FCS title game site and day to move

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

No, and I don't understand what is different from a few years ago when we were the 2nd place bid and today, where suddenly a "destination" city is the way to go.

What you don't want, IMHO, is to be in a 70,000 seat (or a 40,000 seat, for that matter) stadium that's 1/3 or 1/2 full.

I think it is about credibility for one, and "draw and exposure" for another. If you hold your title game in what is percieved to be a 2nd rate location, then the title game must by default be second rate, also. There is a reason that the Boise bowl or Motor City bowl get made fun of and will never climb the food chain of bowls...location is probably the main one. Super Bowls held in cold weather climates are viewed less favorably by the media, too...as I recall from when it was held in Detroit 20 years ago (or whatever). I also think that the only way to reach a new level of attendance is to make it a destination / vacation location. That is how you get the "casual" fan to attend when they might not otherwise invest the time or money to go to Chatty or Cedar Falls. And as geographic location, I think that is overcome by the vacation destination as well...since more people will look at flying and making it a little longer family vacation instead of just a 6 hour tailgate and game.

[English77]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

I hope organizers are search for a warm weather spot with a nice stadium -- but a stadium "small" enough to not dwarf the crowd. A very nice crowd of 25,000 would look like a "non-event" on national television if held, say, at the Alamodome.

Chattanooga's Finley stadium holds about 20,000, and except when a "local" team like Appy State played it was usually a hard place to sell out. This year's participants, along with whatever local support was garnered, couldn't push attendance much past 17,000.

Given that a warmer climate and a desirable destination city could be found, it's probably still unrealistic to expect a crowd of more than 25,00 or 30,000 for the game.

Anyone on PN have some knowledge of appropriately-sized stadiums in the South that we could speculate about?

[UNIpanther99]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

I think it's different now that fans will have more than 6-7 days to throw together a trip. It would be nice to make a mini-vacation out of it, and even though Chatty is a nice place, I would rather spend my time and money on the Riverwalk in SA or some other warm location in early January.

The upper deck of the Alamodome can be closed off, and it makes the place look full with 25-30,000 people.

[williebat]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

No, and I don't understand what is different from a few years ago when we were the 2nd place bid and today, where suddenly a "destination" city is the way to go.

What you don't want, IMHO, is to be in a 70,000 seat (or a 40,000 seat, for that matter) stadium that's 1/3 or 1/2 full.

I think it it because they are moving it to right before the BCS championship game that makes me believe they are trying to raise the profile nationally of this game. I agree with others that moving it to Florida or other destination city is a good way to make it a higher profile event. Plus it would be more fun for the athletes and fans to get a break from winter.

Good point about the stadium that is why I think Texas state in saN MARCOS WOULD BE PERFECT. How big is south Florida's or FIU or FAU stadium?

Wherever it is I just hope we are in it.

[TravelingPanther]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

A lot of stadiums in SC would work well, but that whole NCAA ban thing...

[Mountain Panther]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

Am I the only one who thinks that Chattanooga has done a great job with the title game and deserves to keep it?

I agree they've done a good job. Are there better places to have the game? Yes.

[Newsbreaker]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

I think it is about credibility for one, and "draw and exposure" for another. If you hold your title game in what is percieved to be a 2nd rate location, then the title game must by default be second rate, also.

The 'nooga is "first rate"?

Moving the date might affect interest, but moving location won't change impression.

Also, I don't think more people are going to watch because of the location. I can't see how that would happen.

[06panther10]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

No, and I don't understand what is different from a few years ago when we were the 2nd place bid and today, where suddenly a "destination" city is the way to go.

What you don't want, IMHO, is to be in a 70,000 seat (or a 40,000 seat, for that matter) stadium that's 1/3 or 1/2 full.

This is a great point. I hope whoever is in charge does not get to big of a head about this and put it in an NFL stadium or something. There is not going to be 60-70K at the championship game. If it is going to move, it needs to be in a stadium the same size as Nooga.

[Panther-Sheik]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

The 'nooga is "first rate"?

Moving the date might affect interest, but moving location won't change impression.

Also, I don't think more people are going to watch because of the location. I can't see how that would happen.

Nope, 'nooga is not a first rate location (not a slam on them...they have done a great job and I enjoyed my hours there in 2005), which is why I advocate a change of location in response to your and Jeg's earlier posts. I do disagree that location won't affect impression or attendance, though. I talked to many casual Iowa fans that attended this year because of location. Similarly, I know many ISU fans that no way, no how attended in Boise, but easily ponied up when they went to Phoenix. It won't make a difference to the core fan bases (and probably 85% or so of the current attendees, but if you want to take it to the next level I think this is a step in the right direction.

[williebat]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

The 'nooga is "first rate"?

Moving the date might affect interest, but moving location won't change impression.

Also, I don't think more people are going to watch because of the location. I can't see how that would happen.

I think that because of the bowl game system most people equate good location with good game. Fair or not that is the subconscious attitude of most casual fans.

[Roy Fleming]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

I don't like the idea of the season going into a new semester. It brings up the scenario of players on the team all year now ruled academically ineligible for the championship game.

[Hacksaw]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

Here we go again, but I'll bite.
My vote: Nice, warm Boca Raton

[PurpleCatFan]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

Florida or San Antonio (which bid on it a few years back) either would be fine with me.

With the time between the semi finals and the championship it now gives fans more time to make travel arrangements for a mini vaction to a warm weather site.

The attendance for the 1st game played under this format will be real interesting for the future of this event.

I hope they get two teams that travel well with fans. I know UNI fans would take care of their share the deal...now more presure on the team.

We have had our share of chances in the playoffs ... "I'm tired of knocking on the door of oppertunity..it's time to kick it in!"

[English77]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

My vote: Nice, warm Boca Raton

That's gorgeous. I'll jump and stay on that band wagon until something gorgeouser comes along.

[UNI MadCat]

Re: FCS title game site and day to move

I don't like the idea of the season going into a new semester. It brings up the scenario of players on the team all year now ruled academically ineligible for the championship game.

Yep. Plus its going to be much sloppier football with that much time off.

I guess I'm on the fence because when we first talked about this in December (there is a thread somewhere on here about it) I was for it. I thought it was great that we would be the night before the 'other' big game and that it could increase attendance.

However, now that I've had some time to think about it, I'm no longer so sure I support it. People got wrapped up in the '05 team and found themselves in Chatty before they knew it - 8-10K strong us in fact. I dont know if the same thing will happen with a long lead time. The euphoria could stop. Its not like the BCS where its overhyped for a month. We'll get a little more coverage but not a ton more.

I really hope I'm wrong.

As for location... Orlando seems logical to me. I believe UCF has a new 40K stadium -- that seems like an appropriate size. Room to grow but not so big that it seems cavernous. People will take trips to Disney World and have a bowl game atmosphere around it.