The name Josef Alleyne may already be familiar to Mount Dora Christian Academy football fans. A 2013 graduate of MDCA, Josef left an unforgettable mark on the program as a team captain and earned MVP honors on both offense and defense.

After graduating, Josef continued his football career at Harding University in Arkansas, where he played from 2013 to 2015 before discovering his passion for coaching.

He began his coaching career at Lake Howell High School in 2017. Since 2021, however, he has come full circle by returning to his alma mater as an assistant varsity football coach and lead physical education teacher.

The Eagles enjoyed one of their best defensive seasons in school history this past year, recording a school-record 40 takeaways and allowing just 11.2 points per game — the lowest average in program history.

Growing up in Tavares, Josef says giving back to the community that helped shape him has become his mission. He is also the CEO of Alleyne Athletics, a Central Florida football training organization dedicated to developing young athletes.

“To me, the camp is important because kids in the Tavares area are ridiculously talented and have been for a long time,” Josef says. “The issue is only a few of us make it out.”

For the past three years, Josef has worked with Nike and recently returned from The Opening, the company’s premier football showcase held at Nike headquarters in Oregon. The event brings together 120 of the nation’s top high school football players.

“After working the Nike event, it’s clearer now than before,” he says. “To me, the camp is important because kids in the Tavares area are ridiculously talented and has been for a long time. The issue is only a few of us make it out,” Coach Josef says. “Talent isn’t enough; you must sharpen that skill to get to the top, and camps like this can open that opportunity to our community and send our kids to the top.”

Josef hopes to bring that same level of development home during the Alleyne Athletics 3rd Annual Summer Showcase, scheduled for July 18 at the Woodlea Sports Complex in Tavares.

The camp is open to students entering third through eighth grade and will feature instruction from local high school athletes, coaches and former collegiate players. Participants will learn football fundamentals, position-specific drills and techniques designed to elevate their game.

The showcase costs $65 per athlete and will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration closes July 4. Each participant will receive a camp T-shirt and compete for MVP honors.

Josef is also seeking community partners to help make the event accessible for more young athletes.

“Donations are key to enhance the experience for the campers and to promote your business,” Josef says. “We already have Kona Ice, Pretty in Pink Cornhole and Black Bear Concessions partnering with us. We would love to have other companies contribute to sponsor athletes that cannot afford to pay the camp fee.”

For more information or to register, email itscoachjoe@gmail.com or visit aa-showcase3.eventbrite.com.