The youngsters who attended the free football camp at Caven Point Cochrane Stadium recently were far too young to remember Rich Glover as a football player.
But here he was, the recipient of the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Trophy in 1972 as the best interior lineman in the country, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, a College Football All-America right there in their presence.
Manolo Vazquez is 13 years old, but he took the time to Google Glover’s name and did a little research.
“He won the Outland Trophy and finished third in the Heisman [Trophy] voting,” Vazquez said. “He has a very impressive background. My grandfather [Charles Settles, Sr.] told me all about him and how great he was.”
Vazquez is an aspiring quarterback when he plays football with his friends.
“I’ve never been with a team, but I hope to play now,” Vazquez said. “My friend told me that this was going to be a lot of fun and he was right. I think I’m going to play football now. This encourages me. Coach Glover encourages me. I had a lot of fun.”
For 15 years, Glover has held the free camp for the kids of his hometown. Glover attended Snyder High School before heading off to glory at the University of Nebraska, where he won a national championship and got to meet then-President Richard Nixon.
After a brief NFL career with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, Glover eventually came back home and was the head coach at Dickinson and later Ferris. Last year, Glover served as an assistant coach at Harrison High School, working under his son, Rich, Jr., who was the head coach.
However, the younger Glover was not retained as head coach after just one season, leaving the elder Glover a man without a coaching position.
But it didn’t deter Glover’s energy level in the sweltering heat last week. He’s 66 years old now, but he hasn’t slowed an ounce.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Glover said. “I’m able to give back and give these kids a little experience. I’m able to give these kids a few life lessons and teach them a little bit about football. That’s what it’s all about.”
Glover was able to get the assistance of some of his college football friends like Darryl White and Byron Stewart of Nebraska, Jim Jackson of Buffalo, and others like Howie Wilson, Ken McKindra, Andre Johnson, Jose Candelaria, Armando Figueroa, Santos Feliz Perez and Stephon Saunders.
“Some of my former players from Dickinson came down to help,” Glover said. “That means a lot that they came down to help me out.”
Glover also received adult assistance from organizers Vanessa Goriel, Drhue Robinson, Judy Dixon and Estelle Johnson, as well as the head organizer, Glover’s wife Sonja, who does a little bit of everything to insure the All Access to Life Foundation continues.
“The kids are enjoying themselves,” Glover said. “That’s all that matters.”
Glover brought his Lombardi Trophy down to Caven Point so the youngsters could see his best accomplishment first hand.
“The Lord’s will, maybe they will not let anything discourage them from doing what they want to do,” Glover said. “It really fires me up.”
Vazquez learned the techniques of Lobo Ball, which is something that was taught at New Mexico, an off-shoot of rugby that helped to teach the youngsters the proper way to tackle.
“Lobo Ball was a lot of fun and I hope to continue to play a lot of Lobo Ball,” Vazquez said.
Juwan Scott is an 11-year-old Jersey City resident who attends P.S. 11 and will be in the sixth grade come September.
Scott plays football for the Jersey City Recreation program, seeing time at running back and middle linebacker.
“This brings me a lot of energy and excitement,” Scott said. “It helps me get better as a football player. I’ve learned more skills. I’ve learned skills I didn’t even know I had.”
Julian Candelaria is only six years old and going into first grade at the Soaring Heights Charter School.
“I never played football before,” Candelaria said. “I came here because I wanted to learn about football. It helped me a lot. I learned how to become a running back. It was a lot of fun. I want to come back next year.”
Terrance Sumter is an 11-year-old who attends the Dr. Lena Edwards Charter School and will be in the sixth grade.
“I like playing football a lot,” Sumter said. “I learned how to punt here. I never punted before. It was fun and encourages me to play more football.”
Avery Williams was one of the most impressive campers. Standing 5-foot-10 and weighing 210 pounds, the 14-year-old Williams stood out among the host of much smaller campers.
Williams attends County Prep and hopes to play football at Lincoln this fall. You can be rest assured that Lincoln head coach Robert Hampton already knows about Williams.
“It’s pretty tough being one of the biggest kids,” Williams said. “I learned a lot of things this week. I learned how important school is.”
Those are words that are sweet music to Hampton’s ears.
Williams knew who Glover was.
“He came to one of our practices at [Jersey City] Recreation,” Williams said. “He was really good with me. He wants me to get to the next level and what I need to do. I’m glad I came.”
Williams was spotted picking up a loose ball and taking it the length of the field for a touchdown. He’s ready to become a star – and has all the other skills necessary, courtesy of a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, right there in his midst.
That just doesn’t happen every day.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com. You can also read Jim’s blog at www.jimhaguesports.blogspot.com.