By Nick Wagoner
Staff Writer

For the first time since 1996, the Rams summer home will not be in Macomb, Ill. No, St. Louis isn’t moving to the Hamptons, rather the Rams will make their training camp home at, well, home.

Rams Park in Earth City will be the site of this year’s training camp. When the Rams first moved to St. Louis in 1995, their first training camp was held at Maryville University. 

In an attempt to get away from the possible distractions of the city life, the team relocated to Macomb, which is home to Western Illinois University. The Rams have held training camp in Macomb every season since until this year.

If we were going to go away for camp, Macomb would be the only consideration,” Rams head coach Mike Martz said.

“They’ve treated us very well over the years, and I couldn’t imagine a better environment away from our facility here. We just feel like at this time it would serve us better to be here.”

Relocating the football operation to Macomb over the years was a massive effort, including 90 percent of the weight room, video equipment, computers, etc.

“It’s a lot of wear and tear on everything,” Martz said. “In regards to the training aspect of it, in trying to facilitate medical tests, everything was a half day to a full day (to receive results). The wear and tear on all of our computers and shipping everything, I just feel at this point we are better served to stay here.”

Further information on camp dates, practice times and other fan-related resources will be announced later.