Tariffs not always a good route
June 13, 2018
Vin Bruce was a musical legend, political leader
June 13, 2018
In the next week or so, hundreds of aspiring quarterbacks will settle on the campus of Nicholls State University for the annual Manning Passing Academy.
But while the Manning family works tirelessly to mold the next generation of quarterbacks into polished products, the city of Thibodaux and surrounding areas will reap the benefits of a full week of packed hotels, restaurants, stores and convenience stores.
The Manning Passing Academy is one of the biggest and well-known football camps in the world, annually drawing more than 1,100 quarterbacks and receivers to the area for four days of work with the first family of quarterbacks – an event founded by former New Orleans Saint Archie Manning, but also run by Archie’s Super Bowl Champion sons Peyton and Eli.
The main focus on the camp is the football, sure. But hundreds of the campers’ families make a vacation out of it, opting to travel to Louisiana as a family to enjoy some Louisiana summer sun.
That causes a whirlwind of economic activity, which totaled close to $2 million last year, according to the South Louisiana Economic Council, which studies the impact of the event each year.
“The hosting of the Manning Passing Academy in the Bayou Region has allowed our communities to not only benefit from the economic investment, but also from the tourism impact,” SLEC President and CEO Vic LaFont said in a release issued with the statistics when they were released. “Showcasing what our region has to offer will certainly assist in garnering future visits and investment into our local economies.”
The economic boost to the Houma-Thibodaux area’s economy has been a welcome boost to an economy that’s been struggling with inconsistent oil prices.
Last year, 1,178 campers enrolled at the academy, which literally takes over the campus of Nicholls State University and which has generated countless athletic renovations on campus in recent years, including field turf at John L. Guidry Stadium and added drainage on some of the open grass on campus.
The drainage to the fields came in 2013 when the state announced that it had given $1.2 million in capital outlay dollars to Nicholls as a way to secure the camp’s future in Thibodaux.
The camp started in Hammond more than 20 years ago, but has been in Thibodaux for more than a decade.
At that time, then-Governor Bobby Jindal said the camp made $1.8 million per year for Thibodaux and local lawmakers said the Manning family had entertained offers around the country to uproot the camp and bring it elsewhere.
“When I was an undergrad here (at Nicholls), we had the Saints training camp … and we lost it,” said Senator Norby Chabert (R-Houma). “That was the second time this university had Saints training camp. And we lost it because we did not do what needed to be done to keep and economic engine like that in this area. … I don’t have to tell you guys. This is the First Family of Football. They can be holding these camps anywhere in the country. We need to do what we need to do as a state to make sure that Louisiana’s First Football Family keeps having their football camp in Louisiana.”
This year’s event will begin next week from June 21-June 24. The inaugural women and girl’s clinic and camp will piggy back on the camp and take place from June 25-26.
THIBODAUX A ‘PERFECT’ HOST
The reason the Manning family has always shunned interest from other places is simple.
They like Thibodaux and know that the city can host a great event.
The Manning family has heaped nothing but praise to the city since coming here, calling it the “perfect” place to host a sporting event.
Last year, Archie Manning said he and his children are so appreciative of the area for their constant support, adding that the area goes above and beyond to accommodate the needs of the event.
“The people here have been amazing – some of the best people in the world,” Archie said. “Anything we’ve needed, there are no shortage of people willing to help or provide what we need to make sure that we’re comfortable. We’re so grateful to this area. This is one of the greatest places in the great state of Louisiana.”
Eli Manning agreed. He said Thibodaux is a great place to host the event.
“We couldn’t ask for better,” Manning said. “There are a lot of places to stay around the campus and everything fits and works.”
Those who attend the event agree.
USC quarterback Sam Darnold was one of the top picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, but he also was a camp counselor for the Manning Passing Academy while a college quarterback.
He said he didn’t know much about Thibodaux before coming here for the first time, but added quickly that he was made welcome right away.
“The people here are amazing,” he said. “Everyone is always offering to do something to make sure that you feel welcome. Nothing is forgotten. They think of everything – even little things to make sure that you’re at home while here – even if you’re not actually at home.”
South Carolina quarterback Jake Bentley agreed and said that in his football career, he’s been blessed to visit a lot of southern towns, but Thibodaux is near the top of the list.
“You can tell that the people here really take a lot of pride in making sure that things go smoothly and run well,” Bentley said. “I know that people love their football here and it’s fun because you’ll hear some people give you a friendly jab or two because a couple of the guys play for rival SEC schools or whatever. But it’s all in good fun and it really shows how much the people here love the sport by how they come together to make this all work.”
Follow Casey on Twitter for more.
https://twitter.com/casey_gisclair
