myhousekey Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 (edited) I thought they would end up doing this but I guess it's official now. http://blog.nola.com/saintsbeat/2009/03/on...icials_ann.html On Monday, Saints officials announced the team will not return to Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., where they've held training camp the past three summers, and instead will work at their practice facility in Metairie to prepare for this season. Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis said the decision to stay in New Orleans was based on shifting "dynamics and economics." Of the 32 NFL teams, 17 will conduct training camps at their primary bases of operations this summer. It will be the Saints' first training camp in New Orleans under coach Sean Payton, who's entering his fourth season. The Saints are tentatively scheduled to open camp July 29-30. "We have decided that holding training camp at our facility would provide us with enough quality fields to work on, an indoor practice facility in case of inclement weather as well as access to the technology we have available at our headquarters in Metairie," Loomis said in a statement. "Training camp is a very physically and mentally demanding period of time for the players, and by being able to utilize our facilities, we feel like it is the best decision that we can make for our team at this time." The Saints' decision to train in New Orleans with one year remaining on a contract with Millsaps College also coincides with ongoing negotiations between team owner Tom Benson and the state on a new long-term stadium lease at the Superdome. "We are committed to our region, and although Millsaps College was a great partner, we remain committed to doing our part to strengthen our state, our city, and I believe this is another step in that direction," Benson said. Loomis, Benson and team owner/executive vice president Rita Benson LeBlanc thanked Millsaps officials, the team's numerous sponsors in Jackson as well as its fans throughout Mississippi "for a first-rate experience there." "We couldn't have been treated any better," Loomis said. Edited March 31, 2009 by myhousekey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 You guys should come back up to Wisconsin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myhousekey Posted March 31, 2009 Author Share Posted March 31, 2009 You guys should come back up to Wisconsin. Yeah, I guess they haven't been up to La Crosse since 1999. I'm sure the players would enjoy the cooler weather up north. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted March 31, 2009 Share Posted March 31, 2009 Wow the Saints have moved around a lot. For awhile the Bears, Saints, Chiefs and of course Packers were all here. San Diego, California (1967-69) Cal Western University · Bowling Green, Ohio (1970) Bowling Green University · Hattiesburg, Mississippi (1971-73) University of Southern Mississippi · Vero Beach, Florida (1974) Dodgertown · Thibodaux, Louisiana (1975) Nicholls State University · Vero Beach, Florida (1976-84) Dodgertown · Ruston, Louisiana (1985) Louisiana Tech · Hammond, Louisiana (1986-87) Southeastern Louisiana University · La Crosse, Wisconsin (1988-99) University of Wisconsin LaCrosse · Thibodaux, Louisiana (2000-02) Nicholls State University · Metairie, Louisiana (2003-05) Saints Training Facility · Jackson, Mississippi (2006-08) Millsaps College Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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