Stupid question about the Title Game

[bodoyle]

Why is it in Chattanooga? Has it always been there? What about a rotating set of sites?

[Touchdown Yosef]

Because South Carolina won't take down the confederate flag from the state capitol. When they do we can all go to Charleston for the game.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

Why is it in Chattanooga? Has it always been there? What about a rotating set of sites?

I don't know specifics other than they bid on it and have had it for a while now. Seems like it went there in 97? Before that Marshall had it in at least 95-96, due to them bidding for it. I don't know how much longer it is there, but it is a bid thing for sure.

[MacThor]

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch (a garbage rag I'll concede):


Move of game date could mean new venue

The FCS title game will move from mid-December to early-January (on the eve of the BCS title game) starting in 2010. That could mean a move for the FCS title game from Chattanooga, Tenn., where it has been held since 1997.

"That's one of the topics we'll be talking about Friday," said CAA Commissioner Tom Yeager, referring to the FCS title game Friday and accompanying discussions. "Chattanooga could work. Chattanooga has done a good job."

Chattanooga's location is a factor. For fans who have to form rapidly to make travel plans and fight rapidly increasing airline prices, Chattanooga can be reached by a reasonable car ride from dozens of FCS schools.

[I-AA Fan]

Wichita Falls, TX (1978, 1981-82)
Orlando, FL (1979)
Sacramento, CA (1980)
Charleston, SC (1983-84)
Tacoma, WA (1985-86)
Pocatello, ID (1987-88)
Statesboro, GA (1989-91)
Huntington, WV (1992-96)
Chattanooga, TN (1997-present)

[Appinator]

Wichita Falls, TX (1978, 1981-82)
Orlando, FL (1979)
Sacramento, CA (1980)
Charleston, SC (1983-84)
Tacoma, WA (1985-86)
Pocatello, ID (1987-88)
Statesboro, GA (1989-91)
Huntington, WV (1992-96)
Chattanooga, TN (1997-present)

Idaho in December? I might have made it on the plane, but my nutts wouldn't have.

[texcap]

Idaho in December? I might have made it on the plane, but my nutts wouldn't have.

It was played at Idaho State in the Holt Arena, which is an indoor facility (although I think it was called the Minidome at the time, but I could be getting that confused with the Minidump at East Tennessee).

[Rekdiver]

Florida or San Diego would be fine with me. Chatty is not that accessible.
Give me a reason to stay longer than the weekend and even though i went to ASU i prefer a bit of a warmer climate that Chatty.

[CatFan22]

It was played at Idaho State in the Holt Arena, which is an indoor facility (although I think it was called the Minidome at the time, but I could be getting that confused with the Minidump at East Tennessee).

May I be so kind as to ask why in God's name was it played there?

[mcveyrl]

May I be so kind as to ask why in God's name was it played there?

Well...there's....um...the potatoes. Yea, the potatoes were great!

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

May I be so kind as to ask why in God's name was it played there?

The nice coushy surface :D

[bostonspider]

I think that Florida would be a great place to have the game.. Maybe at UCF's Bright House Stadium in Tampa. It might be a bit large at 42K seats, but it looks good

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2104/2042094456_73dc871d98.jpg

Or in a few years at FAU's new stadium in Boca Raton, more in the 35K seat range

http://www.travelserver.net/travelpage/aspgallery/pictures/Ad_2954_10.jpg

Or at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, which seats just over 20K

http://www.nfl-gjc.com/Assets/Lockhart2.JPG

Or FIU's Stadium in Miami which seats about 20K, but is growing up into the 40K seat range

Now

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/3027500883_8f93ace260.jpg

Future

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2735549539_45b0069237.jpg

[TheBisonator]

FAU's new stadium looks like an exact clone of UCF's stadium except with a big chunk taken out of one endzone.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

Wichita Falls, TX (1978, 1981-82)
Orlando, FL (1979)
Sacramento, CA (1980)
Charleston, SC (1983-84)
Tacoma, WA (1985-86)
Pocatello, ID (1987-88)
Statesboro, GA (1989-91)
Huntington, WV (1992-96)
Chattanooga, TN (1997-present)

It was in Tacoma!? Sure, the Tacoma Dome would be a nice place to play it, but there's not even an FCS team on the West side of the state. Eastern's the only on in WA for christs' sake!

[danefan]

FAU's new stadium looks like an exact clone of UCF's stadium except with a big chunk taken out of one endzone.

It is. Its actually going to be a model for many new low end FBS stadiums in the future. UCF built that stadium for next to nothing $60 million and its nice. It hasn't the bells and whistles that some do, but its more than adequate and has the ability to be "filled in" underneath with higher quality over all facilities.

$60 million for 45,000 seats is a steal. Its a steel frame construction and has very little brick work which saves tons of money.

I wish Albany would take a hint and build a $20 million version of it. We are looking at $40-50 million for a 12,000-15,000 seater. All the bells and whistles you can imagine......and that's why we are still looking at computer renderings and not bulldozers and cranes.

[Reign of Terrier]

Because South Carolina won't take down the confederate flag from the state capitol. When they do we can all go to Charleston for the game.

I think Lindsey Graham has either gotten it taken down or is trying to get it taken down.

[blueballs]

Travel Tip:

Check Allegiant Air for cheap flights into Chatty and Knoxville (hour and a half away)... I can fly from Sanford, FL round trip to Chatty for under $100 regularly, under $80 sometimes.

Allegiant flies from secondary airports, is ZERO frills, and flies old MD80s, but for an hour flight cheap you can't beat it.

[achrist70]

It is bid on for which town or city gets to host the title game. I know a few years ago the two finalist to host the title game were Chattanooga and Cedar Falls. I think the city has to have some sort of FCS affiliation.

[CamelCityAppFan]

The folks in Chatty do a nice job of hosting. It's a good stadium, and they've even put up a National Champions "Ring of Honor" type thing inside the stadium with all the past champions logos on it.

[nwFL Griz]

I think that Florida would be a great place to have the game.. Maybe at UCF's Bright House Stadium in Tampa. It might be a bit large at 42K seats, but it looks good


Yeah, except Bright House Networks Stadium is in Orlando, where UCF is located.

[GrizzlyEdd]

Well, maybe just maybe, Las Vegas might be an option. Sure would be a fantastic and fun atmosphere before and after the game....

[100%GRIZ]

I also would go with Vegas, Cheap fares, cheap food, cheaper lodging, and like Grizzlyedd said more entertainment before and after the game!!!

[DX Man]

I think it should be rotated between the East & West coast. Maybe Disney could pick up sponsorship.

[achrist70]

I like the vegas idea, I just don't know if the city would show as much interest as Chattanooga.

[JayJ79]

I like it being in Chatty, simply because it is driveable, where as most all the other options being thrown out there aren't. (at least not by me. haha).


Plus, with it being held in Chattanooga, it will always be a neutral site (more or less. I know teams like App State are quite close), as they don't have to worry about UT-C making it.... ;op

[achrist70]

Didn't I read somewhere on here that App State had more wins in Chattanooga than UT-C does over the last 3 years.

[GrizFanStuckInUtah]

I'd go every year if it was in Vegas. 4 1/2 hour drive and there is LOTS to do in Vegas. :D

[chattanoogamocs]

It was played at Idaho State in the Holt Arena, which is an indoor facility (although I think it was called the Minidome at the time, but I could be getting that confused with the Minidump at East Tennessee).

ETSU and Idaho State's stadiums are almost identical in design...change the seat colors and the logo on midfield and you wouldn't be able to tell which is which (well, except one of them doesn't have a field anymore :))

[T-Dog]

Didn't I read somewhere on here that App State had more wins in Chattanooga than UT-C does over the last 3 years.

True. From 2006-2008 they have three wins in the last three years and we have four (two NC wins and two wins over UTC)

[CatMom07]

I like it being in Chatty, simply because it is driveable, where as most all the other options being thrown out there aren't. (at least not by me. haha).

For you and most of the east coasters, yeah. For me it is 20 - 21 hours

[gasou4389]

I also would go with Vegas, Cheap fares, cheap food, cheaper lodging, and like Grizzlyedd said more entertainment before and after the game!!!

Cheap food? Guess you haven't been in a while.

[The Moody1]

Because South Carolina won't take down the confederate flag from the state capitol. When they do we can all go to Charleston for the game.



The flag was removed from the Capitol building several years ago. However, there is still a Confederate memorial on the capitol grounds where the flag still flies.

[appfan2008]

this issue has been talked about quite a bit on here and personally i am in favor of it being in orlando... but when you look a map of the fcs schools... you might be amazed at how close chatty is to the geographic center... i think technically it is a hair further north near lexington kentucky but that is pretty good...