Of all the collegiate football coaches coming to Juneau in July for the inaugural Juneau Football and Sports Performance Camp, one will be smiling more than the others.
That’s because there’s nothing 46-year-old NFL veteran Kimo von Oelhoffen likes doing more than coaching youth football. von Oelhoffen, the defensive line coach on Western Oregon University’s football team, spoke to the Empire about teaming up with Juneau-native Cori Metzgar to make the July 10-14 camp a reality.
Juneau Empire: Why are you doing this camp?
Kimo von Oelhoffen: A lot of this is to try to capture the young minds and get them on track and it’s my passion and it’s Cori’s too. Quite honestly, the (Western Oregon University football) staff, it’s their passion. We have some great coaches coming up and this is all volunteer. We’d like to do more of this so this is just a start.
JE: What are the similarities between Juneau and your hometown on Molokai?
von Oelhoffen: It’s the people — good people, hardworking people, friendly people. … It seems very community oriented. Every place we go (Cori) sees someone she recognizes and has long conversations with friends. It’s just a good feeling. Just like home. Just like home.
JE: Are you anxious about how the turnout will be and how everything will go?
von Oelhoffen: We’re over 20 (campers). I don’t know if that matters. I think what matters is that we make the jump, we do the best we can. … Again this is a start, maybe we do some good things and more people jump on and we go again next year. As far as turnout, we would like as much as possible, but it’s a start so we got to get them motivated. That’s part of our goal is getting them motivated and getting them excited.
JE: What kind of challenges does running a sports camp in Alaska pose more challenges than Hawaii?
von Oelhoffen: A little bit. What’s been great is both high schools have jumped on board with equipment, with the field … It has actually not been that hard at all. Everyone that we talked to — they’ve jumped right in and sending pictures of all the equipment and the field. It’s actually coming together really good. It is, it is.
JE: What were some of the first thoughts that entered your mind when Cori pitched the idea of a camp in Juneau to you?
von Oelhoffen: I’ve been fortunate — extremely fortunate — playing 15 years (in the NFL), having great mentors and then getting into (coaching) high school football … and then moving into Division II. I’ve been looking for these opportunities to help communities, these smaller communities, because no one’s looking (at them). So I hope we have more opportunities in smaller communities. I’m retired, so this is what I love to do.
KNOW &GO
For more information and to register, go to: www.juneaufootballandsportsperformancecamp.com
Camp Costs
Football Skills, Strength and Speed (all-day) — $199 ($229 after July 1)
Football Skills Only (half-day) — $129 ($155 after July 1)
Sports Performance Camp (half-day) — $75 ($99 after July 1)
• Contact sports reporter Nolin Ainsworth at 523-2272 or nolin.ainsworth@juneauempire.com.
