The Ottawa-Richmond Connection Revived.

Yesterday, the Ottawa RedBlacks announced that they will be holding the team's first mini-camp in Richmond, Virginia next month. 

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS of the Canadian Football League will be holding the franchise's inaugural pre-season mini-camp in Richmond, Virginia from April 8 to 10. 

Many of the players on the team's roster will assemble at the Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center to participate in drills and work out under the supervision of head coach Rick Campbell and the REDBLACKS football operations staff.

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"Our spring mini-camp is a huge step in our process of becoming a football team. It will be a special event for all involved to see our team hit the field for the first time.  We truly appreciate the excitement shown for the REDBLACKS by the fans in the Ottawa-Gatineau area.  The players and coaches can't wait to take the field," said head coach Rick Campbell. 

The Bon Secours Washington Redskins Training Center, which opened in 2013, serves as a full-service health and rehabilitation centre.  In addition, community and other sporting events are hosted year round. 

"Richmond is thrilled to welcome the Canadian Football League to Virginia," said Mayor Dwight C. Jones. "The training facility we've established is state-of-the- art and we expect to continue to generate great interest in our facility and usage for many years to come. The Ottawa team could not have made a better choice for their pre-season mini-camp." 

The REDBLACKS will practice from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, April 9 and Thursday, April 10 at the facility, located at 2401 W. Leigh Street in Richmond.

It can only be coincidental, but there's something of a historical connection between Ottawa football and the town of Richmond.  A number of Rough Riders in the 1970's attended the university there.  The article below is scanned from the September 1978 Ottawa Rough Riders News magazine and explains the ties between the two.  You may need to right click and open it in a new tab in order to be able to read it.

A couple of years ago, I joked with a friend that in terms of football, this town was going back to the 70's.  Pro football is back, Carleton restored its program, the Sooners returned to the OFC and are now the only junior program in town.

I hope that trend holds true.  The Sooners won the national championship in 1974 as did the University of Ottawa in 1975.  The Rough Riders sandwiched those accomplishments with Grey Cups in 1973 and 1976.  I'd say we're about due for a run like that again out here, eh?