Players looking forward to pre-pandemic levels of fan fun at Grand Park
By RICHIE HALL
WESTFIELD – Attention, Indianapolis Colts fans: Grand Park can’t wait to see you on July 27.
That’s the date the 2022 Colts Training Camp begins. This year’s camp has a new title sponsor, Koorsen Fire & Security. There will be 16 practices open to the public, a number of special theme days, and Colts City returns to give fans even more opportunities for fun.
“After two years of living with strict health protocols, we’re so happy this year’s Training Camp will resemble camps of the past when it comes to fan activities and player interaction,” said Kalen Jackson, Colts Vice Chair and Owner in a press release.
Jackson also spoke at a press conference that took place Wednesday afternoon at the Grand Park Events Center, along with Westfield Mayor Andy Cook. Both took the time to speak to the Reporter afterwards, with Jackson noting that it won’t only be the fans who will benefit from having Colts Camp back at full force.
“The players love that, too,” said Jackson. “And that’s what makes them feel like they really are training for being back in the stadium full force again, too, and having that energy from the crowd.”
“We’re thrilled,” said Cook. “We’re really looking forward to it.”
Cook said things were just getting going when Colts Camp first came to Grand Park in 2018, then returned in 2019. Then the pandemic hit, forcing an “off year” in 2020, followed by a limited year in 2021.
“We’re all ready to go full steam ahead this year,” Cook told the Reporter.
There will be three general admission parking lots for Colts Camp this year, with overflow parking in Lot C. (Illustration provided)
“They’ve been unbelievable,” said Jackson about the partnership with the City of Westfield. “And I think one of the best things about any kind of thing like this is the partnership that we’ve been able to create. And this is a true partnership, where it’s a give and take on both sides. They’re willing to help us out and we’re willing to help them out.”
The player interaction with the fans will be back as well.
Before the pandemic hit, one of the best parts of the camp was Colts players going over to the stands and giving out autographs and high fives, “and being able to have kids walking the players out to the field again,” said Jackson.
“That’s something that we really missed,” said Jackson. “We’re a family-run business in a smaller-market city and we love being able to be that close with our fans on a day-to-day basis.”
This year’s camp begins on July 27 with the first practice open to the fans starting at noon. There will be no charge to attend the training camp, but guests will need to log on to colts.com/camp to get a free ticket for each day they come to camp.
COLTS CITY
If anyone needs to burn off some energy during practice, then they can head over to Colts City.
According to a press release, the 85,000 square-foot multi-purpose asphalt pad and Play 60 turf field will be located adjacent to the Colts practice fields, which will allow fans to enjoy Colts City activities and team practices more conveniently.
Jackson said keeping the two locations convenient to one another “was really done for the families,” making it “really easy for families to come up here and enjoy it,” whether it was a one-year-old fan or a parent.
“And we really tried to fix the schedule so that it was based around when kids would be going back to school and make sure that a lot of the kid activities are on the side that are more during the summer,” said Jackson.
Colts City will be open during each public practice through Aug. 18. The activities include:
- The Colts Play 60 Field, featuring football drills, 40-yard dash and punt returns
- “Colts In Motion,” the team’s interactive traveling experience, presented by Belle Tire
- Colts inflatables
- Colts Pro Shop
- Social tent
- Photo opportunities with “Blue,” the Colts mascot, and Colts cheerleaders
- Interactive partner displays and exhibits
There will be several Theme Days during Colts Camp, and those days will highlight various local groups, organizations and fans, in addition to providing fun activities for the whole family. The Colts will release details about each Theme Day later this summer.
During the press conference, the Colts also announced Koorsen Fire & Security as the camp’s new title sponsor. Koorsen was founded in Indiana in 1946 and has become one of the largest fire and security companies in the United States with 24 locations in five states. Executive Vice President Keith Koorsen was there, and he was presented a jersey by the Colts.
The practices will include two joint practices with the Detroit Lions during the afternoons of Aug. 17 and 18. The Colts will then host the Lions in a pre-season game that Saturday, Aug. 20 at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The camp will also feature a Book Drive for Books For Youth, where fans can donate new or gently used books at Colts Community collection stations located in Grand Park. According to the Colts, “All donations will benefit local youth in foster care and help fill backpacks with 25 age-appropriate books for each child.”