Former NFL linemen, SV grads Fusco, Barclay add spark to Raider football camp
JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley varsity football coach Ron Butschle called on history to make history.
Such transformation took place Thursday evening at NexTier Stadium as the former Raider Pride Camp for young football players was renamed the Don Barclay-Brandon Fusco Youth Football Camp.
“The difference those guys are making is obvious,” Butschle said. “This has become a big deal.”
Butschle had been running the Raider Pride Camp since 2004, when he began coaching at Seneca Valley. Barclay and Fusco were two of his offensive linemen and were SV teammates for two seasons.
Barclay went on to play football at West Virginia University and spent a few NFL seasons with the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions. Fusco became an All-American at Slippery Rock University and played for the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons.
Both are retired now — and wanted to give back.
“We used to get 80 kids or so to this camp,” Butschle said. “There’s 120 kids out here tonight, at least. This is only going to get bigger.”
Barclay and Fusco were inducted into the Seneca Valley Athletic Hall of Fame last year “and this is where this whole thing got started,” Butschle said. “Those guys wanted to do something.”
Barclay lives in Cranberry Township and his son was one of the campers Thursday. Fusco lives in Las Vegas and flew in for the camp. He had a nephew at the camp.
“This camp means a lot to both of them. They couldn’t wait to get started,” Butschle said.
Fusco said Butschle approached them about the idea of the camp and they didn’t hesitate to come on board.
“Coach Butschle and Seneca Valley football did a lot for me,” Fusco said. “I just want to see this football program grow and grow. Seneca Valley is a big school and it deserves to have a great football team.
“I want to help the program become a WPIAL power. That needs to happen.”
Barclay agreed.
“This football program enabled us to be who we are,” he said. “We love football. We love helping out. It’s time to give back.”
The camp wasn’t just for Seneca Valley youths. Kids showed up from other school districts and Butschle had other eventual NFL players he coached come in and help with the camp. They included Sto-Rox graduates Dontez Ford (Detroit Lions), Adam DiMichele (Philadephia Eagles), Matt Moritz (Redskins and Rams) and Jake Dixon (currently a lineman in camp with the Steelers).
“I’ve seen kids here from Upper St. Clair, Ambridge, Central Catholic,“ Barclay said. ”Any kid is welcome. It’s about growing the game.“
Groups of approximately 10 kids moved from station to station. Agility drills kicked off the camp. Kids had the opportunity to go to various position stations, including offensive and defensive line, linebackers and running backs, quarterbacks and receivers.
Butschle said approximately 24 current or former Seneca Valley football players came in to assist with the camp as well.
“I love seeing that,” the coach said. “It means these guys still care about the program and that it meant a lot to them.”
Fusco enjoyed the unity demonstrated on the field Thursday as well.
“Seeing all of these people come together like this to support kids and promote Seneca Valley football, I can’t say I’m surprised by it,” Fusco said. “People have a lot of passion for this program.”
Fusco added that the Barclay-Fusco Youth Football Camp is a “first annual” and will continue each year.
“I can’t imagine how big it’s gonna get,” Barclay said. “Kids will tell other kids ... it’s only going to spiral upward.”
