New Browns starting quarterback Trent Dilfer works out with the first-team offense at the first official training camp practice Friday before a crowd estimated at 2,500. (Photos by Larry Bennet)

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Browns training camp in Berea great for the whole family
By Zachary Dzurick
Sports
Published Aug. 3, 2005

Ask many media members what the most amazing aspect about Cleveland sports is and they will invariably talk about the bulletproof Browns. No matter their performance on the field or in the front office, the fans forgive them and still support the team.

A perfect example is after two gut wrenching difficult seasons, a large crowd flocked to Berea for the Browns first official day of training camp last Friday. The mood was one of optimism that the new regime has their beloved Brownies back on the right track.

For the Westshore based fan, it is just a short journey to Berea. And you can't beat the price for a family outing since it is free. Parking is also free (sort of). It is illegal to park on the surrounding streets without a pass in Berea. So the Browns have arranged parking at Baldwin-Wallace College on Bagley Road. Shuttles then transport you to the main gate of the facility located at Beech Street. However, more than one enterprising neighbor is selling parking spots closer to camp. Note, fans can't enter or exit from the media entrance on Lou Groza Boulevard.

If you have visited camp before you will find a different set-up this season. New Vice President of Stadium Events and Operations Don Renzulli said the Browns explored many options for this training camp but decided that simpler was better.

"We looked at what we have done in the past and went through at least 15 revisions of plans of what we were going to do and tried to make it a lot bigger and then pulled back with the theme being trying to reconnect with the fans," Renzulli said. "In the past we have four fields, now we have three fields so you can see more. We have taken out the interactive things we thought we could do because we have limited space. The whole theme was to get the fans closer."

Also available is a special VIP section.

"The VIP hospitality tents we have taken off the ground and air conditioned those," Renzulli said. "Cintas, as the presenting sponsor, has one tent with the other three corporate sponsors rotating. There is also an option for people to buy a tent for one session."

Also new this year the second session of two-a-days will be held at a more fan friendly time of 5:30 p.m. Those dates are today and Friday as well as August 9, 16 and 23. The morning practices on those days begin at 8:45 a.m., with most other days having 2:30 p.m. practices.

"The second session is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. so you don't have to take off from work," Renzulli said. "You can come down and have a beer and the kids can have a soda."

There are merchandise tents and food concessions. There is also a beer tent for adults and a stand that sells water and soda.

Showing up for the first official day of camp was the Grillo family of Westlake. Sal and Nikki brought their kids Sal, 11, and Maddie, 8. Both Sals were making their second trip and the girls did not want to miss out on the fun this year.

"Sal and I came once last year," Sal Sr. said. "He is a really big fan. It is the closest you can get to them and you can get autographs. The price is a good price for the family."

The Grillos were amazed by the amount of support showed by the 2,500 fans in attendance for a 3:30 p.m. practice on Friday in July.

"It is really nice," Nikki said. "I have never been here before. This is such a football town look at all these people here supporting the team.

"It just shows what kind of die hard fans this team has," Sal added.

Olmsted Falls sophomores- to-be Brent Edmunds and Tim Straffen were also there to show their support for the Orange and Brown.

"I am not surprised by the amount of people here because everyone loves the Browns," Straffen said. "A true fan comes out and supports the team regardless of the regular season results. We made some good moves. We finally did the right things in the off season."

For Edmunds, who plays football for the Bulldogs, watching practice is also a valuable learning experience.

"I am a big time fan," Edmunds said. "You can pick up a lot watching what they do."

A special moment at last year's camp had the McNeil family from Chagrin Falls back this year.

"Last season my sons got to carry some of the player's helmets after practice," Scott McNeil said. "It was pretty exciting for them and they wanted to come back. My youngest in particular has a bond now with Frisman Jackson, whose helmet he carried. He is now his favorite player."

Amherst's Mandy Kamms brought her kids Vinnie, 9, Blake, 8, Nick, 6, and Makayla, 6 to the first day of camp as well. The older boys came last year and they have been waiting for days for us to come, she said.

"It's the greatest thing there is," Vinnie said.

After each training session, tents are set up for kids under the age of 12 to get players autographs. However many players after practice stop by the perimeter of the practice field to sign for everyone. The players say the fan support means a great deal to them.

"This was how many people came out to our games sometimes in Akron," rookie quarterback Charlie Frye said. "This is a different environment to see the fans out here really excited. When I first came out here I had chills down my back. To finally be an official Cleveland Brown and come to training camp is awesome."

Now a veteran, center Jeff Faine loves to interact with the fans after practice and sign whatever he can.

"Without a doubt I truly enjoy it," Faine said. "I was that kid once. It is my pleasure and it's an honor. That is just the true tale of our fans. They are true fans who are truly fanatical and passionate. It is a pleasure to play in this city."

For Renzulli, the first day of camp signaled a new hope for the future as the Browns try to reconnect with die-hard fans.

"I am new here in town," Renzulli said. "The turnout for the first day was great. They were lined up on Bagley down to 71. It is exciting. We are zero and zero like everyone else and hopefully it is the start of something good. Training camp is the only time you can get this close to the players, who will be signing autographs. It is as close as you can get. It is something you can't do most places."

No matter what the Browns record, it seems there will always be a love affair with the team in this town. As WTAM sports director Mike Snyder explained.

"Fans are fans. They love their Browns."