Division II title game moves from Alabama to Kansas City

[dgtw]

http://www.kmbc.com/news/kansas-city/ncaa-division-ii-football-title-game-moves-to-sporting-park-in-2014/-/11664182/23435852/-/ei9n9g/-/index.html

I know this is an FCS board, but since two schools still in this years playoffs have played there, I thought I'd bring it up. It also somewhat relates to the recent FCS title game move.

I am from Florence and hate to see it move. I wonder if the KC area will even notice the game.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

http://www.kmbc.com/news/kansas-city/ncaa-division-ii-football-title-game-moves-to-sporting-park-in-2014/-/11664182/23435852/-/ei9n9g/-/index.html

I know this is an FCS board, but since two schools still in this years playoffs have played there, I thought I'd bring it up. It also somewhat relates to the recent FCS title game move.

I am from Florence and hate to see it move. I wonder if the KC area will even notice the game.

Fun! Lots of traditionally good DII teams around here. Pitt State, Emporia, NW Missouri State.

[kdinva]

Looking at on Bing Maps, looks nice, 18,400 seats, right near Turn-3 of the Kansas Speedway.......plenty of fan amenities nearby....

[NoDak 4 Ever]

Looking at on Bing Maps, looks nice, 18,400 seats, right near Turn-3 of the Kansas Speedway.......plenty of fan amenities nearby....

It's right at the intersection of 435 and 70 on the west side of KC. A pretty easy jaunt from here in Lawrence.

Lots of hotels in the immediate vicinity due to the Speedway, Hollywood Casino, shopping and a Schlitterban water park.

[Gil Dobie]

Weather is the only concern. Probably won't get below zero, but it does get cold in KC compared to Alabama and Texas.

[Darlinikki150]

I like this move, a little more centrally located for all teams.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

Weather is the only concern. Probably won't get below zero, but it does get cold in KC compared to Alabama and Texas.

It's in the 40's today but they played the MLS cup in the teens with a single digit wind chill a few days ago.

[dbackjon]

The last reason for North Alabama to stay in D2 is now gone.

[IBleedYellow]

Well ****, that's beautiful! NDSU might aswell drop back down since it's so much closer than Frisco!!!

/s

[NoDak 4 Ever]

Well ****, that's beautiful! NDSU might aswell drop back down since it's so much closer than Frisco!!!

/s

and here I thought I was moving closer to Frisco to make it easier on me every year. Might work out either way. :)

[Texas]

You know you guys love Texas.


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[NoDak 4 Ever]

You know you guys live Texas.


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Some parts of Texas.

http://media.dfw.com/smedia/2013/06/23/21/06/nP0cc.St.117.jpg

[pike51]

What about a "Championship Weekend?" Hold the D3, D2, and FCS games in the same location during the same weekend. D3 Friday night, D2 Saturday afternoon, and FCS on Saturday night. Sell individual tickets but also offer a 3 pack for those who are die hard at a really special rate. Play in a destination location with a larger facility and really do it up. I think you'd see lots of small ball die hards come out for that each year if the location was right.

[DrStrangelove]

What about a "Championship Weekend?" Hold the D3, D2, and FCS games in the same location during the same weekend. D3 Friday night, D2 Saturday afternoon, and FCS on Saturday night. Sell individual tickets but also offer a 3 pack for those who are die hard at a really special rate. Play in a destination location with a larger facility and really do it up. I think you'd see lots of small ball die hards come out for that each year if the location was right.

Play all three in Orlando.

[DrStrangelove]

Some parts of Texas.

http://media.dfw.com/smedia/2013/06/23/21/06/nP0cc.St.117.jpg

That's the next Mrs. Strangelove, right there!

[NoDak 4 Ever]

That's the next Mrs. Strangelove, right there!

3rd Base Sports Bar in Frisco. They love the Bison there.

[IBleedYellow]

3rd Base Sports Bar in Frisco. They love the Bison there.

And we love them. 99% sure they still have a Bison flag hung up on the wall down there.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

And we love them. 99% sure they still have a Bison flag hung up on the wall down there.

It was there the last time I saw.

[chattanoogamocs]

The last reason for North Alabama to stay in D2 is now gone.

Some have said that part of the reason they moved it was because UNA is made it public that they want to go DI.

[dgtw]

UNA wouldn't make it into the OVC because they like football too much.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

UNA wouldn't make it into the OVC because they like football too much.

They might make it in the Southland. ORU leaving gives them a space in Olympic sports and they would have 12 football members.

[TTUEagles]

The OVC wants a basketball-heavy league. UNA has had some past success in b'ball, not enough for the OVC, though.
I grew up close to Florence and have seen about 100 games at Braly. Hate to see this - they did a great job putting on this event!

[Texas]

They might make it in the Southland. ORU leaving gives them a space in Olympic sports and they would have 12 football members.
No thanks. ORU, and UCA are far enough away as it is.

[NoDak 4 Ever]

No thanks. ORU, and UCA are far enough away as it is.

Yeah. I didn't realize how tight the footprint was. You're off the hook though. ORU is out already.

Maybe the SoCon?

[dgtw]

UNA has won a couple national championships in basketball, but I don't know how they've done lately. I doubt they'd want the Southland, with all the travel involved. They would be a bit isolated in the SoCon, but not nearly as bad and they'd have an in state rival.

If they weren't a PWC, they'd be a good fit for the SWAC.

[Big_Fan]

JSU would love to have UNA in the OVC.

I don't know how long we will remain in the FCS (or how long the FCS will remain in its current format for that matter), but one problem we have in the OVC is lack of a rival. TUNA would give us that.

[walliver]

Yeah. I didn't realize how tight the footprint was. You're off the hook though. ORU is out already.

Maybe the SoCon?

I'm not sure what UNA offers to the SoCon. I doubt the SoCon expands unless someone else leaves.

The Big South is much more likely. With Kennesaw joining for football, UNA wouldn't be that much of an outlier.

[Hammerhead]

I took the charter bus from Fargo to Florence for the D-II championship game in 1986 when I was a freshman at NDSU.

I know this map is out-dated (still has North Dakota and South Dakota in D-II), but it looks like there are even fewer D-II schools out west than FCS schools.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Map_of_National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association_Di vision_II_football_schools.png

[NoDak 4 Ever]

I took the charter bus from Fargo to Florence for the D-II championship game in 1986 when I was a freshman at NDSU.

I know this map is out-dated (still has North Dakota and South Dakota in D-II), but it looks like there are even fewer D-II schools out west than FCS schools.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9f/Map_of_National_Collegiate_Athletic_Association_Di vision_II_football_schools.png

They might be going for North/South rather than east/west. That said, there's a relatively fancy new stadium that wanted to put in a competitive bid. Like Chatty for FCS, Florence isn't a major transportation hub. KC is right on the intersection if I-29/35 and I-70 both major interstates that go in and out as well as a big airport.

That is a great area as well. You can really do a lot there. I think if I had to bring my kids to Frisco, I'd be disappointed because it's mostly strip malls and bars there. I kind of like it though. :)

[walliver]

What about a "Championship Weekend?" Hold the D3, D2, and FCS games in the same location during the same weekend. D3 Friday night, D2 Saturday afternoon, and FCS on Saturday night. Sell individual tickets but also offer a 3 pack for those who are die hard at a really special rate. Play in a destination location with a larger facility and really do it up. I think you'd see lots of small ball die hards come out for that each year if the location was right.

Unless the FBS championship was held at the same location, I wouldn't like this idea.

With all the effort we put forth to point out that we are Division I, to turn around and have a high school style championship weekend with D-2 and D-3 makes FCS look like a pee-wee league.

[Sandlapper Spike]

Yeah. I didn't realize how tight the footprint was. You're off the hook though. ORU is out already.

Maybe the SoCon?

No. The SoCon indicated during the most recent expansion merry-go-round that it wasn't interested in D2 schools. Nothing has changed since then that would alter that stance.

[WM2001]

Umm, KC burnt tips.

[Skyhawk71]

I have been to Florence several times for the NC, the community has done an excellent job with the game, sorry for the people of Florence who have deep ties to the Championship, but all good things must come to an end- new venues will always replace old ones, it is the nature of the game...............

[Laker]

http://www.kmbc.com/news/kansas-city/ncaa-division-ii-football-title-game-moves-to-sporting-park-in-2014/-/11664182/23435852/-/ei9n9g/-/index.html

I know this is an FCS board, but since two schools still in this years playoffs have played there, I thought I'd bring it up. It also somewhat relates to the recent FCS title game move.

I am from Florence and hate to see it move. I wonder if the KC area will even notice the game.

I think that the Northwest Missouri and Pitt State fans would support this- as often as not there seems to be a MIAA school there. I would probably go if there was a NSIC school playing there.

[BEAR]

I've been to Florence. I've been to Kansas City. Both places work well for the DII championship. I'll probably go to K.C. next year for the game and enjoy some K.C. BBQ now... great venue and a game usually worth watching.