Story & photos by Herman Delgado
Over two hot scorching days this past July 2019, over 330 middle school and high school players from all areas of El Paso gathered at the Tom Work Football Stadium located on the Riverside High School campus for the 2019 Game Changers football camp. And there to facilitate and host these young players were over 30 UTEP Miner Football Team members who took on the challenge of instructing and coaching these young men. Another great camp put on by Mr. Rafael Ramirez and his numerous volunteers who coordinate, plan, and organize these camps for these youths at no cost to the kids or their families.
Ramirez is no stranger to UTEP, YISD, EPISD, SISD, and CISD athletics, as he puts on camps for boys and girls in all sports including: Basketball, volleyball, soccer, and wrestling throughout the years. Thanks to the great support from UTEP and all the school districts, these Game Changers camps make quite an impact on these young student athletes, as well as their parents. “Let me just give credit to UTEP Athletics, Athletic Director Jim Senter, UTEP head coach Dimel, coach Ben Wallace, coach Balogun, and coach Terry…the entire UTEP Athletic department and athletes have been outstanding.” From bringing in Division One athletes and coaches, professional athletes, to world champion athletes, Ramirez always delivers a great camp for these young athletes. For Game Changers donations and raising money for these camps is a year round project for Ramirez. “This year was the hardest year to raise money,” said Ramirez. “We made a commitment to these kids, so my wife and I have had to reach into our pockets and make it happen.” Not only do these camps teach young athletes about sports, but about the importance of life, survival, obtaining a higher education, teamwork, and motivation in life, to name a few.
Not only does Ramirez contribute to the community of El Paso, but starting in 2020, Game Changers is going south of the border, and putting together programs to help student athletes in Mexico. Ramirez mentioned that about 800 – 1,000 football players in Juarez, Chihuahua, have inferior equipment. Ramirez posted a link on his Facebook page asking for donations of used football equipment, and within days he had his first donation from Daniel Terrazas, Hot Springs High School, head football coach, out in Truth or Consequences, NM, and soon others followed. Donations of equipment from various schools will better serve the student athletes at Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juarez and Universidad Regional del Norte.
A good feeling all around the camp, and nothing but positive vibes from all those in attendance to those down on the field helping instruct and coach the kids. Bel Air High School head coach Eric Scogin was very impressed with the Game Changers camp, “This camp is phenomenal, just the opportunity these kids have to come out here and get some drill work in work with the UTEP football players,” Scogin said. “And just another great opportunity to get better at football.” UTEP’s Quarterback Brandon Jones who was down on the field for both days of camp was very impressed with the opportunity these kids get to come out here and improve on their skills, “This is awesome, back home in California we don’t have anything like this, it’s really fun to come out here to give back,” said Jones. “I think what Mr. Ramirez does is amazing…for these kids to come out on a Thursday and Friday, come out and play football in July…it’s hot!”
I sat down with Senter about a year ago and he mentioned, “Write this down, E-P-M-A-D…Every Person Makes A Difference” It’s great to see that his philosophy is having a positive reflection on his student athletes and the UTEP Athletic Department. These young student-athletes and coaching staffs are contributing to our community…the City of El Paso…and what a contribution and difference they are all making.