The Free Press, Mankato, MN

News Ticker

Local News

June 14, 2011

Vikings will make camp decision by July 18

By Tanner Kent

MANKATO — The announcement wasn’t what Mankato has been waiting for, but it’s a start.

The Minnesota Vikings have told Minnesota State University they plan to decide where to hold training camp by July 18.

Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said Tuesday the team will train in Mankato as usual if the NFL lockout is lifted any time prior to the decision deadline. But if the work stoppage continues, he said the team will hold a shortened camp at Vikings headquarters in Eden Prairie.

Frazier said if the lockout ends and all goes according to plan, the Vikings will report to training camp in Mankato on July 31.

Rick Straka, MSU’s vice president of finance and administration, said the Vikings communicated that they settled on the July 18 date because team officials would need the time between then and the start of camp to move equipment and set up facilities. Some players and coaches also report to camp early.

MSU’s classes begin Aug. 22 and university staff need at least a week to prepare campus before their arrival. For that reason, Michael Cooper, MSU’s media relations director, has said the university has very little flexibility in when camp can be held.

Straka, too, reiterated that training camp “would not affect our academic schedule.”

While few other details were available from the Vikings, Straka added that the whole situation could become moot if the state government shuts down and MSU is forced to close campus.

The Vikings are one of 15 NFL teams that hold training camp on the road, away from their team headquarters. For those cities, training camps are big business and Mankato is no different.

When River Falls, Wis., lost Kansas City Chiefs training camp in 2005, the city estimated its losses at $1.4 million. The Rural Policy Institute at Northern Arizona University estimates that Arizona Cardinals training camp brought $7 million in economic impact to Flagstaff and the university last year.

In Mankato, more than 60,000 camp visitors are estimated to generate about $5 million in local impact.

MSU’s agreement to host Vikings training camp expires after the 2011 season.



— The Associated Press contributed information for this story.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local News
  • Feelings mixed on anti-bullying bill delay

    A bill that would have strengthened efforts to combat bullying in Minnesota's schools will not become law this year, which surprised and disheartened Minnesota State University professor Walter Roberts.

    May 20, 2013

  • mfp Thrift shop1 Hopp's hope

     Hopp's Thrift Store isn't run by a nonprofit. And it isn't filled with racks of used clothing or furniture. Instead, it's geared toward a different clientele -- guys

    May 20, 2013 2 Photos

  • Police seek information on burglary at Northtown Auto

    Two vehicles, keys to more vehicles and other items were taken after Northtown Auto on North Riverfront Drive was broken into.

    May 19, 2013

  • Morel hunt2.jpg Mushroom, nature lovers on the hunt

    Morel season just two or three weeks long

    May 19, 2013 3 Photos

  • Deadline moving up for first-class mail

    Postal Service holding meeting with businesses over shutdown

    May 19, 2013

  • What's Read on the Web 1. Gay marriage hits home for minister This summer, Lisa Coons hopes to be on both sides of a same-sex marriage -- officiating and participating. The Mankatoan plans to wed her partner of 25 years and, as an ordained non-denominational minister, is e

    May 19, 2013

  • mfp-cadets pic 51913 Two Mankato area Civil Air Patrol cadets receive Mitchell award MANKATO -- Lt. Col. Mathew Wiskow, Minnesota Wing's Group 4 commander, presented certificates and ribbons to two cadets during a ceremony May 9 at the Mankato Regional Airport. Cadets Hunter Brindley and Tanner Johnson of the Minnesota Wing's Mankato

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • AgStar awards county fair grants MANKATO -- The AgStar Fund for Rural America, the corporate giving program of AgStar Financial Services, recently awarded $69,000 in grants through its county fair facility upgrade grant program, $24,000 more than last year. Area organizations recei

    May 19, 2013

  • Frac sand movie to be shown Monday MANKATO -- A screening of a documentary about the frac sand mining boom in Minnesota and Wisconsin will be held Monday afternoon in the Blue Earth County Library auditorium. The Mankato Area Environmentalists and the Center for Earth Spirituality are

    May 19, 2013

  • mfp storm chasers Storm chasers go looking for trouble Call them crazy. They won't mind. They understand that running into a storm might not be everyone's idea of a good time. And when tornado sirens sound -- and authorities are advising people to take cover -- they accept that it wouldn't be inappropria

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo