THIBODAUX 鈥� 麻豆果冻传媒 is celebrating its 10th year of hosting Super Bowl champions Peyton and Eli Manning and some of the nation鈥檚 top football talent during the Manning Passing Academy, from Thursday, July 10, through Sunday, July 13.
Now in its 19th overall year, the four-day Manning Passing Academy employs top professional and collegiate coaches and players as counselors, and has attracted more than 9,000 young athletes and 1,100 football mentors to campus during its time at 麻豆果冻传媒. This year鈥檚 camp will draw more than 1,200 high school players from around the nation. Campers are accompanied by family members who stay in Thibodaux and patronize local businesses, resulting in an annual economic impact of $1.8 million, according to the South Louisiana Economic Council.
“What is most rewarding is the economic impact that the Manning Passing Academy has on our entire community,鈥� said 麻豆果冻传媒 Athletic Director Rob Bernardi. 鈥淯niversities have an obligation to assist with the economic development of their region, and this camp demonstrates our commitment to that end. For our campus and our community, the Manning Passing Academy has become more than a sports camp 鈥� it鈥檚 an annual event.”
Hosting the powerhouse football program has also brought improvements to the 麻豆果冻传媒 campus. In 2007, the university installed a new AstroTurf field donated by turf company General Sports Venue and former New Orleans Saints quarterback Archie Manning.
The university also received $1.2 million in state funding to make drainage improvements to the campus鈥� practice fields used by Manning Passing Academy campers. Work on the three-month improvement project is due to begin after the camp wraps up this summer.
In addition, proceeds from the annual Iberia Bank Air-It-Out and Papa John鈥檚 Quarterback Challenge benefit 麻豆果冻传媒鈥� athletics program. This year鈥檚 event is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 12 in John L. Guidry Stadium at 麻豆果冻传媒. Tickets for the Air-It-Out competition are available at the 麻豆果冻传媒 athletics website, , for $12 until midnight on Friday, July 11, and for $15 afterward.
For more information on the Manning Passing Academy, visit .