MARTIN, Tenn. - More than 35 children from the Boys and Girls Club in Union City participated in a mini football clinic Friday afternoon at The University of Tennessee at Martin's Hardy M. Graham Stadium.

The children had a chance to learn the fundamentals of football and then divided into groups for some friendly competition. More than a dozen Skyhawk football players, already on campus for voluntary workouts, helped assistant coach Nathan Burton conduct the clinic. Among the players helping Burton was former South Fulton High School standout Sam Curtis.

"Although it was hot today, this was a great opportunity for the boys and girls to interact with members of the UT Martin football team. The clinic also gave the Skyhawks a chance to be positive role models for the children from the Boys and Girls Club," said Jason Simpson, the head coach of the Skyhawks.

The Skyhawks will open their 2010 football season Sept. 4 at Tennessee against the Volunteers. Tickets for the season opener at Neyland Stadium and Skyhawk season tickets are on sale now at the Skyhawk Ticket Office. For more information about season tickets call the ticket office at (731) 881-7207.


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Photo captions

THE PROPER WAY TO HOLD THE BALL - UT Martin quarterback Bill Hardegree shows Ashton Hurt from Dukedom the proper way to hold the football before he throws it. Each child had a chance to throw the football into the practice net.

NICE FORM - UT Martin quarterback Bill Hardegree, from Jackson, watches Taeshawn Allen from Union City take aim at the practice net. Allen was one of 38 children from the Boys and Girls Club of Union City participating in a mini clinic Friday afternoon at The University of Tennessee at Martin's Hardy M. Graham Football Stadium.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL - UT Martin freshman Sam Curtis helped 9 year-old Deonte Yarbrough of Union City run the right route in the receiving drill. Yarbrough's and others had to learn the route and then work on the hand-eye coordination by catching a tennis ball.

RUNNING THE ROUTE WITH A DEFENDER - UT Martin sophomore Michael Bryant switched positions for Friday's mini clinic. Bryant, from LaVergne, opted to defend the pass today against 8 year-old Ricky Alexander from Union City. Bryant is an offensive lineman who transferred to UT Martin from Vanderbilt before the start of the 2009 season.

HELPING OUT - UT Martin freshman Matt Stewart from Mount Juliet was one of a dozen Skyhawks who volunteered to help with Friday afternoon's mini clinic at Hardy M. Graham Stadium. Stewart is trying to defend 12 year old Sam Hurt from Dukedom. Hurt is focused on catching the tennis ball in the receiving drill designed to help hand-eye coordination.