Postcard from Camp Tontozona

Postcard from Camp Tontozona

Been coming up here for close to thirty years. It’s much different than when I walked down the steep hill for the first time in 1994. There’s a nice turf surface (used to be a semi-even grass “field”, padding between the far side of the field, which backs up to an old barb-wired fence. What isn’t different is hearing the players talk about the possibility of encountering critters, bears, and skunks. The bunks still look like old barracks from the 70’s. What you can’t see is how an environment like Camp T is ideal to encourage a team to come together. Kenny Dillingham gave an example after Wednesday’s opening practice here. “We were in the meal hall last night, and, last year, there were about fifteen kids up there playing cards or doing whatever. This year, 45-50 kids are up there doing SOMETHING competitive; it doesn’t matter what it is; they could be playing War”. I know that this team isn’t picked to do much of anything, but based on what I saw, IF they can get consistent quarterback play, they will improve upon the three wins from last season…

I ran into Sun Devil legend Danny White as Wednesday morning’s practice started. We chatted for about half an hour about Dillingham and the program’s direction. Danny is a fan of the young head coach(34 years old). Danny has been a semi-regular at practices at Tempe and was on the sideline here at Camp T on Day One. I asked Dillingham about White’s presence around the program. “It’s awesome to have him around; anytime there’s someone who’s been that successful and knowledgeable, I’d be a fool not to tap into that knowledge.” Little things that are big things to those who want more of a nod out of the program to past days of success…

Driving up to Camp T, I texted a few former Sun Devils from the 97 Rose Bowl team. I wanted to know if they were sitting on stories about Camp T that could finally be shared. Most said that the best ones weren’t suitable for public consumption. Big Juan Roque did get back to me with this gem.

Only thing I can think of that I never talked about was 1995 last day at Camp T before scrimmage. We were stretching and as I glanced at the west end zone area near the pond I saw her. My mom. Then there was my dad and then my baby sister. I had no idea they had come from Ontario and I started to cry. Yeah tears while stretching. Coach Cozzetto saw me and gave me a weird look and asked “What’s with you?” and through choked words I said my mom, dad and baby sister just showed up from Cali. He then looked over at where they were and looked at me and playfully said “Well then you better not have a bad scrimmage huh?” and then slapped my shoulder pads and said “I’m happy to see you happy Juan” and walked away. I’ve never told anyone this. It was one of those memories I kept to myself.