By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – They stayed on the move.

During the two days of the Steve Pardue Youth Football Camp, the instructors did their best to keep pace with the dozens of boys and girls who enjoyed being on the practice field at LaGrange College.

“They always come with a lot of energy,” said Nick Raszeja, an assistant coach at LaGrange College and one of the camp instructors. “That helps get us going. We feed off their energy, and try to keep up with them as they’re running around.”

The camp was created by Pardue, who took over as the LaGrange College head coach in February.

“It’s for the community, and it’s to get our brand out there,” Pardue said. “We want people to think about LaGrange College. I think that’s one thing as far as the football team, the community hasn’t attached itself like it can and will. We’re hoping to get the kids interested.”

It was a two-day camp, and the young players got to spend hours on the field, and they also enjoyed some time in the pool on Friday.

The instructors were Pardue, as well as a handful of his assistant coaches, including Raszeja, the outside linebackers coach and strength coordinator.

Raszeja was a four-year member of the LaGrange College program, and he started his final three seasons, including his senior year in 2015 when he led the team with 66 tackles.

Raszeja ended up with 170 career tackles, placing him eighth all-time in that category at LaGrange College.

Now, Raszeja has turned to coaching, and he’s enjoying it.

“I love coaching,” he said. “The half a year I spent here, it’s been awesome. It’s been a smooth transition for me. I’ve had a good time.”

Raszeja helped out last summer during a youth camp offered by then head coach Matt Mumme, and he’s happy to be a part of Pardue’s camp.

“It was a lot of fun hanging out with the kids, and teaching them about football, and trying to get them prepared for the next step in life,” Raszeja said. “It was fun, absolutely.”

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