Little Rock bids for NC Game

[dbackjon]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/1...er-title-game-

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.

[slycat]

Interesting. Makes it easier for me to get to if it happens. (Now Texas St needs to get better)

[dbackjon]

More geographically located, bigger airport, dump of a stadium...

[citdog]

little rock is a hotbed of tourism.....smfh we all know that General Johnson Hagood, CSA, Stadium is the ideal place but the ncaa will never allow it as long as they are aligned with the "black klan"

[kemajic]

Best idea I've seen.

[CatMom]

That's like TXST bidding and then playing the game at DKR in Austin, 30+ miles away.

[citdog]

That's like TXST bidding and then playing the game at DKR in Austin, 30+ miles away.

damn catmom i'd drive that far to see your fine cougar ass!!

[CatMom]

That's like TXST bidding and then playing the game at DKR in Austin, 30+ miles away.

damn catmom i'd drive that far to see your fine cougar ass!!

anytime cit. Not as far, though, as I live NW of Austin. so if you come in the airport in austin it's only 24 miles Pretty straight run too.

[ChetSteadman]

I know nothing of the stadium in Little Rock. What's it like? Is it a dump or nice? What's the total capacity (seats and standing room only areas)?

[HIU 93]

If it has to be at a campus site- how about Norfolk State, ODU, CCU, CSU, or SSU? They are all in beach towns with plenty of lodging and stuff to do. Little Rock is a historic city, but not where I want to travel to see a game if my school is not involved.

[mcveyrl]

If it has to be at a campus site- how about Norfolk State, ODU, CCU, CSU, or SSU? They are all in beach towns with plenty of lodging and stuff to do. Little Rock is a historic city, but not where I want to travel to see a game if my school is not involved.

I thought the same thing about Hampton Roads. You can fly to ORF or Newport News just as easy (probably easier than Little Rock) and the stadiums are more reasonably sized. I think either NSU or ODU would be great sites.

[JMU DJ]

More geographically located, bigger airport, dump of a stadium...

I know nothing of the stadium in Little Rock. What's it like? Is it a dump or nice? What's the total capacity (seats and standing room only areas)?

Looks pretty decent to me...




Capacity: 53,727
Record Attendance: 55, 912
Capacity may be out of range for FCS, though in a better location, may make for easier flight travel.

[JMU DJ]

If it has to be at a campus site- how about Norfolk State, ODU, CCU, CSU, or SSU? They are all in beach towns with plenty of lodging and stuff to do. Little Rock is a historic city, but not where I want to travel to see a game if my school is not involved.

I thought the same thing about Hampton Roads. You can fly to ORF or Newport News just as easy (probably easier than Little Rock) and the stadiums are more reasonably sized. I think either NSU or ODU would be great sites.

ECB


From what I've seen of ODU's stadium, that looks like a good venue for a game like this too. Have anyone of the powers that be in the FCS floated the idea of a rotating championship site or would that be to much of a hassle?

[ChetSteadman]

Looking at the Joo's pictures there, it looks like a fantastic venue, but IMO, too large for the FCS title game. I doubt that ASU and Montana could fill the place up with 3 weeks notice (two of the better traveling fan bases in FCS). It would look horrible if two smaller, less well-traveling teams made the game. Only 6,000 people in that place would be a shame.

[danefan]

I've been thinking about this - does it really matter what the stadium looks like on TV?

Do you guys really think that people who have never watched FCS football will somehow have a better appreciation of the level of football because the stadium is filled on ESPN2?

I used to think it did, but now I'm thinking the NCAA should be more worried about the game experience for the fans who attend the game, rather than the potential fans on TV.

If the fans and teams can have a great time in Little Rock then I say who cares what the size of the stadium is.

[danefan]

BTW - rumor over on *** is the NCAA Championship Committee will be at the Webaer @ Montana game on Halloween night scoping out Wash Grizzly's bid for the NC Game.

Also an interesting thing about this article is Frisco, TX.

[89Hen]

More geographically located

To what?

[SunCoastBlueHen]

I used to think it did, but now I'm thinking the NCAA should be more worried about the game experience for the fans who attend the game, rather than the potential fans on TV.

I know it's just a pipe dream, but from that perspective I say Orlando would be the perfect location for the FCS championship game. UCF has a beautiful new stadium...

[89Hen]

I've been thinking about this - does it really matter what the stadium looks like on TV?

If the fans and teams can have a great time in Little Rock then I say who cares what the size of the stadium is.

FWIW, I have more fun when I know I'm at a sold out event. That's not to say the 2007 NC game was more enjoyable than 2003 for Hen fans.

[JMU DJ]

I've been thinking about this - does it really matter what the stadium looks like on TV?

Do you guys really think that people who have never watched FCS football will somehow have a better appreciation of the level of football because the stadium is filled on ESPN2?

I used to think it did, but now I'm thinking the NCAA should be more worried about the game experience for the fans who attend the game, rather than the potential fans on TV.

No and No, but what does matter to me is a the game experience at the game... don't know if you've ever experienced a half full stadium... or even worse, a mostly empty stadium. But the atmosphere is less than electric and not nearly as enjoyable to sit through...

[danefan]

I've been thinking about this - does it really matter what the stadium looks like on TV?

If the fans and teams can have a great time in Little Rock then I say who cares what the size of the stadium is.

FWIW, I have more fun when I know I'm at a sold out event. That's not to say the 2007 NC game was more enjoyable than 2003 for Hen fans.

Definitely true, but then maybe the NCAA should consider downsizing? Is Chatty too big? Average attendance in Chatty since 1997 is 17,456 - about 85% capacity with huge upswings when App State is in the game.

[JMU DJ]

FWIW, I have more fun when I know I'm at a sold out event. That's not to say the 2007 NC game was more enjoyable than 2003 for Hen fans.

Definitely true, but then maybe the NCAA should consider downsizing? Is Chatty too big? Average attendance in Chatty since 1997 is 17,456 - about 85% capacity with huge upswings when App State is in the game.

I think that's fine, the stadium is mostly full and it gets loud.... the only places that are empty are the upper corners of the bleachers. On the flip side, 17K is only around 30% capacity in Arkansas...

[danefan]

Definitely true, but then maybe the NCAA should consider downsizing? Is Chatty too big? Average attendance in Chatty since 1997 is 17,456 - about 85% capacity with huge upswings when App State is in the game.

I think that's fine, the stadium is mostly full and it gets loud.... the only places that are empty are the upper corners of the bleachers. On the flip side, 17K is only around 30% capacity in Arkansas...

Couldn't that atmosphere be "replicated" by forcing people to sit in certain locations. For example, if Little Rock won the bid, I would imagine closing the end zone seating would take down capacity by at least 15,000. Tarp it off if they have to. Its not ideal, but there if the destination is more attractive and the stadium is just too big, maybe that's the solution.

BTW, I'm not really against Chatty. I'm just trying to figure out what the Committee is thinking.

[89Hen]

Definitely true, but then maybe the NCAA should consider downsizing? Is Chatty too big? Average attendance in Chatty since 1997 is 17,456 - about 85% capacity with huge upswings when App State is in the game.

IMO there's a HUGE difference between <=50% and 85%. I've been in the Tub for playoff games when it's 75% full and it's fine. Maybe just the upper corners missing. I've also been to events where only the lower bowl of a big stadium is used... not great.

[89Hen]

Couldn't that atmosphere be "replicated" by forcing people to sit in certain locations. For example, if Little Rock won the bid, I would imagine closing the end zone seating would take down capacity by at least 15,000. Tarp it off if they have to.

I think just about every place does that to some extent. They sell the middles, lowers, etc... A good example is the Tire Bowl in Charlotte. I went the year it set the stadium record for attendance. It was incredible. Other years however, they were much fewer tix sold, so they just crammed the lower bowl first and then started with the 50's in the upper. It's an OK solution, but will never be the same as having it sold out.