UCA, Little Rock Make Bid for Div I Title Game

[TexasTerror]

Multiple sources have informed me that the city of Little Rock, Ark. along with the University of Central Arkansas has placed a bid to host the Division I National Championship game. If selected, the game would be held at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

I am currently seeking a news article or official press release regarding this. Missoula, Montana and current host Chattanooga, Tennessee are also in the mix at this point.

[Redbird Ray]

I like this if it's true. A bit more of a central location nationally. Bigger stadium, plenty to do in Little Rock for a couple days. Chatty is a fun town also, but a change in scenery for the title game could be nice.

[PantherRob82]

Multiple sources have informed me that the city of Little Rock, Ark. along with the University of Central Arkansas has placed a bid to host the Division I National Championship game. If selected, the game would be held at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

I am currently seeking a news article or official press release regarding this. Missoula, Montana and current host Chattanooga, Tennessee are also in the mix at this point.

Interesting. I've never been to Arkansas, sounds like a good plan. Probably too far west for most.

[chrisattsu]

I am not questioning the size of Little Rock, but how difficult is it to get a direct flight into that airport?

I know that Austin has problems getting direct flights in some cases

[spdram]

I think Chatty is a good place (short drive from Atlanta), but if it has to be moved my criteria are (in no particular order): 1) warm 2) easy access, a hub apirport is best 3) lot's for the fans to do 4) easy transportation within the area 5) as close as possible access to as many teams as possible.

[GeauxColonels]

Intersting choice. Definitely more centralized but the access via plane might be problematic. Of course, Little Rock is about 140 miles away from Memphis on I-40. So, figuring a straight whot with no traffic, about a 2 hour drive...not too bad but could definitely be better.

Tha stadium itself is pretty big, but that may hurt the perception of the popularity of FCS football with a stadium only half full.

[bostonspider]

It looks like a nice stadium, but 53K is pretty big. If we were to go large, I would much rather Orlando bid with UCF's stadium (but then again beggars cannot always be chosers)...

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/27/WarMemorialStadiumFromStands.jpg/800px-WarMemorialStadiumFromStands.jpg

[BearsCountry]

Here is the non-stop flights to Little Rock
http://lrn-airport.com/airlines/nonstop_service.asp

[TexasTerror]

I've never had the best experiences at LRNA.

I guess it is the fact that it's the only national airport that I have been through and they always seem to be experimenting with different security measures as a "pilot airport" that slow down my ability to get through quickly.

Very small airport - but they do have Burger King, Subway and Free Wireless Internet - if I am not mistaken!

[TTUEagles]

[QUOTE=bostonspider;1433552]It looks like a nice stadium, but 53K is pretty big. If we were to go large, I would much rather Orlando bid with UCF's stadium (but then again beggars cannot always be chosers)...

I think the problem with larger cities like Orlando would be that the FCS would sort of get lost a bit in a bigger market with the NBA, NFL, SEC predominating fan's and the medias interest. At least with Chattanooga, Little Rock, MAYBE it would be the only game in town for the week and garner more attention for the teams/fans, etc. I doubt if bars/restaurants/attractions would cater too much to a few thousand FCS fans in a larger city...I doubt you'd see too many signs saying "Welcome Richmond/Montana/Appalachian State/Tennessee Tech xlolx fans" in a larger city.

[centexguy]

Tha stadium itself is pretty big, but that may hurt the perception of the popularity of FCS football with a stadium only half full.

I don't think it hurt the perception of the popularity of FCS football, just confirm it.

[89Hen]

It looks like a nice stadium, but 53K is pretty big.
Way too big. xsmhx

[lionsrking2]

Intersting choice. Definitely more centralized but the access via plane might be problematic. Of course, Little Rock is about 140 miles away from Memphis on I-40. So, figuring a straight whot with no traffic, about a 2 hour drive...not too bad but could definitely be better.

Tha stadium itself is pretty big, but that may hurt the perception of the popularity of FCS football with a stadium only half full.


Little Rock has a decent sized airport with direct flight service from several major cities, including NY, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Denver, Cleveland, Charlotte, and others ... as you mentioned, Memphis is only a couple of hours away, but it is one of the more expensive cities to fly into, however.

On the whole, I like Little Rock and think it would be a nice alternative to Chattanooga, should the committee decide to move the game...plenty of hotels, restaurants, and War Memorial is a pretty stadium...a little big, but 25,000 still looks and sounds like a good crowd there.

I have nothing against Chattanooga, but I wouldn't mind seeing the game move around on a rotating basis.

[msusig]

These are the best choices possible:
1) New Orleans - reason: Bourbon St., Cajun Food, & they have liquor for sale in the dome during college games.
2) Las Vegas - reason: easy to get a flight & the Vegas Strip.
3) Memphis - reason: Beale St., BBQ, and centralized location.

If you don't like these locations, then something is seriously wrong with you.

[msusig]

It isn't what the stadium looks like or how full the stadium is; it's all about having a good time and watching your football team win. With these locations you will have a greater chance of your fans showing up. Who in the world rather go to Little Rock than to New Orleans or Las Vegas?

[BEAR]

Alright, from an insider to the Little Rock scene...

+Tons of hotels.
+Tons of eateries.
+Little Rock airport is big enough and has direct flights going everywhere. +Logistically it's centralized and easy to drive around. A blind monkey could drive it and make it through without a dent in the door.
+Very inexpensive to stay for the weekend. Hotels average $35 - $250 a night.
+War Memorial, though 53k seats, is actually a very very compressed stadium. You can spit on one sideline and hit the other pretty easily. It really is small.

- War Memorial is run down. It's old school even with the renovations. But TV perception will look nice if two teams bring in 20k fans. 10k fans and it will look alright. Just depends on how the camera guys work the angles.
- Razorpig seats and signs are all permanent. You can't take them down. Yet another fringe benefit of the FBS pig hold on this state.
-Don't expect a huge social scene. It's out there, but you have to dig to find it. I never go there. NOT worth it to me.

Let's just say if there is a better venue for the game, use it. It will do, but there are probably better places available. Just my opinion.

[CamelCityAppFan]

These are the best choices possible:
1) New Orleans - reason: Bourbon St., Cajun Food, & they have liquor for sale in the dome during college games.
2) Las Vegas - reason: easy to get a flight & the Vegas Strip.
3) Memphis - reason: Beale St., BBQ, and centralized location.

If you don't like these locations, then something is seriously wrong with you.

xlolx something is seriously wrong with me, then. xlolx

[bkrownd]

If you don't like these locations, then something is seriously wrong with you.

Little Rock sounds far better to me than any of those.

[MplsBison]

Been to Little Rock, not a bad town at all. Downtown is pretty nice, a bit of a young crowd but that's what you get for a college town.


I would take Little Rock over Chattanooga on general principle alone, as it should not be allowed to have the game in an FCS home stadium. But I also think the students and people of LR could support this thing. They obviously support Ark. football when it's in town! UALR kids don't have a football team to support (although they consider Ark. to be half their team too).

[TexasTerror]

The news is now out there...


If officials at the University of Central Arkansas and War Memorial Stadium have their way, the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision title game will be in Little Rock in 2010, 2011 and 2012.

They plan to submit a bid today to host the FCS (formerly Division I-AA) championship game, which has been held at Finley Stadium in Chattanooga, Tenn., every year since 1997.

“We felt like this would be a great opportunity for the community of central Arkansas to host a premier sporting event and showcase a tremendous facility,” War Memorial assistant stadium manager Jerry Cohen said.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/10213206/UCA,-stadium-after-title-game-

[chattanoogamocs]

xlolx something is seriously wrong with me, then. xlolx

Me too.

Las Vegas does nothing for me.

New Orleans I love (I was just there last week)...but rooms are a fortune in December and you are playing right around the same time as the Sugar Bowl.

Memphis...blech. Most people I know from Memphis don't even like Memphis. ;)

[mtgrizfan4life]

I wish all the bidders luck in this. I do know Montana's bid is quite more substantial than the bid Chattanooga made in getting it last time. Many businesses backed this bid, and are willing to donate for necessary stadium upgrades, and if necessary can get the $ for lighting as well. $$$$$ wise, it will take a lot of $$$ to beat Montana's bid. I will be surprised if anyone outbid Montana.

I do not know how much money it took for Chattanooga last time, but was told it was less than 350k. Is that right or does anyone know? I cannot confirm it, but been told Montana bid substantially more than that. I guess when a decision is made we will all know more, but I am pretty confident in with who the information is coming from. Sorry cannot reveal who or the source is no more.

[chattanoogamocs]

I wish all the bidders luck in this. I do know Montana's bid is quite more substantial than the bid Chattanooga made in getting it last time. Many businesses backed this bid, and are willing to donate for necessary stadium upgrades, and if necessary can get the $ for lighting as well. $$$$$ wise, it will take a lot of $$$ to beat Montana's bid. I will be surprised if anyone outbid Montana.

I do not know how much money it took for Chattanooga last time, but was told it was less than 350k. Is that right or does anyone know? I cannot confirm it, but been told Montana bid substantially more than that. I guess when a decision is made we will all know more, but I am pretty confident in with who the information is coming from. Sorry cannot reveal who or the source is no more.

Chattanooga's bid will be more than it was the last time...Chattanooga has had to up the ante every 2-3 years, even in the years when there was no real competition.

[mtgrizfan4life]

Surprisingly enough, there is much more support by Missoula area business owners and big GRIZ contributors than I ever imagined. Scary to know we may have more $$$ than we thought if we were to ever seriously consider moving up. I am also confident that GRIZ fans would take pride in making sure this game was well attended, with or without the GRIZ in it. Montana has become a football crazy state over the last 20 years plus.

I am already committed to getting tickets for this game, despite currently living in Denver. I will buy these tickets the day they go on sale, and plan vacation time that very day too.

[centexguy]

The news is now out there...



http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/10213206/UCA,-stadium-after-title-game-

The article says UT-San Antonio might also bid for the title game. San Antonio is always a good winter destination but would they hold the game in the 65K seat Alamodome?

[Tailbone]

I heard Montana's offer described as one that will "blow away the selection committee."

The committee is scheduled to be at WaGriz on Halloween to watch Weber and Montana.
The atmosphere may favorably surprise the members (many of whom have never attended a game at Montana), the stadium should be rockin'.
If Halloween isn't unreasonably cold, the committee may not even realize that December in Montana can be miserable.

Won't bother Montana fans anyway, WaGriz would be filled for the NC regardless.

[soccerguy315]

Montana in the summer = good

Montana in the winter = yuck. lol

[txstatebobcat]

The article says UT-San Antonio might also bid for the title game. San Antonio is always a good winter destination but would they hold the game in the 65K seat Alamodome?


They also named Frisco, Tx in that same sentence. A quick google search and I came up with Pizza Hut Park which is a soccer stadium seating 20,500 people.

Frisco has some things going for it. Frisco is in the Dallas, Tx area so flying in wouldn't be a problem. Stadium is almost new and a decent size, although a bit on the small side.

[msusig]

Bottom line is Chattanoga has been done and it's too small and in a bad location to fly to. Montana is WAY too cold for a national championship and how many average fans could afford to fly up there. Little Rock is boring and from what was posted earlier, it is in a old run down stadium.

It needs to be in a city with night life, easy to get to by airplane, fairly centralized, a large stadium because it is supposed to be a championship game, plenty of hotels, and in a warmer climate. None of the cities with current bids meet those requirements.

The best cities are New Orleans, Las Vegas, Memphis, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, or San Antonio. Basically a place somebody wouldn't mind taking a vacation to so there will be a greater chance of a larger attendance.

[Dallas Demon]

They also named Frisco, Tx in that same sentence. A quick google search and I came up with Pizza Hut Park which is a soccer stadium seating 20,500 people.

Frisco has some things going for it. Frisco is in the Dallas, Tx area so flying in wouldn't be a problem. Stadium is almost new and a decent size, although a bit on the small side.

Interesting. The stadium is the home of the FC Dallas Professional Soccer team. It is a very nice stadium, practically brand new. It would be a good home, but obviously the championship game here would be a blimp on the radar in terms of a DFW weekend (especially with the Dallas Cowboys season in progress).

Shreveport might be an interesting choice. Lots of Casino's and entertainment, a riverfront/downtown area, Bossier City (nice riverfront area), and a stadium that seats 50,000+.

http://www.gotickets.com/venues/la/independence_stadium.php

[chattanoogamocs]

Bottom line is Chattanoga has been done and it's too small and in a bad location to fly to. Montana is WAY too cold for a national championship and how many average fans could afford to fly up there. Little Rock is boring and from what was posted earlier, it is in a old run down stadium.

It needs to be in a city with night life, easy to get to by airplane, fairly centralized, a large stadium because it is supposed to be a championship game, plenty of hotels, and in a warmer climate. None of the cities with current bids meet those requirements.

The best cities are New Orleans, Las Vegas, Memphis, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, or San Antonio. Basically a place somebody wouldn't mind taking a vacation to so there will be a greater chance of a larger attendance.

None of the places you mention (outside of, maybe, San Antonio) has shown any real interest. Until one of them does bid, it is a pointless argument.

I can name dozens of other great places to host the event...but all that matters are the places that actually apply.

There has been a lot of conjecture to who is bidding...will be interesting to see who actually ponied up. We ought to know the "real" list in the next couple of days.

Best of luck to all of them, whoever they may be.

[RabidRabbit]

It'd be intriguing if Baton Rouge/Southern/Nichols St/SE LA worked together to bring in game to Baton Rouge/ Jackson MS.

Especially if the SWAC would sponsor! xlolxxeyebrowx

[TexasTerror]

It'd be intriguing if Baton Rouge/Southern/Nichols St/SE LA worked together to bring in game to Baton Rouge/ Jackson MS.

What if in the next few years - there's an FCS program in New Orleans and that city hosts it at a new facility overlooking Lake Pontchartrain? xwhistlex

[89Hen]

These are the best choices possible:
1) New Orleans - reason: Bourbon St., Cajun Food, & they have liquor for sale in the dome during college games.
2) Las Vegas - reason: easy to get a flight & the Vegas Strip.
3) Memphis - reason: Beale St., BBQ, and centralized location.

If you don't like these locations, then something is seriously wrong with you.
Or you know I-AA football and the NCAA.

[89Hen]

I will be surprised if anyone outbid Montana.
I know the NCAA is mostly about money, but hopefully common sense has at least a foot in the door. Missoula would be a bad choice IMO. We've already had the Marshall Invitational... no need to relive that in an even more remote location. Missoula is fantastic for Griz games.

[89Hen]

It needs to be in a city with night life, easy to get to by airplane, fairly centralized, a large stadium because it is supposed to be a championship game, plenty of hotels, and in a warmer climate. None of the cities with current bids meet those requirements.
None of the three you mention are even remotely centralized (BTW, please remove Vegas from your list, the NCAA will NOT have a championship there).

- Bigger stadium? Chatty has only sold out a couple times and if AppSt aint there, it's probably not selling out. It's been tried in the west several times they didn't top 10k.

- The game is moving to the first week of January. EVERY school I know (grade - HS) is back in session after the holiday break. This means families will NOT be coming to the game. Making a family destination is just poor planning.

- The game needs to be in a place where they have at least some knowledge of I-AA football. Moving it to a city that already has a bowl game, especially a BIG bowl game, means we get lost in the shuffle. The game in Chatty is FRONT PAGE, LEAD STORY news in that town. Move it to NO and it is a footnote on page 47.

[89Hen]

Bottom line is Chattanoga has been done and it's too small and in a bad location to fly to.
BTW, have you been?

[89Hen]

What if in the next few years - there's an FCS program in New Orleans and that city hosts it at a new facility overlooking Lake Pontchartrain? xwhistlex
Big difference. xthumbsupx

[NSUDemon98]

I heard Montana's offer described as one that will "blow away the selection committee."

The committee is scheduled to be at WaGriz on Halloween to watch Weber and Montana.
The atmosphere may favorably surprise the members (many of whom have never attended a game at Montana), the stadium should be rockin'.
If Halloween isn't unreasonably cold, the committee may not even realize that December in Montana can be miserable.

Won't bother Montana fans anyway, WaGriz would be filled for the NC regardless.

I don't have anything against Montana but if they send the FCS title game to Missoula then they might as well just kill the thing or call it the Grizzly Invitational Championship Game...Montana isn't the easiest place to get to.

[NSUDemon98]

They also named Frisco, Tx in that same sentence. A quick google search and I came up with Pizza Hut Park which is a soccer stadium seating 20,500 people.

Frisco has some things going for it. Frisco is in the Dallas, Tx area so flying in wouldn't be a problem. Stadium is almost new and a decent size, although a bit on the small side.

My parents live about 10 miles from Frisco right down 121 in Flower Mound and we go to the mall over there all the time. The area is BOOMING. Everything over there is brand new and very nice.

DallasDemon actually works in Frisco and could probably enlighten all of us a little more on the area.

[813Jag]

It'd be intriguing if Baton Rouge/Southern/Nichols St/SE LA worked together to bring in game to Baton Rouge/ Jackson MS.

Especially if the SWAC would sponsor! xlolxxeyebrowx

xlolxxlolx and the game would be covered on page 139 in the advocate. xlolx

[msusig]

None of the three you mention are even remotely centralized (BTW, please remove Vegas from your list, the NCAA will NOT have a championship there).

- Bigger stadium? Chatty has only sold out a couple times and if AppSt aint there, it's probably not selling out. It's been tried in the west several times they didn't top 10k.

It's not about selling out....you will never sell out a FCS national championship game unless both teams are really close to the championship game. We need a stadium that a college football player would be excited to play in. And non of the current bidders provide that.

- The game is moving to the first week of January. EVERY school I know (grade - HS) is back in session after the holiday break. This means families will NOT be coming to the game. Making a family destination is just poor planning.

High School may be back in session, but that won't stop real FCS fans from going to the game. I hardly saw any kids at the McNeese vs. Tulane game. It was mostly adults and college students.

- The game needs to be in a place where they have at least some knowledge of I-AA football. Moving it to a city that already has a bowl game, especially a BIG bowl game, means we get lost in the shuffle. The game in Chatty is FRONT PAGE, LEAD STORY news in that town. Move it to NO and it is a footnote on page 47.
The best option to draw a larger local crowd is to have it in a large city and to rotate the championship between 3 or 4 cities. That way it will create more interest from the locals and local media. And if you notice most championship games are in large cities with large populations and there is a reason for that.

[89Hen]

And if you notice most championship games are in large cities with large populations and there is a reason for that.
Yes, because they have the capacity to hold large out of town contingencies (hotels, restaurants, stadium, etc...) When I watch the BCS, Final Four, Frozen Four, LAX.... the stadiums are full of fans of the teams in the game.

Do you really think a large number of people in New Orleans would come to our championship game?

[89Hen]

It's not about selling out....you will never sell out a FCS national championship game unless both teams are really close to the championship game. We need a stadium that a college football player would be excited to play in. And non of the current bidders provide that.


High School may be back in session, but that won't stop real FCS fans from going to the game. I hardly saw any kids at the McNeese vs. Tulane game. It was mostly adults and college students.
That's a weird comment IMO. A Delaware, McNeese, AppSt, Montana, etc... player is going to be excited to play in a stadium in New Orleans that is 25% full? Ask a Temple player how he feels about playing in a beautiful, quarter-filled stadium. AFAIK, the players are more excited about playing for a National Championship than the stadium in which it's in. The stadium/city is all for the fans.

The comment on family was related to the fact that a VAST majority of people have the week before the new NC date off. Do you really think many people will forego Christmas break so they can take off part the next week? The NC is an "in and out" type event. Just about everyone I know in 2007 went down Thursday night or Friday morning and came back on Saturday morning. xpeacex

[SumItUp]

When will the decision be made?

[danefan]

When will the decision be made?

Not until March 2010.

Remember the bidding is for the 2011 NC game which won't be held until January 2011.

[JohnStOnge]

All this time I thought the title game had to be at a stadium of a I-AA/FCS school.

[MSUBear42]

War Memorial is nothing special. It's a cool stadium, but nothing special. It's BIG, though...

The Bears played there this season:

http://daabears.com/pics/2009%20Season/Arkansas/Game%20pics/temp/IMG_5177.JPG

[EmeryZach]

I still think UCF's new stadium in Orlando is the best bet.

It is the only place I would want to see it move to.

I hate flying and driving any further than Chatty is not something I want to do. 18 hours is just about my limit.

[UCABEARS75]

I still think UCF's new stadium in Orlando is the best bet.

It is the only place I would want to see it move to.

I hate flying and driving any further than Chatty is not something I want to do. 18 hours is just about my limit.

Heck, I live about 3 minutes from War Memorial and I would rather see it in Orlando or San Antonio!!!

p.s. Not that I do not like Little Rock, I live here by choice and it is a nice place with a good airport and plenty of restaurants and hotels. However, it is not a "resort" location.

[chattanoogamocs]

The best option to draw a larger local crowd is to have it in a large city and to rotate the championship between 3 or 4 cities. That way it will create more interest from the locals and local media. And if you notice most championship games are in large cities with large populations and there is a reason for that.


Rotating it is not a good idea.

It will take any regional sports committee a year r two to really get an event like this running properly (first year is always chaotic...no matter how much you plan, there are always things you forget or don't expect).

And the way to get more local interest is to have it in the same place, so the popularity of it will grow.

No sports committee would put forth the effort to bid if they knew it was for one year at a time (or one year out of every four). That is why the minimum number of bid years is always 2 to 3 (with an option).

Unfortunately, 98% of the people who on this board have no clue how much time, energy and effort it takes to put on a national championship game (of course, 98% on here also apparently know how to coach better too ;)).

How do I know? I have a degree in Sports Administration and I worked for the Chattanooga Sports Committee (I have either worked or volunteered for the NC game 8 of the 10 years at has been in Chattanooga...along with NCAA basketball regionals, SoCon and SEC tournaments, etc, etc).

(sorry msusig, in hoc?, I am not purposely trying to pick on your comments)

[DG Cowboy]

The article says UT-San Antonio might also bid for the title game. San Antonio is always a good winter destination but would they hold the game in the 65K seat Alamodome?

Alamo Stadium seats 23,000. It is adjacent to Trinity U. Pro teams played there before the Alamodome. Missoula is nice, but a tough sell for convenient travel. Of course the NCAA would play in Greenland if the $$$ was right.

[lionsrking2]

Rotating it is not a good idea.

It will take any regional sports committee a year r two to really get an event like this running properly (first year is always chaotic...no matter how much you plan, there are always things you forget or don't expect).

And the way to get more local interest is to have it in the same place, so the popularity of it will grow.

No sports committee would put forth the effort to bid if they knew it was for one year at a time (or one year out of every four). That is why the minimum number of bid years is always 2 to 3 (with an option).

Unfortunately, 98% of the people who on this board have no clue how much time, energy and effort it takes to put on a national championship game (of course, 98% on here also apparently know how to coach better too ;)).

How do I know? I have a degree in Sports Administration and I worked for the Chattanooga Sports Committee (I have either worked or volunteered for the NC game 8 of the 10 years at has been in Chattanooga...along with NCAA basketball regionals, SoCon and SEC tournaments, etc, etc).

(sorry msusig, in hoc?, I am not purposely trying to pick on your comments)

While I agree it takes time for committees to work out kinks and develop a smooth operation, I disagree that rotating the game would be cause competing cities pause in bidding for a game.

If you had a three or four city rotation, and each city knew they would be getting the game on a consistent cycle, it might actually improve how smoothly things operate.

[bkrownd]

The best cities are New Orleans, Las Vegas, Memphis, Dallas, Houston, Orlando, or San Antonio. Basically a place somebody wouldn't mind taking a vacation to so there will be a greater chance of a larger attendance.

You apparently have a very different idea of "vacation" than I do.

I'd rather see it in a nice college town with some nature nearby.

[lionsrking2]

You apparently have a very different idea of "vacation" than I do.

I'd rather see it in a nice college town with some nature nearby.


I wouldn't mind it being in a destination city, but this isn't a bowl game and I don't think it necessarily needs to be treated like one...the requirements should be a suitable stadium; relatively mild climate; accessible by air, car, and train; adequate hotel/motel space; and a host city that wants it and will promote it to the hilt locally. It should also be in area that is FCS friendly and capable of drawing neutral fans.

[msusig]

You apparently have a very different idea of "vacation" than I do.

I'd rather see it in a nice college town with some nature nearby.

Lake Charles is a "nice college town with some nature nearby" and so are most of the colleges we play. But when we went to Tulane vs. McNeese game in the superdome, I had more fun. It was awesome being in the huge stadium. Staying in a nice hotel, going to Bourbon St., and eating great food. Yes the stadium was largely empty, but it was a great game with all the McNeese fans.

But I'm starting to think this is all pointless because we have no say in what happens, I don't see McNeese going to the championship game any time soon unless we can stop going to Montana and losing in the first round, and none of the current bidders are close enough for it to be worth driving to watch other teams play.

[GeauxColonels]

Big difference. xthumbsupx
Also a BIG IF. I don't see it happenning. And I REALLY don't see a new stadium being built on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain....at least not a 20,000 seat stadium. It would be consistently half- or a third-full.

I grew up in New Orleans, lived out here all my life...but FCS football gets virtually ZERO publicity in this market. The Sugar Bowl dominates sports for the entire month of December up through the game. And, if it happens to be a year the BCS Championship game is ALSO in New Orleans there would be even LESS coverage and an even tougher time getting hotel rooms for the event.

[GeauxColonels]

xlolxxlolx and the game would be covered on page 139 in the advocate. xlolx
Nah, the Advocate hasn't had that many pages in years! xlolx

[chattanoogamocs]

While I agree it takes time for committees to work out kinks and develop a smooth operation, I disagree that rotating the game would be cause competing cities pause in bidding for a game.

If you had a three or four city rotation, and each city knew they would be getting the game on a consistent cycle, it might actually improve how smoothly things operate.

I can actually give you a number of examples were sports committees around the country have told the NCAA and other organizations that they were not interested in a one year rotation...that they would only bid for multiple years.

When they put together these packages, they do it on the basis of their advertisers and sponsors, who also sign 3 year deals.

There are a myriad of reason why a rotation is tougher...1 years sponsors means you are looking for new advertisers constantly (as opposed to knowing you have three years of money locked in at the start).

Also, if you had an event one year and then have to wait three more years for your turn, you invariably have turnover in management and volunteers...you end up "learning on the job" again.

There are plenty of other reasons, I will be happy to share more later, put I don't want to spend too much time because a rotating championship is not on the table...making this exercise kinda pointless.

I am not just pulling this out of my arse...for a while, I actually did this for a living...I do actually know what I am talking about and I do have solid knowledge of what the committees (and the NCAA) are thinking and expecting. :)

I have never claimed to know more than a coach...but I do know more than most about bidding for sporting events. ;)

[TexasTerror]

Also a BIG IF. I don't see it happenning. And I REALLY don't see a new stadium being built on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain....at least not a 20,000 seat stadium. It would be consistently half- or a third-full.

Pre-Katrina...it was on the table.

Obviously things have changed, but the talk is brewing once more regarding a football/track/soccer venue on the Lakefront (where the Pope once visited). It would get plenty of use since I bet the Sun Belt and SWAC would do outdoor meets there, in addition to HS football games galore, maybe even Tulane homecoming (?), soccer, etc.

[crossfire07]

TT, you will not EVER see another FCS stadium built in this state. there are talks being held about closing some 4 year universities so unless someone donates the money privately it will stay somebodies DREAM.

[813Jag]

Nah, the Advocate hasn't had that many pages in years! xlolx
xlolxxlolx

[TexasTerror]

TT, you will not EVER see another FCS stadium built in this state. there are talks being held about closing some 4 year universities so unless someone donates the money privately it will stay somebodies DREAM.

Funny. I seem to recall a large donation to a potential FCS member, a school with a Chancellor and AD who have publicly made remarks regarding football... xreadx

[NSUDemon98]

Funny. I seem to recall a large donation to a potential FCS member, a school with a Chancellor and AD who have publicly made remarks regarding football... xreadx

Sounds like you WANT this to happen. Louisiana's money and talent pool are already stretched thin as it is. xeyebrowx