'Camp Exposure' Provides Invaluable Experience to Young Dallas Athletes
DFW high school athletes listen in to Camp Exposure co-founder Jeremiah Hatch.
Image: © 2021 Miss Ari Photography
It is no mystery – some of the greatest athletes in the world hail from the Dallas area. Some of the biggest and brightest stars explode on the large athletic platform that Texas provides and spread their wings throughout the nation and the world.
What an awesome sight to behold when our successful figures return to their beloved hometown and extend an arm to young athletes with aspirations larger than self.
With over one million high school football players in the State of Texas alone, not all athletes get the exposure that they desire and deserve.
Enter Jeremiah Hatch, Tyler Patmon and Lubbock Smith.
After both a successful collegiate and NFL career - and even time spent as a teacher and coach at North Forney High School - Patmon began to realize an even more effective platform that awaited him. Through his non-profit organization Shine in Darkness, Patmon created a free, three-day camp, which would be invitation only.
Camp Exposure was born.
“Every NFL player throws a football camp,” shares Patmon. “We thought it was important to teach these young men about things both on the field and off of the field.”
While the faith-based Camp Exposure is centered on football, Patmon insists that the young men who participate also learn the importance of mental health, financial literacy and how to properly brand themselves.
Friday morning, more than 100 high school football players convened at Highland Park’s Highlander Stadium. The young men, representing an array of high schools from around the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex – all attended with the objective of learning from experienced professionals.
To begin the camp Friday morning, Patmon, co-founders Hatch and Smith - shared with the young men powerful scriptures and encouraged the athletes to work on themselves as men and not just athletes.
“I’m learning how to speak to people and not be awkward,” laughs Michael Price, a junior cornerback at Frisco’s Centennial High School. “I’ve already learned how to run a faster L-drill and have beaten my times from a recent camp I attended.”
Centennial High School player Michael Price enjoys a moment at Camp Exposure.
Image: © 2021 Miss Ari Photography
Co-founder Jeremiah Hatch has made a successful career as real estate developer in the Dallas area, but he has a long and successful history with football. Like Patmon, Hatch understands the importance of a strong foundation. His message to the athletes Friday included messages about education and eligibility.
“We’re one of few camps that wants to focus on the whole being and not just the athlete,” Hatch says. “Now that athletes can actually earn money from their brand - it is important for them to learn the importance of maintaining a positive image.”
Hatch is very direct in his approach with the young athletes, reminding them of the gestures they don’t want to make in pictures via social media. He also shares with them how football can be their way of affording their respective families a better lifestyle.
“This is your vehicle,” says Hatch. “I tell them take care of this vehicle, get the oil changed, get the maintenance done – this is what can get you out of your environment or keep you in your environment.”
One of the most beautiful dynamics of Camp Exposure is its intentionality in bringing young men from all over the metroplex into one place. The athletes in attendance come from all walks of life, various upbringings and belief systems and of course different school cultures. These realities made Camp Exposure incredibly appealing for Highland Park based Vista Bank – an eager sponsor for the event.
Cathy Landtroop is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for Vista Bank and she has made it a point not to miss a moment of the three-day Camp Exposure event.
“To know the three co-founders of this organization is to know that this is something you want to be involved in,” Landtroop says. “Bringing the different communities together is so amazing. To expose the students to each other – Oak Cliff, South Dallas and Highland Park is amazing – it gives these young people an opportunity to elevate, be noticed and educate themselves on one another. It made sense for us (Vista Bank) to get involved. This is a character building camp – they talk about building the man, leading, providing for family and being dependable and reliable. That vision is something that we will always support.”
Throughout the stadium compound are young men paying the utmost attention to the coaches, directors and trainers. They are running drills, working on positioning and receiving an abundance of one-on-one instruction. They’re even having footage captured, which is something many athletes fail to collect if they don’t attend schools with a heavy media presence or support system.
“I love how they’re encouraging us to get better at life and not just sports,” shares Elijah Baesa, wide receiver from North Mesquite High School. “We’ve been reminded that we can’t make a life of making excuses.”
Baesa is entering his sophomore season, but has positioned himself at the front of every huddle this Friday, volunteered to answer many questions and has been seen zeroing in on every lecture.
“We’re just like many of these young men,” co-founder Lubbock Smith insists. “We want to help these young men by passing on our knowledge and these resources.”
Smith, an Oak Cliff native didn’t have the luxury of practicing in such top tier facilities as the Highlander Stadium when he attended Carter High School and played football for the legendary program. In fact, it wasn’t until Smith attended Kansas University that he was exposed to state of the art practice facilities.
“Coming from our communities and not having these resources didn’t stop us, we just had to get creative” says Smith. “Being able to utilize the opportunities God has given us is a true testament to this organization.”
Josh Hicks is the highly celebrated new trainer for Dallas Cowboys’ running back Ezekiel Elliot. He made a special point to be on hand for the camp.
“We didn’t have any of this when I was growing up – you had in season ball and that was it,” Hicks’ shares. “Now they have cameras going everywhere, they’re collecting footage and of course social media is there. When these guys come to a camp like this and get to meet professional athletes and learn from them – this opportunity will stick with them forever. They need this.”
Marquavius Standard is soon to begin his junior year at Dallas’ Skyline High School. His coach told him about Camp Exposure. He is incredibly excited about putting his name on the map and perfecting his game.
Skyline High School player Marquavius Standard is excited to enhance his skills at Camp Exposure.
Image: © 2021 Miss Ari Photography
“I would love to get a D1 scholarship before the conclusion of my junior year,” Standard says. “Getting to work with these guys and learn from these professionals is very exciting.”
It doesn’t matter how good you are, only seniors get to start on varsity for the Highland Park football team. For sophomore Warren Peck, this only motivates him to get better each day.
“The first day has been great,” Peck says. “The coaches are teaching us the right form and reminding us not to make excuses. It’s really nice bonding with players from other teams – for all you know, you can end up playing with these guys in college.”
Highland Park High School sophomore Warren Peck is excited to welcome new friends to his campus and learn from various athletes.
Image: © 2021 Miss Ari Photography
The weekend moving forward will continue to provide the young athletes with limitless opportunities to work with NFL players, trainers and various coaches. Sunday will conclude the camp with a family-oriented day, in which the players’ families and the community will engage and hopefully learn more about each other.
“Hopefully all of the young men will walk away from this camp with more confidence,” Smith shares. “We want to impact them for a lifetime and encourage them to become everything God calls them to be.”
