Steelers Thankful for St. Vincent Training Camp Experience

UNITY TWP, Pa. — While most NFL teams stay at their team facility, the Pittsburgh Steelers value the tradition of going away for camp. They’re one of just five teams that still hold training camp on a college campus, and no team has held their training camp longer at one site than the Steelers. They’ve been at St. Vincent College since 1966, minus two canceled years in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mike Tomlin, who wrapped up his 16th training camp at St. Vincent College as the Steelers head coach, opened his post-practice interview by thanking all of the people at the college who made it a great stay for his team.

“Man, bittersweet, our last day here in Latrobe,” Tomlin said. “This is always a great place for us. We’re just really so appreciative with the relationships that we have up here. The longstanding relationships. Can’t say enough about the people up here that have made this a great stay for us. The people that take care of us in our dorms, security, cafeteria services, everyone. They just really do a good job. They bend over backwards, and we’re very appreciative.”

St. Vincent College provides a great opportunity for fans to come watch their favorite team and players practice, without having to spend an arm and a leg. The practices are free and the food is reasonable. NFL games are very expensive nowadays, and the opportunity for a family to attend a game at Acrisure Stadium isn’t always obtainable. The total cost for a family of four at Acrisure Stadium is $602.92, according to Action Network.

As @steelers camp wraps up, Alex Highsmith (@HighsmithHigh5) signs a few autographs for fans that stuck around to the very end. @PghSteelersNow #NFL #SteelersNation pic.twitter.com/17ecugfNm2

— Ed Thompson (@ThompsonFoto12) August 14, 2024

Steelers long snapper Christian Kuntz grew up in Pittsburgh and remembers coming to St. Vincent College as a kid.

“I did. It’s a dream come true,” Kuntz said about being a Steeler. “It’s always great coming up here and spending time with your teammates and getting good quality work in.

After Wednesday’s final practice, Kuntz, Alex Highsmith, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and several other players were signing autographs for fans about 30 minutes after practice. In an age where some of the grounded and wholesome acts of the NFL are gone, the Steelers do a great job of keeping the fans involved.

It also provides an opportunity for Steelers legends to provide wisdom for the current players. Four-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer Donnie Shell was at practice on Monday.

“What an honor to have @donnie_shell, and his son Donnie, at practice today. Such an incredible story, from undrafted free agent to Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl champ. He is someone young and older players can learn a lot from,” Tomlin wrote on X.

The Steelers hope that the bond and chemistry that they’ve built in training camp will pay off during the season. The relationship and team-bonding aspect is why the Steelers keep on coming back to Latrobe every summer. It’s a tradition that’s truly special, and hopefully, the relationship with the Steelers and St. Vincent College continue for years to come.

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