Tom James
Tribune-Star Correspondent
ANDERSON —
Time for a change.
That’s how Indianapolis Colts president Bill Polian explained the National Football League team’s decision to move its training camp practices back to Anderson University after an 11-year stint at Rose-Hulman.
The Colts and school officials agreed on a one-year contract, although talk of a longer deal is on hold for the time being due to the uncertainty surrounding talk of a possible lockout by NFL owners after the 2010 season.
“There was definitely nothing lacking at Rose-Hulman. I think both parties probably thought that it was time for a change,” Polian said Thursday during a press conference in the Ruth Lilly Pavilion at the Kardatzke Wellness Center on the AU camp
“We enjoyed our time at Rose-Hulman greatly. The people that worked there were great to us. We came back there so often that we got to know those people personally. And it’s sad to leave in that regard. But there comes to time to do different things and situations change. We’re here now and we’re looking forward to it. We have a lot of fond memories and lots of friendships that we made [at Rose-Hulman]. And, of course, lots of wonderful memories for what we achieved.”
He admitted that the decision to leave Rose-Hulman wasn’t an easy one.
“We kept being tugged back to Terre Haute because of the friendships and the relationships we had there. But I think with a new administration [at Rose-Hulman] perhaps it was time to go in another direction. [Anderson University] provided us with a fulfillment of our real objective for us in terms of what happens, not only on the field but off,” Polian explained.
“We have lots of friends [at Rose-Hulman], people that we’ve come to know and really regard highly over the years. It’s always difficult. I’ll never forget the support we’ve gotten there. The [Super Bowl] trophy trip down there was terrific. All the summers that we spend there. It’s hard to leave. There’s a time and a place for everything. And this is the right time and place to be here.”
• Welcome to Anderson — A large crowd of well-wishers — that included United States Congressman Mike Pence, Anderson Mayor Kris Okomon, Anderson city councilman Art Pepelea, and Anderson University President Dr. James Edwards — greeted team officials for the official announcement that the Colts would be relocating its preseason workouts to Anderson University.
Indianapolis general manager Chris Polian and director of football administration Steve Champlin were also on hand for the announcement.
“It is a great pleasure for me to be here and to officially announce that the Indianapolis Colts will have training here at Anderson University,” Bill Polian said. “[Training camp will be] beginning on Aug. 1 and we’ll be here through Aug. 18. It’s a little different time frame from what we had the last time around.
“Lots of things have happened those in the intervening 12 years [that the Colts were at Rose-Hulman]. The future in our league is, unfortunately, uncharted right now. Our focus is on the present and we can do to get our team to contend again for a title this coming year. We’re excited about the facilities here. We’re excited to be back in Anderson. We’re excited that many of our fans who live nearby can come here and see the team. We hope that we can make a positive contribution to the Anderson community.”
Anderson University was able to entice the Colts back after an 11-year absence largely through the work of Edwards — who helped to spearhead a $55 million remodeling project at the school — and Pepelea. The Anderson city councilman became the governmental point man in trying to lure the team away from Rose-Hulman.
“With this facility, this location, the population base in this area, it’s really an ideal opportunity for lots and lots of people who are within, perhaps, 40 minutes drive from here to come and see Peyton [Manning], Reggie [Wayne], Dwight [Freeney], Robert [Mathis] and all the great Colts that they’ve seen on television and see them in person. We look forward for it,” Polian said.
“This is a great facility. The improvements that have taken place under the leadership of Dr. Edwards over the years have made this an ideal site for us. And we look forward to coming here on Aug. 1 and getting on with the job of trying to get back to the Super Bowl.”
The work done on Anderson University’s athletic facilities in recent years helped in the decision-making process.
“This building [the Kardatzke Wellness Center] will serve as our headquarters. The practice fields will be completely redone. The artificial turf [at Macholtz Stadium]. The lights at the stadium. The refurbished dormitories. All of that is brand new as far as we’re concerned and certainly provides the kind of infrastructure we need,” he said.
For his part, Edwards said that convincing the Colts to come back to Anderson University has been near the top of his to-do list for some time.
“We’ve been talking to the Colts almost every day, to convince them — when we had the opportunity — that this would be a wonderful place for their summer camp. We’re just delighted that this day has come. Our partner in all of this has been the city of Anderson,” he said, thanking Pepelea, Okomon and a group of Anderson business leaders for their support in the training camp effort.
• More than money — Okomon said that the city’s decision to back Anderson University in getting the Colts to return runs deeper than mere economics, although having fans visiting the area is always a good thing.
“For us to begin to see a plethora of people coming to town that we’re not used to, it’s going to be a boon to us economically. We want to be a part of the Colts. We feel like we already are. For them to consider us and to come back here, we’re just ecstatic,” he said.
“You can’t put a dollar figure on it. But we know its going to be good for Anderson. You’re going to see a huge push for a community celebration as they arrive here [for training camp]. You’re going to see businesses getting involved here. It will change the face of our business here again for the better, obviously. And we’re ready for that change.”
