By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

They came by the hundreds.

The second edition of the Champions Elite Football Camp wrapped up on Friday morning, and LaGrange College head coach Steve Pardue figures there were around 1,000 players who participated in at least one of the four camp sessions.

Those campers were led by a group of instructors representing nearly 100 colleges across the country.

“That was a great turnout for our second year doing it,” Pardue said. “I thought it got better this year.”

Pardue, who is heading into his second season as the Panthers’ head coach, sponsored the camp, and his assistant coaches helped keep everything on track.

In particular, Pardue said assistant coach Kendall Todd was invaluable when it came to getting everything organized.

“My coaches do a great job of getting ready,” Todd said. “There’s a lot that goes into it before it happens. Kendall Todd really handles a lot of the footwork.”

The players were afforded the opportunity to take part in one  or more of the four camp sessions that took place on Thursday and Friday.

Also, the players participated in a seminar where they learned about NCAA regulations.

A number of local players took part in the camp, including some from Callaway.

Matt Neighbors, Callaway’s running-backs coach and recruiting coordinator, said it was a beneficial experience for the players.

“That’s a really good camp,” Neighbors said. “There’s a lot of good instruction, and a lot of exposure, too. You get more one-on-one looks, because there are so many coaches. It’s one of the better satellite camps.”

One of the reasons Pardue wanted to begin the camp was to provide exposure for the LaGrange College program.

“It’s good for us to get a ton of kids on our campus, and see LaGrange College, and see our facilities,” Pardue said.

Pardue also said the camp is “great for our community. So many stay in hotels, they eat, they put gas in their vehicles.”

Pardue added that “it’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

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