Chiefs Training Camp St. Joseph

While most residents around St. Joseph, Missouri are excited to see just how much the Chiefs training camp being held this summer helps the local economy it's worth remembering that in some ways this is a zero sum game because while this is by most any measure a win for St. Joe it's a loss for River Falls, Wisconsin.

It's a little hard to feel too sad for River Falls because they certainly had their fair share of time hosting the Kansas City Chiefs training camp from 1990 through 2009, an honor most cities with populations of roughly 14,000 never get to experience.

Readers interested in learning more about how this blow is effecting the residents of River Falls, Wisconsin might find it interesting to read this article from Twin Cities.com (linked here) which discusses the void left by the departed Chiefs. If you think the Cleveland economy depended on Lebron James (see 30 mark on this You Tube video) then you might not realize that Cleveland leaning on Lebron is nothing compared to how much River Falls, Wisconsin depended on and loved seeing the Chiefs come to town every summer.

Encore You Tube video about Cleveland:

KC Chiefs Training Camp Dates

The specific 2010 Chiefs training camp schedule is laid out in the first post of this blog but for fans looking to understand the specific KC Chiefs training camp dates this post will outline what you have to look forward to so that you can plan your time accordingly.

The breakdown for the 2010 Kansas City Chiefs training training camp being held in Saint Joseph, Missouri from late-July through mid-August is as follows:

• Chiefs check in Thursday July 29
• Chiefs check out Thursday August 19
• First practice is Friday July 30 from 1:50 - 4 pm
  
• Kansas City Chiefs are in town for 22 days but actually leave St. Joe from August 12, 13, and 14th for a preseason game in Atlanta against the Falcons.
  
• The Chiefs have 24 practices on 17 days of activities in St. Joe with a schedule that mostly alternates with one practice a day and then two practices a day, etc.
  
• 1 inner-team scrimmage on Saturday August 7, 2010 from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm.
• Chiefs training camp autograph session before the scrimmage on Saturday Aug. 7 at 1:10 pm.
• Last practice is Thursday August 19 from 1:50 - 4 pm

Chiefs Training Camp Autographs

Fans of all ages looking forward to getting Chiefs training camp autographs while the players are in town will be happy to know that the franchise has expected and planned for this. In fact there's actually a designated time for autograph seekers.

Although it's safe to assume fans will be asking for (and in most cases getting) autographs before and/or after most practices there is a specific autograph time on Saturday August 7 at 1:10 pm on "family fun day" (their phrase not mine) before the 1:30 Chiefs training camp scrimmage is scheduled to begin.

Fans over three years old showing up that day will be expected to pony up $10 for admission and if they want premium parking at Chiefs training camp it's $10 per car.

To recap: premium parking $10 per car; admission $10 per person; price of beer at the Chiefs training camp: TBD.

Chiefs Training Camp Players To Watch

The 2010 Chiefs training camp has five key position battles that fans taking in the festivities at the first annual St. Joseph Missouri Chiefs training camp at Spratt Stadium at Missouri Western will want to keep an eye on.

These aren't the Joe Montana AFC Championship Game Chiefs in terms of name recognition but for an informed fan there are still plenty of interesting football aspects to this training camp.

If you want to sound like you're talking about while taking in training camp with your friends and neighbors then learn these position battles:

Seventh round pick rookie Kendrick Lewis and nine year special teams player Jon McGraw at free safety.

First round pick Eric Berry may really have to carry the secondary as his complimentary starting free safety is going to be best of two bad choices in filling the hole left by Jarrad Page who at the time of this writing is refusing to play unless he's traded or released.

Jon McGraw

Kendrick Lewis

All-Big 10 (University of Iowa) rookie TE Tony Moeaki versus veteran Leonard Pope who has five years of experience.

These are both talented blockers but Moeaki has the youth and perceived superior athleticism when it comes to catching passes so even though Pope might be the starter in week one and running with the first team offense for most of training camp look for Moeaki to get the Lions share of playing time over the course of the season.

Tony Moeaki

Leonard Pope

Fifth round pick rookie outside linebacker Cameron Sheffield versus Andy Studebaker.

The edge goes to the rookie. The fact that the Chiefs are leaning on a little-heralded 5th round pick to shore up their defense as a starting linebacker doesn't bode well.

Cameron Sheffield

Andy Studebaker

Head Coach Todd Haley's familiar Jerheme Urban and second round pick running back Dexter McCluster.

Haley knows Urban from his time in Arizona but the Chiefs need McCluster to live up to pre-draft expectations right out of the gate if they want to exceed expectations this year and surprise some people.

Dexter McCluster

Jerheme Urban

Former key linebacker Derrick Johnson and hustler Corey Mays

Mays was given the job over Johnson for much of last season because despite Johnson's superior athletic ability he was put in the dog house for his effort (or lack thereof) and Mays was given an opportunity to move from special teams player to starting linebacker.

For the sake of the Chiefs' defense hopefully the benching of Johnson lit a fire under him.

Derrick Johnson
Corey Mays

Chiefs Training Camp Scrimmage

The good news is the Kansas City Chiefs will have a scrimmage on Saturday August 7 but the bad news is it won't be against another team.

Unlike in past years when training camp was held in River Falls, Wisconsin (from 1990 to 2009) as opposed to the new home in St. Joe, Missouri the Chiefs had a bit of annual training camp scrimmage rivalry with the NFC Minnesota Vikings.

As recently as last year that scrimmage drew 1,690 people (article source) and it will be interesting to see what the draw will be like this year on "family fun day."

Our bold prediction is that even for just an intra-squad scrimmage barring a torrential downpour all of Spratt Stadium at Missouri Western State University should be filled to capacity in a way that the Griffons would be envious of. Spratt Stadium has a capacity of 7,500 and there's a good chance the whole place may fill up into a standing room only environment reminiscent of the most popular high school football jamborees ever held there. If you don't want to be left feeling uninformed at the biggest gathering in the city check out Chiefs training camp players to watch to impress your friends with your Chiefs I.Q.

Without question people will drive from up to a couple hundred miles away but it won't just be to check out the scrimmage (of course they will check it out). Chiefs fans will flood the area and use the weekend as an excuse to visit friends and relatives that they don't see as often as they'd like and for many people (maybe thousands) this scrimmage gives a lot of people the perfect excuse to establish an annual tradition of visiting (and imposing) on their St. Joe friends and family.

Warn your guest coming in town that alcohol and beer at Chiefs training camp will be sold but can't be brought so you might want to temper their tailgating expectations. Also, even though Chiefs training camp is free and Chiefs training camp is open to the public the one exception to the free arrangement is that the scrimmage costs $10 (kids 3 and under get in free). Check out the Chiefs training camp schedule to find another time when the cost of admission is free. You can also plan on spending another $10 per car for premium Chiefs training camp parking or you can roll the dice and save a few bucks by trying your luck with parking further away. Hopefully the parking situation doesn't get so bad that cars are lined up along Faraon.

Alcohol and Beer at Chiefs Traning Camp

Alcohol and beer will be allowed at Chiefs training camp but you have to buy it there and can't bring your own.

Chiefs tailgate tepee

Drinking in the parking lots will be prohibited so the tailgating atmosphere won't be as festive as a Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium but for people looking to throw back a few adult beverages it's nice to know it will be an option.

Nothing is known about the prices of the drinks but Missouri Western is reporting that their board of governors signed an amendment allowing for the distribution and consumption of alcohol during the Kansas City Chiefs training camp on the Missouri Western State University campus.

The amendment specifically states that alcohol is not allowed in the parking lots and "visitors are not permitted to bring alcohol to campus."

Chiefs Training Camp Is Open To The Public

The Kansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joe is open to the public.

There is however one exception and that is if the weather is so bad (i.e. thunderstorms) that practice has to be moved indoors the public will not be allowed to watch the indoor practices.

While it would be nice to really inspect the inside of the new indoor practice facility that our tax dollars helped pay for it makes total sense that indoor practices would be closed to the public for two reasons:

1. Noise
2. Space

1) The noise of a crowd of people inside the barn practice facility would probably make it difficult for players and coaches to hear each other over the echoing murmurs of even a small crowd.

2) While the space is large enough for punting it's not well equipped for spectators and there likely isn't even proper seating to accommodate the crowds expected.

As previously mentioned the Chiefs training camp is free with the exception of the Saturday August 7 scrimmage and parking for the KC Chiefs training camp is $10 for premium areas and free for further away lots.

To figure out exactly what days and times the training camp is check out the Kansas City Chiefs training camp schedule outlined in the first post on this blog.

How Much is Parking for Chiefs Training Camp

Parking for Chiefs Training Camp is $10 for premium spots and free in the areas further away from field.

As previously discussed Chiefs training camp is free to the general public with the exception of the Saturday August 7 intra-squad scrimmage from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm. The cost for this scrimmage on "family fun day" is $10.

The parking situation will probably be a learning process as despite plenty of guessing and actual studies and reporters the bottom line is no one is exactly sure what to expect for this first go around. The turnout could be overwhelming or underwhelming and while most everyone involved hopes to see a great turnout only time will tell if the process actually plays out that way.

It's unclear if the parking decisions that have already been put in place will be flexible as the training camp goes on depending on the demand and parking logistics.

Chiefs Training Camp Is Free

That's right ...

Chiefs training camp is free !!!

A lot of people have been asking:

• Is the Kansas City Chiefs training camp free?
• How much does it cost to go to Chiefs training camp?

The good news is that the Kansas City Chiefs training camp is free with one exception.

At the time of this writing there is a scrimmage scheduled for Saturday August 7, 2010 on what has been dubbed "family fun day." The admission for this intra-squad scrimmage is $10 with children 3 and under getting in for free.

The exact time and parameters of the scrimmage are not known at this time but as soon as that information becomes available it will be posted here. We do know that the scrimmage has been slated to be held from 1:30 to 3:30 pm.

Fans that were expecting something along the lines of a scrimmage/game against another NFL team like the traditional scrimmage the Kansas City Chiefs have played against the Minnesota Vikings in past years will be disappointed to learn that the Chiefs won't be doing anything like that this year. Of course there will still be preseason games played but there won't be anything held at Missouri Western in St. Joseph that involves playing against another team.

Chiefs Training Camp Schedule

Chiefs Training Camp Schedule

The St. Joseph Missouri Chiefs training camp schedule will be at Missouri Western State University (formerly Missouri Western State College) on the east side of St. Joe.

Training camp starts on Thursday, July 29, 2010 and the first practice open to the public will be the next day on Friday July 30, 2010 in the afternoon from 1:50 pm - 4 pm.

Training camp in St. Joseph, MO will end on Thursday, August 19.

Practice schedule for Chiefs Training camp:

• Friday July 30 -- 1:50-4 p.m.
• Saturday July 31 -- 8:50-11 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m
• Sunday August 1 -- 1:50-4 p.m.
• Monday August 2 -- 8:50-11 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday August 3 -- 1:50-4 p.m.
• Wednesday August 4 -- 8:50-11 a.m. and 7:15-9:15 p.m.
• Thursday August 5 -- 1:50-4 p.m.
• Friday August 6 -- 8:50-11 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Saturday August 7 -- Family Fun Day, scrimmage 1:30-3:30 p.m.
• Monday August 9 -- 8:50-11 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday August 10 -- 1:50-4 p.m.
• Wednesday August 11 -- 8:50-11 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Sunday August 15 -- 1:50-4 p.m.
• Monday August 16 -- 8:50-11 a.m. and 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday August 17 -- 1:50-4 p.m.
• Wednesday August 18 -- 8:50-11 a.m. and 7:15-9:15 p.m.
• Thursday August 19 -- 1:50-4 p.m.

For a printable version of the Chiefs training camp schedule outlined above simple click on the below schedule and send it to your printer (File + Print):