We’re thrilled to welcome Macklin Ayers for a special one-day mini football camp designed for young athletes interested in learning more about offense, defense, and the fundamentals of the game.Macklin is an alumni of Upper Dauphin Area High School and played college football as a linebacker at both Dartmouth University (4 years) and the University of Massachusetts (1 year). During his time at Dartmouth University he had the opportunity to hold the position of a team captain and helped lead the team to win two Ivy League Championships. Most recently, he earned and accepted an invite to the Cleveland Browns' Rookie Mini Camp. Macklin is currently a free agent.
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The Campbell Trophy, frequently referred to as the Academic Heisman, has spun off an event known as the Campbell Trophy Summit. From a description of the event (LINK):
The Summit is open to all former nominees for the Campbell Trophy, which has been presented since 1990, and the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, which have been bestowed since 1959. The approach of inviting all the past nominees has created a unique community of recent college graduates as well as professionals in the middle of their careers and retirees who can serve as mentors.
And . . .
A three-day event, the 2025 Summit includes leadership workshops, team building activities, and several other social networking activities designed to build relationships, including a flag football game and a casino night. The panels will cover a wide range of topics designed to foster leadership, personal growth and the career development of the attendees.
This shot of four former Dartmouth players who attended the event arrived via email, and while I recognized Tevita Moimoi (white shirt), Nick Howard (second from the right) and Ryan McManus (far right) I had a little difficulty with the fellow in the sunglasses.
Now, I knew who it was, but I had a hard time believing it. That’s because it’s Evan Hecimovich ‘21, who was a 6-foot-2, 275-pound All-Ivy League offensive lineman during his playing days. He’s a good 70 pounds lighter today than he was when these pictures were snapped:
EXTRA POINT
Every couple of years, Mrs. BGA and I will cross the Connecticut River and spend an evening checking out the sights, sounds and smells of the long-running North Haverhill Fair. In addition to the various tractor pulls, 4H animals, pig races, rides, musical performances and the rest, there was an act we actually stuck around to watch a second time. Here’s part of the act where the performer jumped rope atop the spinning “Wheel of Destiny” a full 40 feet into the air. I have to admit, I looked away a few times because it was that nerve-racking as the fellow – a 10th generation circus performer – balanced atop and did tricks inside the plunging wheel.
