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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Hawks To Train Again In Cheney Return Would End 11-Year Absence

The Seattle Seahawks are getting a new stadium. For training camp, that is.

The Seahawks will announce their return to Cheney at a press conference at noon today in the Pence Union Building on the Eastern Washington University campus, officials from the NFL team and EWU confirmed.

The Hawks trained at EWU’s Woodward Stadium and nearby practice fields from 1976, the franchise’s inaugural season, through 1985. Camps since 1986 have been headquartered at Northwest College in Kirkland, Wash.

“It’s a very positive move and it’s something we’ve thought about doing for a long time,” said a Seahawks official who requested anonymity.

EWU officials are ecstatic, too, but declined comment until after today’s announcement.

Seahawks head coach Dennis Erickson, quarterback and Coeur d’Alene native John Friesz and Football Northwest President Bob Whitsitt are expected to attend the press conference.

The Hawks will be in Cheney roughly from mid-July to mid-August prior to the exhibition season. At that point, the Hawks probably will return to Kirkland.

The Hawks are coming back to Cheney for several reasons, including the warmer climate. The franchise also wants to rebuild statewide fan support for the team, which is pushing for a new stadium to replace the Kingdome.

, DataTimes