Helped guide SHU’s offense to back-to-back NEC Championship titles and FCS playoff appearances (2013 and 2014)
    • SHU’s offense led the NEC in total offense in back-to-back seasons (2013 and 2014)
    • Led the Pios’ offense to its first FCS Championship appearance in 2013
    • Led the offensive attack to a pair of wins over nationally ranked Delaware and Bryant for the program’s first-ever wins over nationally ranked opponents
    • Coached former quarterback RJ Noel, who was a three-time All-NEC honoree and named 2013 NEC Rookie of the Year.

    BEFORE SHU
    Lake Forest College

    • Served as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator
    • Foresters had their best offensive season statistically averaging 38.6 points per game and 439.9 yards per game
    • Coached and mentored wide receiver Alex Pasiewicz, who was named a 2016 First Team All-American by D3Football.com and the American Football Coaches Association

    Fitchburg State College

    • Served as linebackers coach
    • Back-to-back appearances in the NEFC Championship game and ECAC North Atlantic Bowl
    • NEFC top-ranked defense (2005)

    Colorado Crush – Arena Football League

    • Coached wide receivers and linebackers.
    • Oversaw all aspects of special teams

    Randolph-Macon College

    • Coached wide receivers and assisted with special teams.
  • Chris Fee SHU

    Chris Fee

    Coach

    Christopher Fee joined the Sacred Heart Department of Athletics on July 1, 2014, and was promoted to Assistant Director of Athletics for Strength & Conditioning Coach in August 2016. His most recent promotion to Senior Associate Athletics Director came in August 2022. Fee is the first strength and conditioning coach in program history. He has built a nine-person staff that creates and implements strength and conditioning programs for all 32 varsity programs, focusing on injury reduction and athletic performance. Under his tutelage, eight Pioneer student-athletes were named National Strength and Conditioning Association All-America last year.

    Chris Fee SHU

    Chris Fee

    Coach

    Chris and his wife, Catelin, have three boys: Matthew, Jacob, and Wyatt.

    Notes on Fee:

    • Certified in Functional Range Conditioning (FRCms) in 2022, which helps athletes in their warm-ups and mobility
    • Became a registered Strength and Conditioning coach through the National Strength and Conditioning Association in Spring 2016
    • NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, as well as a United States Weightlifting Club Coach Level 1
    • Spent the 2013-14 season as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at Morehead State University
    • Oversaw the development and implementation of the Strength and Conditioning program for all 16 varsity sports, including two conference championship-winning programs
    • Instrumental in developing a nutritional handbook for the Athletic Department that included pre and post-workout nutrition, meal suggestions, and portion size, as well as proper hydration needs
    • Spent five years at Yale University, three as Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
    • Helped train three Ivy League postseason major award winners and 11 First Team All-Ivy Football honorees and saw three men’s basketball players go on professional playing careers.
    • Under his training regimen, the Bulldogs won the 2011 National Championship in women’s squash.
    • Earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Exercise Science in May 2008 from Springfield College
    • Was a member of the Pride football team, helping the squad to the 2006 Empire 8 Conference title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament
    • Earned a Master of Science in Exercise Science with a concentration in Sport Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University in May 2013

Camp Details

Instruction will develop fundamentals and advanced skills, focusing on footwork, offensive and defensive skills, team play, and game situations. You can expect high demand for these first come first serve camper spots, so please be sure to register early. Please note that this camp is an individual skill development camp and players attending camp from the same team may not be placed in the same on-field group as their teammates. Players are grouped based on age, size and ability to ensure a fun, competitive and safe environment.

Please note: The following information, including the schedule and check-in/check-out location, is subject to change.

2026 SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION

  • Dates: June 28-July 1, 2026
  • Age Group: 8-18
  • Gender: Boys
  • Camp Type: Day Camp (ages 8-18) | Overnight (ages 12-18)
  • Schedule: Sunday-Wednesday
  • Check-In: Begins 30 minutes prior to camp start time
  • Meals:
  • Day Campers will receive dinner on Sunday and Lunch on Monday and Tuesday. Lunch is not provided on Wednesday.
  • Overnight Campers will receive dinner on Sunday, all three meals on Monday and Tuesday and Breakfast on Wednesday.

Please note: It’s recommended that campers bring money to put in the camp bank to purchase items at the camp store throughout the week.

CAMP TIMES

  • Check-in: 12pm – 2pm on June 28 (location TBD). Day Campers should consider checking in toward the back half of the check in time
  • Day Camper Schedule: Sunday 12pm – 9pm, Monday & Tuesday 9am – 3pm, Wednesday, 9am – 12pm
  • Overnight Camper Schedule: Check in 12-2pm on Sunday. Check out Wednesday at 12pm

HOUSING

  • Dorm: TBD
  • Campers Per Room: TBD
  • Roommates: Rooms are assigned by age & roommate requests. Roommate requests must be received no later than 14 days before the start of camp. If you don't have a roommate request, you will be placed in a room with someone near your age. It will be a great opportunity to meet someone new!
  • Linens: Not included. Bring linens or a sleeping bag, pillow, pillowcase, and a towel.
  • Air Conditioning: TBD

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE FEE?

  • Daily Football Instruction
  • Supervision: Campers are supervised by staff during camp hours
  • Nike Football Camp T-Shirt and other prizes!

INSTRUCTION & FACILITY

  • Camper Ability Level(s) (Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced): Beginner and Intermediate
  • Offensive Skills: Specific Position Skill Work, Hand-Eye Coordination, Ball Handling and Position, Passing, Drills, Catching Drills, Proper Grip and Throwing, Running Routes
  • Defensive Skills: Specific Position Skill Work, Explanation of Defenses (Zone/Man-to-Man), Footwork, Teamwork, Concussion Safety, Nutrition

  • Ratio: 1:10 staff to camper ratio

  • Groupings: We welcome players of all abilities, but for the safety of our campers, we will separate by age, size and ability level for most drills and gameplay, per the Director's discretion

  • Facility: Outdoor Fields. Indoor facilities are available during inclement weather conditions.

PREPARE FOR CAMP: COMPLETE YOUR PRE-CAMP CHECKLIST

To view your customer account, complete your mandatory forms, pay balance dues, and review important camp information, visit Pre-Camp Checklist.

All necessary camp information is on this page. If there are any imperative changes prior to camp start, registered campers will be notified via email and this webpage will be updated!

CHECKLIST OF THINGS TO BRING:

Below is a suggested list of clothes, equipment, and personal items. Please note that US Sports Camps does NOT provide equipment and is NOT responsible for lost or stolen articles or money.

This camp is NON-CONTACT

  • Small gym bag/backpack

  • Athletic clothing: t-shirt, shorts

  • Warm-up jacket

  • Cleats (NO metal-tip cleats) & sneakers

  • Gloves

  • Sunscreen

  • Water bottle

  • Packed lunch and snacks

OVERNIGHT CAMPERS ONLY:

  • Athletic clothing mentioned above

  • Comfortable off-field clothing: pants, shorts, shirts, sweatshirts

  • Undergarments

  • Pajamas

  • Flip flops

  • Toiletries

  • Personal items & medications

  • Washcloth and bath towel

  • Pillow, pillowcase, bed sheets, comforter or sleeping bag

  • Fan (optional)

  • Additional snacks/drinks

  • It’s recommended that campers bring money to put in the camp bank to purchase items at the camp store throughout the week.

MEDICAL PROTOCOL

Most camps have an athletic trainer on-site to help with illness or injury. In case of an emergency, campers will be transported to the nearest hospital.

TRAVEL

Nike Football Camps does not provide transportation from airports, train stations or bus depots. If you have a child flying to camp, please arrange a shuttle or taxi service.

TEAM/GROUP DISCOUNT

If you have a team or group of 5 or more campers registering for the same camp, each camper may be eligible for a discount. To receive the group discount, please have someone email US Sports Camps at [email protected] with the following information: Camp name, list of camper names, and the number of campers. We will respond with a unique discount code for everyone in the group to use during online registration. *Note: Discount amounts vary by program, so please reach out for more details.

COMPANY POLICIES

For information regarding our cancellation policy and all other company policies, please visit USSC Policies.

NIKE FOOTBALL CAMP FAQ

For general questions about our football camps please see our FAQ page.

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