Photo By Sgt. Erik Brooks | Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl Team East defensive end Joe Gazian, a Westwood,...... read more read more
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CARSON, Calif. – The culminating event of the Semper Fidelis Football Program took place at the Stubhub Center here today in the Semper Fi Bowl.
Marines mentor and shape the nation’s best and brightest with the Semper Fi Football Program in a weeklong practice and mentoring event with approximately 100 student-athletes from across the country who have demonstrated success both on and off the field. The Marines, along with NFL and collegiate level football coaches, helped players to develop skills not only important to football, but also in leadership and character.
“We take young student-athletes, who have proven their skills on the football field, couple that with their scholastic achievements in school and their leadership in their communities and (these qualities) fit in very well with one of the Marine Corps missions, which is to return Marines as good citizens back to their communities,” said Maj. Gen. Mark Brilakis, Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruiting Command.
The Semper Fi Bowl is unique because the hand-picked players from across the nation are among the most talented athletes, are high-academic performers and have demonstrated commitment to positive contribution to their home communities, according to Col. Robert G. Golden III, Chief of Staff, MCRC.
A huge driving factor for the program is the commitment from the Marines and coaches to show these student-athletes, who have already proven themselves physically and academically, the true meaning of honor, courage and commitment.
Aside from practicing, participating in team building events and developing positive intangible qualities through interaction with guest speakers and Marines, the players visited young boys and girls in the Carson, Calif., community during a community relations event. The athletes and Marines played games with the children and spoke to them about being good citizens. The community event taught players about the importance of being a positive presence in their respective neighborhoods.
“I’m actually glad to be here because I honestly haven’t been somewhere like this to give back to a lot of kids, so it’s actually a privilege to me,” said Marshall Wallace, an outside linebacker with John Curtis Christian High School in River Ridge, Louisiana.
The Semper Fidelis Football Program helps Marines actively engage communities nationwide to strengthen relationships and to lend a hand in developing America's future leaders.
“All the young people here today, who are Carson residents, are getting exposed to the Marine Corps in a very positive, reinforcing way, teaching them about how wonderful it is,” said Jim Dear, mayor of Carson, California. “I just think all of this coming together today is wonderful.”
Drill Instructors from the Marine Corps’ Recruit Depots in Parris Island and San Diego played a crucial role in the program and provided a hands-on, practical approach to reinforce the Corps' values of honor, courage and commitment.
“I’m not here to teach them about football,” said Gunnery Sgt. Justin Crawn, a drill instructor from Marine Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. “I’m here to teach them about respect and teamwork.”
After a long, hard week of practice with coaches and drill instructors, the players were ready for the finale.
Team East took home the championship, winning 24-3. However, all the players took home lessons that will stay with them throughout their lives.
| Date Taken: | 01.04.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.05.2015 00:35 |
| Story ID: | 151344 |
| Location: | CARSON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 147 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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