Matt Townson, left, and Taira Ugarkovich, right, present Jeremiah Castille, center, with a check for $2,500 from the Cullman Savings Bank Foundation to the Jeremiah Castille Foundation at Saturday morning's Jeremiah Castille Character Camp.
CULLMAN – Jeremiah Castille is a man of great character. From his days playing for legendary coach Paul "Bryant" Bryant to being an instructor for his popular character camp, Castille puts the emphasis in simple terms.
"HOW" is expressed as hours of work. Castille pointed that out Saturday morning at Cullman's Oliver Woodard Stadium prior to the beginning of his 10th annual character camp.
"We are here to work," Castille addressed the group of approximately 80 kids, ranging from first graders to high school athletes. By 3:30 p.m., the camp accumulated six hours of work in speed, agility and football skills.
The Cullman Savings Bank Foundation made Castille feel very welcome when representatives Matt Townson and Taira Ugarkovich presented a $2,500 check to the Jeremiah Castille Foundation.
Then it was on to work.
Castille had with him a group of hard working men, with several having careers in the National Football League and all being involved in a Division I collegiate program.
Current Alabama players Minkah Fitzpatrick and Miller Forristall served as instructors, along with ex Crimson Tide standouts Darius Gilbert, Brandon Brooks, Charles Jones, Tim Castille, Simeon Castille, Dennis Alexander and Zac Fletcher. Joining them were former Wallace State track coach and speed specialist Willie Smith and Joe Edwards, who played at Alabama A&M University.
Tim Castille currently coaches at Thompson High School, Edwards is a coach at Bessemer City, Gilbert at Jasper High and Fletcher at Lawrence County in Moulton. Jones and Alexander are on the staff at East Central Community College in Mississippi. Simeon Castille's resume includes playing in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals and San Diego Chargers.
Castille pointed out to the participants Saturday, the purpose was the reality of how you accomplish a goal vs. the fantasy. "You have to have a great attitude," he said. "The coaches know what they are talking about. We have our coaches today that have played in the NFL and most playing Division I in college. We want them to give it their best. Today, these kids are competing against themselves."
Once the camp was completed, a cookout was held at St. John's Church, followed by a service inside the church.
Castille established his character camp in 2008, with the purpose of sharing sound fundamentals in football and character training. Participants work on teamwork, self-discipline, consideration of others and how to obtain and maximize their true potential relative to age on the field and in life.
Former Hanceville football coach Danny Miller, who assisted in the camp for several years, stopped by and paid a visit to Castille and others.
Some coaches, such as Hanceville football coach Craig Flanigan and Good Hope girls' basketball coach Amanda Swann, brought their children to participate in the camp.
The participants bought into Castille's philosophy of coming to work, listening to what they were provided in different drills from different coaches and to having fun once they accomplished a goal throughout the day.
Castille will conduct a character camp in nearby Decatur the weekend of June 23-24. To find out more on the Decatur camp, contact the Castille Foundation at 205-737-3662 or go online to www.castillefoundation.org
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