For the first time since 1966, the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t be going to Saint Vincent for training camp.
In fact, the Steelers, like all other NFL teams, won’t be traveling anywhere for camp because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
The NFL told teams Tuesday to conduct training camp at their on-site facilities, per multiple reports. For the Steelers, that means workouts will be held at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on the South Side.
And so the NFL has told all its teams that they must stay at their team facilities for this summer's training camps.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 2, 2020
Steelers spokesman Burt Lauten said the organization has heard nothing official from the NFL about a change in training camp locations. A Saint Vincent spokesman said the college has not received official word, either.
“I think it’s a shame that that’s happening,” Unity Township Supervisor Mike O’Barto said. “It’s definitely going to hurt our business community.”
O’Barto noted that Steelers fans traveling from other areas have provided a boost to local restaurants and hotels during the camp.
“The businesses that have been hurt the most because of the (covid-19) virus are going to be hurt again,” he said.
Sharky’s Cafe, a Unity restaurant that is a favorite with Steelers fans, has seen an estimated increase in business of up to 40% during the camp at Saint Vincent, according to owner John Huemme.
“If things would have worked out, (the camp) would have put a lot of businesses in Westmoreland County in a better position than what they are from surviving the coronavirus,” he said.
Latrobe Mayor Rosie Wolford said she was disappointed by the NFL directive but acknowledged that “everybody needs to be cautious and listen to the experts” as the community emerges from covid-19 restrictions.
“Hopefully, this is a one-year situation,” she said. “It’s going to be a challenging time for everybody. We’re committed to helping our local businesses get through this.”
Coach Mike Tomlin said in a recent interview on Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari’s podcast that the organization was “exploring all options” for training camp.
“Because, obviously, the safety and the protocol is first and foremost,” Tomlin said, “and we’ve got to put these guys in a situation that best checks those boxes.”
The Steelers have conducted training camp outside the city limits for every summer since 1937 following four years training at Pittsburgh’s Moore Field. For the past 54 years, the Steelers have trained at the Unity campus. The team’s association with Saint Vincent is the second-longest in the NFL. Only the Green Bay Packers, who have trained at St. Norbert (Wis.) College for the past 60 years, have more longevity at an outside location.
The Rooney family embraced the tradition and quaint surroundings at Saint Vincent, which is nestled in the foothills of the Laurel Highlands. Tomlin, the team’s coach since 2007, also has been a proponent of taking his team to a remote location for the first two to three weeks of training camp.
“We love Latrobe. We love our relationship with Saint Vincent,” Tomlin said last July. “It’s a great atmosphere and a great place for that part of the process. The fan support we get up there day to day is second to none.
“We love our time up there, for sure.”
The Steelers have adequate training space at their South Side complex that they share with Pitt. They have three practice fields and an indoor field available for use.
Before the pandemic altered the NFL schedule, training camp was slated to begin for the Steelers in mid-July. The Steelers are expected to get an earlier start than most teams because of their selection to play in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6 in Canton, Ohio.
Because of the coronavirus outbreak, all NFL teams have conducted offseason workouts and organized team activities on a virtual basis. Team facilities remain closed to players and coaches, but the Steelers’ complex has been open to nonfootball personnel for about two weeks. Players undergoing rehabilitation are the only ones currently allowed inside the facility.
Joe Rutter is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joe by email at jrutter@triblive.com or via Twitter .
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