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Gelof brothers give back to Cape community youth

Campers learn sports from champions
The Gelof Brothers Foundation’s inaugural Youth Sports Camp was held at Cape Henlopen High School Nov. 22, when 80 future star athletes had a fun day of baseball, basketball, hockey and more. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
November 30, 2023

The Gelof Brothers Foundation’s inaugural Youth Sports Camp was held at Cape Henlopen High School Nov. 22, when 80 future stars ranging from 8 to 13 years old had a fun day of baseball, hockey, basketball and more with Zack and Jake Gelof and a group of talented and accomplished athletes and coaches.

The three-hour event was filled with sports games, skills instruction, mindset coaching and competition. Each camper received a swag bag that included a Gelof Brothers Foundation T-shirt, a small dry erase board, baseball cards featuring Jake and Zack, a sponsor pen and a flyer for Dewd Surf Company.

Zack and Jake are professional baseball players. Zack was drafted in the second round with the 60th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft and is the starting second baseman for the Oakland Athletics. Jake was drafted in the second round with the 60th overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers and just completed his first season in Single-A.

The mission of the Gelof Brothers Foundation is to provide resources and assistance to support the overall development of youth.

“I loved meeting the kids,” said Zack. “I hope they had a good time and left motivated that setting goals, giving effort can be fun and rewarding.”

“It took a lot of dedicated people to help put this together,” said Jake. “We’re very thankful for all of them on Thanksgiving. I feel very lucky to come home to a tight community where everyone really supports us and each other.”

“It was really fun and I love that they had a variety of sports that anyone can play,” said 11-year-old camper Gus Neace. “It was a positive environment, and the Gelof brothers and staff were very encouraging.”

The event ended with a raffle where campers got to pick prizes from the University of Virginia or Oakland A’s gear. A question-and-answer session followed with young campers asked unrehearsed questions like, “Which one of you does your parents like more?”

The brothers stayed long after the event was over to make sure to sign every camper’s merchandise.

For more information about the Gelof Brothers Foundation, go to givesignup.org/TicketEvent/GelofBrothersFoundation.

 

Zack Gelof looks on as Cameron Corrozi, 11, hits off a tee.
Cape all-star and Lafayette College baseball four-year starter Zach Savage demonstrates prepping for a throw to Jameson MacPhee.
Brody Fazio shows his support for his favorite players Zack and Jake Gelof.
Winning autographed bats from Jake and Zack Gelof are Reese Gordy, 8, and Lukin Jones, 13.
Bagel Bombers founder and Poppa Gelof, Adam, explains the hitting station.
Former Cape state champion and Christopher Newport player Josh Reinhold demonstrates a backhand play to camper Luca Fazio.
Reese Webb, 10, snags a grounder against the wall impressing Zach Savage, left, and Zack Gelof.
Dalton Zmuda throws back to the coach during an infield drill.
The Gelof family reviews the days event. Shown are (l-r) Jake, Zack, Adam and Kelly Gelof.
Zack Gelof speaks to a fan during the Q&A portion of the day.
Floor hockey was a popular sport during the event.
Jake Gelof gives encouragement to Teddy Neace, 9, during the relay obstacle course.
University of Virginia and A’s gear was given as raffle prizes.
Lily Collins was the first to win a raffle prize and she chose a University of Virginia T-shirt.
Jake, left, and Zack Gelof stayed until every fan’s memorabilia was signed.
Jake, left, and Zack Gelof answer a question in the Q&A session.
Auguast Neace, 11, catches a throw from Red Sox scout Chris Calciano.
Taking questions during the basketball portion are (l-r) Ian Robertson, Zack Gelof and Lindsay Monigle.
Nehemiah Woods, 11, takes a shot on goal during the hockey event.
National champion Ian Robertson gives pointers during the basketball event.
Volunteering for the event were (l-r) Alia Marshall, Annie Judge and Lindsay Monigle.
Zack Gelof does the Ellis Gaulden warmup with the campers.
Zach Savage and Josh Reinhold demonstrate infield work while Cape coach Ben Evick explains the technique.
Campers got the chance to shoot over Randolph Macon national champion Ian Robertson.
Instructors introduce themselves to the campers.
Hoyt Kapp, 10, hits as Red Sox scout Chris Calciano and Zack Gelof look on.
Volunteer coaches for the event included in back (l-r) Ellis Gaulden, Josh Reinhold, Tyzhir Morris, Chris Calciano, Ben Evick, Jake Gelof, Adam Gelof, Zack Gelof and Ian Robertson. In front are Ryan Teaman, Zach Dale, Ben Ashby, Lindsay Monigle, Zach Savage, Alia Marshall and Annie Judge.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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