Nfl Football News

Nike-W&M link pulls stars to camp

WILLIAMSBURG -- Sunday's visit by Tom Brady was par for the course at William and Mary's Colonial All Pro Football Camp.

Over the past several years, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Michael Vick, Barry Sanders, Steve McNair, Darrell Green and Junior Seau have made appearances as guest counselors at the Tribe's camp. Jerome Bettis was there yesterday.
How does W&M draw the brightest NFL stars? With Nike's help.
The link is George Balanis, formerly W&M's basketball coach (1974-77) and now Nike's regional collegiate manager. Balanis still lives in Williamsburg. With the blessing of football coach Jimmye Laycock, Balanis asks Tribe football players to test new Nike shoes and equipment that haven't hit the market.
"The kids at William and Mary are so smart, they can tell you the corrections you have to make," Balanis said. "They give very good feedback."
In exchange for the information W&M's players supply, Balanis sees to it that a few NFL players who are under contract to Nike -- and obliged to make appearances on behalf of the company annually visit W&M's Colonial All Pro Football Camp. -- John O'Connor

Richmond Times-Dispatch