2008 Woodie Awards
Bring back the Rams!
Issue date: 3/31/08 Section: Opinion
A little more than a week ago, the St. Louis Rams announced they wanted to move back to an off-site training camp after using their own facilities for the last three seasons. According to stltoday.com, Macomb is on the short list of options, but a few other universities in Wisconsin are contenders, too.
The WC feels the best choice is for the Rams to return to Macomb, and we'd like to push city officials to do all they can to make it happen.
The Rams formerly trained at Western for nine seasons, bringing visibility to the university as well as something more vital - money. Macomb is an affordable town for fans, and during scrimmage games, every hotel room in the city was booked. Restaurants were full, and purchases of souvenirs, gas and other necessities also brought in profits. This type of economic boost is always helpful for a smaller town, and right now, Macomb could definitely use the money.
The city water system needs a complete overhaul. Potholes and uneven railroad tracks litter the streets. The city police department needs more officers and better vehicles. Without a significant summer presence at Western, Macomb does not turn enough profit. As the city ages, that's beginning to show.
There are a myriad of reasons why Macomb is the best location for the Rams. Two of the biggest reasons have to do with why the Rams left Macomb in the first place: travel concerns and a lengthy distance from its medical facilities.
The reason traveling is still an issue, according to Rams coach Scott Linehan, is because he wants to incorporate joint practices and more scrimmage games with other teams. Unlike Wisconsin, Macomb is nearly four hours from the training camps of any other NFL teams. The Chicago Bears train at Olivet Nazarene University three hours and 45 minutes away, and the Indianapolis Colts train in Terre Haute, Ind., four hours away.
However, we'd like to argue that the extra travel time is part of what training is all about. Not all games are played at home, and it's crucial for a team to be able to perform at away games. Traveling four hours to play another team could actually be beneficial.
The WC feels the best choice is for the Rams to return to Macomb, and we'd like to push city officials to do all they can to make it happen.
The Rams formerly trained at Western for nine seasons, bringing visibility to the university as well as something more vital - money. Macomb is an affordable town for fans, and during scrimmage games, every hotel room in the city was booked. Restaurants were full, and purchases of souvenirs, gas and other necessities also brought in profits. This type of economic boost is always helpful for a smaller town, and right now, Macomb could definitely use the money.
The city water system needs a complete overhaul. Potholes and uneven railroad tracks litter the streets. The city police department needs more officers and better vehicles. Without a significant summer presence at Western, Macomb does not turn enough profit. As the city ages, that's beginning to show.
There are a myriad of reasons why Macomb is the best location for the Rams. Two of the biggest reasons have to do with why the Rams left Macomb in the first place: travel concerns and a lengthy distance from its medical facilities.
The reason traveling is still an issue, according to Rams coach Scott Linehan, is because he wants to incorporate joint practices and more scrimmage games with other teams. Unlike Wisconsin, Macomb is nearly four hours from the training camps of any other NFL teams. The Chicago Bears train at Olivet Nazarene University three hours and 45 minutes away, and the Indianapolis Colts train in Terre Haute, Ind., four hours away.
However, we'd like to argue that the extra travel time is part of what training is all about. Not all games are played at home, and it's crucial for a team to be able to perform at away games. Traveling four hours to play another team could actually be beneficial.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
John Alecuff
posted 3/31/08 @ 8:31 PM CST
Time to pony up WC. If you want the Rams back in Macomb, don't try to 'push' city officials to make it happen. If you had any sense of of the political personalities of your community you'd realize the city will rise above and beyond the call of such duty. (Continued…)
Troglodyte
Kris Moore
posted 4/01/08 @ 10:22 AM CST
I had a summer job with the grounds crew and the practice field(s) that were constructed for the Rams are still in great shape. I agree with John A that we as a city/university need to get on the ball and push the city fathers (and mothers too) to be proactive and go after the Rams. (Continued…)
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