Marines Launch Second Annual Semper Fidelis Football Program

Youth football camps and player selection tour reward academic excellence, proven physical fitness, and quality of character

QUANTICO, Va., April 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Marine Corps Recruiting Command (MCRC) announced its second annual Semper Fidelis Football Program that focuses on mentoring exceptional youth athletes and future leaders by instilling Marine Corps values. This year's program includes a series of youth football camps, a nationwide All-American player selection tour, and a nationally televised Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl that collectively celebrate academic excellence, proven physical fitness, and quality of character.

"The Semper Fidelis Football Program is an extension of the Marine Corps' commitment to developing quality citizens and serving our communities," said Brigadier General Joseph L. Osterman, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command. "The camps provide a tremendous opportunity for Marines to connect with today's youth and share with them the Marine Corps' values of honor, courage, and commitment--demonstrating their relevance to success both on and off the field."

The Marine Corps' involvement in the Semper Fidelis Football Program provides opportunities to purposefully engage with today's youth and help develop the nation's future leaders. Challenge and service are integral parts of being a Marine and are amplified through Marine participation in physical training drills and seminars that instill leadership, pride, emphasize teamwork, and discuss community responsibility.

The first phase of the Semper Fidelis Football Program includes Diamond Flight Camps that will take place in approximately 20 cities across the country. The camps offer young athletes a diverse range of opportunities to develop skills not only important to football, but throughout life, such as leadership, self-confidence, and teamwork. During the camps, former professional coaches and players introduce expert football instruction and assessment, while local Marines offer leadership training. The camps kicked-off in Phoenix on March 10, where the 2011-2012 Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl was played, and travel to cities across the country, including San Diego, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York.

Following the camps, 100 all-star high school football players will be hand-picked during the Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl player selection tour. Just as the Marines recruit the best and the brightest to join their ranks, the All-American selection process demands quality of character, excellence in education, and proven physical fitness and is an honor only known to few.

The program culminates this winter with a televised East verses West Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl that engages notable high-school players, coaches, and Marines, who will meet, practice, and play amidst shared notions of character, dedication, and teamwork.  

For highlights from last year's Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl, please visit www.semperfidelisbowl.com.

About the U.S. Marine Corps
Since 1775, the United States Marine Corps has been our nation's premier expeditionary crisis response force of choice – "the most ready when our nation is least ready" – and remains committed to making Marines, winning our nation's battles, and developing quality citizens. The Marine Corps has a legacy of producing tough, elite warriors who are "first to fight," and place equal value on physical fitness, education, and high moral character. Marines are more than elite warriors – they are smart, courageous, compassionate citizens. For more information, please visit Marines.com.

SOURCE U.S. Marine Corps