Chiefs to Hold Free Practice Session in St. Joseph on Thursday

Jun 11, 2008, 2:25:50 PM

The Kansas City Chiefs will conduct their final OTA (Organized Team Activity) session on Thursday, June 12th at Spratt Stadium on the campus of Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri. The practice is free and open to the public.

Practice is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM and will last until 1:30 PM. Head coach Herm Edwards and players will be available for a 20-minute autograph session following the conclusion of practice. Chiefs players and coaches will attempt to accommodate as many fans as possible during this time period. KC Wolf and Chiefs Cheerleaders will also be performing and will be available for photos and autographs. Inclement weather conditions may force the club to adjust accordingly with little notice. A large crowd is anticipated, so please plan accordingly. Gates are scheduled to open at 10:30 AM.

“St. Joe has been home to many of our most loyal season ticket holders and Chiefs fans,” Chiefs President Carl Peterson noted. “For many years, along with the Chamber of Commerce, they bring a contingent to Arrowhead and have a large tailgate party. We felt it was appropriate to make the trip to St. Joseph as the first in a series of off-season practices we hope to conduct over the years in areas outside of the Kansas City metro as a way to say, ‘thank you’ to our fans.”

Dr. Jim Scanlon, President of Missouri Western, echoed Peterson’s comments. “There is tremendous fan support of the Chiefs in St. Joseph,” Dr. Scanlon said. “It is good of the Chiefs to acknowledge that support by bringing a workout session here. Western is pleased to partner in making this happen for our community.”

Dan Nicoson, Vice President for University Advancement at Missouri Western also applauded the visit by the Chiefs. “This is a rare opportunity for those of us who are football fans to see this type of on-the-field activity by an NFL team,” Nicoson stated. “All of us at Western will do all we can to welcome the Chiefs and their fans.”

To get to Spratt Stadium from Kansas City, take I-29 North for approximately 30 miles. Merge onto 36 Highway east via Exit 46A. Take the Riverside Road Exit and turn left at the top of the ramp onto Riverside Road. Turn left at the four-way stoplight onto Mitchell Avenue. Follow on Mitchell for one-half mile as you approach the campus to your right.

The workout, formally referred to in NFL parlance as an Organized Team Activity (OTA), consists of players in jerseys and shorts (no pads) for approximately an hour-and-a-half. The Chiefs are scheduled to conduct individual drills and a combination period (receivers vs. defensive backs, tight ends and running backs vs. linebackers and offensive line vs. defensive line). In addition, the club will conduct a 24-play team period and conclude the practice with a two-minute drill. The practice schedule is subject to change.