DETROIT - To makes things clear, not every kid from the urban areas of Detroit, Pontiac, Saginaw, Flint, River Rouge, Muskegon, and other places, come from a broken home, or are in severe poverty. But for the ones that are, the satellite camp that Ferris State head football coach Tony Annese and his staff, along with Hope College, held at Detroit East English Prep on Tuesday are a blessing.

Satellite camps have become the next big time in the world of high school football recruiting, thanks to Michigan head man Jim Harbaugh, and although they greatly benefit the football programs that host them, Annese thinks they benefit the players even more.

"One thing that Coach Harbaugh did was take his camps to places where kids weren't able to get to him," Annese said. "It cost a lot of money to camp for a few days at schools like Michigan and others, so, for kids who can't afford that, or can't get up to Ferris State, these satellite camps are great. They get to see us, and we get to see them."

"I think that is the best thing about these kind of camps, they offer a lot of exposure for kids who otherwise wouldn't have gotten any."

Annese and his staff brought their camp to one of the most gang-ridden neighborhoods on the east side of Detroit, but more importantly, he brought his camp to a school that he has built a great relationship with. Two players from his incoming 2016 recruiting class played at East English Village Prep, and Annese believes that keeping those relationships with city coaches going is the key to success for both each program on both levels.

"We have these camps to celebrate football with the kids, but I also value my relationships with the coaches," he said. "Coaches like Rod Oden (EEVP), Thomas Wilcher (Cass Tech), Andre Harlan (Western) and others have become my friends, and we value our relationship with the PSL and other coaches around the city. I have players on my roster here right now who are from places like Detroit and Romulus, and I think it is important for them to give back, and continue these pipelines possibly in the future."

Annese coached at Muskegon for nine seasons, winning three state titles for the Big Reds. He also coached at Grand Rapids Community College when its football program was open, so he knows a bit about coaching, and dealing with players from all avenues of life.

"Coaching at Muskegon and GRCC, and just being a teacher for 25 years, I have seen it all," he said. "But instead of ridiculing our kids for their situation, I always believed in uplifting them using football. There is a lot of talent in the urban areas, and a lot of the time the just need some guidance and an opportunity to succeed. I am glad that I have been able to provide that wherever I went."

"We had a lot of fun out here tonight, and I think coaches like Rod Oden are doing a great job with their programs, and kids as well. We have to keep that success going, which is why I decided to have this camp here."

Campers were given a Ferris State shirt that read "Back-2-Back GLIAC champions" on the front of it. After the camp, Annese encouraged the kids to keep the shirts, and to wear them proudly. Ferris State has emerged as of the top college football programs in the state of Michigan, regardless of level of play, and top recruits have recognized that over the years.

"Our brand is growing, absolutely," said Annese. "Ferris State football has become national, and we want to continue to get better each and every year. These camps are going to help us do that, and as long as we keep winning, the Ferris State football name will remain a recognizable one among the players."