• Home
  • Texas
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Mississippi
  • New England
  • Communities
  • Log in
Subscribe to Magazine

VYPE Insider

LOG INSIGN UP

Welcome Back

Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends.

Your password needs to be at least 8 characters and one number.

No account? Create one
Markets:
  • Texas
    • Houston
    • DFW
    • Austin
    • San Antonio
    • West TX
    • Panhandle
    • The Valley
    • SETX
    • Deep East
    • Central TX
    • Private Schools
  • Alabama
  • Arkansas
  • Kansas
  • Louisiana
    • Public Schools
    • Private Schools
  • Mississippi
  • Oklahoma
  • Varsity Hype
  • VYPE Media
  • VYPE Live
  • VYPE U
  • Video
  • Magazine
  • Recruiting
  • Photos
  • Polls
  • Shop
  • Events
  • Scores
  • VYPE Campus
  • Home
  • State
  • City
  • Type

CFISD: Football players lead first districtwide camp for LIFE Skills students

VYPE
May 20, 2022

Cypress Ridge High School student Derrick Shinette (20) and Cypress Ranch High School student Jason Dennis (72) oversee a camper performing a passing drill during Camp Courage.

Photo by Maria Colmenares, Cypress Falls HS

May 19, 2022—More than 80 CFISD football players from all 12 high schools came together on May 17 to lead the first-ever districtwide skills camp—Camp Courage—for middle school and high school students enrolled in LIFE Skills classes.

The camp began as a campuswide effort at Cypress Falls High School in 2019, when Head Coach Chris Brister borrowed an idea from colleague Chris Massey in Deer Park. Golden Eagle football players led drills for a group of about 15 students enrolled in the LIFE Skills program, which assists students with special needs in learning functional communication and academic skills.


Following a two-year camp hiatus due to the pandemic, Coach Brister suggested to Ray Zepeda, CFISD director of athletics, that all campuses join the effort in 2022.

“He loved the idea of running it as one big CFISD event, and I’m glad we did, because it made the whole thing better,” Brister said.

The other 11 high school football programs dispatched seven players each to escort and encourage the students traveling between drill stations facilitated by Golden Eagle athletes. Campus athletic trainers provided extra water bottles, and parents attended for additional supervision.

To encourage participation, middle school and high school LIFE Skills coordinators reached out to potentially interested students and distributed registration forms. Approximately 80 students initially signed up, and about 40 attended on May 17.

“That allowed us to double up with the chaperones and led to more positive interactions,” Brister said. “The effort our athletes put in was awesome. The best part about was seeing all the football players who try to compete against each other in the fall working side-by-side for a greater cause.”

Malik Slone, a sophomore defensive end for Jersey Village High School, had a positive experience working at Camp Courage. He made a connection with Cypress Falls student Haley Hayes, one of the first campers to arrive early to the event.

“Haley is a very kind and generous person who wasn’t confident at first, but I feel like I helped her create a bigger persona for herself,” Slone said. “Now she’s in a mindset where she can do what she wants to—throw a football, make a tackle, whatever. Camp Courage wasn’t about ourselves, it was about helping others who couldn’t do things we can do. It was about what I learned and what I can do to keep up that experience. I would be the first to volunteer if we did it again.”

Zepeda hopes to see the camp continue to grow in future years.

“Camp Courage is a great example of what makes CFISD and the CFISD community such a special place. We are fortunate to have so many athletes and kids that care for one another,” he said. “I appreciate the leadership of Cy Falls Campus Athletic Coordinator Chris Brister in organizing and spearheading this tremendous community service event. I also am so appreciative of the many athletes and coaches that came out to support and provide a great event for many of our students with special needs. It was evident after just a short time that all kids who participated benefited from working together and having fun collectively as a group of CFISD students.”

(PRESS RELEASE FROM CY-FAIR ISD COMMUNICATIONS)

  

Photo by Maria Colmenares, Cypress Falls HS

Bridgeland High School football player Aidan Hall assists senior student Zachary Portzline as he participates in a drill at Camp Courage on May 17.

cfisdcfisd athleticscy faircy fair isdfootballhigh school footballhouston high school sportsvype houston high school sportshigh school fpptball

OILER PRIDE: Pearland Looking To Make It Back To State

Matthew Ogle
14 Mar, 2025

After reaching the State Tournament for the second consecutive year – and the seventh time overall – the Pearland Oilers fell just short of claiming their first title since 1980, losing 4-1 to Tomball in Round Rock last spring. With valuable experience gained, this year is about seizing that opportunity.

Coach David Rogers enters his sixth year at the helm, relying on a talented core to reach their goal. Texas A&M-commit Nico Partida is back for his final year in the high school spotlight, after earning District 23-6A MVP and UIL-6A All-Tournament honors a year ago. In addition to his impeccable play on defense and at-bat (.414 BA, 7 HR, 41 RBI), Partida can just as easily make an impact when pitching (5-0), alongside junior Grant Shepherd.

Read More...Read Less
houston high school sportspearlandpearland baseballpearland high schoolpearland isdpearland isd athleticspearland oilerspearland oilers baseballtexas high school baseballtxhsbsbvype houston high school sports

THE BOBCATS: Cy Fair Coming Off 2024 Regional Final Appearance

Matthew Ogle
14 Mar, 2025

Under the guidance of eighth-year head coach Billy Hardin (197 wins), the Cy-Fair Bobcats are coming off a strong 2024 campaign, highlighted by a District 17-6A title and an impressive run to the Regional Final for the first time since 2018.

The Bobcats’ postseason push was halted by eventual State Finalist Pearland in a tight Game 3, further highlighting the team’s growing reputation as a serious contender.

Read More...Read Less
cy faircy fair baseballcy fair bobcatscy fair bobcats baseballcy fair high schoolcy fair high school baseballcy fair isdcy fair isd athleticshouston high school sportstexas high school baseballtxhsbsbvype houston high school sports

THE MUSTANGS: Memorial Loaded Roster Ready For State Run

Matthew Ogle
14 Mar, 2025

While their 26-14-2 record last season showcases a strong campaign, Memorial’s true potential was revealed in the playoffs. Advancing four rounds deep into the 2024 postseason, the Jeremy York-led Mustangs reached heights that no previous team in recent memory had attained.

What makes this even more exciting is the fact that the majority of the roster from that playoff run returns for the upcoming season. Key contributors will include first-team, all-district selections Will Van Wie (Houston commit), Jake Earnest (Baylor commit), and Jackson Castillo (Sr. DH/C), all of whom will play pivotal roles in the batting order.

Read More...Read Less
houston high school sportsmemorialmemorial baseballmemorial high schoolmemorial mustangsmemorial mustangs baseballsbisdsbisd athleticsspring branch isdspring branch isd athleticstexas high school baseballtxhsbsbvype houston high school sports
TRENDING
VYPE HOU Boys Track And Field Preseason Player Of The Year Fan Poll

VYPE HOU Boys Track And Field Preseason Player Of The Year Fan Poll

Bellaire's Henderson Headlines All-VYPE Public School Teams; photo gallery

Bellaire's Henderson Headlines All-VYPE Public School Teams; photo gallery

I'M LOVING IT: McDonald's All-American McDowell takes home POY; All-VYPE teams announced

I'M LOVING IT: McDonald's All-American McDowell takes home POY; All-VYPE teams announced

ROLL THE TAPE: Cedar Park Baseball Media Day Hype Video

ROLL THE TAPE: Cedar Park Baseball Media Day Hype Video

COACHES CORNER: New CE King Football Coach Laxen Pumped To Put His Stamp On Program

COACHES CORNER: New CE King Football Coach Laxen Pumped To Put His Stamp On Program

GAMES

VYPE Live Lineup - Friday 3/14/25

VYPE Live Lineup - Friday 3/14/25

VYPE Live Series Spotlight: Austin High vs. Del Valle

VYPE Live Series Spotlight: Austin High vs. Del Valle

7:15PM - Baseball: Medina Valley vs. Eagle Pass

7:15PM - Baseball: Medina Valley vs. Eagle Pass

7PM - Softball: Fredericksburg vs. Bandera

7PM - Softball: Fredericksburg vs. Bandera

7PM - Baseball: Vandegrift vs. Stony Point

7PM - Baseball: Vandegrift vs. Stony Point

7PM - Baseball: Manor New Tech vs. Austin Achieve

7PM - Baseball: Liberty Hill vs. Leander

7PM - Baseball: Liberty Hill vs. Leander

6:30PM - Baseball: Kempner vs. Victoria West

6:30PM - Baseball: Kempner vs. Victoria West

7PM - Baseball: Dripping Springs vs. Akins

7PM - Baseball: Dripping Springs vs. Akins

7PM - Baseball: Cedar Park vs. Hays

7PM - Baseball: Cedar Park vs. Hays

7PM - Baseball: Buda Johnson vs. Canyon

7PM - Baseball: Buda Johnson vs. Canyon

7:30PM - Baseball: Bowie vs. Lake Travis

7:30PM - Baseball: Bowie vs. Lake Travis

5PM - Baseball: Anderson vs. LASA

5PM - Baseball: Anderson vs. LASA

7PM - Baseball: Austin High vs. Del Valle

7PM - Baseball: Austin High vs. Del Valle

1PM - Baseball: Fulshear vs. Taylor

1PM - Baseball: Fulshear vs. Taylor

2PM - Baseball: Hastings vs. Elsik

2PM - Baseball: Hastings vs. Elsik

VYPE Live Lineup - Tuesday 3/11/25

VYPE Live Lineup - Tuesday 3/11/25

7PM - Baseball: Vandegrift vs. Stony Point

7PM - Baseball: Liberty Hill vs. Leander

7PM - Baseball: Liberty Hill vs. Leander

5PM - Softball: Fredericksburg vs. Gonzales

5PM - Softball: Fredericksburg vs. Gonzales

Join the #VYPETEAM

Get up to date news from all over the country! 

FROM THE WEB
VYPE DFW 2022 Preseason Public School Softball Player of the Year Fan Poll presented Sun & Ski Sports

VYPE DFW 2022 Preseason Public School Softball Player of the Year Fan Poll presented Sun & Ski Sports

VYPE DFW Private School Marching Band of the Year Fan Poll presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

VYPE DFW Private School Marching Band of the Year Fan Poll presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

VYPEU: Photo Gallery Creek win vs Spring Woods

VYPEU: Photo Gallery Creek win vs Spring Woods

WELCOME TO VYPE INSIDER

WELCOME TO VYPE INSIDER

VYPE Houston Friday Night Lights Scoreboard (9.3.21): Atascocita ends Allen's 122-game home winning streak, Full Scoreboard

VYPE Houston Friday Night Lights Scoreboard (9.3.21): Atascocita ends Allen's 122-game home winning streak, Full Scoreboard

CONNECT WITH US
Connect With Us
Copyright Ⓒ VYPE - All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Board Directory