Cards likely to move camp to Prescott
Flulike outbreak in Flagstaff prompts relocation
Kent Somers
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 26, 2005 12:00 AM
For the first time since moving to Arizona 17 years ago, the Cardinals won't hold their training camp at Northern Arizona University.
That doesn't mean they won't travel north to practice, however.
The Cardinals are expected to announce a new site as early as today, and the most likely location is Prescott.
The team also is considering Payson, and camp at Tempe headquarters remains a remote possibility. That seems the least likely scenario, given the extreme temperatures.
The Cardinals have been considering alternatives since last week, when flulike symptoms began affecting people on the Flagstaff campus. The outbreak is believed to be norovirus, which is highly contagious, although not usually dangerous.
Team officials decided Monday to move training camp out of Flagstaff.
"Within the next 24 hours or so, we should be able to narrow down our decisions," said Rod Graves, vice president of football operations. "We're taking a look at several possibilities, including the Prescott situation."
Prescott seems the most logical choice, because it is home to Yavapai College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which have dormitories and dining facilities.
In addition, the Cardinals trained there for a week last year, staying in a hotel, and were scheduled to return Aug. 22-24.
The team practices at Ken Lindley Field in the center of Prescott. The field is small, and it might not be able to withstand the pounding of three weeks of practice.
Also, players are bused to and from practice, so there is less interaction with fans, but practices would remain open to the public.
No matter where the Cardinals hold camp, Graves doesn't expect the change to affect the work the team does on the field.
"I think as a football team, we've all learned to adjust on the move," Graves said. "The one thing I can say definitely about Dennis Green and his coaching staff is that we'll be prepared, and this will not be a disruption to him."
Green was not available for comment Monday.
Graves praised NAU's efforts to accommodate the Cardinals, but there is no guarantee the Cardinals will return there. The team is in the last year of its contract with NAU.
The team pays the university about $425,000 a year, and it's unknown whether a financial settlement will be reached over the club's decision to leave.
"I know the decision was carefully made, and it's right for the team, but it's really unfortunate for Northern Arizona fans and for our city," said Julie Pastrick, president and CEO of the Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce.
Pastrick said her organization will help NAU try to negotiate a new training camp contract with the Cardinals.
The Cardinals would like to return to Flagstaff, said Graves, who added that other sites also will be considered.
"Certainly, we've enjoyed our relationship with NAU," Graves said.
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