PENSACOLA, Fla. — It’s been 45 years of drills, dribbling and devotion to teaching basketball skills. On Friday, a legendary local coach marked the milestone with players he’s inspired through the decades.

WEAR News’ Laura Hussey visits the “Chip Boes Championship Basketball Camp.” Coach Boes is a believer in drills and repetition.

As a college player, as a coach at Pensacola State College, and for every one of the last 45 summers running the Chip Boes Championship Basketball Camp, his philosophy is simple: every kid should have a ball in their hands.

“You give a child a ball, any kind of ball, they’re gonna play with it,” said Boes. “You give them a video game. They’re gonna play with it. What are your options?”

Seven-year-old Ty Sullivan is back for his second year of camp.

“On the first day, it’s pretty easy but as the week goes it gets a little harder,” Sullivan said.

That’s the idea. The players aren’t just getting lessons in basketball. They’re getting lessons in life.

“We place a little bit of responsibility on the campers themselves. We’ve got too many young children walking around that think their coach or their teacher or their parent is responsible for their performance,” said Boes. “Well, their parents and coach, pastor, whomever might be responsible for giving them the opportunity, but it’s their job and their responsibility to take advantage of the opportunity and improve.”

On the last day of camp, alumni, like Molly Cobb, showed up to mark the milestone. At 14, she was part of the first Chip Boes camp, and went on to be a standout player at Catholic High. She says his contribution to the community is beyond measure.

“That old school philosophy of discipline, working hard, having a work ethic,” former basketball camper Molly Cobb said.

“It just far reaches the game of basketball,” she said. “…And I’m so honored that I was a part of that very first moment to say that, ‘Yeah, he made a difference in my life.'”

With this week’s group, Boes has now coached 10,000 players. He sees a need in the community. So as long as he can, he plans to pass on the love and lessons he’s found on the boards.

“Other than my immediate family, probably 90% of the good things that I’ve been blessed to enjoy in life have been a result of this great game,” Boes said.