WAHPETON, N.D. (KVRR/KNFL)— Summer in the Red River Valley means the return of hometown athletes giving back to the communities that helped shape them. On Monday, Hankinson native and former North Dakota State standout Cody Mauch hosted his third annual youth football camp in Wahpeton.
Cody Mauch Gives Back at Free Youth Football Camp in Wahpeton
Across two sessions, 500 campers participated in drills, competitions and football instruction led by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman and a group of volunteers.
Mauch wasn’t just coaching from the sidelines. He jumped into drills, challenged campers in one-on-one competitions and created memories that he hopes will last long after the camp ends.
“I think I had the best time,” Mauch said. “We were doing some one-on-ones, and that’s the kind of thing where if I see a kid randomly at the grocery store, they’ll mention, ‘Hey, I beat you in a one-on-one at your camp.’ Those are the things that really stick with them.”
The camp’s most unique feature may be its price tag: free.
While many professional athlete camps charge registration fees, Mauch has made it a priority to keep his event accessible to everyone.
“You don’t want any kids to miss out on the opportunity just because there’s a price tag on it,” Mauch said. “It’s a great way for me to give back. There’s no reason to charge them anything because I’m just happy to be out here doing this.”
Mauch enters his fourth NFL season after a difficult 2025 campaign that ended after just two games because of a season-ending knee injury. The recovery process tested him both physically and mentally.
“It was terrible,” Mauch said. “I’ve never really had to deal with anything like that. It’s a lonesome feeling when you get hurt. You’re in the training room doing rehab while the guys are out there practicing. You’re always on a different schedule. It’s tough. It’s an isolated feeling.”
The good news for Buccaneers fans is that Mauch says his recovery is complete.
“My knee’s all healed up now, so I’m excited to get going again,” he said.
Following the camp, Mauch stayed to sign autographs for every camper who wanted one. More than football skills, he hopes participants left with belief in what is possible.
A former nine-man football player from Hankinson, Mauch knows firsthand that big dreams can come from small towns.
“If a kid from Hankinson, North Dakota, who played nine-man football can make it, why can’t they?” Mauch said. “A lot of them tell me they’re going to be next, and I think that’s awesome. You should have those dreams. It’s good to see that those dreams can come true.”
For one day in Wahpeton, Mauch wasn’t just an NFL player. He was living proof to hundreds of young athletes that their goals are within reach.
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