Kristina Dailing
Daily Egyptian
SIU football head coach Jerry Kill is providing women with an opportunity to talk about tight ends.
Tight ends in football, that is.
Kill and the other members of the Saluki football staff are hosting a women's football clinic at the end of this month to teach the basics of football. It is open to women in the community as well as SIU female faculty and students.
The clinic is set for 5p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, July 30 at the SIU Arena. It has been set up in response to several requests Kill has received from the community.
"I am really just answering the call," Kill said. "I would like to say it was all my idea, but my secretaries and other people have been asking for it."
Several women have already jumped at the chance to attend the clinic and learn about the sport.
"I have never understood football," said Sharon Benton, the secretary for the SIU Athletic Director, "and I have worked in athletics long enough that it's high time I learned."
Kill hopes that women who know a little about football will take the opportunity to ask questions, have fun and learn the basics.
"It's more just to educate the women who haven't been taught the game and give them a situation where they feel comfortable and they can learn together and have fun," Kill said.
Benton is looking forward to the clinic, and she said the women will enjoy the experience.
"Coach Kill is a good speaker and will make the women feel relaxed, and they won't feel stupid about asking questions," Benton said.
Kill and the Saluki football staff plan to talk about several different topics, including equipment, rules, terminology, recruiting, strength and conditioning, offense, defense and special teams.
There will also be time for the participants to ask the coaches and players questions.
"We want to teach them and give them an idea of what takes place on a football field," Kill said.
And teaching the basics could encourage attendance at SIU football games next season.
"I hope if more women learn about football, then more will attend the games," said Rebecca Caldwell, an SIU employee and participant in the program.
The clinic costs $20, which pays for a t-shirt, door prizes and food provided by Heartland Food Service. Prizes include wine from Von Jakob Winery, Saluki football apparel, Egyptian Revival Day Spa gift certificates and football tickets to the Saluki football home opener.
"It's not a money-making thing," Kill said. "It's just something to do to boost morale and do something different."
Kill and the football staff will continue to host the clinic every year if there is continued support and participation.
"It's a great opportunity, and I am glad the coaches are taking the time to offer it," Caldwell said.
Reporter Kristina Dailing can be reached at kdailing@dailyegyptian.com
The registration deadline for the women's football clinic is July 26. For more information call (618) 453-3331.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
