By Jack Reaney ASSOCIATE EDITOR
On Tuesday, June 25, young football players from Big Sky and beyond can run drills inspired by National Football League Pro Days, and led by some of the best, including four NFL players and a dozen Montana State University Bobcats.
From 6 to 8 p.m., the “Big Sky NFL Kids Combine Camp” will be hosted by a group of Bobcat football players, and four current NFL players, all who played at Montana State: Lance McCutcheon, New York Jets wide receiver; Lewis Kidd, Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle; Ty Okada, Seattle Seahawks safety; and Daniel Hardy, Chicago Bears defensive end.
The event is free and open to players between first and eighth grade—and not just for kids in Big Sky, but anyone in the region. It will be hosted on the turf at Lone Peak High School, and participants will receive a T-shirt and completion medal, with chances to win prizes including water bottles, backpacks and bracelets.
Registration is recommended online through Justus Entertainment Group, which is organizing the event. On Thursday, June 27, JEG will host a similar event in Bozeman, also open to all kids within the age guidelines.
Josh Perkins, owner of JEG, told EBS the goal is to get kids excited about football while spreading the Bobcat brand. At the event, players will receive a scorecard to track their results in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump and other football skill drills.
“They’ll do some of the things that the pro guys have to do… What we hope is they’ll come back next year and compare some of their numbers to the previous year and see how they improved,” Perkins said. He hopes this will become an annual event.
Perkins thanked a few people in Big Sky for making the event happen on short notice, including Lone Peak High School head football coach Dustin Shipman, Lindsay Foote with The Wilson Hotel, Matt Kidd, who has been coaching a flag football program for Big Sky kids, and Jeff Helms.
“It couldn’t be done without their support,” Perkins said.
On Tuesday after the pro day, involved players will stop by The Wilson for a meet and greet between 8 and 9 p.m.
