CAMDEN — By PATRIC
FLANNIGAN
Sports editor
A couple of former Camden Fairview student athletes are coming home to give back to the community.
Former Arkansas Razorback De'Anthony Curtis (2008) and current Missouri State Bear Deion Holliman (2014) are conducting the first annual "Youth and Movement, Agility, Speed and Strength Training Lessons" on June 5-7. The lessons will be for first through seventh graders from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. daily; and for 8th through 12th graders from 4-7 p.m. daily. The registration fee is $50.
The Camden News spoke to Holliman about the event and he said he and Curtis looked at it as an opportunity to "give back." He emphasized that the lessons aren't just for players at Camden Fairview, but from other schools as well. He added that while in college, he got to travel to other places that inspired him to want to offer the lessons in his home town.
Holliman said that being in a training lesson around more talented student athletes can help players excel their game and see where they are skill-wise before the season starts.
"I get to travel to other states and see how some kids get to participate in some of the things that I didn't get to do," Holliman stated. "I just took it upon myself. I know it's some guys that look up to me from my home town. I have a few weeks off from college, so I felt like I could help with the kids and teach them some of the basic fundamentals of football because I was once a kid, too. I always looked up to other guys, but I wasn't able to be around them."
Holliman also talked about how good it's been to work with Curtis.
"Honestly, I looked up to him a lot in high school not knowing that we were second cousins," Holliman shared. "So when we found that out, the relationship grew. Throughout my college carer, I always reached out to him for pointers. Being around someone that you grew up watching is huge because it helps you be a competitor and a better person, too."
Holliman's little brother, Tyree, is playing for the Cardinals, and Holliman talked about the importance of being an example.
"My little brother told me that he has big shoes to fill, so I'm doing whatever I can to help him be better than me," said Holliman. "I want him to leave a legacy and be remembered. I want to see him do just as good - or better - than me."