WEST LAFAYETTE, Indiana (WLFI) – The Indianapolis Colts recently signed a five-year training camp commitment with Anderson University. The commitment means that that Colts will conduct their summer training camp on the university campus through 2016.

The Indianapolis Colts returned to their summer home of 15 years when they opened the 2010 training camp at Anderson University. The 2010 camp at Anderson University drew approximately 85,000 visitors during the 18-day period. The Colts selected Anderson as their summer home in 1984, the club’s inaugural season in Indianapolis. The club trained in Anderson through the 1998 preseason.

“Hosting the Colts and their fans in Anderson is invaluable to the community, said Mayor Kris Okomon, mayor of the City of Anderson. “The continued relationship between the city, Anderson University, and the Colts is strong and each partner offers the other new opportunities respectively. We are elated to make this the second home of the Colts.”

The 2011 training camp concludes on Aug. 18. The Colts then establish operations at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center back in Indianapolis.

 

INDIANAPOLIS – Colts coach Jim Caldwell does not expect Peyton Manning to practice at the start of training camp.

The coaches have not had a chance to see where Manning is more than two months after having neck surgery.

Caldwell said Manning is “not ready right now” and the team will “turn him loose” when he is ready to play. Manning also is trying to negotiate a new long-term contract, which should help Indy re-sign some of its own free agents.

The Colts report to training camp Sunday at Anderson University. Practice begins Monday.

The updated 2011 NFL preseason schedule has been released. Here are the dates and times for the Indianapolis Colts:

Preseason No. 1: Indianapolis Colts at St. Louis Rams, August 13, 7:00pm

Preseason No. 2: Washington Redskins at Indianapolis Colts, August 19th, 7:00pm

Preseason No. 3: Green Bay Packers at Indianapolis Colts, CBS, August 26th, 8:00pm

Preseason No. 4: Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals, Sept. 1, 7:00pm

Other news, from the Associated Press, is that the Colts will open training camp on Sunday, July 31st. It was originally reported by the NFL that the Colts would report on Friday. Per NFL rules, teams must report to camp fifteen days before the start of their first preseason game. But Colts communications director Avis Roper said that Sunday was the earliest date the team could report.

The Vikings are also reporting late.

Follow our StoryStream at SB Nation Indiana for more updates on Colts training camp and the 2011 preseason.

ANDERSON, Ind. —
If the Indianapolis Colts have a training camp this season, it’ll be held in Anderson, team owner Jim Irsay announced Wednesday.

The camp is dependent on the conclusion of collective bargaining negotiations between players and NFL owners.

“We’re prepared to go up to Anderson. We’re ready,” Irsay said  in Indianapolis. “Right now the plan is to be there and have training camp there.”

Last year, the Colts returned training camp to Anderson University after 15 years away and saw its largest turnout in years.

An estimated 83,500 fans showed up to watch at least one practice during the 18-day camp.

Chris Williams, spokesman for AU, is excited about the prospect of a Colts return to Anderson.

“We had a great experience with the Colts last year — a fantastic experience. The training camp was a success by every standard of measurement, and we would certainly welcome the Colts back,” he said Wednesday.

Anderson City Councilman Art Pepelea said city and university officials are currently working on the training camp contract with the Colts.

“We’re ecstatic with the negotiations going on,” Pepelea said Wednesday.

He would not reveal details of the contract or whether the Colts intend to sign a multi-season agreement with Anderson University.

Though tight-lipped about city preparations for the possibility of training camp returning, Pepelea did say “it’s going to be bigger than it was last year.”

Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon agreed. “People from the Colts organization have promised they feel like they can do better this time with fans. They’re talking about their marketing doing something even bigger this year,” he said.

City officials have estimated that the 2010 Colts training camp had an impact of $6.4 million on local businesses.

By the end of the camp, Braun Roosa of Mounds Mall said the mall had seen a 30 percent increase in foot traffic.

Squeeze Play, a local sports memorabilia store, reported a 50 to 60 percent increase in sales during Colts camp last year.

A training camp attendance record was set when an estimated 9,500 fans turned out for a night practice.

Colts camp was previously hosted by Anderson University from 1984 to 1998.

Williams said the university will use the 2010 training camp as a blueprint for future camps.

“That provides us with a great model,” he said. “There are obviously some areas we might tweak and adjust.”

Of course, the return of Colts camp depends entirely on the ability of players and NFL owners to come to an agreement.

“We are hopeful that the negotiations between the players and the owners can reach a quick conclusion,” Williams said.

Irsay told reporters Wednesday that continued delays in negotiations could lead to a shortened training camp that would be held in Indianapolis.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com

INDIANAPOLIS, May 21 (UPI) — Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay says the NFL must resolve its labor issues by July 4 if it wants to have a normal football season.

Irsay is hosting an owners meeting in Indianapolis next week, The Indianapolis Star reported. The city is also hosting the Super Bowl in February — if there is one.

NFL players have been locked out for three months, although there has been little impact on the sport. Irsay called on both owners and players Thursday to develop a sense of “urgency” so training camp can begin on schedule.

“There has to be some real urgency to get this thing resolved and really have a full season with a training camp and pre-season games,” he said. “It would be very unfortunate if we get a deal done Oct. 1 that we could have gotten done on July 10. The losses are great if we start missing pre-season games and early games.”