THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 28, 1995 TAG: 9507260152
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 19 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
For the past 30 years, former Old Dominion University coach Paul Webb has been offering basketball camps to the next generation of college and professional players. Before they were household names, players such as Alonzo Mourning, Kenny Gattison, Moses Malone, and Ralph Sampson all attended one of the former Old Dominion University coach's clinics.
Webb is such a popular draw that nearly every session - like the one held July 10-14 at Great Bridge High School that attracted 190 kids - sells out.
``I just think that these camps are a great experience for every kid,'' said Webb. ``It's something about the atmosphere. . . what they get at a camp that they don't get anywhere else.''
Webb began holding single-day camps in 1965 while coaching at Randolph-Macon College. His four-day camps, which are held in the summer, started seven years ago.
Campers ages 7 to 17 are not only treated to Webb's expertise.
Webb brings in the finest basketball players available to speak at his camps. At Great Bridge, campers were able to soak up the wisdom of Virginia's Jason Williford, University of North Carolina's Pat Sullivan, local slam dunking champion Corey Ethridge, and former UVA player Bryant Stith, currently in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets.
``Twelve years ago Bryant was a camper, sitting on the floor listening to the speakers,'' Webb said.
After 30 years of teaching the game, Webb says that although basketball has certainly changed, the kids are the same.
``They're still enthusiatic and eager to learn,'' he said. ``They're not any different than they were in '65.'' ILLUSTRATION: UVa's Jason Williford drives on camper Sara Clayton.
There was no shortage of volunteers to go one-on-one with college
star Jason Williford.
Staff photos by STEVE EARLEY
Brandon Harcum, right, blocks out Joseph Gerloff during a drill on
rebounding.
by CNB