By Rodney Haltom

Special to the Times

The Muscogee Creek Nation continues to invest in the health and quality of life of Oklahoma’s youth by conducting All-Sports camps throughout eastern Oklahoma. This year completes 13 years of conducting the All-Sports Camps L6TD promoting the development of skills for speed, quickness, agility and balance in young athletes.

“2017 was the first time we did three camps -Okmulgee, Bristow and Eufaula. Chief Floyd wanted more locations for more youth.  I had gone to Weleetka schools and the Weleetka community to partner with putting it together. So, I just duplicated my time and effort. I had started out with fundraisers and requesting funding from Creek Nation with the Weleetka Indian community. I asked for the resolution, worked with Mr. Holieway on coaches and submitted a proposal to the National Council. Chief’s Tiger, Floyd and Hill have all been supportive as well as Council members.”

“In 2019, we did six camps and planned 2020 with 8, but COVID prevented that.  2020, we were told there were no more special appropriations, so I had to find another resource – within Creek Nation. The schools were already committed. I believe it was 2018 when Mr. Holieway became ill, and Thomas Lott became head coach. In 2021, we changed to All Sports Camps L6TD, promoting the development of skills for speed, quickness, agility and balance.  We partnered with the Diabetes Prevention Program for their sponsorship. Their staff has been awesome.  Their motto is our motto: “We believe physically active children have a greater chance of being healthy throughout their life”, Okfuskee District Representative Sandra Golden said.

The number of camps has grown with each year. In 2024 Muscogee Creek Nation will have conducted eight camps going to Haskell, Bristow, Eufaula, Okmulgee, Kellyville, Okemah, Glenpool and Weleetka High Schools.

“If every camper can leave camp having learned one thing that they can work on by themselves, then L6TD has been successful. As an athlete sooner or later you will need to get better on your own,” Head coach Thomas Lott said.

The camps are conducted by some of sports greatest athletes such as Alvin Bailey, originally from Weleetka. He went on to play in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks. Thomas Lott, who played quarterback at the University of Oklahoma when Billy Sims won the Heisman, is the coordinator of the coaching staff. Thomas also played in the NFL with the Cardinals.

Members of the coaching staff have included other notable players like LeShon Johnson from Haskell, who had an exceptional NFL career with the Giants; Ricky Dixon, Uwe Von Schamann, and Jamelle Holieway, who also played with the Sooners; as well as

Keith Sparks who played in the backfield.