Concordia was long shot to lure Rams

By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Jul. 23 2008

Allen Prochnow was sitting at home reading the newspaper last spring when he
read an article about the Rams looking for a training camp site in Wisconsin.

"I decided, 'Gosh, I'd like to have them here at Concordia. What a wonderful
opportunity,' " said Prochnow, the executive vice president and chief operating
officer at Concordia University in suburban Milwaukee.

Simple as that.

"The next day I came to work and talked to our president, got things going,"
Prochnow said.

One thing led to another, and shortly after the NFL draft, the Rams announced
they would train in Mequon, Wis., home of Concordia. Now as upsets go, this
wasn't of the magnitude of St. Louis luring the Rams to the Midwest from Los
Angeles.

But Concordia was definitely a long shot, and not even on the Rams' radar when
the process began. The club initially was considering mainly larger state
schools such as Wisconsin-Whitewater, Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Wisconsin-Stevens
Point.

"There is no doubt that we really came from behind," Prochnow said.

How far behind? Rams special assistant coach Jeff Horton, who served as coach
Scott Linehan's point man in searching for a camp site, spent seven seasons as
an assistant coach at the University of Wisconsin (1999 through 2005). So he
knew the state.

"He had never heard of us," Prochnow said. "But honestly, we have spectacular
facilities."

And that made all the difference. Not one, but two new artificial turf fields
were a big drawing card for the Rams. There is also grass field availability.
In fact, when the Rams said they needed additional space in terms of grass
fields, Concordia tore up its tennis courts to make room.

Make no mistake, the Rams are training in an area that is, was, and will always
be Packers country. But the Rams' arrival has created a buzz in the area.

"It's absolutely die-hard Packers fans up here," Prochnow said. "But we've sort
of adopted the phrase: 'Our second-favorite team.' "

That would be the Rams.

I look forward to going there to watch camp next season, can't make it this year but already putting the plans together for next year. it should be fun.

I will be there next week. I will be sure to let you all know how and what it is all about.