Minnesota Vikings Training Camp. Oral History Inerviews and Collection, 2015.

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: SMHC Collection 0251

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Dates

2015

Conditions Governing Use

There are some restrictions on use of this collection for research purposes. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property and libel laws as they apply, bearing in mind that restricted materials may not always be clearly marked. The University Archives assumes no responsibility for the misuse of sensitive materials by researchers.

Biographical / Historical

1966 marked the first Minnesota Vikings Training Camp at Mankato State College. Bemidji hosted Training Camp from 1961-1965 and Training Camp moved to Mankato according to the Vikings because of the exposure to the populous southern part of the state and the excellent facilities at Mankato State College.

Training Camp in Mankato is a community event. Partnerships with Mankato area businesses, Greater Mankato Growth, the Cities of Mankato and North Mankato, Minnesota State University, Mankato have helped grow and sustain the camp through the years. The first day of camp in July 1966 had approximately 300 people in attendance. Today, 50,000-60,000 attend Training Camp each year. The estimated economic impact to the Greater Mankato community is over $5 million.

The University Archives partnered with the Blue Earth County Historical Society to collect and present the 50 year history of Vikings Training Camp in Mankato during the summer of 2015.

Extent

2.00 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Minnesota Vikings Training Camp Oral History Interviews and Collection consists of interviewee biographical forms and digital oral histories conducted between University Archives staff and Minnesota Vikings’ fans; past Viking players; community partners; and Minnesota State University employees, July 2015 through August 2015.

Other material in this collection include: signed Vikings Alumni cards by former Vikings players Dave Osborn and John Swain, a signed John Swain photograph, publications related to the 2015 Vikings Training Camp, and newspaper articles covering the Blue Earth County Historical Society’s special opening for the Celebrating 50 Years of Vikings Training Camp: A Mankato Tradition exhibit.

This oral history interview project was conducted as part of the Tell Your MSU Story Oral History Project conducted by the Southern Minnesota Historical Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

University Archives staff conducted the interviews and collected the materials in this collection.

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title: Minnesota Vikings Training Camp. Oral History Interviews and Collection, 2015.
Status: Completed
Author: Mee Xiong processed this collection
Date: 2015-12
Description rules: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description: English
Script of description: Latin
Language of description note: English