By Leslie Kilgore EBS STAFF
More than 150 young athletes took the field at Lone Peak High School on June 26 for the annual Bobcat Legacy NFL Kids Camp, where former Montana State standouts now playing in the NFL returned to Big Sky to mentor the next generation of football players.
Leading the camp were Lance McCutcheon of the Tennessee Titans, Daniel Hardy of the Chicago Bears, Lewis Kidd of the New Orleans Saints and James Campbell of the Seattle Seahawks. The NFL players joined Montana State Head Coach Brent Vigen, Bobcat assistant coaches, current student athletes and members of the Lone Peak High School football program. Hosted by Montana State University in partnership with Lone Peak High School, the free camp welcomed boys and girls of all skill levels from kindergarten to eighth grade.
Campers rotated through drills focused on passing, receiving, footwork, agility and defensive fundamentals while learning directly from college coaches, Division I athletes and NFL players.
Between stations, the professional players shared advice from their football careers, answered questions, signed autographs and posed for photos, creating memorable moments for young athletes both on and off the field.
The event highlighted the strong partnership between MSU and the Big Sky community. Current and former Lone Peak football players volunteered alongside Bobcat student athletes to help run drills and encourage campers throughout the day.
Coach Vigen said the camp continues to grow every year.
“I think it’s awesome to see so many kids come out. The numbers keep going up over the past few years that this camp has been put on, and next year there should be even more,” Vigen said. “Hopefully all of these kids stick with football and make an impact when they’re older like all of the NFL guys have done.”
LPHS head football coach and Big Sky School District superintendent, Dustin Shipman said the partnership with Montana State continues to create meaningful opportunities for local youth.
“MSU is a great partner, so we were more than thrilled to host this event on our school campus,” Shipman said. “Their players do a great job connecting with young people. As a lifelong member of Bobcat Nation, I’m always willing to partner with MSU as they continue to model excellence in Montana, both in the classroom and on the football field.”
By the end of the day, campers left with new skills, autographs and lasting memories, while the NFL players and Bobcats once again demonstrated that some of football’s most valuable lessons—hard work, teamwork and perseverance—are best passed from one generation to the next.
