ANDERSON, Ind. —
In speaking with Anderson University head football coach Jeff Judge, there was one line that was truly memorable.
The discussion revolved around the Indianapolis Colts coming to AU for training camp and what that would mean to his team’s efforts to get ready for its season.
“When the Colts are away (from AU for an exhibition game), they will allow us on the game field,” said Judge. “They need exclusive access.”
That game field is the one the university paid a tidy sum to refurbish with stadium turf a couple of years ago. But that is a sample of the extent to which the Ravens are willing to accommodate their new tenants.
“My hope is that between the Colts, the city (Anderson) and us, it can be a win-win for everybody,” said Judge.
In truth, there is only an overlap of about six days from the time the Ravens’ football players report and the time the Colts depart Anderson.
“We are very much inconvenienced by this,” said Judge. “But it is such a good thing for the city and for the university that what kind of guy would I be if I objected to it for those six days or so.”
For that space of time where their own facilities will be in use for the Colts, Anderson University will move its practices to Highland Jr. High School, former home of the Scots’ varsity football team. “The junior high team doesn’t start football practice until toward the end of August and the Colts will be gone by then,” said Judge.
The inconvenience mostly for AU will be the carting of equipment back and forth from the university to Highland. Football practice takes a lot equipment, especially at the collegiate level.
So why are Judge and the Ravens so willing to make the sacrifice?
“It is certainly a PR (public relations) win for us,” said Judge. “More kids (prospective recruits) will hear about us. It says that we’re not a (NCAA) Division II facility. We’re an NFL facility.”
Judge has spent some time the past few years at the training camp home of the New York Jets. He believes his players will also learn just by being around the Colts for those few days.
“Our kids will be able to pick up nuances of how to practice,” he said. “It will be valuable for them to see that even at that level they are still working on fundamentals.”
Certainly the Ravens are practicing the fundamental that it is often wise to sacrifice in the short term for the long-term benefits.
Colts
Related Photos
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AU's football coach Jeff Judge working with junior high kids at the Bishop-Dullaghan Camp that was held on the university's campus last week. John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin
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AU's football coach Jeff Judge working with junior high kids at the Bishop-Dullaghan Camp that was held on the university's campus last week. John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin
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AU's football coach Jeff Judge working with junior high kids at the Bishop-Dullaghan Camp that was held on the university's campus last week. John P. Cleary / The Herald Bulletin
Discussion
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AU ready to hand over use of its football facilities
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