AUSTIN (AP) - From the Catholic university where the Dallas Cowboys train
to the strip club just down the street, Austin is bracing for sheer mayhem
when the world champions arrive Wednesday for their monthlong training camp.
It's been a zany year for the Cowboys since they left Austin last August.
There have been lawsuits from and against the NFL, drug suspensions, Michael
Irvin's no contest plea to cocaine possession charges and, oh yeah, a Super
Bowl victory.
But don't expect Austinites to hold the team's off-field drama against the
Cowboys. If anything, it may generate more interest.
"There may be some people who disagree with the way Michael Irvin and
the team have conducted themselves, but they're the Cowboys. They're the
Super Bowl champs, and everyone will welcome them here," said Christine
Scott, a student at St. Edward's University.
"The Michael Irvin ordeal will probably bring more people out to camp,
just out of curiosity," she said.
"People don't care about the stuff off the field," said Mike Beck,
a 30-year-old engineer who lives across the street from St. Edward's. "They
just want to see the Super Bowl champions. I am not a fan, but I'm interested
to come out and see what's going on."
St. Edward's University is a private school with strong ties to the Catholic
church. The same priest who founded St. Edward's also founded Notre Dame.
But school officials have never wavered in their support for the Cowboys
despite the team's recent rash of problems.
"I don't think the typical fan puts a link between what happened with
Michael Irvin or any other player and St. Edward's any more than I think
the fans put the link between the Cowboys winning the Super Bowl and them
training at St. Edward's," said John Lucas, vice president for enrollment
and student services at the school.
"Like everyone, we hope that Michael gets things straightened out personally,"
Lucas said.
Local retailers are eager for the onslaught of business the Cowboys bring.
"We're ready," said John Castillo, of Rosie's Tamales, a block
away from St. Edward's. "I wish I could go and serve the players tacos
on the field, but we'll be too busy serving people in here."
Irvin's plea agreement on Monday ended a courtroom drama that included allegations
of strip searches, drug-filled parties and a murder-for-hire plot - all
somehow connected to Irvin and topless dancers.
But the manager of Expose, a topless dance club less than a mile from St.
Edward's and a frequent night spot for members of the Cowboys in the past,
says the case doesn't figure to hurt his business.
"We're happy to have the Cowboys in town," said the manager, who
asked to be identified only by his first name, Dennis. "The more people
are talking about what's going on with the Cowboys, the better things are
for business."
The club had blue and white balloons floating at each table with signs advertising
"Cowboys Specials" on beer and steaks.
"We look forward to seeing the Cowboys," Dennis said.