This is the last season the Jets will hold their training camp at Hofstra, and they are going out in style.
Beginning July 24, football fans will have a chance to get autographs, watch Kellen Clemens battle Chad Pennington for the starting quarterback job, try their hand in a skills competition and watch their favorite players vie for spots on the NFL team. All this for free - and sometimes twice a day.
After this season, the team will move to a new state-of-the-art headquarters in Florham Park, N.J., near their Giants Stadium home field.
"It's a very family-friendly and fan-friendly atmosphere," says Jets fan Ira Lieberfarb, 54, of Staten Island, who's been coming to Hofstra training camps for more than 40 years.
But the real fun of training camp is getting a close-up view of the agile hulks who open their preseason schedule on Aug. 7 and their 16-game regular season Sept. 7.
"What I do," says Lieberfarb, who goes to camp two or three times a week, "is I like to look at the younger players, the ones they drafted. And every year, I look for one of the undrafted free agents that have such a long shot to make the club. I try to pick out one of those and root for him.... I kind of grew up at Hofstra. My father used to take me there. It's like home to me. I'm going to miss it. My heart will be left at Hofstra."
What you'll see
Workouts are held on two fields - one grass and one with synthetic turf - both visible from 1,200 bleacher seats available on a first-come, first-served basis. The Jets Flight Crew cheerleaders will make appearances. At Generation Jets Fest, there will be an interactive theme park with inflatable slides and an obstacle course, plus skills challenges, concerts and giveaways throughout camp.
While you're there
Be sure to check the Jets' Web site for an updated schedule, because some workouts are closed and others wind up being canceled or rescheduled.
No outside food or drink is permitted; vendors sell both. Cameras are allowed, but video recording devices are not, nor are pets. Restrooms are in the Generation Jets Fest parking lot. Team merchandise can be purchased at the Jets Shop tent.
Getting autographs
Sorry, there are no special tricks. At the end of practices, a player or group of players will be brought to fans standing behind fences that line both fields. There's no mingling, and most players go straight from the field to the lunchroom and locker room in the team's complex.
Jets Family Day
Aug. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Cost: Free
Generation Jets Fest moves from north of Hempstead Turnpike to the south side. The club will hold a Green vs. White scrimmage at Hofstra's Shuart Stadium with a halftime ceremony involving owner Robert Johnson. After the game, current players as well as former Jets, including wide receiver Wayne Chrebet, will sign autographs.
"That'll be an opportunity for Jets fans to come out and interact with the team," Matt Higgins, club vice president for business operations, said. "Everybody loves to get an autograph from a professional athlete and take part in skills tests.... Long Island fans are an inextricable part of our DNA, and we want to honor them."
Things to do at Jets Fest
One key thing to remember here is that most of the options available here involve running on inflatable tarp,
so bring your balance.
Double Slide
