Viewfinder: Sharpening Skills at the Al Fracassa Quarterback Camp

Becoming the next Joe Montana or Tom Brady takes a lot of work, dedication and drive. At the Al Fracassa Quarterback Camp, now in its 37th season, aspiring quarterbacks learn the fundamental skills needed to land the position and have a future in the sport.

Participating football players battled a tough heat wave during the four two-day sessions between July 11-22. Half-day sessions took place at from 8:30 a.m.-noon. Each session ushered in 30 to 40 aspiring quarterbacks. Some boys already had obtained quarterback status but attended the camp again to keep up with techniques through the summer. 

"We use drills that college and professional athletes use," said Fracassa, who has been coaching football at Brother Rice since 1969. Many of his players have advanced to play at the college level and in the National Football League.

The camp cannot guarantee that participants will become quarterbacks, but it can provide the basic skills necessary to excel in the position, the veteran coach said. Fracassa addresses this point at camp and tells the boys to accept and work hard at any role they play and to do whatever is in their power to make their team better. 

"I'll be coaching as long as I'm healthy enough to continue to do so," Fracassa said.

"I won't be doing it as long as (Joe) Paterno, though," he joked, referring to the 84-year-old legendary head coach at Penn State University.