Rams select training camp site

[RamWraith]

By Bill Coats
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
05/13/2008

After a long, hard-fought campaign featuring three strong candidates, the voters have spoken. And the winner is . . .

Concordia University in Mequon, Wis.

It has been chosen over Western Illinois University and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater as the site for the Rams’ training camp this summer.

Once coach Scott Linehan made it clear that he wanted to hold camp out of town after three years at Rams Park, team officials inspected a number of potential sites. The three finalists were determined a few weeks ago, and club executives have reached a decision.

The club is delaying an official announcement until all details are completed.

Mequon is situated about 15 miles north of downtown Milwaukee, on the shores of Lake Michigan, approximately 395 miles from St. Louis. Concordia is a liberal arts institution with an enrollment of about 6,000. It is among 10 colleges or universities in the Concordia University System, which is owned and operated by The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

The Rams trained at Maryville University in 1995, their first year here after moving from Los Angeles. Then they held camp at Western Illinois in Macomb for nine consecutive years before shifting to Rams Park in 2005.

[RamWraith]

Rams Heading to Concordia
Tuesday, May 13, 2008

By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

It wasn’t exactly the best-kept secret in town, but the Rams are putting the final plans on what many already knew Tuesday, selecting Concordia University in Mequon, Wis., as the home for this summer’s training camp according to team sources.

Coach Scott Linehan made his desire to train at a remote location away from the Russell Training Center clear early in the offseason.

Soon after, the team put together a delegation of coaches and staff to visit a variety of potential candidates. That group toured various sites in Wisconsin, including Wisconsin-Whitewater, a seminary in Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

The team also strongly considered a return to Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill., where it trained for nine years before moving camp back to St. Louis in 2005.

Originally, Linehan desired a camp that would allow the team easy access to scrimmage with another club during the summer. But the Rams couldn’t find a good logistical fit with the other teams that train in Wisconsin and Green Bay was unwilling to reciprocate visits by coming to wherever the Rams train in 2009.

The Rams will scrimmage the Tennessee Titans in the week leading up to the first preseason game in Nashville. It’s expected the Titans will come to scrimmage at the Rams’ home site next season.

Concordia University is a short drive from downtown Milwaukee, approximately 15 miles north. It is about 400 miles from St. Louis, meaning there’s a good chance the Rams will have to charter a flight to transport players.

Concordia has an enrollment of about 6,000 students but doesn’t have much in the way of a summer crowd, leaving the Rams plenty of space to train and hold meetings.

The Rams trained in St. Louis in each of the past three years. Macomb and Whitewater were the other finalists for hosting duties.

The team is expected to make an official announcement in the coming days.

[Truth]

Wraith, are you planning a visit to the land of cheese and beer to see the Rams in camp?