Blogging The Boys: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: Sounder At Heart for Seattle Sounders Fans!

The Valley Ranch Review: Summit President Speaks on the Cowboys’ Structure Crash

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis is scheduled to have back surgery today.  (AP Photo/LM Otero)

More photos » by LM Otero - AP

Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Joe DeCamillis is scheduled to have back surgery today. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Tom Orsborn reports that the president of Summit Structures flew to Dallas to survey his company's collapsed practice facility and to offer support to the organization.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured and their families," said Nathan Stobbe of Summit Structures. "This is obviously a very difficult time for each of them and for the Cowboys organization. "

[snip]

"I have flown to Texas along with other representatives of our company to assist in anyway possible," Stobbe said. "We will be working with the Cowboy's organization and local professionals and officials to fully assess this severe weather event."

Stobbe on the building of this particular facility:

"As some basic background: Summit Structures installed this facility in 2003, which was manufactured at our manufacturing plant in Saskatoon, Canada. The engineering, and related approvals for the facility were managed by professional engineers licensed to practice engineering in Texas, both in 2003 and again in 2008 when the building was upgraded and a new roof covering was installed on the facility.                                 

"We understand there is a great deal of concern and curiosity about what happened on Saturday, but rather than speculate, we are focused on being part of the effort to find answers and assist the team."

The company also released an official statement on the matter.

More after the jump.

 

Star-divide

The Cowboys' organization is finding ways to move on from the accident.

Other options for an indoor facility are easily attainable.

Before the construction of their facility in 2003, the team had used Southlake Carroll as an option.

Now, all three Plano high schools have indoor practice facilities. Other possibilities can be found in McKinney and Prosper. Allen offers an air-conditioned building that might be the equal of some college facilities.

The offseason conditioning program will continue.

The program will resume today. Almost all of the veterans have been regular participants in the voluntary program that started March 30 and included some sessions in the training facility.

Players have been working out four times a week in three separate groups. Rookies are not permitted, per league rules, to return until the middle of the month.

Coach Joe DeCamillis is scheduled for surgery today. Marc Colombo praised the coach's courage.

"He was in good spirits," said right tackle Marc Colombo, who visited DeCamillis at Parkland Hospital. "He's a tough SOB. I think he'll be all right."

 

Many other Dallas players including Tony Romo, Jason Witten, Cory Proctor, and Mat McBriar expressed their support to the families of the injured staff.

 The Class of 2009 already boasted some friendships that were reunited when the players were drafted by the Cowboys. Tim MacMahon suggests that this weekend's tragedy will only bring them closer together.

There were already several friendships among the rookies. Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith roomed together at Cincinnati. Victor Butler and Jason Williams roomed together at the East-West Shrine Game. Tatum's Stephen Hodge and Gilmer's Manuel Johnson have been friendly rivals since their days as middle schoolers in East Texas.

Now, all the rookies have something in common besides an employer. They went through a crisis together, and the players handled themselves with poise and dignity as they did whatever possible to help during the emergency.

The Oregonian caught news of rookie LB and former Beaver Victor Butler's heroic deeds this weekend.

In the Associated Press photo that moved yesterday, it was noted that Butler - and this would surprise no one at OSU who knew him - was among the players who was helping people get ou[t] of the facility.

On a much lighter note, Vanity Fair gave Jessica's spin on #9 and the pressure of dating the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.

When I asked Jessica about the controversy-her place in the psyche of certain fans-she said, "That's how the story goes. Can't help it. But we don't let it affect our relationship. If we did, we wouldn't be together, because it happened at the very beginning. Dating the Cowboys quarterback comes with hype, the fans, the bloggers, but I've never dated a guy that was more simple. I'm always there for him after a game, and he knows he has me to come home to."

Jess can't be referring to BTBers-hehe! There's definitely a fair share of anti-YokoRomoism here.

Hat tip to Boundforbeach for his post.

0 recs  |  Comment 27 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

blargh..

I can’t read anymore about the accident. It’s totally dragging me down.

by sublimezg on May 4, 2009 3:41 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Rookies

could use this as a rallying point. “Hey, we were there when the roof caved in. Let’s play for Rich and Coach Joe.”

Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.

by OskieOskie on May 4, 2009 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Jessica calling Tony simple?

That’s not a good sign. Kinda like the kettle calling the pot. But, then again who cares anyway.

by oldboysfan on May 4, 2009 4:28 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Isn't it true

that Summit Construction is being sued for the collapse of a similar structure at a Philadelphia location (non-sports related)?

Ouch!

Rexx

by Rexx on May 4, 2009 4:50 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I heard something else on the news

the other day soon after it happened that they had 2 other structures collapse in recent years with sports teams, including the Giants, but in both cases no one was in them at the time. at least I think that’s what I heard.

by scottmaui on May 4, 2009 4:56 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

snow collapse in Philly

they did mention another one but I don’t recall.

by AustonianAggie on May 4, 2009 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microburst

Would any engineer or structure vendor be held liable by the destruction of their building due to an anomolous and violent act of weather?
What if the microbust knocked over a nearby tree that knocked over the facility? It’s a random and tragic act of chance.
There are pictures on that page of a rail car thrown around by a microburst.

by Joey2zs on May 4, 2009 5:17 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

It Depends

As someone who, in a prior professional career used to do engineering investigation of aircraft mishaps, I would be curious to see a metallurgical examination of the failed structural members. Analysis—sometimes even under a decent stereographic microscope—can tell you whether the parts failed because of a sudden force overload, or progressive fatigue. Metallurgists could also check to see if the materials conformed to design specifications. Other things could be done to diagnose with some certainty why the structure collapsed.

It would be wise for Rich Behm to hire someone in the legal profession to look into this. The microburst story sounds a little too implausible for me, and if I were him, I’d want a damn explanation why I will be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.

by kindablue on May 4, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It's pretty plausible...

considering that most of the meterologists are saying thats what it was.

I’d still look into the structure, but I don’t think it’s just crazy.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by AirforceBat on May 5, 2009 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

whether or not there was a microburst the Summit firm may still be liable

that structure may have failed do to systemic flaws; or a single point of failure where the structure was inadequate, leading to systemic failure

by AustonianAggie on May 5, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

oh for sure

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by AirforceBat on May 5, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Which Was All I Was Saying

I never called it crazy, just “a little too implausible for me”.

But I glad you caught on to what I was saying.

by kindablue on May 5, 2009 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah

as a layperson, i look up microburst, and it all seems plausible to me. To me, it’s an easy-to-swallow explanation for something that’s awful, because it suggests it’s beyond anyone’s control, and no one’s incompetence or error led to this.
The follow up litigation is going to be ugly, and a PR disaster for Jerry. I sure hope that he takes care of Behm and Behm’s family will never want for anything. If I’m Summit Structures’ shareholders, i’m double fisting Pepcid AC and whiskeys.

by Joey2zs on May 4, 2009 5:50 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't see how Jerry is to blame

He hired Summit to build the same structure they’ve built for other NFL teams (and I think someone said Texas A&M has one also.) He also paid for a new roof last year. All construction has to pass some type of State inspection.

From the first hand accounts, the guys inside the dome had seconds to react from the moment the lights above started swinging violently to the collapse of the structure.

I’m sure Jerry is going to take care of his employees, and hopefully when Rich Behm is ready, he can resume his assistant scouting duties.

The only possible blame is either an act of nature or some type of structural fault on the part of Summit.

Training Camp '09 = Mega Thunder Dome....80 men enter, 53 men leave.

by APerfectStar on May 4, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Unfortunatly

some forces of nature are just impossible to prepare for.

I didn’t know that much about microbursts, but I’m kinda wondering if it’s kind of the same thing as what I have heard called a dust devil.

Which can sporadically be powerful enough to send a car in the air.

They've done studies, you know. 60% of the time it works, every time.

by AirforceBat on May 4, 2009 6:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

plane crashes

have been caused by microbursts

by scottmaui on May 4, 2009 8:19 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Yes

But just because it occurred one time, doesn’t mean it occurred this time. See above.

by kindablue on May 5, 2009 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

DeCamillis surgery successful

Encouraging news on Joe DeCamillis
7:00 PM Mon, May 04, 2009
Chuck Carlton

The Cowboys just sent a short e-mail update on special teams coach Joe DeCamillis, one of those seriously injured in Saturday’s indoor practice facility collapse.

Here’s the statement:

“Joe DeCamillis underwent successful surgery today at Parkland Hospital to stabilize fractured vertebra in his neck. He remains in stable condition and should be released from the hospital later this week.”

by scottmaui on May 4, 2009 8:25 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

great news, thanks

I’m overseas quite a bit, and I just gotta say, it’s easy to take the American Medical world for granted… they do an amazing job.

What a relief for Joe and his family! Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery.

Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... top 5 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?

by DalaiLuke on May 4, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh, his neck? Wow.

Thanks for the update.

Go Pacquiao!

by Aaron Novinger on May 4, 2009 10:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Finally!

Though I am a Bronco fan, my heart goes out to you guys. Really unfortuante situation.

J

P. S. What’s the deal with the waiting period to join this blog? Never seen that before… You have to wait less time to buy a gun in Texas than to join a blog…

It's pronounced Moreno, not Marino.

by Jezru on May 5, 2009 1:45 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

it's just our little way of screening out iggles, skins, giants and orange crush fans...

but seriously, thanks for the comment … these men went to work Saturday just to do their job

Tar Heels = National Champs in Basketball ... top 5 in Baseball ... Top 10 this year in Football?

by DalaiLuke on May 5, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

...but now I'm in....

Expect me back sometime around October 4th….

Best of luck to you ’boys.

J

It's pronounced Moreno, not Marino.

by Jezru on May 5, 2009 5:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Dallas Cowboys blog for the SB Nation network. We talk Cowboys 24/7/365. Join the discussion but follow the community guidelines.
Start posting about the Cowboys »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

09_bar-refaeli_08_small
Why The Eagles Game Is Not About Romo
Small
Cowboy / Eagle game analysis - using Drives instead of pure stats
Captain_small
NFL Power Rankings - Week 9 - Final Edition
Sadie_eagles__small
Since we're all looking forward to it:
Captain_small
Seven Statistical Nuggets To Ponder

Recent FanPosts

Captain_small
Pigskin Pundits Predictors Picking Philly
Cowboy_small
We go big or we go home...
Small
great article from Philly writer
Small
Bench Roy Williams
Arnold_small
Matchups? Cowboys and Eagles looking to beat each other
Small
Roy - Your Dirty Laundry Stinks!
Small
10 Keys to the Eagles game
Tom-landry-at_small
Relax Dallas Fans; Roy Williams Isn’t Turning Into T.O.
Small
Should Wade's contract be extended???
Profilepicbtb_small
The true reason I hate Philly more than any other team...

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs RB Kolby Smith Travels with the Team to Jacksonville
Mile High Report
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos Saturday Injury Report
Gang Green Nation
Join Us Sunday

SPONSORS


Editor

Head_shot1_small Dave Halprin

Lead Writer

Small Rafael Vela

Contributing Writers

Villaronga_small Raul Villaronga

Hotdoglu_small Aaron Novinger

Landry_and_fish_small Mike Fisher