New Jersey Marines-to-be tour Eagles Practice Facility

WILLINGSBORO, N.J. - Six poolees from Recruiting Substation Central Jersey took advantage of a rare opportunity to tour the NovaCare Eagles Practice Facility, in Philadelphia, Pa. October 19, 2004.

Staff Sgt. Timothy J. Sanders, staff noncommissioned officer in charge, RSS Central Jersey, was able to coordinate the tour by talking to several friends on the Philadelphia Eagles football team. Sanders stated that the purpose of the tour was to motivate and promote camaraderie among the poolees of RSS Central Jersey. "At our monthly meetings, the poolees are physically trained and are given classes on what to expect while going through boot camp," he said. "However, I like to throw something fun in, such as this, to reward them for their hard work."

During the tour, the Marines saw the auditorium where the Eagles hold press conferences and team meetings; the special teams meeting room where players and coaches review film and go over game plans; the weight room where players do strength and conditioning together and the field house, known as "The Bubble", which they use as a practice facility during inclimate weather.

"The purpose of the tour was to give the Marines an inside look at the home of the Eagles," said Chris Lundy, community relations coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles. "While Lincoln Financial Field is where the Eagles play, the Nova Care Complex is where they spend most of their time and prepare for upcoming games. We wanted the Marines to see how a top-notch organization conducts their day-to-day operations."

According to Lundy, the most important stop along the tour was the special teams meeting room. "The Marines got to see where the planning happens," he said. "Some people think that the Eagles just show up on Sundays and outperform other teams across the NFL. That's not it. They spend weeks teaching, learning, and preparing for those games. Once they hit the field, it's all about execution."

During the tour, the poolees saw several football players to include: quarterback Donavan McNabb, linebacker Dhani Jones, running back Dorsey Lovens, Center Alonzo Ephraim, defensive tackle Hollis Thomas and offensive tackle Tra Thomas.

"I personally wanted to Marines to feel like they got to experience something that most people don't, a behind the scenes view of the Philadelphia Eagles," Lundy said. "I wanted them to remember how it felt to kick field goals in the same place where our team kicks field goals."

Lundy said that the tours were rare, however each tour is special and geared toward to people there. "This was a very special tour. The Marines were allowed in places most non-Eagles never get to see," he said. "They sat in the chairs in the auditorium and in team meeting rooms. They played a little football in the practice facility. It was a hands-on experience.

"I appreciate having the opportunity to show the Marines around the complex. If anyone deserves it, it's the Marines," Lundy said. While standing outside of "The Bubble" waiting to the go back to recruiting substation, Quarterback Koy Detner unexpectedly dropped by to meet with the poolees. The poolees and Detner talked for a few minutes and had their picture taken with him.

Andrew Rooney, a senior at Cinnaminson High School, had this to say about his experience. "I really enjoyed the tour and seeing where my favorite team practices and holds its meetings," Rooney said. "I enjoyed meeting Koy Detmer and kicking field goals in the Bubble'."

"I am a real big fan of the Eagles, and I had no clue that I would be meeting with any of the football players," said Joseph Elliott Jr., a senior at Moorestown High School. "It's an added plus to joining the Marines. Already the Marines have been an experience of a lifetime."