SAN ANTONIO (June 16, 2010) -- The Houston Dynamo Youth Development System and Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) kicked off the special Residential Elite Camp this week on campus. The curriculum and training are based on technique and tactical development.

Each player is being evaluated by the Dynamo coaching staff, and successful players will be invited to train with the Dynamo Academy.

The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first four seasons and represented the United States in four consecutive regional championships.

Major League Soccer's Dominic Oduro, who plays for the Houston Dynamo, is on campus today through 5 p.m. (Pictured with Oduro are OLLU Saints soccer players, from left, Ramiro Ramirez, Marco Herrera, Ramon Rodriguez, Cesar Dominguez and David Valdez.)

The more than 125 young men have been able to interact with Oduro, and he has spoken to the kids about techniques and the importance of staying in school. Today, the campers are scheduled to play 11v11 games from 4-8:30 p.m. and the All Star Camp will take place at 6 p.m. on OLLU's Soccer Field. On Thursday, OLLU will host a camp closing ceremony at 11 a.m. in the University's Thiry Auditorium.

"The camp has been big for the University. The exposure for our institution and our soccer program is huge when associating it with an established organization like the Dynamo," said Assistant Soccer Coach Arthur Salazar. "It also has given us the opportunity to reach out to people with whom we otherwise would not come in contact."

The campers attending are a very diverse group of young men from throughout the United States, as well as Argentina, India and Mexico. The training staff from the Houston Dynamo Academy Programs, which are located in Houston and in the Valley, include James Clarkson, Rafa Brazo, Albert Flores, Armando Badillo, Dan Balaguero, Gary Hamilton, Hector Avila, Javier Cuellar, Mario Sanchez, Nathan Day, Michael Fasching, Justin Fite, Justin Dean and OLLU Head Soccer Coach Shane Hurley.

The campers and staff have been residing on campus in Flores Hall while attending the camp. Also, given the World Cup is in full swing, the campers have spent much of their free time watching games.

The camp has been such a success that plans are in place for two sessions next summer with dates being released soon.

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