Arizona State Football Reignites Tradition with Camp Tontozona Retreat for Practice and Bonding

The Sun Devil tradition returns for a second consecutive year under head coach Kenny Dillingham

PAYSON, Ariz. — The Sun Devil football team has once again journeyed to Camp Tontozona, marking the second year in a row under head coach Kenny Dillingham.

Originating in 1959 with legendary coach Frank Kush, this tradition had taken a break during the COVID-19 pandemic. Coach Dillingham revived it to promote camaraderie and focus among players by isolating them from distractions in secluded cabins.

“We’re away from Tempe, away from campus, all the nonsense. So, just spending a lot of time quality time together,” senior quarterback Trenton Bourget said. “It’s new people. We have a new offensive coordinator, some new quarterbacks in the room. So, it’s just us making memories here at Camp T where there’s been a lot of history.”

This camp marks Bourget’s third return, where he finds himself amid fierce competition for the quarterback position. Transfers Sam Leavitt from Michigan State and Jeff Sims from Nebraska are also vying for the starting role. The camp is a crucial time for players to prove themselves. With the Big 12 debut nearing, every practice is significant.

“We may not have 11 starters on both sides of the ball. We may be a football team that has 20 on both sides of the ball. We may be a team that rotates a lot just based on where we are with the depth and good teams can do that,” Dillingham said. “I think we’re in a situation where if we stay relatively healthy like we have and continue to work, we have a lot of guys that deserve to be on the field. Whoever takes the field first, we’ll find out in the next seven days.”

Fans are invited to watch the Sun Devils scrimmage on Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Arizona sports

Phoenix boasts teams in all major professional leagues: the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, NBA’s Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury, and MLB’s Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Cardinals play at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The Suns and Mercury share the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix. The Arizona Rattlers of the Indoor Football League call Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale their home, while the Coyotes play at Mullett Arena on ASU’s Tempe campus.

Phoenix Rising FC, part of the USL, competes at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium. Phoenix also hosts high-profile events like the Fiesta Bowl, the WM Phoenix Open, NASCAR’s Championship Weekend, and Cactus League Spring Training featuring 15 MLB teams.