WHEELING — The OVAC All-Star Football Camp is back at Wheeling University for the first time since 1999 and the move has drawn rave reviews from those involved with the game.

“Things have gone tremendously well and it’s a credit to what we have here at Wheeling University, the staff and what they’ve been able to put together for us,” said game director Corey Murphy.

After being held at Bethany College for a number of years, Wheeling University’s bid to host the week-long camp was accepted by the OVAC executive board in January and the agreement will keep it on the Cardinals’ campus for five years.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to host the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Rudy Mumley All-Star camp,” University president Ginny Favede said. “It’s an honor and a privilege to have over 60 of the best football players in the Ohio Valley Conference here on our campus.”

Players and coaches reported to Wheeling University on Sunday and have been practicing frequently throughout the week. The All-Star marching band, which boasts over 100 members, and the all-star cheerleaders are also utilizing the campus this week.

“Logistically, I can’t think of a better place than the university,” OVAC executive director Dirk DeCoy said. “And the way that we’ve been treated and welcomed, it’s going to be hard to top.”

Among those excited to see the camp return to Wheeling was Cardinals head football coach Zac Bruney, who played in the Rudy Mumley All-Star game at the end of his prep days at Martins Ferry in 2000.

“The last time the camp was here on Wheeling University’s campus, it was a split camp in 1999,” Bruney explained. “My dad was coaching the Ohio side, they were over at Linsly and the West Virginia team was here. I played in the game in 2000 and it was back up the hill (at Bethany College).”

Bruney highlighted the significance of the camp, saying that it will build life-long relationships between the players even though many will not have met one another prior to arriving on Wheeling’s campus.

“They’ll remember this week because I remember this week,” Bruney said.

Beaver Local’s Mike McKenzie and University’s John Kelley, coaching the Ohio and West Virginia teams, respectively, also both agreed that the experience at Wheeling University has been top-notch.

“I’ve coached a few all-star games, but the OVAC All-Star game and (Wheeling University) are better than any other place that I’ve been,” McKenzie said during a press conference Monday.

“What a great venue and a great place to have it.”

“This has been fantastic,” Kelley echoed. “I’ve also been involved in a number of all-star games and even though we’ve only been here for two days, I’m ready to stay here a lot longer.”

The week will culminate with the 76th OVAC Rudy Mumley All-Star Football Game at Wheeling Island Stadium Saturday at 7:15 p.m. In honor of it being the 50th anniversary since the game’s return in 1972, tickets for students have been lowered to just $1.