The Vikings announced this morning a new three-year agreement with Minnesota State University, Mankato to keep the team's training camp on that campus through 2015. The 2015 camp, it should be noted, would be the franchise's 50th trek to Mankato.

The Vikings will begin their 48th training camp at Minnesota State later this week with players and coaches reporting on Thursday afternoon and the first practice scheduled for Friday.

A couple highlights from the Vikings' official release on the new deal:

  • Minnesota State University, Mankato president is thrilled with the deal, saying "Vikings training camp in Mankato is a Minnesota tradition, and we invite Vikings fans everywhere to come with their families to our campus and community and enjoy this wonderful and exciting preview to the Vikings season."
  • The Vikings will have new lodging this year, staying in the Julia Sears Residence Community building, which opened in 2008. The team stayed in Sears hall once previously but had primarily resided in the Gage Residence Community complex in past. The Vikings were the last residents of the Gage complex, which closed after the team's 2012 training camp and was demolished June 29.
  • Planned events during this year's camp include a Family Football Day on Saturday, August 3, Fan Appreciation Days on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 13-14, and autograph sessions with players on specified days throughout camp. The 2013 training camp will close Wednesday, August 14. For more information on training camp, visit www.vikings.com.