CFZ Cowboys training camp location history

[Bobhaze]

As training camp 2024 approaches, I had some fun doing some research of all the locations of Cowboys training camps over its six decade plus history. The Cowboys have held camp in 9 different locations in 6 different states.

Here is a list in chronological order of the Cowboys training camp locations:

• 1960: Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon and St. John’s Military Academy, Delafield, Wisconsin. The Cowboys inaugural season saw training camp conditions so bad they held it in two different places because the first location at Pacific University had bats, rats and toilets that didn’t always work. Cowboys were 0-11-1 in their first season.
• 1961: St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota. After a winless first season, the Cowboys hoped that finding a better camp location would help improve their record. In a new 14 game format, the Cowboys did improve to 4-9-1.
• 1962: Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mich. The 4th camp location in three years, over 4 states. Although the facilities were nicer than previous locations, Coach Landry didn’t like the cool summer temperatures because he felt it did not prepare them for the early season heat of Texas.
• 1963-1989: Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif. Starting in 1963, the Cowboys began a 26 year relationship with Cal Lutheran University and Thousand Oaks, Calif as the longest training camp home in team history. This included Jerry and Jimmy Johnson’s first year.
• 1990-97: St. Edwards University, Austin, TX. Jimmy Johnson was a big fan of having his players train in the heat of Texas and the Cowboys had 8 straight training camps at St. Edward’s in Austin. Jerry liked the opportunities of reaching out to the South Texas market. TC stayed in Austin during all the 90s SB years.
• 1998- 2001: Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX. One of the weirdest places ever picked to host training camp was only two hours away from Cowboys headquarters. And scene of the biggest training camp scandal, “scissorgate”. (Look it up)
• 2002-2003, 2007, 2009-11 Alamodome, San Antonio, TX. A multi-year year marketing tour chosen by Jerry during the Dave Campo and Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett coaching years. Has to be another really strange choice.
• 2004-2006- River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif. The last 3 seasons under Bill Parcells found the Cowboys starting a long training camp relationship with Oxnard, California at the River Ridge Playing Fields.
• 2008, 2012-19, 2021-24: River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif. With the exception of 2020, when there was officially no training camp, since 2012, the Cowboys have remained in Oxnard.

When you contrast the spartan 1960 training camp at Pacifica University in Oregon to the 2024 trading camp in Oxnard, Ca, the first thing that jumps out at me is how training camp is marketed now. It’s officially called “Training Camp 2024, presented by American Airlines”. Here’s a link to the team’s ad: https://www.dallascowboys.com/training-camp/

Let the Cowboys 65th training camp begin!

 

[Rockport]

As training camp 2024 approaches, I had some fun doing some research of all the locations of Cowboys training camps over its six decade plus history. The Cowboys have held camp in 9 different locations in 6 different states.

Here is a list in chronological order of the Cowboys training camp locations:

• 1960: Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon and St. John’s Military Academy, Delafield, Wisconsin. The Cowboys inaugural season saw training camp conditions so bad they held it in two different places because the first location at Pacific University had bats, rats and toilets that didn’t always work. Cowboys were 0-11-1 in their first season.
• 1961: St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota. After a winless first season, the Cowboys hoped that finding a better camp location would help improve their record. In a new 14 game format, the Cowboys did improve to 4-9-1.
• 1962: Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mich. The 4th camp location in three years, over 4 states. Although the facilities were nicer than previous locations, Coach Landry didn’t like the cool summer temperatures because he felt it did not prepare them for the early season heat of Texas.
• 1963-1989: Cal Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, Calif. Starting in 1963, the Cowboys began a 26 year relationship with Cal Lutheran University and Thousand Oaks, Calif as the longest training camp home in team history. This included Jerry and Jimmy Johnson’s first year.
• 1990-97: St. Edwards University, Austin, TX. Jimmy Johnson was a big fan of having his players train in the heat of Texas and the Cowboys had 8 straight training camps at St. Edward’s in Austin. Jerry liked the opportunities of reaching out to the South Texas market. TC stayed in Austin during all the 90s SB years.
• 1998- 2001: Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls, TX. One of the weirdest places ever picked to host training camp was only two hours away from Cowboys headquarters. And scene of the biggest training camp scandal, “scissorgate”. (Look it up)
• 2002-2003, 2007, 2009-11 Alamodome, San Antonio, TX. A multi-year year marketing tour chosen by Jerry during the Dave Campo and Wade Phillips and Jason Garrett coaching years. Has to be another really strange choice.
• 2004-2006- River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif. The last 3 seasons under Bill Parcells found the Cowboys starting a long training camp relationship with Oxnard, California at the River Ridge Playing Fields.
• 2008, 2012-19, 2021-24: River Ridge Playing Fields, Oxnard, Calif. With the exception of 2020, when there was officially no training camp, since 2012, the Cowboys have remained in Oxnard.

When you contrast the spartan 1960 training camp at Pacifica University in Oregon to the 2024 trading camp in Oxnard, Ca, the first thing that jumps out at me is how training camp is marketed now. It’s officially called “Training Camp 2024, presented by American Airlines”. Here’s a link to the team’s ad: https://www.dallascowboys.com/training-camp/

Let the Cowboys 65th training camp begin!

Why do you think San Antonio was a strange choice? It’s in the heart of Dallas Cowboys fandom. I attended every padded practice and the support was strong. Jerry’s Training Camp opening celebrations were great!

 

[Bobhaze]

Why do you think San Antonio was a strange choice? It’s in the heart of Dallas Cowboys fandom. I attended every padded practice and the support was strong. Jerry’s Training Camp opening celebrations were great!

What I found strange about it was the practices were all held indoors. This started not long after Jimmy and Barry Switzer had said if they were going to have TC in Texas it would help to have it in the heat. I don’t share that view myself but it was what the coaches believed about 25 years ago.

When I say it was a marketing move, when Houston regained an NFL team in 2000, I believe Jerry felt as though his marketing fan grip on Texas might slip. It has since proven true with much of the Central and South Texas market now leaning toward the Texans.

 

[Rockport]

What I found strange about it was the practices were all held indoors. This started not long after Jimmy and Barry Switzer had said if they were going to have TC in Texas it would help to have it in the heat. I don’t share that view myself but it was what the coaches believed about 25 years ago.

When I say it was a marketing move, when Houston regained an NFL team in 2000, I believe Jerry felt as though his marketing fan grip on Texas might slip. It has since proven true with much of the Central and South Texas market now leaning toward the Texans.

Central and South Texas is and always will be Cowboys country. Where do you live?

 

[Fmart322]

I can't believe training camp opens this Wednesday the 24th.
This off-season flew bye.
Fastest off-season I can ever remember personally.

God I pray we finally have that special season we haven't seen since 95-96.

 

[Diehardblues]

I’ve been to Thousand Oaks, Austin, San Antonio and Witchita Falls which was the worst or weirdest location I’ve attended .

And the Cowboys now generally finish their Training Camps in Frisco inside Ford Stadium at the Cowboys Headquarters which I’ve attended also.very nice there. I’d highly recommend.

San Antonio was probably my favorite in Texas. Attending practices inside at Alamo Dome was no doubt the most pleasant and comfortable for fans in the Texas heat. And staying down on the River Walk was very festive.

 

[Diehardblues]

Central and South Texas is and always will be Cowboys country. Where do you live?

San Antonio is the 2nd largest Cowboys fan market after DFW Metroplex. And South Texas with its prominent Mexican American population has always been pro Cowboys.

Central Texas depending where you are can be a little more mixed. Austin for example is much more evenly split with Houston fans going back to the years Earl Campbell was there. I’ll never forget in 1983 when they chose broadcasting the Oilers over the Cowboys.

And where when the proximity in distance is as close or closer to Houston than Dallas it’s become much more divided with exception of San Antonio and south.

I retired closer to Centex and visit south closer to Austin area perhaps more than DFW now quite often with family there and the Texan game is always broadcast there unlike DFW market.

And see much Texan gear in the stores and fans wearing in public. It’s actually quite unsettling and hate having to see Texans play on CBS. Something that rarely occurs in DFW market.

That said the Cowboys still dominate Texas overall but it’s not as dominating as it once was. We go to Louisiana to casinos and along the border used to always broadcast Cowboy games now the Saints are. I can’t go anymore during football season.

Same for much of the Coastal area in Texas which is another area we enjoy traveling to. It’s dicey on the Cowboys being broadcast unless we go as far South as Corpus area which is again more dominated by Hispanic population.

Basically now if we’re traveling anywhere outside of our home viewing area during football season unless it’s DFW have to plan around them playing a nationally broadcast game to be safe.

 

[Bobhaze]

Central and South Texas is and always will be Cowboys country. Where do you live?

I live in the Ft Worth area. My wife’s aunt lives in the southern Houston area near the coast. That’s definitely Texan country.

 

[calico]

I was on campus at St Edwards university during their last years there. The stories from campus security about Michael Irvin and some other players are legendary. They also destroyed the dorms when they stayed there.

 

[jazzcat22]

I’ve been to Thousand Oaks, Austin, San Antonio and Witchita Falls which was the worst or weirdest location I’ve attended .

And the Cowboys now generally finish their Training Camps in Frisco inside Ford Stadium at the Cowboys Headquarters which I’ve attended also.very nice there. I’d highly recommend.

San Antonio was probably my favorite in Texas. Attending practices inside at Alamo Dome was no doubt the most pleasant and comfortable for fans in the Texas heat. And staying down on the River Walk was very festive.

Didn't they fill in an olympic size swimming pool at the college to create one of the practice fields in Wichita Falls?
I seen it reported that is what they done.
And it was never uncovered after they stopped TC there.

 

[maryquality]

I live in the Ft Worth area. My wife’s aunt lives in the southern Houston area near the coast. That’s definitely Texan country.

You'd be surprised with how many Cowboys fans there are south of Houston and near the coast. Most Texans fans are in Houston and maybe a few surrounding suburbs. Galveston Island has a ton of Cowboys fans!!

 

[Diehardblues]

Didn't they fill in an olympic size swimming pool at the college to create one of the practice fields in Wichita Falls?
I seen it reported that is what they done.
And it was never uncovered after they stopped TC there.

I don’t recall that. I recall the practice fields outside at Midwestern State . It was blistering hot.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Didn't they fill in an olympic size swimming pool at the college to create one of the practice fields in Wichita Falls?
I seen it reported that is what they done.
And it was never uncovered after they stopped TC there.

No, they converted the old swimming pool area (plus some adjacent areas) into a new addition that had the new weight room. But that was already in the works, not done just for the Cowboys.

And the camp there was fine. It was old school, in a smaller town so not a lot of places for the players to get in trouble. And yes, hot like Austin as so many pined for from the Jimmy camps. Actually I remember several media personalities like Leon Simon (RIP) praising the setup there. It was meant to be convenient and efficient for the players with a football-only focus, and it was. But of course Jerry isn't about football-only, he's about marketing and hype.

I personally hate the cool camp. To me, the excuse that the heat makes it too hard for the players to concentrate or do enough reps is garbage. Tons of college and high school relative spares do two-a-days (or used to) in that heat and they're fine. Other NFL teams do it. I personally think Jerry, besides of course wanting to sell to the California fans, mostly wants to personally get out of the Dallas heat so he takes the team to a place where highs can be in the 60s. Again, it's not primarily about preparing the football team, but everything else.

 

[jazzcat22]

No, they converted the old swimming pool area (plus some adjacent areas) into a new addition that had the new weight room. But that was already in the works, not done just for the Cowboys.

And the camp there was fine. It was old school, in a smaller town so not a lot of places for the players to get in trouble. And yes, hot like Austin as so many pined for from the Jimmy camps. Actually I remember several media personalities like Leon Simon (RIP) praising the setup there. It was meant to be convenient and efficient for the players with a football-only focus, and it was. But of course Jerry isn't about football-only, he's about marketing and hype.

I personally hate the cool camp. To me, the excuse that the heat makes it too hard for the players to concentrate or do enough reps is garbage. Tons of college and high school relative spares do two-a-days (or used to) in that heat and they're fine. Other NFL teams do it. I personally think Jerry, besides of course wanting to sell to the California fans, mostly wants to personally get out of the Dallas heat so he takes the team to a place where highs can be in the 60s. Again, it's not primarily about preparing the football team, but everything else.

Thanks for clarifying that. Makes much more sense.

 

[Bobhaze]

Some of the craziest moments in Cowboys history happened at training camp:

• 1960- Bats and rats in the facilities at Pacific university.
• 1971- RB Duane Thomas cops a major attitude during TC and gets traded to New England who promptly voids the trade and DT comes back to Dallas. He stays for the entire season and the Cowboys win their first SB. He gets traded for good in ‘72.
• 1976- Backup QB Clint Longley, “The Mad Bomber”, sucker punches Roger Staubach in the locker room at Thousand Oaks. Roger gets about 10 stitches and Longley gets traded to the Chargers.
• 1984- After an epic QB competition, at the end of TC Tom Landry is ready to announce whether Danny White or Gary Hogeboom will be named starting QB. At the press conference Landry has a brain fart and announces T Phil Pozderic as the QB starter. After some chuckles, he corrects himself and Hogeboom is named. Only lasts a few weeks before White regains the spot.
• 1987-88- Two years in a row Cowboys speedy WR Mike Sherrard breaks his leg, both during TC. First in practice, the second while jogging the beach.
• 1993- After winning SB 27, Emmitt Smith holds out TC awaiting a new contract. Jerry plays hard ball. Emmitt enrolls in classes at Univ of Florida and threatens to retire. When the Cowboys start 0-2 Jerry caves. The Cowboys win back to back SBs.
• 1997- at the end of TC at St Ed’s in Austin, the players completely trash the dorm. On player in a mask smashes the video surveillance system so no one can be identified. It’s the last time the Cowboys trained in Austin.
• 1998- “Scissorgate”- Long story. Look up Everett McIvor.

What else?

 

[Rockport]

San Antonio is the 2nd largest Cowboys fan market after DFW Metroplex. And South Texas with its prominent Mexican American population has always been pro Cowboys.

Central Texas depending where you are can be a little more mixed. Austin for example is much more evenly split with Houston fans going back to the years Earl Campbell was there. I’ll never forget in 1983 when they chose broadcasting the Oilers over the Cowboys.

And where when the proximity in distance is as close or closer to Houston than Dallas it’s become much more divided with exception of San Antonio and south.

I retired closer to Centex and visit south closer to Austin area perhaps more than DFW now quite often with family there and the Texan game is always broadcast there unlike DFW market.

And see much Texan gear in the stores and fans wearing in public. It’s actually quite unsettling and hate having to see Texans play on CBS. Something that rarely occurs in DFW market.

That said the Cowboys still dominate Texas overall but it’s not as dominating as it once was. We go to Louisiana to casinos and along the border used to always broadcast Cowboy games now the Saints are. I can’t go anymore during football season.

Same for much of the Coastal area in Texas which is another area we enjoy traveling to. It’s dicey on the Cowboys being broadcast unless we go as far South as Corpus area which is again more dominated by Hispanic population.

Basically now if we’re traveling anywhere outside of our home viewing area during football season unless it’s DFW have to plan around them playing a nationally broadcast game to be safe.

I was born and raised in Beeville. It’s all Cowboys country.

 

[cwbyfn1957]

You'd be surprised with how many Cowboys fans there are south of Houston and near the coast. Most Texans fans are in Houston and maybe a few surrounding suburbs. Galveston Island has a ton of Cowboys fans!!

This! I live South of Houston in Galveston County. You couldn't find a Texan fan anywhere until late last year. I still don't see many.

 

[ArtClink]

I live in the Ft Worth area. My wife’s aunt lives in the southern Houston area near the coast. That’s definitely Texan country.

Texans have turned it around and I'm a bid fan cause they're doing things the right way. Funny how an org can fire their GM and suddenly become contenders two years removed from being in the cellar. At least we have continuity at the GM position and we're the most profitable woo hoo pop the champaign cork, we're champions of profit!!

 

[Cowboys5217]

I’ve been to Thousand Oaks, Austin, San Antonio and Witchita Falls which was the worst or weirdest location I’ve attended .

And the Cowboys now generally finish their Training Camps in Frisco inside Ford Stadium at the Cowboys Headquarters which I’ve attended also.very nice there. I’d highly recommend.

San Antonio was probably my favorite in Texas. Attending practices inside at Alamo Dome was no doubt the most pleasant and comfortable for fans in the Texas heat. And staying down on the River Walk was very festive.

What was wrong with Wichita Falls? Been there many times myself, and it's a nice area.

 

[Diehardblues]

What was wrong with Wichita Falls? Been there many times myself, and it's a nice area.

It was a dump town compared to other TC sites. There’s nothing there.

We had 1st class hotels to stay at in Austin and San Antonio . Not to mention more choices for entertainment & eateries.