🏈 Protect the Protectors: The 50 CAL Big Man Camp

On Sunday, July 13, 2025, something powerful will take place at Trench Academy in Tampa, Florida — the 50 CAL Big Man Camp, a free, position-specific training event created to honor the life and legacy of Calvin “CJ” Dickey Jr.

CJ was more than an athlete. He was a leader, a scholar, and above all, a protector — on and off the field. As an offensive lineman, he took pride in his role. He shielded quarterbacks, cleared paths for running backs, and stood tall for his teammates. But CJ’s story reminds us that even the strongest players need protection.

On his very first day as a freshman athlete at Bucknell University, CJ collapsed during a workout. He never got the chance to live out his dream. He trained nearly every day. He studied film. He was prepared. And still, we lost him.

Why This Camp Matters

The 50 CAL Big Man Camp is our way of saying: enough. It’s time to protect the protectors.

This free, two-hour training event is designed for offensive and defensive linemen ages 13 and up. Participants will receive:

• Expert position-specific coaching

• Safe, progressive training techniques

• Hydration and recovery guidance

• Health and safety education, including awareness of conditions like sickle cell trait or heat exhaustion which can pose elevated risks for athletes under exertion

But this camp is more than just drills. It’s a platform. A message. A movement.

We are raising awareness to ensure no other family endures what we’ve endured. We are demanding accountability from institutions. And we are building a legacy in CJ’s honor — one rep, one breath, one young athlete at a time.

Camp Details:

• Date: Saturday, July 13, 2025

• Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

• Location: Trench Academy, 8128 Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL

• Who: OL/DL Athletes, Ages 13+

• Cost: Free

• Register: Click here to sign up

In Calvin’s Honor

CJ deserved better. And until there is real change in how athletes — especially linemen — are trained, monitored, and cared for, we will not stop. This camp is just the beginning.

We invite players, parents, coaches, and community members to stand with us. Train with purpose. Honor with action. And protect every young person who puts on pads and steps onto that field.