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MONARCHS FOR MARINES
Mater Dei football to hold event on base
Football, dance camps part of special day benefiting Marines
RICHARDSON MIRON
Scout Staff
It looks like the perfect combination: Mater Dei High, which is dedicated to excellence on and off the field, and the most decorated unit in the Marine Corps, the 1st Marine Division.
The two have joined forces for “Monarchs For Marines,” which is Mater Dei football program’s way of showing its support for the Marine Corps.
On July 21, Mater Dei’s nationally ranked powerhouse will be at Camp Pendleton. Players, coaches and other volunteers from Mater Dei will conduct a multi-faceted effort for those stationed aboard the base.
The day will begin at 7:30 a.m. with the players and volunteers from Mater Dei working to enhance and improve four child development centers at Camp Pendleton.
Afterward, Marines and Sailors who coach and play in the Pendleton Cup Football League are invited to participate in a free football clinic, which starts at 10:30 a.m. The clinic will be run during a special Monarchs football practice at the 11 Area field.
There will also be a non-contact football fundamentals and skills camp (registration at 12:30 p.m.), as well as a dance camp (registration at 11:30 a.m.) — both of which are free for children between the ages of 5 and 18.
The day will wind down with a ceremony (4:45 p.m.) in which Mater Dei will dedicate its upcoming season to the 1st Marine Division.
In return, the 1st Marine Division, with authorization from Maj. Gen. John Paxton, will permit the Monarchs to wear its patch — which commemorates the unit’s historic WWII battle at the Guadalcanal — on the team's jersey during the upcoming season.
Following the ceremony, there will be a free barbeque for the first 1,000 people at the event, which will be held at the 11 Area football field.
“The ‘Monarchs For Marines’ service project is meaningful and significant,” said event organizer Les Barkley, who is on the Monarchs Boosters Club’s board of directors and whose son, Matt, is the team’s starting quarterback.
“Dedicating the 2007 football season to the 1st Marine Division gives all of us, most importantly our sons on the Mater Dei football team, a special opportunity to lend tangible support and raise the morale of Marines; men and women who are serving our families in monumental ways and with bravery and commitment, which few of us can truly comprehend.”
The Monarchs will also be honoring the Marine Corps during their game against Servite High at Anaheim Stadium on Nov. 9, which is the eve of the Corps’ 232nd birthday. The team’s coach, Bruce Rollinson, is thrilled to have his Monarchs united with the Marine Corps.
“We are really excited to be able to honor the Marine Corps and to dedicate our season to them,” said Rollinson, who will be leading the football clinic and camp here on July 21.
Below is a timeline of the events that will be held at the 11 Area football field and Paige Fieldhouse on July 21:
7:30-10:30 a.m.: More than 200 volunteers from Mater Dei will work on the beautification and enhancement of the San Onofre Childcare Development Center; San Onofre Youth Teen Center; San Luis Rey Child Development Center; and Abby Reinke Center near the main gate.
10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: The Monarchs will conduct a football practice at 11 Area field. Marines and Sailors are welcome to come for the simultaneous clinic.
11:30 a.m.: Sign-up for Dance Class (ages 5-18), which starts at 12:30 p.m.
12:30 p.m.: Sign-up for Football Camp (ages 5-18), which starts at 1:30 p.m. Free T-shirts will also be given to camp participants.
3:30-6:30 p.m.: Rec-reational activities such as face painting, jump houses, and other games will be held.
4:30-4:45 p.m.: Dance Performance at the Paige Fieldhouse.
4:45 p.m.: The Monarchs will be presented with the 1st Marine Division’s patch during a ceremony. They will wear the patch on their uniforms in honor of the Marine Corps during their ’07 season.
5:15 p.m.: Barbeque for first 1,000 people.
Marine Corps Community Services Director Pete Elkin thanked Mater Dei for its desire and generosity in making this day possible.
“This is a unique and wonderful thing they’re doing,” Elkin said. “We really appreciate Mater Dei sponsoring this whole day.”
Athletic Director Tom Fisher believes the football players who come out for the clinic and camp will benefit immensely from the time spent with Rollinson and the rest of the Monarchs’ highly skilled coaching staff and roster.
“Mater Dei is one of the best high school football programs in the country,” Fisher said. “The people who come out are going to get some great coaching.”
