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Tradition, hospitality shine through as Steelers wrap up 2024 training camp at Saint Vincent College

Tradition, hospitality shine through as Steelers wrap up 2024 training camp at Saint Vincent College

by Public Relations | August 19, 2024

LATROBE, PA – When quarterback Russell Wilson arrived at Saint Vincent College on July 23 to begin his first training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he had been with the team less than four months. Yet, Wilson was keenly aware of the storied NFL franchise’s deep connection to its summer home.

“The best part about being in Latrobe and being here at Saint Vincent is all the history here,” Wilson said. “I think about all the great teams—the Super Bowl teams—that have been right here on these practice fields. Hopefully, we’re the next one.”

The Steelers are outliers among their NFL peers, as only four other teams hold their preseason camps on college campuses. In an era when most teams hunker down in sprawling, modern complexes adorned with the names of corporate sponsors, the Steelers still spend every July and August practicing on a cluster of fields tucked away in the rolling hills of Westmoreland County.

As the narrator on a recent episode of “The Standard,” the Steelers’ video series on YouTube, aptly put it: “The Steelers have laid down roots in Latrobe, following Pittsburgh’s belief in faith, family and football.”

This year marked the 57th training camp at Saint Vincent College. Over a three-week span, thousands of fans converged on campus and settled onto the hillside behind Chuck Noll Field to watch 15 practice sessions. Additionally, the popular “Friday Night Lights” practice was held Aug. 2 before a full house at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe.

Head coach Mike Tomlin runs an old-school, hard-nosed camp—what The Athletic said is “likely the most physical training came in the league.” Only the Steelers, Chiefs, Dolphins and Lions feature frequent full-contact tackling in their drills. The bucolic setting of a sunny afternoon on the Saint Vincent campus was often punctuated by the pop of pads as players collided.

As always, there was no charge for admission and parking. Food trucks did a brisk business at lunchtime. When each day’s workout ended, fans excitedly gathered in “autograph alley” to collect souvenirs, share smiles and chat with their favorite players.

“Our Benedictine values tell us to welcome all guests as Christ Himself because we recognize the divine presence in everyone who comes across our threshold,” said Fr. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., C’87, S’91, president of Saint Vincent College. “The Steelers and Saint Vincent are united in pursing that goal of hospitality. The Steelers prioritize their fans in many ways, such as creating opportunities for up-close encounters with players.”

After a final two-hour morning workout on Aug. 14, the Steelers said goodbye to Saint Vincent until next year. Tomlin spoke with a pack of reporters as the team’s equipment was packed up and hauled away to the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Pittsburgh’s South Side, where the team will conduct final preparations for its season-opening game Sept. 8 against the Atlanta Falcons.

“[Saint Vincent College] always is a great place for us,” Tomlin said. “We’re so appreciative of the long-standing relationships we have here. I can’t say enough about the people here who have made this a great stay for us—the people who take care of us in our [residence halls], security, cafeteria services, everyone. They really do a good job. They bend over backwards [for us], and we are very appreciative.”

 

Linebacker Patrick Queen signs autographs during Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College.
Linebacker Patrick Queen signs autographs during Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent College.

Photo Galleries

PHOTO GALLERY 1: Move-in day
PHOTO GALLERY 2: Workouts
PHOTO GALLERY 3: Steelers Welcome Mass
PHOTO GALLERY 4: SVC alumni gathering at camp

 

 

Player Interview

 

 

 

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