Chico Canales Article Mention

[Harry]

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/preps/backyard-football-game-evolves-into-battle-for-scholarships-with-7-on-7/1180411

In 1998, then-USF offensive coordinator Mike Canales is credited with bringing the competitive 7-on-7 concept to the Southeast when he organized the first Sling-N-Shoot tournament.

He saw it as an opportunity to build a bridge to the local football community, as well as to boost the young program's recruiting efforts.

The tournament started with eight teams and grew to as many as 72, and as the number of entries grew, so did the number of top players coming to USF's campus.

"Legally, you're not allowed to offer anyone on the spot, but it helped identify kids you want to evaluate," Canales said. "And you got to see seniors but also upcoming juniors and sophomores. It was a great recruiting tool."