A football camp planned for May 13th in Coushatta is stopped by the Red River Parish School Board. At Monday nights meeting the board voted to deny use of school facilities for the camp because the camp organizers never asked for permission, among other problems the board found with the camp.

A flyer presented at the board meeting from the Watson Group Foundation proclaimed that the first annual Reach 1 Teach 1 camp was to happen this coming weekend. It asked potential participants to send in their shirt size in advance and pay a $30.00 fee upon arrival.

Superintendent Alison Hughes reported that she had less than two weeks notice that the camp was planned for Saturday May 13th at the Red River High stadium. Hughes said, “I learned about it from a Facebook post.”

Hughes was not the only one in the dark on the event. Athletic Director Billy Henry, Jr. told the board “I heard about it at the state track meet in Baton Rouge last Friday. I talked with Watson about it.” Henry said he wants to make sure the school is protected and know how the facilities are used.

Newly Hired Football Coach Scott Hale said he first learned about it from someone he met while shopping. Hale said, “Someone asked me if Paul Frasier is coming. I asked Frasier and he said he did not know about the camp.”

No one from the camp was at the board meeting to ask permission to use the school facility. No one at the board meeting had been approached by camp organizers to ask for permission to hold the camp.

A-D Henry said, “Camp organizer Ed Watson’s father had graduated from Coushatta High School over 50 years ago and went on to play professionally for Houston.” Henry added, “I am concerned over possible trademark infringement with logos on the flyer.” Also Henry’s concerns include who the coaches for the camp would be and “I want to make sure our community knows what is going on and nothing we do could be perceived as shady.”

On a motion by board member Richard Cannon and second by Gene Longino the board voted not to approve the camp. Coach Henry was instructed to contact the organizers and inform them of the board’s decision.