FAU camp to benefit Douglas shooting families

BOCA RATON — Add the Florida Atlantic football program to the list of many sporting teams who have extended help to those affected by the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Saturday, the Owls will host a youth football clinic from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m., at Orange Bowl Field at Carter Park in Fort Lauderdale. The event is open to anyone in kindergarten through eighth grade. Admission is $20, with all the proceeds going to the victims of the tragedy.

Kiffin said the idea hatched after a recent conversation with public speaker Jon Gordon.

“It just kind of came to me,” Kiffin said after Saturday’s practice. “I think it started with Jon Gordon telling me he was coming down here, he was gonna swing by and see me and he was going over there to help. It just kind of triggered, there’s gotta be something we can figure out to do.”

Seventeen Douglas students and faculty members were killed when Nikolas Cruz opened fire at the school Feb. 14. And 17 others were injured by Cruz, who is being held at the Broward County Jail and facing the death penalty.

Many local sporting teams, including the Dolphins, Marlins, Panthers, Heat and the Miami Hurricanes football team, have reached out to the Douglas community. Heat guard Dwyane Wade visited the campus a few weeks ago. The Marlins held a 17-second moment of silence for the victims before Friday’s game. The Dolphins donated $100,000 to the affected families.

FAU hosted the Douglas football team at last Thursday’s practice. A few players were allowed to sit in on the Owls’ huddles and all interacted with the coaching staff after practice.

Kiffin said they wanted to do something this weekend but class schedules interfered.

“We tried to do it over at the high school this Saturday but they were on spring break,” Kiffin said.

The Owls were already scheduled to practice at Carter Park in hopes of improving recruiting in Broward County. Kiffin said he has already spoken with rapper Luther Campbell and NFL Hall of Famer Warren Sapp about attending. Several former FAU players are also expected to participate in the youth camp.

“We had to go through some stuff with the NCAA, to clear things, to be able to do it,” Kiffin said. “We did it the best that we could and hopefully we get a bunch of people out there.”

Wright makes presence felt

Receiver Willie Wright was back at practice after missing the first five because of an undisclosed injury. He needed little time before making an impact, catching two long passes from quarterback De’Andre Johnson.

Last year, Wright led the team with 56 catches for 657 yards and six touchdowns.

Pierre switches positions

Sophomore James Pierre has moved from safety to cornerback during spring drills. The change was mostly made because of Pierre’s 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame.

A cornerback with that height is considered a rarity.

“He made an interception the other day and I made the comment, ‘He’s probably going to, if he keeps his head on straight, make a lot of money at the next level,’” Kiffin said. “That’s what they’re looking for, really fast, really long with ball skills.That’s what everybody is paying for now on Sundays because of the matchup issues outside.”

srichardson@sun-sentinel .com, Twitter @shandelrich