NAU and Cardinals Featured in Sports Illustrated

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Northern Arizona University and the Arizona Cardinals are featured in the Leading Off section of the August 10, 2009 edition of Sports Illustrated with a two-page spread titled “Back to School”. The image was taken on the first day of Arizona Cardinals training camp by Mark J. Rebilas of U.S. Presswire. It is the first and one of four shots in the section featuring NFL training camps.

NAU was also featured in the same section of Leading Off with a shot from a Cardinals practice showcasing the San Francisco Peaks in the August 4, 2003 edition.

In 2005, Sports Illustrated’s Peter King named the Arizona Cardinals training camp at NAU his third-best NFL training camp site in an article on SI.com.

Northern Arizona University was ranked behind the Pittsburgh Steelers’ site at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa., and the Green Bay Packers camp in Wisconsin. The Philadelphia Eagles’ site at Lehigh University was listed fourth with the Carolina Panthers rounded out the top five at Wofford College in Spartenburg, S.C.

“The Northern Arizona campus is a gorgeous sight to see when you arrive,” said King in his summary. “The fields are pristinely kept, and the tableau of the red-and-white Cards against the green trees and blue sky makes you want to get out an easel and your third-grade paint set.”

He credits the setting, weather and access to the players as highlights of the Cardinals’ camp.

“The long shadows of the San Francisco peaks frame the pine-tree-lined practice fields,” says King, describing the practice field.

1. Steelers (St. Vincent's College, Latrobe, Pa.):
2. Packers (Don Hutson Center, Green Bay, Wis.):
3. Cardinals (Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Ariz.)
4. Eagles (Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pa.)
5. Panthers (Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.)