Ground crews worked Wednesday to put final touches on the practice fields at Saint Vincent College, just ahead of the annual invasion of the Pittsburgh Steelers and fans for training camp on the Unity campus.
Steelers fans this year will have the opportunity to meet legends prior to public practices, officials announced. Meet-and-greets will start at 2 p.m., prior to the team hitting the field at 2:55.
Former players to be featured include Merril Hoge, Donnie Shell, Charlie Batch, Rocky Bleier, Santonio Holmes, Greg Warren, Jason Gildon, Mike Wagner, Chris Hoke, Shaun Suisham, John Banaszak, Matt Speath and Randy Grossman.
College officials are preparing for the onslaught of Steelers fans, players and staff members starting this week with training camp getting under way. Players report to the campus Thursday. The first of 13 public practices is Friday.
Two additional public practices will be held at Latrobe Memorial Stadium on Aug. 2 and at Heinz Field on Aug. 4.
The annual charity walk will start at 10 a.m. Saturday to benefit the Chuck Noll Foundation for Brain Injury Research. Super Bowl champion Mel Blount will take part in the 2-mile walk on Saint Vincent’s Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve. Registration starts at $30 and can be completed atsteelers.com.
The annual Mass during camp is set for Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in the Saint Vincent Basilica. Fans, players and staff are invited to attend the service with college president the Rev. Paul R. Taylor.
The annual “Friday Night Lights” practice at Latrobe Memorial Stadium starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 2, but the activities begin long before that. Steelers Fest starts at noon outside the stadium and will include activities and food. Two former Steelers — Jon Kolb and Arthur Moats — will be on hand for photos and autographs from 4 to 5 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m., respectively.
Gates open at 5 p.m., and country band Saddle Up will perform at 5:15. Fireworks will be set off after practice, about 9 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at the stadium starting at noon the day of the practice. Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for senior citizens and children ages 5 to 12. Children under 5 have free admission if they are accompanied by an adult.
Proceeds from ticket sales fund student programs at Greater Latrobe School District.
