For a good cause

CADILLAC — This is how it all started nearly 30 years ago — by giving.

Now, 30 years later, they are giving back in the spirit in which it began.

The Cadillac Northmen, a semi-pro team from the 1980s in the Michigan Charity Football League, will be holding its second youth camp Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Cadillac’s Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The camp runs daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with each day a different age level.

Some 30 years ago, moneys raised from games and activities associatied with the highly-successful Northmen and the MCFL went to charity.

In that mold, moneys raised from this three-day football camp go to the school where it’s being held.

Last time, it was Mesick High School. This year, it’s Cadillac.

“This camp goes back to what the Charity Football League was all about when we played. All the money we raised went to charities,” said former Northmen player and camp co-organizer Dean Jurik.

“Besides teaching kids the skills they need for football and instilling a passion for the game, a big part of this is to raise money for the local programs.

“The sport has been very good to every one of us and we want to be able to help kids have that experience when they play football now.”

A good number of the people involved in the Northmen played at Cadillac High School and all played for the Northmen.

Instructing at the camp will be: