I suppose this was inevitable, but the New York Giants today announced that they will hold their 2011 training camp in their permanent home at the Timex Performance Center in East Rutherford, N.J., ending a 15-year tradition of doing so at the University at Albany.
"We have notified President (George M.) Philip and Dr. (Lee) McElroy at the University at Albany, as well as Mayor (Gerald) Jennings, that we will not be holding training camp there this summer," Giants President and Chief Executive Officer John Mara said. "In light of current circumstances, it simply became impractical for us to hold camp away from home. The University at Albany and the Capital Region has been a great summer home for us for 15 years, and we have every intention of returning there in 2012."
The Giants had previously indicated that they would need about two weeks in order move all of the necessary equipment from New Jersey to Albany and get set up for camp.
"While I was disappointed when John Mara called me this morning, I fully understand the Giants' decision," said University at Albany President George M. Philip, "We have a strong relationship with the team and have enjoyed hosting their summer camp for the past 15 years. We will miss the vibrancy and excitement the Giants would have once again brought to the University and the region this summer. We wish them luck in the upcoming season and look forward to their return in 2012."
The Timex Performance Center, the Giants' state-of-the-art complex which opened in 2009, has three grass fields, a turf field outdoors and a full-sized indoor field.
The New York Jets had previously announced that they will also stay at their Florham Park complex in New Jersey rather than head to SUNY Cortland, where they have held training camp the past two summers.