It's 'Game On': Henry Ford Health System teaches teens healthy living and concussion warning signs at the Sound Mind Sound Body Football Academy

HARPER WOODS, Mich., May 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Ford Health System is combining two of their initiatives, "Game On Cancer" and "Live Well" - to teach kids healthy living and sports safety.  On June 12-13 Henry Ford Health System will partner with the Sound Mind Sound Body (SMSB) Football Academy to bring teens a unique experience that allows them to grow as both athletes and men.

During the 2-day football academy, Henry Ford will conduct free on-site education in: healthy eating, concussion symptoms and overall wellness for student-athletes, spectators and the surrounding community. Henry Ford's Live Well campaign includes their 5-2-1-0 initiative – showing teens that eating well and daily activity is a large contributor to overall wellness.

SMSB is a program of the Lifting As We Climb Foundation, an effort for the betterment of youth development, community awareness and athletic enrichment. 

"We do more than 'sell' camps, hopes and dreams. We dream together with our student-athletes and communities," said Deon Johnson, coach and camp director. "We paint possibilities, tap into the power of youth-purpose and create movements encompassing healthy living initiatives."

He added, "From the student-athlete to the pro, this partnership with Henry Ford and its 'Game on Cancer' initiative is extremely important to us because more children are lost to cancer in the nation than any other disease. In fact, more than many other childhood diseases combined."

Confirmed NFL greats Jerome Bettis, Kevin Vickerson and more than 200 college coaches will help lead the annual academy, to be held at Chandler Park Academy.  

Confirmed coaches participating include Michigan State University's Mark Dantonio, coming off a Rose Bowl win; University of Michigan's Brady Hoke; Kevin Wilson of Indiana University; James Franklin, Penn State University; Tim Beckman, University of Illinois; Matt Mitchell, Grand Valley State University and more.

Celebrating 10 years of service this year, SMSB has touched more than 8,000 high school football players since its inception. Of these, more than 6,000 have graduated from high school; more than 1,000 have gone on to college with athletic scholarship; and seven have been drafted to the NFL:  Philadelphia's Brandon Graham, Green Bay's Nick Perry, Detroit Lions' Chris Greenwood, New York Jets' Jonathon Hankins, Tampa Bay's Gholston, New York Jets' William Campbell and St. Louis Rams' Joe Barksdale.

SMSB will provide two full days of solid instruction, coaching and mentoring, including sessions led by many of the national collegiate coaches:

• National speakers on conflict resolution, STD awareness, dining etiquette, nutrition, goal setting and effective communication.
• Sessions on NCAA initial eligibility, ACT/SAT prep, careers in sports and college enrollment, as well as a college player panel.
• Athletics sessions on speed school, position specific training, "one on one," recruiting 101, student-athlete marketing and O-Line Academy.
• Safety sessions on concussion awareness and management.

Players from across the country will be in attendance.  As a key sponsor, Adidas will provide all uniforms for the academy.

For more information, visit www.smsbcamp.com.  For more information on Henry Ford's initiatives, visit www.gameoncancer.com and www.henryfordlivewell.com.  

NOTE TO MEDIA: For pre-interview requests of coaches and NFL players and press conference media RSVP, contact:

Jennifer L. Payne          
DBA Worldwide             
www.dbaworldwide.com         
(248) 402-5028             
(248) 770-9163

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140529/92084

SOURCE Sound Mind Sound Body Football Academy