The 75^th Anniversary edition of the Steelers Men's Fantasy Camp presented by Rolling Rock was held at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe from Friday June 1 - Sunday June 3.   This fifth annual event featured a record 265 participants from 31 states across the US, Canada and Germany.   Yes – Germany – John Chiffy is currently stationed in Germany and flew to Pittsburgh just to be part of this event along with 11 participants from California, 8 from Arizona and 7 from the states of Washington and Oregon.  The provinces of Alberta and Ontario in Canada were represented as well.   

The weather was perfect for Steelers Training Camp – temperatures was in the high 80's with high humidity typical of mid-July in the Laurel Highlands.  All campers received a gift bag full of Steelers 75^th Anniversary items along with being issued their own Steelers Training Camp jersey with their name and choice of numbers on it during registration.  Participants had an opportunity to mingle with former Steelers and learn the finer points of football on the field as well as the classroom. 

This year's event featured Steelers Alumni Dermontti Dawson, Levon Kirkland, Dwayne Woodruff, Mike Tomczak, Randy Grossman, Matt Bahr, Edmund Nelson, Tunch Ilkin and Craig Wolfley.  The former Steelers greats conducted two on field practices on Saturday with a "Team Meeting" sandwiched between the practices conducted by current Steelers Defensive Line Coach John Mitchell and Wide Receivers Coach Randy Fichtner in the classroom.     

One of the weekend's highlights was the Saturday evening banquet featuring Training Camp stories from each Alumni and new Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin as the guest speaker.   Coach Tomlin was very excited to communicate to everyone what it meant to be the new Steelers Head Coach.  He was also able to experience the Steelers Nation at its best while listening to memorable Training Camp stories from the Steelers Alumni.  These types of gatherings are what make the Pittsburgh Steelers so special with its great, loyal fans. 

On Sunday each camper participated in three individual on field Skills Competition with prizes being awarded in three separate age groups.   Many prize giveaways were held all during the weekend.

There was a special Steelers Men's Fantasy Camp Fan Hall of Fame presentation Friday evening with seven campers who have participated in all five Steelers Men's Fantasy Camps.  They include:

Andy Barrett – Edmund, OK

Jon Boyers – Harrisonburg, VA

David Dornack – Akron, OH

Don Galla – Smithsburg, MD

Tom Pisano – Belle Isle, FLA

Donald Schwartz – Port Charlotte, FLA

Shawn Spinda – Ashland, KY. 

Unfortunately as the weekend came to a close, there were no signings to the current Steelers roster from the 265 Men's Fantasy Campers.  What were left was great memories from an incredible weekend that will be captured on a DVD sent to everyone and the "Wait Until Next Year" slogan for all.