Kansas City Chiefs training camp gets 3-year extension to stay at Missouri Western

Hello, St. Joe!

Missouri Western officials announced today that the Kansas City Chiefs will be coming back to the school for training camp. It's a 3-year extension with two additional years at the option of both the Chiefs and Missouri Western

"From a football perspective, continuing to hold camp at Missouri Western State University makes sense for us," Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid said in a statement. "The school and the community take great care of us, the people are phenomenal and it provides our team the resources and facilities necessary to build momentum towards the season. We are excited to be back."

"We were pleased we were able to reach an agreement with Missouri Western State University," Chiefs President Mark Donovan said in a statement. "As an organization, we've really enjoyed the relationships and the support that we have received from the St. Joseph community and Missouri Western. It's a privilege for us and our fan base to continue to hold camp in Chiefs Kingdom."

Missouri Western will install some improvements to the practice fields used by the Chiefs. They'll also get new equipment to maintain the practice fields. The Chiefs will also see their food costs at the 2014 cost for the next three years, in addition to more dorm space and security.

"We are thrilled to be the ‘Summer Training Camp Home of the Kansas City Chiefs' for the next three years," said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western's president. "As a campus, we have benefited from the increased exposure of the training camp and from physical improvements like the Griffon Indoor Sports Complex that would not have been possible without the support of the Chiefs. The St. Joseph region has also benefited from the thousands of fans who have visited training camp during the last five years."

"Hosting the Chiefs' annual training camp has been of tremendous value to the City of St. Joseph, Buchanan County, and the region as a whole," said Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said in a statement.  "I am pleased that the Chiefs will continue to make Missouri Western State University their summer home and that the State of Missouri could assist in securing this commitment."

The Chiefs initial five-year commitment to training camp at Missouri Western expired last year and officials between the Chiefs and Missouri Western have been negotiating their return.

Training camp typically starts in late July and lasts for about three weeks. It's about a 50-minute drive from my house in Kansas City so it's close enough for fans to make the trip.