By Craig Morgan, thesundevils.com Writer
PAYSON, Ariz. -- Gene Pastorino arrived at Camp Tontozona with his ASU-bound daughter, Kaylie, at 8:15 a.m. to watch the Sun Devil football team's practice. Kaylie Pastorino is a standard bearer of sorts. She represents the fourth generation of Pastorinos to come to Camp T.
"I was born and raised here," said Gene, who graduated from ASU in 1994 and lives in Queen Creek. "I have been coming up here with my daughter for a few years now but I used to come up with my grandparents and they live up here now. This is just huge for my family."
Sun Devils football coach Todd Graham understood the important place Camp T had in fans' hearts when he elected to restore the long-standing tradition in 2012 that former football coach Frank Kush started in 1960 -- one that was discontinued from 2008-2011.
"In this day in age, I think it's a great tradition and something that we should honor," Graham said. "I love the fans and Saturday. It is just one of the most unique settings I have ever seen."
Wet weather, work schedules and family commitments prevent some fans from making the trek during the week, but ASU will conclude the Camp T portion of its training camp on Saturday when a larger contingent of fans should be on hand at the White Mountain retreat.
"Last year, I came up for the scrimmage and I couldn't see anything because it was so crowded," said 2001 graduate and Mesa resident Mark Thompson, laughing. "I like to get near the action and hear what the coaches are saying to the players, even though I don't understand most of what they're saying. I find it interesting to hear and see what goes on behind the scenes."
While most alumni admit that simply escaping the Valley's summer heat is a big draw, they also believe firmly in the values that Camp T instills in Sun Devil football players.
"It's a bonding experience," Pastorino said. "You don't get to go home to your separate dorms; go your separate ways. It forces you to get over your challenges with each other when you have to live together and it forces you to spend time with people you'd never spend time with otherwise."
Graham echoed those thoughts, noting, "I get to send so much more time with the players. You just wouldn't spend it back in Tempe."
Some fans would like to see the Devils spend even more time at Camp T, and Graham hopes that will happen one day with added resources and more investment in the sight. Whatever the future brings, Graham and Sun Devil alumni are confident that Camp T will endure.
"It means tradition more than anything else," said Phoenix resident Richard Wood, who graduated in 2003 and attended camp on Wednesday with his son, James. "It's something to look forward to because it's a chance to see the team before the season.
"I was absolutely happy to see it come back. It's an investment in the team, it's an investment in recruiting and it means everything to us fans."
PAYSON, Ariz. -- Gene Pastorino arrived at Camp Tontozona with his ASU-bound daughter, Kaylie, at 8:15 a.m. to watch the Sun Devil football team's practice. Kaylie Pastorino is a standard bearer of sorts. She represents the fourth generation of Pastorinos to come to Camp T.
"I was born and raised here," said Gene, who graduated from ASU in 1994 and lives in Queen Creek. "I have been coming up here with my daughter for a few years now but I used to come up with my grandparents and they live up here now. This is just huge for my family."
Sun Devils football coach Todd Graham understood the important place Camp T had in fans' hearts when he elected to restore the long-standing tradition in 2012 that former football coach Frank Kush started in 1960 -- one that was discontinued from 2008-2011.
"In this day in age, I think it's a great tradition and something that we should honor," Graham said. "I love the fans and Saturday. It is just one of the most unique settings I have ever seen."
Wet weather, work schedules and family commitments prevent some fans from making the trek during the week, but ASU will conclude the Camp T portion of its training camp on Saturday when a larger contingent of fans should be on hand at the White Mountain retreat.
"Last year, I came up for the scrimmage and I couldn't see anything because it was so crowded," said 2001 graduate and Mesa resident Mark Thompson, laughing. "I like to get near the action and hear what the coaches are saying to the players, even though I don't understand most of what they're saying. I find it interesting to hear and see what goes on behind the scenes."
While most alumni admit that simply escaping the Valley's summer heat is a big draw, they also believe firmly in the values that Camp T instills in Sun Devil football players.
"It's a bonding experience," Pastorino said. "You don't get to go home to your separate dorms; go your separate ways. It forces you to get over your challenges with each other when you have to live together and it forces you to spend time with people you'd never spend time with otherwise."
Graham echoed those thoughts, noting, "I get to send so much more time with the players. You just wouldn't spend it back in Tempe."
Some fans would like to see the Devils spend even more time at Camp T, and Graham hopes that will happen one day with added resources and more investment in the sight. Whatever the future brings, Graham and Sun Devil alumni are confident that Camp T will endure.
"It means tradition more than anything else," said Phoenix resident Richard Wood, who graduated in 2003 and attended camp on Wednesday with his son, James. "It's something to look forward to because it's a chance to see the team before the season.
"I was absolutely happy to see it come back. It's an investment in the team, it's an investment in recruiting and it means everything to us fans."