This is pretty cool.

The first Aliquippa Quips football camp, held Thursday at Carl A. Aschman Stadium, drew more than 60 athletes. They paid no tuition. They arrived early in the morning, or at mid-day after summer school, or whenever they could, and they were embraced.

“I just wanted to come back and give the kids an opportunity to be coached by professional coaches, and to learn something about the importance of academics and character,” Babich said.

The camp’s staff included Steelers assistants Lou Spanos and Mike Raich, head coaches Geno DeMarco of Geneva and Jerry Schmidt of Duquesne, Kent State assistant Jason Nichols, and Kent State graduate assistant Bobby Babich, son of the Bears’ coach who intercepted three passes at North Dakota State last year.

The Quips varsity staff , including head coach Mike Zmijanac and veteran assistants Sherm McBride and Pete Short, were also involved. The athletes ranged in age from third-graders to varsity standouts Jonathan Baldwin and Brandon Lindsey.

When Anderson stood at the end of the line, Baldwin stood at the front of the line. The athletes were not separated by ages. They worked together.

“We’ve got pro coaches and college coaches, and we’ve got young coaches and old coaches,” Babich said. “And we’ve got young offensive linemen and older offensive linemen, young running backs and older running backs.

The camp was put together by Bruce Babich, an Aliquippa grad and now the linebackers coach for the Chicago Bears (he also coached the linebackers at Pitt under Johnny Majors from 94-96). He has scary eyes.

Helping at the camp, in addition to the various coaches were other Aliquippa grads. This includes Josh Lay, now a rookie with the New Orleans Saints, and Pitt CB Darrelle Revis.

In the afternoon’s defensive drills, Baldwin offered advice to the youngest defensive backs during a water break. When drills resumed, Lay offered advice to Baldwin. Then, standing at midfield, Babich and Lay began talking about cornerback technique at the line of scrimmage.

The little guys got help. The varsity guys got help. The NFL rookie got help. During a break in the afternoon, Pitt defensive back Darrelle Revis talked to the campers at midfield.

“You have to stay focused,” Revis said. “To be a Division I athlete, you have to stay focused on your grades, and you have to stay focused on the things your parents are teaching you. Your parents will steer you on the right path … Stay with the positive. Stay away from the negative people who will drag you down.”

Well, unless your father is Nelson Peterson. In which case, you might want to consider different advice.