By Kyle Roberts
RUSTON, La. — Community leaders, coaches and volunteers came together Saturday at Ruston High School to host the inaugural Jerrod Baugh and Robert “Demp” Smith Football Camp, an event designed to inspire local youth through football instruction, mentorship and community support.
The camp, organized by the Ford-Jackson Community Development Foundation with support from the Pi Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi, welcomed approximately 50 young athletes for a day of position drills, guest speakers and lessons about leadership and perseverance.
Organizers said the camp was created both to honor the legacy of former Ruston High coach Robert “Demp” Smith — recognized as the first African American coach in school history — and to provide positive opportunities for area youth.
“It’s been my vision to always do some type of camp for us that I know that we can really inspire and help out with in the area,” said Korick Wilkerson, one of the event organizers. “We wanted to help these youth in the area, give them something to look up to and give something to the community, too.”
Wilkerson said the idea for the camp grew after conversations with fellow organizer Eric Outley Sr., who had long hoped to create an event honoring Smith. A committee of volunteers was then formed to coordinate logistics, field operations, medical support, registration and food donations.
Outley said the effort quickly became a community-wide project, with local volunteers and donors helping provide water, Gatorade, meals and other resources for campers throughout the day.
“We had awesome volunteers. We had awesome people to support with donating food,” Outley said. “It was just everybody coming together.”
Jonathan Millage, who oversaw on-field operations, said campers rotated through offensive and defensive skill stations, including quarterback, running back, offensive line, receiver, linebacker and defensive back drills.
The event also featured guest speakers, including both Sonny Cumbie and Mickey Joseph, head coaches for Louisiana Tech and Grambling, respectively, who addressed campers during breaks in the day’s activities.
Ruston High football coach Jerrod Baugh said the event was meaningful because it highlighted the contributions of people who helped shape the history of the Ruston High football program.
“I think it’s always important to highlight the history of this program,” Baugh said. “There’s a lot of people that have played a big part of where we are at this time and what this football program has been through the years, and Coach Demp has absolutely been a big part.”
Coach Smith was named the head coach of Ruston High in 1975 and coached the Bearcats for three seasons. The legend passed away in October of 2023.
Baugh said Smith’s impact extended beyond football during a pivotal period in the community’s history.
“He was doing that when it was obviously a very controversial time,” Baugh said. “It had to have been a tough time for him, and I can appreciate the fact that he was willing to take that on to move the school, the football program and really the community forward into what things have become at the moment.”
Millage said organizers hope the camp continues to grow in future years.
“It was a good turnout, a real good turnout,” Millage said. “I think from many years to come, if we keep doing it, it’ll just get bigger and bigger.”
A highlight of the event came when organizers presented a hand-drawn picture from local photographer and artist Reggie McLeroy to Coach Baugh and members of the Smith family.
Organizers also expressed appreciation to Coach Baugh and the Smith family, current and former Ruston High football players, Kimberly Williams, Director of Community Impact, United Way NWLA, Jeff Miller and the Payne family for providing food for campers, and Unity of Ruston and Charles Antwine for supplying water and Gatorade throughout the event.
Outley said the football camp is one of several community outreach efforts supported by the organization, which also hosts fan drives, back-to-school giveaways, nursing home visits and bicycle donation events throughout the year.
“We just want to shine a positive light on the community and let the community know we care,” Outley said.
