The Manning family returned to Nicholls State for their fifteenth annual Manning Passing Academy which was held in July.Archie, Peyton, Eli and Cooper, along with college players from all over the country, came to Thibodaux to tutor high school players.

The Mannings started the passing camp in 1996 at Tulane University and later moved the camp to Nicholls campus.

“I can’t emphasize enough how much we appreciate the help from Nicholls State and all their people here on campus. We appreciate all the wonderful hospitality throughout this area and throughout this community,” Archie Manning said.

The Mannings signed a three-year contract with Nicholls in 2008 which has yet to renew with the university.

This past summer was the Mannings’ last year on their contract and Athletic Director Rob Bernardi is optimistic that the Mannings will re-sign.

“They really like the campus, facilities and Thibodaux,” Bernardi said. “We’re still negotiating and meeting with them about what their needs are and how we’re going to address them.”

The Mannings were joined by an all-star cast of wide receivers and quarterbacks. Peyton Manning brought Austin Collie of the Indianapolis Colts with him, while Eli brought Hakeem Nicks of the New York Giants.

Quarterbacks from all over the country joined the camp to help with the kids and compete in the “Air It Out” session.

The “Air It Out” competition consists of the college quarterbacks trying to hit moving golf cart 15-40 yards down the field. Each player gets three throws and if the player connects on all three, they get a bonus ball.

“We try to spend a lot of time with the kids,” Peyton Manning said. “Eli and I met up with the campers last night and had a Q and A about playing quarterback.”

Quarterbacks that competed were Stanford’s Andrew Luck, Florida State’s Christian Ponder, Tennessee’s Matt Simms, Houston’s Case Keenum, Boise State’s Kellen Moore, Texas A&M’s Jerrod Johnson, LSU’s Jordan Jefferson, Alabama’s Greg McElroy, Texas Tech’s Taylor Potts and T.J. Yates of North Carolina.

Potts won the “Air It Out” session after a grinding battle with the runner up, Simms. Even though Potts won the competition, Simms possessed the “wow factor”.

ESPN’s Chris Mortenson attended the camp and quoted McElroy on his twitter saying “Man, I wish I had an arm like that,” referring to Simms.

Kids from all over the country came to the Manning Camp. Junior Kyle Baker from a high school in Florida traveled thirteen hours to come to the camp.

“One of our coaches told us to come so we made the trip from Florida,” Baker said.

Keith Jackson, father of Grey Jackson, was a little nervous about his son staying the night because it was his son’s first year at the camp.

“I’m a little bit nervous,” Jackson said. “I’m looking for someone to help him with his foot work and his release. He’s a big, strong kid, but he’s just raw. I’m thrilled to be able to sit up there and watch the camp.”

The Mannings personally enjoy the camp because it allows them to spend time again with each other. Archie, Cooper, Peyton, and Eli stay in the dorms together.

“To be here and have that time together is fun and reminds us of the good ‘ol days,” Peyton said.

With training camp only three weeks away, the Mannings are still humble over the success they’ve achieved.

“It’s really recharging for me and Eli to be around these kids before training camp to remind us this is a great sport and we’re fortunate enough to make a living playing the game we love,” Peyton said.

Manning’s Colts are ranked number one in ESPN’s ultimate NFL Rankings. One of the biggest surprises of the 2009 NFL season was the emergence of wide receiver Austin Collie.

Collie had 60 receptions for 676 yards and 7 touchdowns. Collie recognizes that he is playing with one of NFL’s true greats.

“He’s phenomenal,” Collie said. “The guy shows up every single day with the same attitude wanting to get better. He demands that everyone put in the work. He’s great and obviously you see that by what he’s done.”

As the Mannings depart from Thibodaux and head into training camp, Eli and Peyton have a date on the gridiron September 19. The brothers will face off once again head to head when the New York Giants take on the Indianapolis Colts in the second week of the season.