ISU football legend Shakir Bell returns for Grow Beyond the Game youth football camp

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Former Indiana State running back Shakir Bell returned to Terre Haute Saturday morning to help run the first annual “Grow Beyond the Game” youth football camp at Terre Haute North High School.

In addition to Bell, former Sycamores Aaron Archie (Arkansas Tech linebacker coach), Aaron Edwards (Ben Davis assistant coach), Demory Lawshe (IMG Academy WR coach) and Michael Ghant (Terre Haute North head coach) were also in attendance at the camp.

Football players from grades 1 through 8 from the Terre Haute area participated in the event.

“It's really great to be back in Terre Haute,” Bell said. “It's just really important to me to be able to come back and be part of the community.”

Event organizers hope this football camp will become an annual tradition and travel to various Wabash Valley High School fields and communities.

Before training camp began, Bell was presented with an Indiana State jersey he had worn. This meant a lot to him, as he was unable to take many of his old memorabilia with him due to the abrupt end of his career at Sycamore.

“I still can't breathe when I get the jersey back because there are a lot of memories associated with these new jerseys in particular and it's just incredible to be able to own this jersey,” said Bell.

Shakir Bell played for Indiana State from 2010 to 2013. In 2011, he rushed for 1,670 yards, which remains an ISU season record.