Wednesday, July 29, 1998

Cowboys high on Wichita Falls training facility

By MIKE BALDWIN

The Daily Oklahoman

WICHITA FALLS, Texas - Based on early returns, it appears the Dallas Cowboys will return to Midwestern State University next summer.

The Cowboys' debut training camp in the town of 103,000 has nearly three weeks left, but it would be surprising if the five-time Super Bowl champions don't return.

Some questioned holding training camp in a city that was best known for searing heat and the killer tornado of 1979. So far, there has been nothing but positive feedback. Everyone chooses MSU over St. Edward's University in Austin where the Cowboys trained the previous eight years.

More importantly, players are endorsing MSU for its outstanding facilities. The dorm rooms and locker rooms are brand new. The weight room is more compliant for an NFL team. The cafeteria food is even getting rave reviews.

"Everything that is important for us to improve as a football team is better, and I think you see it in the attitude of the guys," fullback Daryl Johnston said. "St. Edward's starts to wear on you after a while. It was kind of a dreary place. I'm not knocking it. We had some great success while we were there, but this is a better situation for us."

Owner Jerry Jones will make the ultimate decision. Jones has been pleased but will reserve judgment before he announces where the 1999 camp will be stationed.

"We have not made a commitment, but it looks like this thing is so successful," Jones said. "One of the things I had in mind when we didn't make an ongoing commitment was let's see how it works. At this juncture, it's working great."

Many within the organization say coach Chan Gailey is big on continuity. If this camp continues to be a success, it's highly likely he will recommend to Jones that the Cowboys return next year.

"I really like it here," Gailey said. "My first blush is this is working out really well. Yeah, today I'd vote for bringing it back here. But let's wait to see how the entire camp turns out. That's when we can make a good, solid decision with all the facts."

The facts are the town and several cities within a 200-mile radius have embraced the Cowboys. In addition to state-of-the-art facilities, it's more conducive for fans in Oklahoma, Dallas and north Texas to attend practices for the first time in franchise history.

"It's been a great experience for all of us," quarterback Troy Aikman said. "The facilities are fantastic from the dorms to the cafeteria, the practice fields, the lockers, and the weight room. That's all any of us as players want. The people have been great. I don't think it could be better anywhere else."

Much of the criticism for Wichita Falls was based on comparisons to Austin's amenities. Texas' capital city features fine dining and Sixth Street, which is known for its night life, music and entertainment. But that's not an issue for the players, who have only four nights off throughout the 31-day camp.

"Everybody asks, 'How do you like Wichita Falls?' It's a nice city, but we really don't get out much," linebacker Fred Strickland said. "We're not down here to sight-see and have a vacation. We're down here to work. What little free time we have we're usually taking a nap."

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service.)