By Teresa Varley
Steelers.com
They came in groups, some were by themselves. There were young and old. Some wore jerseys while others sported black and gold skirts.
But there was one thing they all had in common – the 280 ladies who took part in the American Respiratory Alliance Women's Training Camp 101 all love the Steelers.
The women's training camp was held at St. Vincent College on the final day of training camp for the Steelers. They took the field early in the morning and went through the same kind of drills the players did later in the day – passing, running, blocking, kicking and defense.
On hand to conduct the drills were former Steelers Dermontti Dawson and Mike Logan, current players Jeff Reed and Greg Warren and members of the Pittsburgh Passion, a women's professional team in Pittsburgh.
"I did have fun out there," said Logan. "The women were really eager to learn. I was surprised by the knowledge they had. That is why Pittsburgh is great for women following sports."
Teresa Nestor of Uniontown, Pa. was among a group of four ladies taking part in their second camp.
"This is wonderful," said Nestor. "I don't know why I didn't do it when it first started. The women have such a great time. They keep doing it and keep improving it every year.
"We had to take part in it. We like the one-on-one interaction with the former players. That is the best. We like the current guys, but the former players, there is nothing like the former Steelers."
Nestor's group, and several others in attendance, wore shirts to honor former Steelers defensive lineman Dwight White who passed away this offseason. White what one of the alumni who took part in the event in the past and made a huge impact on all of the ladies.
After the on-field work the ladies enjoyed lunch with the alumni signing autographs, watched the 2007 Steelers highlight film and then took in the afternoon practice. The day ended with dinner and linebackers James Harrison and Larry Foote signing autographs.
