New Orleans Saints Ready for Training

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•Eagles vs. Saints Preview 12/23/07
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On July 25, the Saints will descend on Millsaps College in Jackson for training camp, but first the team wants to set the record straight regarding the truth and rumors regarding its return.

For months there has been speculation regarding the team's return to the small school on the north edge of Jackson . Coach Sean Payton credited the training camp throughout the season as an experience the team greatly benefited from en route to their NFL South title and appearance in the NFC championship game.

The speculation ended last week when the team announced it would return. However, through the past few months, rumors and speculation, often completely inaccurate and baseless, seeped into media reports and seemingly the public's consciousness. Primarily among the facilities was the Saints' reported request for Millsaps to build an indoor practice facility.

Saints and Millsaps officials addressed the rumors and truths on their Web site.

"We never, ever asked for an indoor practice facility," said Saints senior vice president and financial officer Dennis Lauscha. "That rumor was absurd."

"Major projects, like an indoor practice facility, were never proposed, discussed nor requested," said Brit Katz, Millsaps vice president and dean of students.

Instead, the Saints and Millsaps engaged in conversations and, ultimately, an agreement which will not only benefit the Saints as long as they elect to return to the 110-year-old school. but will also serve as a catalyst for immediate and long-term capital improvements to the college.

By partnering with entities such as the Mississippi Economic Development office and the local corporate partners the Saints quickly partnered with those willing and eager to see the team return to Millsaps and a partnership was reached.

"From the top of our organization all the way through, we strongly feel that holding the camp at Millsaps provides our football organization an excellent opportunity for success,:" said Saints vice president of marketing and business development Ben Hales.":From a business perspective, this is an investment in not only for the future of the Saints, but also in the future of Millsaps. Clearly the business model is unique in that it is in non-traditional from most studies, but at the end of the day, it is a partnership in which everybody benefits."

"From the beginning, it was clear the Saints wanted to be back at Millsaps amd we want the Saints to be here," said Katz. "We knew it was going to be a challenge to fund the improvements needed to maximize the training camp experience for the Saints, the fans and Millsaps. Fortunately, the Saints presented a fund-raising plan to us that did not require Millsaps to provide any funding for these capital improvements. The end result provides the Saints with what they need to build a championship team and serve their fans while providing Millsaps with facility improvements that truly benefit the the college -- all at no expense to Millsaps."

In addition to an undisclosed "rent" that the Saints pay Millsaps for the use of the dorms, facilities and fields for the duration of training camp, the Saints also struck an agreement in which all of the sponsorship and revenue dollars earned through the promotions of their stay in Jackson will be returned to the school for capital improvements to the college.

Through the agreement, upgrades such as the permanent installation of air conditioning the school's gym, will be made, while other improvements including upgrading laundry capabilities will serve the school's athletic teams in the future while also helping the Saints' equipment staff better serve the players and staff during the searing Mississippi heat on July and August.

While improvements to the school's gym and laundry facilities will only be noticed by those attending the school, other improvements, such as the upgrade to the athletic field on the lower portion of the campus, coupled with the installation of stairs and walkways will not only serve the Saints, but the fans attending practice, as well.

After the upgrades this year, the annual revenues that the Saints generate for sponsorships of training camp will be saved for future upgrades to the campus and applied when needed.

"The thought is that once we get past these projects, we will have money to set aside to upgrade Millsaps as we go along," said Lauscha. "Each year there may be something else that needs to be looked at, such as improvements to dorms, or to offices, classrooms, or video systems."

Lauscha said that the improvements and thoroughfare between the upper and lower field fields and Payton's desire to work on the lower field benefits the fans that attend the practices because the hill surrounding the field provides a natural amphitheater for those watching the action on the field, which benefits the fans attending the practice sessions.

One may wonder why the team doesn't utilize the upper fields on a more regular basis, however, with a natural spring sitting underneath the upper fields which are usually consistently moist and not necessarily conductive to hosting the beating nearly 100 players and the myriad of equipment that accompanies conducting a practice.

"It worked out very well because there is a natural theater which works out great for the fans and works out well for the players because it doesn't have the water on it," said Lauscha. "The problem is that it wasn't a full field or nearly the caliber of a field that a professional team would practice on. It was really a soccer pitch. So we asked them to go in and make it a regulation football field and make some improvements to the hill that leads to and from the field so that it is accommodating to the fans and the team."

In the end Lauscha said it was a strong desire of Saints owner Tom Benson and the team's administration, coupled with Millsaps' desire to host the Saints, that served as the impetus in the 'win-win' agreement struck by the two parties.

"After our tremendous experience last year, we knew that we wanted to go back to Millsaps and we believe it is a great experience for fans as well, "said Lauscha. "We are excited to get started."

NFL Future:
Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson Adrian Peterson the first player in school history to eclipse 3,000 rushing yards in two seasons. Adrian Peterson tied for fourth in school history with 16, 100-yard games and is third with four 200-yard performances. Adrian Peterson has a career rushing total of 3,033 ranks eighth at Oklahoma University or OU. Adrian Peterson ran a team-best 4.37 in the 40 in the spring of 2006. Adrian Peterson also registered a vertical leap of 37 inches.

April News
•Saints Want Bush to Emulate Westbrook

March News
•Reggie Bush Vows to Focus on Football

February News
•Bush teams with Shaq to host All-Star charity event
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat
•Boonton man scores big with Super Bowl tickets
•Dog thinks 2 $900 Super Bowl tickets tasty treat

Super Bowl Weekend
•OK!'s Guide to the Super Bowl Parties
•"Hannah" primed to claim Super Bowl weekend
•Paris Hilton, Ludacris party alongside 50 Cent at pre-game Super Bowl concert

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