KIRKLAND, Wash. – In the past several summers at this time, the upper campus fields of Northwest University was filled with the sounds of NFL training camp as the Seattle Seahawks went through their paces in July and August. But the sounds of pro football have been replaced by the voices and laughter of youngsters as the first annual Eagle Summer Soccer Camp is taking place this week.

Men’s soccer coach Gary McIntosh and women’s coach, Erin Redwine, have teamed up for the first camp held on the new fields. NU players and assistant coaches from both teams are also helping out this week working with the young campers, teaching them the fundamentals of the game.

After the departure of the Seahawks last fall, Northwest U. regained about ten acres of land including the fields and former corporate headquarters building of the Seahawks. There’s a turf football length field on the north of the field and natural grass fields which will be used by the NU men’s and women’s soccer teams this coming fall and for the first time, all Eagle home soccer games will be played on campus.

“We’re excited about regaining the use of the fields and the Seahawks have left us outstanding turf and natural grass fields for our games and practices,” commented NU Director of Athletics, Gary McIntosh. “The Hawks were great tenants for many years and supporters of the university and will be missed around here,” he continued, “but it will be a fantastic experience for our students to be able to walk to games now and support the teams.”

In addition to the fields, a new cardio and weight room will occupy a good portion of the lower level of the new building which was formally the Seahawks weight room. NU has been in the process of raising $250,000 to outfit the new cardio area which will be available for use to the students, athletes, staff and faculty of NU after it opens this August.