Strong turnout for annual Salute to Veterans Bowl football clinic

Tuskegee coach Aaron James instructs participants in Tuesday’s Salute to Veterans Bowl youth clinic at Cramton Bowl. (Tim Gayle)

By TIM GAYLE

A record number of participants showed up on Tuesday for the annual Salute to Veterans Bowl youth clinic at Cramton Bowl.

Approximately 140 people worked out for Tuskegee University coach Aaron James and his coaching staff, which conducted the clinic. It was the largest group of camp participants in the history of the event.

“I love it, just to come back and give to the youth in the community, knowing that these young men and ladies out here, getting coaching from our staff, is second to none,” James said. “Just to see the excitement on those young men and young women’s faces once we take them through the drills. We had an awesome time.”

This is Tuskegee’s second clinic. The Golden Tigers’ coaching staff alternates with Huntingdon College and ran the bowl youth clinic in 2024. 

The clinic is an important function of the annual bowl game. Former executive director Johnny Williams always felt it was important to use the youth clinic as an extension of the bowl game to build interest in the game of football for the next generation.

“Working with the intercity of Montgomery and knowing that Tuskegee University came out to coach these young men and ladies, moving forward, they’ll have a chance to come to the Red Tails Classic and will be able to see us on the field in both aspects,” James said.

Tuskegee will play West Alabama in the sixth annual Red Tails Classic on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 7 p.m. in Cramton Bowl. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

The 13th annual Salute to Veterans Bowl will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 4:30 p.m. in Cramton Bowl. The game will be televised on ESPN.