A Look At What Made The Seahawks Click

From the opening practice in July 1976, the Seattle Seahawks knew the heat was on. Particularly because coach Jack Patera had banned water from the fields at Eastern Washington University.

But the Seahawks responded. From their inaugural season in ‘76 until 1985, they trained in Cheney. The team’s most successful seasons followed.

After a decade at Kirkland, the team returns Wednesday to EWU with a new owner, renewed optimism and the hope of rediscovering Cheney’s mystical ability to help build quality teams.

In Sunday’s Spokesman-Review, former Seahawks take a look back at training-camp life in Cheney. You’ll relive the memories, the pranks, the stifling heat, the playoff successes of those tight-knit teams.

You’ll also find Seattle’s training-camp roster, a look at the man who caters to the players’ palates - chef George Sybrant - and a special edition of Seahawks trivia.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo