June 19, 2006

LAS VEGAS - No less than 75 linemen from five different states took part in the first-ever Big Man Camp on the UNLV campus over the weekend as part of the Mike Sanford Football Camps, which are running throughout the month.

Players from California, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and Arizona went through drills and instruction from 3-9:30 p.m. at Rebel Park and Lied Athletic Complex in conjunction with the 16-team Passing Tournament.

Second-year UNLV assistant Gary Bernardi, who oversees the program's offensive tackles and tight ends, said the event was a rousing success.

"We are excited to have attracted such a large amount of quality linemen from across the West," Bernardi said. "There was a lot of good teaching going on and I think it was a tremendously positive experience for everyone involved. We expect it to be even bigger and better next year."

Also serving as instructors for the Big Man Camp were UNLV offensive line coach Keith Uperesa, defensive line coach Kurt Barber, graduate assistant Kirk Wherritt and director of strength and conditioning John Grieco.

The Mike Sanford Football Camps continue this week with a youth camp through June 23.