Time still remains for Bears to conduct train

Time still remains for Bears to conduct training camp in Bourbonnais

By Brad Biggs Tribune reporter 11:16 a.m. CDT, June 24, 2011


The New York Jets became the second team Friday to announce they’re going to stay home for training camp, a decision prompted by the uncertainty of the NFL’s labor situation.

While the Jets and Baltimore Ravens will conduct camps at their year-round facilities instead of traveling to nearby colleges for camp, the Chicago Bears remain hopeful they won't need to alter their plans, at least as long as optimism remains high for a new collective bargaining agreement sometime next month.

The Bears are still scheduled to hold training camp at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. It will be the team’s 10th summer at the school, where officials do an excellent job of hosting the organization for three weeks.

With the Bears scheduled to play the St. Louis Rams in the Hall of Fame Game Aug. 7 in Canton, Ohio, they are scheduled to hold their first training camp practice July 23. Of course, that’s contingent upon a new CBA and enough time for the NFL to hold a player-acquisition period.

The Jets faced a July 1 deadline to inform SUNY-Cortland whether or not they would be heading to camp this summer. The Bears do not have a firm date like that with ONU and school spokesman Gary Griffin told the Tribune the campus could be prepared for the arrival of the Bears with 24-hour notice. According to Griffin, it could take up to a week to prepare for fans if the start of camp is delayed. That’s not expected to be an issue, though.

The only date the Bears face is they have to be off campus by Aug. 20, and they’ve typically left by Aug. 19. That date is not flexible as the school needs time to prepare for its primary business -- hosting students and classes on campus.

While only half of the teams in the league go away for training camp, the Bears remain committed to the experience for a number of reasons, one of which is allowing fans a closer look at the team. It also gives the Bears a chance to sell merchandise as fans must enter and exit the ONU fields through a pro shop.

The Bears have a contract with ONU for camp that runs through 2012. The team announced on its Web site today that Family Fest -- the annual training camp practice held at Soldier Field -- is scheduled for July 30. Again, that’s contingent on camp beginning on time.

bmbiggs@tribune.com