By Andrew Coen
But for the next two summers, local fans can still see their favorite professional football players up close and
personal.
A tradition since the late 1960s, Jets 2007 training camp continues until late August, with Jets fans being able to attend free summer practice sessions featuring plenty of entertainment for both young and old.
New York Jets training camp, which attracts tens of thousands of fans each summer, features practices on Hofstra¹s soccer stadium, on the North Campus just off of Hempstead Turnpike on the Hempstead-Uniondale border. The adjacent parking lots host other forms of entertainment for fans.
Team officials say the 2007 training camp, which runs until Aug. 23, offers fans more than ever before, including the Generation Jets Fest next to the practice field featuring an interactive theme park for youngsters with rides and skills challenges. Young fans also have a chance to shine on the field with ³Punt, Pass & Kids,² allowing children under the age of 14 to compete against one another in punting, passing and kicking drills.
Touchdown Tuesdays, giving youngsters of all ages an opportunity to run on the field and spike the ball after touchdowns, is another popular feature. Other highlights are the special autograph sessions for children and a ³Jets Wireless Be A VIP Sweepstakes,² providing a one-of-a-kind training camp experience for two lucky Jets fans. Giveaways such as seat cushions are also planned along with autograph sessions from former New York Jet greats, including defensive lineman Mark Gastineau from the famed ³New York Sack Exchange² of the early 1980s.
Since last summer¹s training camp, Jets fans have also gotten a dose of rock, rap and classical music played by head coach Eric Mangini during practices to prepare his players for the loud and hostile crowds they will face in opposing stadiums. The musical practices paid off in Coach Mangini¹s first season, as he led ³Gang Green² to the playoffs with a 10-6 record before falling to the AFC East rival New England Patriots in the first round, 37-16.
Some of the many star offensive players fans will have a chance to see prepping for the new season include quarterback Chad Pennington, wide receiver Laveranues Coles, running back Thomas Jones, who signed with the Jets after leading the Chicago Bears to the Super Bowl, and offensive tackle D¹Brickashaw Ferguson, a Freeport native. Some defensive standouts on the Jets in 2007 include former Pro Bowl defensive end Shaun Ellis, linebacker Jonathan Vilma and defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson.
One new edition to 2007 Jets training camp is Chrebet¹s Restaurant & Lounge, owned by former New York Jet and Hofstra wide receiver Wayne Chrebet and located across the street from the practice sessions at 1002 Hempstead Turnpike. in Uniondale. The restaurant, which Chrebet opened in March, is planning various promotions throughout training camp for fans who want to combine the practice viewing with lunch or dinner.
The Jets will provide fans with practice schedules on a week-to-week basis throughout training camp. The latest information is available by logging on to www.newyorkjets.com or by checking the fan hotline at
(516) 560-8288 for updates.
