Chicago Bears may have to relocate their training camp

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jun 3, 2011 1:01 PM CDT in News

Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Illinois has been home to the Bears training camp for a few years now. All the Bears stay on campus in the dorms while school is on summer break, but if the lockout drags on and the start to camp is delayed the Bears may have to train elsewhere. Student orientation at Olivet Nazarene University starts August 27th, and the Bears would have to be cleared out a few days in advance of that day to allow for a smooth transition back to the student body.

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I played football at Olivet

and we would always come in for our first week of camp as the Bears were finishing their last week. The nice part about that week is that we ate as kings. When they left the food quality went down hill. The next best part was that when they left we would be charged with removing all the king size beds out of the room and taking them back to storage. There was always some nice stuff left behind by the guys. I would hate to see the Bears ever leave Olivet, though I understand this year is just a special situation. What the Bears have done for our practice fields and facilities was/is incredible.

"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton

by CoachEtch on Jun 3, 2011 2:16 PM CDT reply actions

I grew up in Kankakee

The community just doesn’t have all that much. If the Bears were to leave, that would be bad news.

Small business owners are already struggling, losing the influx of spenders every summer could just break them.

Kankakee has really been in a bad spot since the manufacturing jobs left in the early 80s, namely Roper.

by Santos Sorrow on Jun 4, 2011 8:29 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

if they were to relocate it would just be this year

It all depends on the lockout

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jun 4, 2011 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Doesn't the contract wind down in a year or two?

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jun 4, 2011 12:33 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I think it's soon

But everything I’ve heard makes me think they’ll want to stay there.

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jun 4, 2011 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions