ASU football ready to build stronger camaraderie, enjoy beauty of nature at Camp Tontozona

Carrying on a rich tradition started back in 1959 by iconic ASU football head coach Frank Kush, the Sun Devils are returning to Camp Tontozona this week for a slate of practices and a scrimmage.

This will be the third straight year Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham will bring his team up to the eye-catching site near Payson after they canceled their trips in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2019 because the facility underwent renovations.

With everything that the annual tradition of “Camp T” has to offer, ASU fans will be able to watch the players who will be suiting up for the Sun Devils this fall in the Big 12 Conference.

A scenery of trees and nature surrounds Camp Tontozona, which borders the Tonto National Forest. The Tonto Creek is just a few steps away from the practice field, making it an ideal location to take in the freshwater around the camp.

When talking about returning to Camp Tontozona, Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham is excited for the opportunity to return again and see how his team handles themselves up there.

Going into the woods and having limited phone reception will cause the players to figure out what they will do with their spare time. Some may find a physical game to play like cards, some may just talk and others will simply take in nature.

“Me personally just being trapped up there and hanging out,” Dillingham said on what he looked forward to at Camp T after a practice last week. “We will be in an adverse environment, seeing if the guys play cards, seeing if they play spikeball… Do we play spades? I just want to get to know which guys are going to sit there and talk, which guys are going to compete in something, which guys are going to the river and put their feet in. Like what do you do in those environments?

“For us, it is six straight days. Old school 10 years ago, that’s nothing. We structured this thing to see who can do this for six days because that’s what this football team needs. This football team doesn’t need an influx of talent, it needs this, it needs the mindset.”

Gauging how the players are going to react, Dillingham assumed before they left for Camp T on Tuesday that there was an array of emotions each individual felt up until they got there and realized how unique the environment is.

“[There is going to be] mixed feelings probably,” Dillingham said following Tuesday’s practice. “They are going to be with no cell phones, poor cell phone service, a single bunk with 20 other people in their room. I am sure it is mixed emotions but when they get up there, they will appreciate it more while they are there.”