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Nick Hill returns home for kids camp

By Scott Mees, The Southern

Thursday, June 26, 2008 9:52 AM CDT

DU QUOIN - Many area youngsters got a chance to learn a little something from Nick Hill, who was signed by the Chicago Bears this spring, Wednesday at his second annual football camp at Du Quoin High School.

More than 150 kids, ranging from third through eighth grades, signed up for the camp compared to about 75 last year.

"We had the perfect number of kids here considering the amount of help we had," Hill said. "It was a lot of fun, and I think everybody had a good time."

The camp included a 7-on-7 competition as well as individual instruction from current and former Southern Illinois University players along with a handful of athletes attempting to make a National Football League roster.

"This was just an idea I had, and I wanted to do something in the town of Du Quoin," Hill said. "I just wanted to give back and it's free so we're not trying to make any money off of anyone. I had to petition the NCAA last year to have a camp in my name. They let me do it because it was free and we kept it that way this year, too."

The kids received T-shirts and plenty of awards and medals were handed out as well. The big prize was a football autographed by members of the Chicago Bears.

"I was just hoping that it went well last year so it was something I could keep having here," Hill said. "Everything's gone well so far. Hopefully we can continue to do this."

Hill said he enjoys seeing the kids and their families come out the most. Micah Rucker, who'll try to make the Pittsburgh Steelers roster next month, made a special trip in for the event. Rucker finished his college career as a wide receiver at Eastern Illinois.

"He came all the way up here from Florida and this is his offseason," Hill said of Rucker. "The kids got to be around some really cool guys and some great football players."

Although the age range of the kids varied quite a bit it was nothing Hill couldn't deal with due to his experience.

"I'm an elementary school major so I student taught in a third grade room," Hill said. "You just have to know what you're going up against and just let them have fun. You have to let them run around and wear themselves out."

Some of the money raised for the camp will go to a very worthy cause, Hill said.

"The thing that stands out this year is we have about $1,200 that we're going to give to the leukemia/lymphoma fund," Hill said. "We had a friend, Kristin Cunningham from Pinckneyville, who died of leukemia. We really wanted to do something for their family and that's where they wanted the money to go."

Hill reports for training camp with the Bears July 22. He hopes to make a good showing and earn a spot on the regular season roster.

"I just want to go up there and play well in the preseason and learn the playbook," Hill said. "Everybody up there can play but it might come down to who's the smartest and who can get the job done when the bullets are flying."

Hill will also host a quarterback camp July 8 beginning at 9 a.m. Hill said a decision hasn't been made as to where the camp will be held yet. It will either be at the Du Quoin Youth Club or the new Carterville football field. The quarterback camp is for high school players and will cost $30.

scott.mees@thesouthern.com  

351-5086