Orange Volunteer at CNY Football Academy

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Saturday was a beautiful day for football in Central New York and approximately 400 youth players took advantage of the weather and the opportunity to learn from some of the area's biggest gridiron stars at the seventh annual CNY Football Academy at Henninger High School.

Founded in 2009 by Orange running backs coach Mike Hart and his longtime friend Mike Poirier, the CNY Football Academy is a free camp for kids ages 9-12. Hart and Poirier started the camp to inspire youngsters in the city of Syracuse through the game of football.

Hart, who starred at nearby Onondaga Central High School before going on to the University of Michigan, and eventually the NFL, recruited fellow Central New York pros Tyvon Branch and Jo-Lonn Dunbar to lend their support to the endeavor. Hart's also brought another Onondaga Central product into the fold – current Oakland Raiders running back Latavius Murray.

"Growing up we didn't have very many guys to look up to," Hart said. "There was Dorsey Levens, but we didn't have any camps or that many guys from around here going on to play in college or the NFL. This is our way to give back to the community that supported us and give the kids something they can look forward to."

The local NFL stars weren't the only ones donating their time Saturday morning. Hart asked quarterback Zack Mahoney if he would organize a group of SU players to help out. Mahoney obliged and brought with him an Orange contingent that included defensive backs Rodney Williams, Chauncey Scissum and Christopher Fredrick, linebackers Troy Henderson and Eric Anthony, and offensive lineman Aaron Roberts.

The Orange players helped run position drills and played in a flag football game with members of the Syracuse Challengers, a group of local special needs children.

"It was a lot of fun," Mahoney said. "We had some great teammates [the Challengers] out there and it was nice to interact with people in the community and meet so many Syracuse football fans."

Hart says he tries to add a different aspect to the camp each year to keep it fresh. This year's new element was basketball. Former Orange hoop standouts Jimmy Lee, Dennis DuVal and Lazarus Sims volunteered their expertise, organizing similar instructional stations on the outdoor basketball courts.

"The first couple of years it was just the camp. Then a few years ago we added the Challengers group and now basketball," Hart said. "We try to improve it each year and the community really supports us, so it's great."

This fall, Hart will make his Carrier Dome coaching debut when the Orange host Colgate Friday, Sept. 2 in their 2016 season opener.

Tickets to watch Syracuse football are on sale now at Cuse.com/tickets. Season tickets start at $99 ($16.50 per game) with lower-level seats in the end zones available for as little as $125. Single-game tickets are also on sale with prices starting at $20 for the Orange's two non-conference home games.

The Orange are set to open preseason camp in early August.

For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@Cusepics, @CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.

Syracuse University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Eric Anthony

Christopher Fredrick

Troy Henderson

Zack Mahoney

Aaron Roberts

Chauncey Scissum

Rodney Williams

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