Well, I never attended training camp at Hofstra and you probably never went to Cortland. But Cortland is smack in the middle of NYS and drew thousands to every practice. And they had bleachers for practices held outside the Cortland stadium on the natural grass. Plus the green and white game drew as many fans as a regular season game at Giant Stadium II. And Cortland being a small college town turned Green that time of year. Every pub, restaurant, bar had the banners, jerseys hanging, specials, etc. It felt like Jet Town USA! Aiello's Italian Ristorante had a signed Chrebet jersey in the window. Sad to see it go. It was just a real fun family carnival atmosphere. I hope Hofstra does it right. But being this is something related to the NY Jets, I doubt they will.
I was never up to Cortland but you describe it real well. The thing about Hofstra was it wasn't at all like this. As a kid I lived in Uniondale and recall watching them through a metal fence at the end of the street. They were just part of the community--no green everywhere and all that. You could drive right down Hempstead TPK and would never know they were there. I don't know how many people would even drive to see them outside of the press. Most walked during lunch time I think or when you got home from school. That was my experience.
