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SPORTS
Campers live a dream with Troy Brown
Fantasy camp participant Erik Legg of Huntington tries to run around Scott Stover after making a catch Saturday, April 5, 2008, during the annual Troy Brown Fantasy Football Camp at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
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HUNTINGTON -- It's become a familiar springtime scene at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.
Campers execute drills, run routes and deliver passes, all under the direction of Mike Bartrum, Troy Brown and Chad Pennington. The former Marshall University football greats and NFL veterans host youth-based and adult camps annually, with proceeds benefiting local charities.
It was the grownups' turn on Saturday, participating in the Troy Brown Fantasy Football Camp. Highlighting the two-day camp was an afternoon flag football game, coached by Pennington, Bartrum, Brown and fellow former Thundering Herd standouts.
"It's a great opportunity to get to meet some of the people we've come out here and cheered for for years," Huntington camper Erik Legg said. "And also you meet a lot of people that you see around town. ... You make friends. You make contacts."
Brown, a 15-year veteran and three-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, kept campers on a 12-hour plus schedule Saturday, capped by a reception and awards banquet.
"It gives them a chance to be young again, and it gives them a reason to keep healthy and stay in shape," Brown said. "I think a few of these guys started working out months ago to get ready for this.
"We're in a health-conscious society and it drives them to be healthy."
Big picture, Brown's Fantasy Camp benefits the Child Development Academy at Marshall University. Legg admitted a personal highlight is "getting out and playing with all of these guys," while appreciating Brown's community efforts.
"These guys are having a good time," Brown said, watching campers go through final warm-ups. "They're happy with where their money is going."
Brown resides in Huntington, close friend Bartrum lives in nearby Pomeroy, Ohio, and Pennington frequents the Tri-State during the offseason. Pennington's annual Celebrity Bowl is April 26 at Colonial Lanes, and the Bartrum-Brown youth football camp follows in May.
"We can reminisce a little bit and do some good work within the community, and be a vehicle for people to be able to affect southern West Virginia," Pennington said of his consistent Tri-State presence.
In a different kind of Marshall football fantasy, Pennington and Brown could team this season with the New York Jets. New England has not re-signed Brown, who reportedly has visited with officials of Pennington's Jets.
First, Brown must decide whether he'll pursue a 16th NFL season or retire.
"I don't know the answer to that question yet," Brown said. "We'll see what happens. I'm not in a hurry to make any decisions."
