Christopher Jude Medice
June 30, 2008July 12 Centerstage Singing Competition (Houma)
July 2, 2008
One of the most popular events at the Manning Passing Academy, the ‘Iberia Bank Air It Out’ session, will take place Saturday, July 12, at 11 a.m., at John L. Guidry Stadium.
The event will feature Super Bowl champion quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, as well as other professional athletes and highly-touted college players. The academy attracts over 1,000 high school prospects from around the world.
“The ‘Air-It-Out’ session has become a special feature of the camp and a popular event for our community,” said Rob Bernardi, Nicholls State athletics director. “This event is a rare opportunity for fans to see two high-profile NFL quarterbacks on display in Guidry Stadium.”
The academy is entering its fourth year in Thibodaux and its 13th year overall. Nicholls State reached a long-term agreement with the Mannings last year to host the event through 2017.
It kicks off Thursday, July 10, and ends Sunday, July 13. The academy is designed to teach offensive skills to high school quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends.
It was because Nicholls hosts the academy that Guidry Stadium received a facelift last year. Former Saints quarterback Archie Manning, a spokesman for AstroTurf, was responsible for getting the turf donated by General Sports Venue. During an opening-day ceremony in 2007, the playing field was officially named “Manning Field.”
Tickets for “Air It Out” are $5 and are available at Nicholls State’s ticket office or by phone at (985) 448-4792.
V.I.P. tickets can by purchased through Ken Berthelot at (985) 448-4804.
New York Giant’s quarterback Eli Manning gets ready to let the ball fly during last year’s Air It Out session. Open to the public, the event is a highlight of the Manning Passing Academy at Nicholls State’s campus. * Photo by DOUG KEESE / NSU
