Meeting Dave Williams for the first time was a good experience. The still fairly new Athletic Director of MWSU is a very nice, well spoken, intelligent, and down-to-earth man. He was very receptive to questions about the Chiefs training camp or anything in general to do with MWSU athletics. He was enthusiastic and realistic at the same time in talking about the opportunities the Chiefs training camp has for not only MWSU but the entire community. Mr. Williams also wants to send a message that things for the Chiefs training camp are still in the very earliest of stages in terms of how specific operations will be when the Chiefs finally do start training here in 2010.
As of right now the drawings and renderings for the new construction shows preliminary placement locations of the new facilities that are currently planned. It is possible that the softball/baseball complex might be located in another area of campus close to the other athletic facilities. The approximate location for the indoor practice facility will remain on the west end of Spratt Stadium. Both Dave Williams and Jeff Ellison indicated that they are trying to be as environmentally friendly as possible when choosing the sites.
Mr. Williams pointed out that there should not be any overlap of the Chiefs camp and the start of fall semester classes. However, there could be a possible one week overlap in the Chiefs camp and the start of Griffon football practice. Williams said, "If there is a week overlap with the start of our football practice our team will be giving up its locker room for one week and that is it. We could still practice around the Chiefs schedule no problem. There will be enough room for both of us."
On the issues of catering and alcohol policy Mr. Williams was clear and unclear. On the catering issue he was clear. He stated that the university catering service would still have exclusiveness to provide service to the Chiefs but the Chiefs can order whatever food and beverage they choose. The guess of this blogger is that the Chiefs will be having Aramark order from a higher end food purveyor than they normally do for MWSU. The alcohol policy is an unclear issue at this time. The NFL and breweries go hand-in-hand. Mr. Williams said that the current campus alcohol policy would be "under review" soon concerning the Chiefs three week stay on campus.
One of the best things about the indoor football facility will be the many ways it can be used during the football off-season. Mr. Williams elaborated about activities from youth baseball to intramural sports that could use the facility. "This isn't just going to be a building for the Chiefs or MWSU but the entire recreational community of St. Joseph" said Williams. Another good thing about this large building will be the fact that it will not cost students any extra but it will provide opportunities for students with new classrooms, computer labs, and comfortable, spacious, lecture halls.
My time with Mr. Williams was well spent. He was glad to hear that students are discussing the Chiefs camp. He informed me that he will probably be setting up some town hall style meetings in the near future for anyone to come and ask him any questions about the Chiefs camp or communicate any possible concerns. However, Mr. Williams said that would be when he had more answers than he does now.
James Richmond can be reached by e-mail at jrichmond1@missouriwestern.edu
Scenes like this that have been happening for 18 years in River Falls, Wisconsin will soon be taking place at MWSU.Huge crowds are expected each day the Chiefs will train & practice on the main campus of MWSU in St. Joseph. Many are starting to ask what campus policy changes will be seen at MWSU to accomodate the Chiefs? This blog attempts to answer these questins.
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