THOMASVILLE — A national champion is hoping to improve local athletes’ abilitites, on and off the field.

Former Thomasville High standout quarterback Shawn Jones, who guided Georgia Tech to a share of the 1990 national championship, is holding his first football camp May 31 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

“I think we’re going to have a really good time,” Jones said. “It’s going to be a little tough because it’s going to be one of those things where I really try to push you. At the same time, I really think I’m going to get a lot out of them.”

The camp is for athletes in grades 6-12 playing the skill positions — quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, defensive backs and linebackers.

“What I want to do, football-wise, I want to be able to address all the little things they have to do to make them better players,” Jones said. “For the quarterbacks, it’s footwork, making sure you get your shoulders in proper position where the ball is placed where it’s supposed to be placed; ball-handling, how to take a snap. Some of the young men that are actually going to be working with me are actually going to be working in other areas: receivers, getting vertical up the field. Make the defender think you’re going to go by him every time.”

Jones will have a star-studded group to aid in the camp. The list includes Jones’ brother, former University of Georgia defensive back and current New York Jets’ assistant coach Mike Jones, former Thomas County Central and Georgia Tech running back Joe Burns, Washington Redskins Super Bowl champion Danny Copeland, former Valdosta State defensive back and current Thomasville High assistant Mikeal Lovejoy and former Tech quarterback Donnie Davis.

“My whole thing about learning how to play the sport is, that I want to learn from the best,” Shawn Jones noted. “The best way to show people how to do things is by example and by teaching. I think you learn a lot from teaching when it’s taught correctly. The gentlemen I have with me, I think, are some of the best players locally.”

The camp will last from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and will cost $35 to attend.

“Basically, what I want to, I want it to be an annual thing,” Jones said. “At the same time, I want to deal with the physical and the spiritual. My whole thing is, we are what I call tripod beings: soul, body and spirit. I like to deal with football players. They have a life outside of football.”

At the end of the camp, there will be a question and answer time for campers to inquire about recruiting and playing at the next level.