NFL Lockout Finally Over: Memories of Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp at College Campus

A huge sigh of relief was heard from football fans on Monday, July 25 when the NFL and its players agreed on a 10-year labor agreement. In the past there have been strikes throughout the season in MLB and the NHL. No way could the American people do without the NFL on Sunday afternoons. That means it is now business as usual for the National Football League.

Training camp starts on Thursday, July 28 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at their newly renovated One Buc Place. Back in the 90s the Bucs use to have their training camp at another location, near and dear to my heart. You've heard the expression "Big Man on Campus" or BMOC when the All-American jock or star football player rules the campus he attends. That was certainly the case when I attended the University of Tampa during their summer sessions from 1993-1996.

The big men on campus were none other than the Buccaneer players, coaches and other staffers. The University of Tampa is the oldest university in the city of Tampa. Its collegiate football, the UT Spartans, were a viable part of the sports community in Tampa Bay prior to receiving the NFL franchise in 1976. Before there were the Bucs there were the UT Spartan college football games. Those were some exciting games I got to attend. It was one of the many reasons I wanted to attend the University of Tampa.

From 1987 to 2001 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers utilized the dormitories, Pepin-Rood Stadium and the athletic facilities at UT during their training camp in late July and early August. For approximately 14 years the Bucs were a stable part of life for those attending summer classes at the university near downtown Tampa. The team has practiced at other facilities such as the Disney World sports complex. Now they have a new state-of-the-art training camp at the renovated One Buc Place.

One thing that stands out in my mind when the Buccaneers were on campus for training camp was driving around in their golf carts. They may be bold on the field, but they were dangerous driving around in those carts around campus. A majority of my classes were held in Plant Hall, so I wasn't nearby the stadium or their dormitories. I'm glad the Bucs have a decent facility now, but it was fun having them at UT.

SOURCES:

Gareth Rees, "NFL Lockout Over; Tampa Bay Buccaneers Training Camp To Begin Thursday", SB Nation Tampa Bay.com

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