Saint Vincent camp cancellation a blow for local members of Steelers Nation

Disappointment, anger and understanding.

Local Steelers fans expressed a range of emotions after learning the Steelers won’t hold training camp at Saint Vincent College this summer because of new NFL guidelines prompted by the covid-19 pandemic.

Ron Monack, 25, is a 2017 alumnus of the college in Unity and a township resident. In addition to the Latrobe area losing the economic benefits that result from having the Steelers in residence, Monack is sad to see an interruption in the team’s tradition at Saint Vincent.

“It’s sad to not have the Steelers, for sure,” said Monack, who was a member of the Bearcats cross country and track teams. “It’s just cool to see them be part of the Saint Vincent community, seeing the players and coaches using the facilities that I spent time on as a student and athlete.”

Kathy Leachman, 70, of Unity, feels bad for the fans, especially children. It will be the first time since 1966 that the Steelers won’t hold training camp at the college.

She noted the camp is a major annual event for her son, who works in food services at Saint Vincent.

“It brings a lot of business to the area,” she said. ““A lot of people plan their vacations to come to Latrobe at that time. It’s one of the things that put Latrobe on the map, along with Mister Rogers and Arnold Palmer.”

Still, she noted, “people need to do what they have to do,” in taking precautions against the coronavirus.

The NFL told teams on Tuesday to conduct training camp at their own facilities. For the Steelers, that will be the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Pittsburgh’s South Side.

Steelers President Art Rooney II expressed disappointment for the Latrobe community and fans.

“We look forward to returning to training camp at Saint Vincent College in 2021,” he said.

The Rev. Paul Taylor, president of Saint Vincent, said the college will “miss having the Pittsburgh Steelers on campus this summer, as has been the tradition for the past 54 years. As we all continue to deal with the pandemic, we understand the National Football League’s decision.

“We look forward to the Steelers and Steelers Nation returning to campus next summer and we pray for the health, safety and success of the entire organization as they prepare for the upcoming season.”

The Steelers and Saint Vincent statements offer some hope for die-hard fan George Muentzer, 68, of Hempfield.

He has faithfully attended the first day of the Saint Vincent camp.

“My streak is over,” he said. “This would have been my 49th straight year. I’m holding my breath waiting for next year now.”

He said he will miss the close-up view of the 2020 Steelers team as it begins to gel during camp.

“I like watching them from the very beginning,” Muentzer said. “I always look forward to watching the rookies.

“I like to watch the moves that they practice. Then, all of a sudden, you’ll see it in a game.”

He said he’ll also miss the camaraderie with fellow fans he’s befriended.

“Usually, we have about 20 people up there around 6 in the morning for opening day,” he said of the camp. “You can’t beat the friendship. We’re like a family.”

The cancellation of camp is “definitely hurting.” said Ben Capets, 36, a 2002 Greater Latrobe Senior High graduate who recently moved back to Unity. “It brought a lot of people in. It’s got to be hard on everybody.”

The camp “brings a lot of money into the area,” agreed Wayne Peluso, 70, of Latrobe. The New Orleans native retains his primary allegiance to the Saints but has grown to appreciate standout Steelers players.

He noted his wife, Maria, is a committed Steelers fan who has plenty of team memorabilia.

“She goes to the camp every year,” he said.

Some fans suggested the NFL may be going overboard in its pandemic protocol by keeping the Steelers from making use of its Saint Vincent camp site.

Colleen Painter, 48, of Mt. Pleasant Township, pointed out that the college has announced it’s preparing for students to return to campus for the fall semester with added covid-19 precautions.

“If everything goes back to the way it was in the fall and Saint Vincent has classes in session, why wouldn’t (Steelers camp) go back to normal, too?” she said. “That is a shame that they’re not going to do that.”

Painter, who works in Latrobe as a dental hygienist, said past camps have provided lasting memories for her family. She noted her daughter, Claire, now 15, proudly displays a shoe that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger signed for her at Saint Vincent a few years ago.

“That was awesome,” Painter said.

Another local tradition during camp has been “Steeler Night,” a Friday night in August when the team shifts its practice to Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium. The 2018 event drew an estimated crowd of 10,000 and generated a record profit of nearly $34,000, which benefited Greater Latrobe athletics and various community programs.

“Whatever money we make is extra,” not included in the district athletic budget, according to Mark Mears, the event’s chief organizer and Greater Latrobe’s athletic director.

He said he had yet to discuss with Steelers officials the fate of this year’s stadium event. He pointed out the event would pose a problem for meeting the pandemic goal of holding the gathering to no more than 250 people.