Big North Takeover Football Camp: A New Standard for Youth Camps
- John Armwood III
- Dec 19, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 24, 2024
By John "Woods" Armwood III
The inaugural Big North Takeover Football Camp was a resounding success, bringing together athletes, coaches, and sponsors for an unforgettable day of elite football training and mentorship. Hosted at Kean University in Union, New Jersey, the camp was co-founded by Donald Stewart, a former Stanford and Wake Forest wide receiver, and Ally Swartzberg, a rising legal and business professional currently pursuing a JD/MBA at the University of Chicago. Their vision? To create a dynamic camp that not only elevates football skills but also empowers young athletes through education, mental health awareness, and mentorship.
“I focused on the big picture while Don focused on the details and execution,” Swartzberg stated. A big part of my role was deciding what we should prioritize and when we should prioritize it as Don gathered our options and continued to fundraise, recruit coaches and players, and reach out to potential partners.”
The Big North Takeover Football Camp was designed with one clear goal: to provide position-specific coaching to athletes of all backgrounds, including both boys and girls. The camp stands out by offering a comprehensive experience that goes beyond traditional sports camps. It was a unique opportunity for athletes to learn from some of the best players in the game, including NFL and Division one stars.
Co-founders Donald and Ally brought together a unique blend of high level athletic, academic, and business acumen to execute the Big North Takeover.
“I connected with various potential venues and ultimately selected Kean University. I also solicited and built personal relationships with all of our sponsors, coaching staff, panelists, and athletes,” Don began. “In the lead up to the camp, I fundraised $10,000 to cover need-based fee waivers for 100% of eligible participants and created a coaching plan for each position group. I managed the day of facilities set up, including coordinating vendors and oversaw all drills, while Ally oversaw athlete check-in.”
While Don was focusing on outreach and building relationships, Ally was working behind the scenes.
“… Practically, I handled everything from building our website with a third party, creating a social media strategy, reviewing contracts and negotiating with partner organizations, tracking revenue and expenses, booking travel and lodging for staff/volunteers, and ultimately creating the day of schedule,” Ally Swartzberg continued. “With Don’s help, I also planned and moderated the morning panel, which included topics like NIL, college recruiting, and maintaining balance while being a student-athlete.”
The camp’s name pays homage to the Big North Conference, one of New Jersey’s most competitive high school football leagues, where Donald Stewart himself competed as a standout Wide Receiver, first at Seton Hall Prep and later at Paramus Catholic. Don, a Union county native, and Ally, from Bergen county, met at Wake Forest University. At the time, Ally was the student body president and a graduating senior. Meanwhile, Don had just earned his master’s degree after transferring to WFU from Stanford University for his last 2 years of football eligibility.
Donald and Ally saw a significant, growing gap in youth sports camps, in part resulting from a changing pre-professional sports environment. Once prompted with an idea by Don’s brother, Jordan Stewart, the duo was driven to fill that gap, particularly in their home state of New Jersey, by providing athletes with world-class training and access to professional mentors.
Stellar Coaching Staff and Support
With a stellar lineup of NFL players and Division 1 coaches, the Big North Takeover Football Camp gave athletes a rare opportunity to learn from the best. The coaching staff included:
Boogie Basham (NFL, NY Giants) – Defensive Line
Thomas Booker (NFL, Philadelphia Eagles) – Panelist and Defensive Line
Bobby Okereke (NFL, Captain New York Giants) – Panelist and Linebacker
Jordan Fox (49ers Scout / Stanford Football) – Linebacker
Paulson Adebo (NFL, New Orleans Saints) – Cornerback
Isaiah Wingfield (Giants Scout / Harvard and Wake Forest Football) – Cornerback
Hunter Reynolds (NFL, Utah State and Michigan Football) – Safety
Jaylen McLain (Current Ohio State Football) – Panelist and Safety
Adon Shuler (Current Notre Dame Football) – Safety
Devery Hamilton (NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers) – Offensive Line
Jared Southers (Georgia Tech and Vanderbilt Football) – Offensive Line
Jon Hilliman (Former NFL, NY Giants / , Boston College and Rutgers Football) – Running Back
Connor Hebbeler (Wake Forest and Rutgers Football) – Tight End
Donald Stewart (Stanford and Wake Forest Football) – Panelist and Wide Receiver
Jacari Carter (Georgia State and UAlbany Football) – Wide Receiver
Jordan Stewart (Montclair State University Coach) – Warmup and Wide Receiver Coach
Troy Pelletier (Lehigh Football) – Wide Receiver and Quarterback Coach
Jeff Morton – Quarterback Coach
Kyle Phipps (Elizabeth High School) – Flag Football Coach
Dr. Prosper Mekoba – Injury Prevention and Cool Down
This unique mix of professional coaches, NFL athletes, current and former collegiate athletes, and professional scouts worked directly with the athletes to refine their ball handling, techniques, footwork, and leadership on the field. The camp also featured mentorship from coaches like Jordan Stewart (MSU), as well as injury prevention sessions led by Dr. Prosper Mekoba. On site were health and wellness partners Chris Meny, Sports Business Development Manager at Kessler Rehabilitation, and Tami Savarese, owner of Restorative Medical Massage Therapy, as well as Athletic Trainers Laurel-Ann Mason and Aneika Dailey..
“It’s all about the youth, and pouring into the next generation,” Stewart emphasized. “Ultimately, the kids were able to gain mental, and physical resources.”
A Comprehensive Experience: Panel Discussions and Drills
The camp’s structure combined learning, development, and hands-on practice. The day kicked off with a panel discussion moderated by co-founder Ally Swartzberg, covering crucial topics for young athletes, including academic success, NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), and mental health. The panel featured insights from:
Bobby Okereke (NFL, New York Giants)
Thomas Booker (NFL, Philadelphia Eagles)
Jaylen McLain (Current Ohio State)
Donald Stewart (Co-founder, Big North Takeover)
The panel addressed how athletes can navigate the pressures of balancing sports with academics, leveraging NIL opportunities, and staying mentally healthy in an increasingly competitive world.
Following the panel, athletes broke into position-specific drills, where they were coached by the NFL and Division 1 stars. From wide receivers learning the art of route running to offensive linemen mastering blocking techniques, each athlete received tailored instruction to elevate their game. The coaching staff emphasized not only skill development but also the mental toughness and work ethic needed to succeed at the highest levels of competition.
“It was about the community and the character of the people involved that made the moment special for everyone,” Stewart continued.
Empowering the Next Generation: Diversity and Inclusion
One of the most impactful aspects of the Big North Takeover was its commitment to inclusivity. The camp saw 40 girls participate, highlighting the growing involvement of young women in sports traditionally dominated by men. Ally Swartzberg, the camp’s co-founder, was proud to see so many female athletes taking part, noting the importance of providing equal opportunities for all athletes, regardless of gender. Ally, who was the only female leader in a male-dominated environment, reflected on her experience and expressed how powerful this was for the future generations to come.
"It was incredibly fulfilling to see so many young athletes—both male and female—come together, learn, and grow,” She explained. “I wanted the young female athletes to see a woman in a leadership role, showing them that they can pursue their dreams in sports, law, business, or anything else they are passionate about."
Awards and Recognition
The camp concluded with a special recognition ceremony where MVPs from each position were honored for their exceptional performance. These standout athletes received **Oakley sunglasses and signed NFL gear from professional players. The MVPs included:
Janasia Wilson (Irvington)
London Richardson (Irvington)
Dynasty Chandler (Elizabeth)
Giana Bettinger (Keansburg)
Owen Bednarski (Seton Hall Prep)
Dahveed Jacob (South Shore)
In addition, the camp received generous contributions from major sponsors like Chick-fil-A, who provided meals for the athletes and staff, and Quest Nutrition, who supplied healthy snacks. Signed footballs from two-time Super Bowl champ Justin Reid and giveaways from the New York Giants added to the excitement.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Big North Takeover
As the day wrapped up, it was clear that the Big North Takeover Football Camp was just the beginning. With 90 athletes attending this inaugural event and feedback already pouring in, co-founders Donald and Ally are focused on making this an annual tradition. They plan to expand the camp's reach beyond New Jersey, offering similar programs in other regions, and creating more opportunities for young athletes to receive the mentorship, training, and resources they need to succeed.
For Ally Swartzberg, the success of the event was a proud moment, but it’s only the beginning.
“This event was a labor of love, and it meant so much to give back to our home state. But we’re already looking ahead, gathering feedback, and planning for future programming that will continue to impact the next generation of athletes.”
Conclusion
The Big North Takeover Football Camp not only provided high-quality training and exposure for young athletes but also delivered an inspiring message about the importance of education, mental health, and equal opportunity in sports. With a remarkable coaching staff, a dynamic structure, and a commitment to diversity, the camp has set a new standard for youth sports programming in New Jersey—and beyond. The future looks bright for the Big North Takeover, and its positive impact on young athletes will undoubtedly continue to grow in the years to come.
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