Seventy-five young athletes gathered at Simeon Career Academy last Saturday, participating in a youth football camp hosted by one of the school’s most well-known alumni: University of Illinois wide receiver Malik Elzy.
The one-day camp, open to kids ages 6 to 14, offered a mix of football fundamentals, life skills workshops, and community connection. For Elzy, now entering his junior year with the Fighting Illini, it was a chance to give back to the same neighborhood and field that shaped him.
“I wanted this to be more than just football,” Elzy said. “It’s about showing kids what’s possible — that where they come from doesn’t limit where they can go.”
A 2023 graduate of Simeon, Elzy earned All-American honors his senior year and played in the All-American Bowl. That season, he posted 45 receptions for 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns, helping lead Simeon to a 12–1 record and championships in the Chicago Public League and the Prep Bowl.
At Illinois, Elzy has continued to grow both on and off the field. He appeared in nine games during the 2024 season, recording 77 receiving yards and a touchdown, and was named to the Academic All-Big Ten Team. As a freshman in 2023, he contributed 52 yards and a touchdown in limited action — numbers that reflect his steady development in a competitive Big Ten program.
The camp was organized in partnership with Collective Uplift, a sports agency that works with athletes on community-centered leadership and wellness. The event featured hands-on training and positional instruction led by Elzy and other local coaches.
The event also featured a guest appearance from Pat Bryant, a third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and Elzy’s former teammate at Illinois. Bryant spoke to the group about preparation and perseverance, emphasizing the importance of education and long-term mindset.
“We believe that true impact happens when athletes use their platform to uplift others,” said Aaron Garland, CEO of the sports agency Collective Uplift. “Malik’s heart for his community was on full display. This camp reminded us that when faith, service, and leadership intersect, lives are changed.”
Sponsors including Jewel Osco, Huntington Bank, Raising Cane’s, NAMI Chicago, and Primerica Investments provided meals, gear, and event support — helping to make the camp accessible to all participants.
Organizers say the success of the camp has already sparked plans for an expanded version next summer, with more resources and broader reach. Elzy said he hopes it becomes an annual tradition, ideally growing alongside his own career.
“This was a start,” he said. “We’re already thinking about how to make it bigger — more stations, more speakers, more opportunities for kids to grow.”
As the camp concluded and families packed up to head home, the message lingered: talent may take you far, but returning with purpose can mean even more.