THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HAMPTON, Va. -- Michael Vick's advice to basketball campers at Hampton University: Use his own story as an example as they work to follow their dreams.

The free agent NFL quarterback, who last month finished a 23-month federal prison sentence for dogfighting, according to a release Tuesday from the university told the campers that he accomplished his goals and then "allowed someone who didn't have my best interests at heart to take all that away from me."

Vick was a surprise guest at the camp run by Pirates interim men's basketball coach Ed Joyner Jr., according to the university.

The 29-year-old Vick was conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last month and cleared to sign with a team, but thus far he remains unsigned.