Cortland (WSYR-TV) - Cortland is kicking into high gear as it prepares to host the Jets training camp in only a few weeks.
Among the initiatives underway is filming for commercials that promote the team's arrival.
We visited the set Wednesday, where central New Yorkers are sharing the spotlight.
The concept of the commercial is to recruit a handful of Jets -- actors, really -- and stick them smack dab in the middle of central New York.
“We're going to put them into a ‘slice of life’ upstate New York scene. We have a Jet crossing guard, one tending a corn stand, one fishing,” says the commercial’s executive producer, Jeff Johnston.
Clay's Chuck Rogers auditioned for the part of the Jets crossing guard because he's a fan -- a big fan -- of the game.
“I played with the Syracuse Express, the Vipers, then I had a shot at playing with the Chargers -- I was there for six months pre-season,” Rogers says.
Two minor challenges in bringing the Jets to Cortland -- at least as far as this commercial is concerned -- first: you never know what the weather will bring, and second, turning 100 central New Yorkers into Jets and Jets fans.
Johnston says he’s “not [looking for] professional talent, but people that are very motivated to be out here to help support the Jets coming into Cortland this year.”
Hopefully these 15 minutes of fame will be enough to get neighbors off their couches and out to the Jets training camp.
These commercials will hit the air from Watertown to Binghamton and Auburn to Utica in about a week and a half.
Jets training camp begins July 31.
Jets groundskeeper in Cortland to prep for team’s arrival
Cortland (WSYR-TV) - Jets fever is catching down Interstate 81 as the City of Cortland gets ready to host the team's training camp in just a few weeks.
Could you spend eight hours a day manicuring your lawn?
New York Jets groundskeeper Matt Henn doesn't mind one bit.
“I'm loving it so far. It was a good challenge for us to come up and help Cortland to get a good field for hopefully years to come,” he says.
Henn has been helping to whip this field into shape for the last several weeks. The priority right now is to create the perfect grass field to practice on because turf can be a little tough.
“You don't want anybody to trip or fall or cause any injuries. You want the best playability. If you've got good healthy grass it's stable enough for the players to run their routes. It's basically safety for the players,” says Henn.
Cortland County Chamber of Commerce director Garry VanGorder says it's important the Jets have a good experience training in Cortland this summer.
“If we don't do the job the right way they won't come back. So, we need to make sure they do come back,” he says.
The City of Cortland would sure hate to say goodbye to the estimated $5 million impact the team is expected to have on the community this summer.
Jets training camp will be held on the SUNY Cortland campus and it runs from July 31 to August 21.
