TEMPE, Ariz. – Sun Devil Athletics and the Sun Devil Football program announced today the difficult decision to cancel the team's annual trek to Camp Tontozona due to hindrances associated with completing the new playing surface on time.
"We have been monitoring this closely for the last several weeks and our student-athletes' safety is our number one priority," said Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson. "Unfortunately, the amount of rain Payson has received impedes the crew's ability to efficiently level the ground and proficiently complete the construction of the playing surface."
The rain in the Rim Country has caused the tributaries and streams that run under the field to percolate up to the ground when the necessary equipment is brought in to compact the surface. The presence of water has made it impossible to evenly construct the bottom layers of the field, therefore delaying the project.
"We are disappointed the team will not be able to experience Camp T together this year but this further exemplifies the importance of constructing the synthetic playing surface," said Anderson. "The completion of this project will help alleviate future disturbances for our football program and our fans."
ASU and the Sun Devil Football program have a long-standing relationship with the town of Payson and Camp Tontozona and anticipate completing the project when weather permits.
"This was a tough decision for our program, especially for me, who has yet to experience the mystique of Camp Tontozona," said Sun Devil Football head coach Herm Edwards. "But the health of our players comes first. I'm already anticipating the experience we will have next season and the new field will help enhance the amount of work the team can accomplish during our stay at Camp T."
Sun Devil Football will conduct all 2018 preseason practices in Tempe but look forward to resuming the time-honored tradition next summer with a brand-new playing surface at one of the most iconic training camp settings in collegiate football.
"We have been monitoring this closely for the last several weeks and our student-athletes' safety is our number one priority," said Vice President for University Athletics Ray Anderson. "Unfortunately, the amount of rain Payson has received impedes the crew's ability to efficiently level the ground and proficiently complete the construction of the playing surface."
The rain in the Rim Country has caused the tributaries and streams that run under the field to percolate up to the ground when the necessary equipment is brought in to compact the surface. The presence of water has made it impossible to evenly construct the bottom layers of the field, therefore delaying the project.
"We are disappointed the team will not be able to experience Camp T together this year but this further exemplifies the importance of constructing the synthetic playing surface," said Anderson. "The completion of this project will help alleviate future disturbances for our football program and our fans."
ASU and the Sun Devil Football program have a long-standing relationship with the town of Payson and Camp Tontozona and anticipate completing the project when weather permits.
"This was a tough decision for our program, especially for me, who has yet to experience the mystique of Camp Tontozona," said Sun Devil Football head coach Herm Edwards. "But the health of our players comes first. I'm already anticipating the experience we will have next season and the new field will help enhance the amount of work the team can accomplish during our stay at Camp T."
Sun Devil Football will conduct all 2018 preseason practices in Tempe but look forward to resuming the time-honored tradition next summer with a brand-new playing surface at one of the most iconic training camp settings in collegiate football.
