FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[retagent]

NOTE TO ALL: Oz has his tongue in his cheek for pretty much every post, except those about his family, or Aussie Football.

[hazzben]

Although I maintain that Royal "Stadium" sucks, the move to MOA Field sucks even more.  We had to move a playoff game with PLU to the Fargodome in 2001.  Playing at Clemens would have been 100x better (although the field was not up to the task).  Thankfully, the SprinTurf arrived the following summer.

If it were nearby, I'd prefer the Fargodome.  The metrodome is just such an awful environment for games where there are only going to be maybe 5-6K people....too quiet, sterile, and an echo chamber when it is so empty.

I'd have preferred to freeze at the outdoor venue known as Royal Stadium.

In terms of game play, the Dome will be a good venue for Bethel. The rain and elements are a wildcard Bethel and an explosive offense would rather not worry about (think SJU in '01 v. UWSP and how much conditions affected things).

That said, the Dome is a horrible venue for any non DI or NFL game. Absolutely terrible.  It's a cavernous monstrosity, that without 60,000 inebriated fans sounds strange and empty. It makes it seem as though there is hardly any crowd whatsoever. I always hated the MIAC Dome Games. Hated them as a player and as a fan. Even in 2002, against SJU when there was a sizable crowd for D3, it still felt totally empty.

As for future games, I think they can still play at Bethel, and may do so if the weather makes it feasible. This is totally to avoid a 2000/PLU situation where the field was frozen solid and covered with ice. It was a brutal factor that rendered team speed a non-factor, Deon Jordan and Eric Carlson anyone! (note: this isn't me making excuses for the loss. PLU played on the same surface and won) In that sense, I'm glad they moved it.

They also don't have the option of playing it on another day or even at another time. Unless there's a storm or safety concerns, playoff games are all mandated to be on Saturday at noon local time.

[wartknight]

Not so fast Grasshopper. The Dome just happens to have an open date this weekend. Next weekend will be the High School Championship games.
If relocation in the future weeks,the Dome may not be an option.
Dare I say...gulp... relocating to UST 

How about playing at TCF stadium - that would be awesome.

It is busy with another game.  That one should be really good.  I wish it was a night game so I could have a really good excuse not to watch that Big 12 game in Stoolwater, OK.

In all honesty I think it is a Bethel decision with help from the NCAA.  The field conditions could be an issue, but I think there were other factors.  It is a playoff game so it has to be played.  It could have maybe been moved to Sunday, but that does not work so well with the Baptist.  I attend a large Baptist church in Dallas, and believe me this Sunday thing gets super frustrating.  I've had to take Fridays off from work to accommodate their Sunday policy.  I don't know how much snow the Twin Cities will get, but it could be that they are not sure if it will be able to be removed from the stadium.  That probably makes it tough to use the local HS stadiums.  I think there were also some concerns with light.  The sunset is at 4:30.  Last week things were starting to get a little dark for the games 1PM games.  That could be a concern especially if there is overtime.  Bethel has hosted games in the past, and will likely do it in the future.  If just the stadium was an issue the game would have been moved to CSS.  Trinity in Texas used to host games as a lower seed since they had a stadium that fit NCAA guidelines.

Some of the potential lighting problem will be solved with the 12:00 start. Although a dreary late fall day can still be pretty dark!

[DuffMan]

Some of the potential lighting problem will be solved with the 12:00 start. Although a dreary late fall day can still be pretty dark!

Now that SJU has lights, they just need to worry about getting into the playoffs again! 

Actually, as much as I dislike the lights, they were pretty nice to have last weekend for the SJU/BU game.

[tommiegun]

My revised list of MIAC stadiums would have Bethel at #9 and #11, now that they play at the collapse-o-Dome.

Seriously, it is supposed to snow tonight... are we even sure the Dome will be available?

[USTBench]

Although I maintain that Royal "Stadium" sucks, the move to MOA Field sucks even more.  We had to move a playoff game with PLU to the Fargodome in 2001.  Playing at Clemens would have been 100x better (although the field was not up to the task).  Thankfully, the SprinTurf arrived the following summer.

If it were nearby, I'd prefer the Fargodome.  The metrodome is just such an awful environment for games where there are only going to be maybe 5-6K people....too quiet, sterile, and an echo chamber when it is so empty.

I'd have preferred to freeze at the outdoor venue known as Royal Stadium.

Trust me, as a young man I played many games in the Fargodome. It can be every bit the quiet, sterile, echo chamber the Metrodome can be. WAAAAAY nicer locker rooms though. :-)

[DuffMan]

Back in my day, the turf at the Fargodome was akin to playing on 80-grit sandpaper or a wire-bristle brush.  Worse that the old Metrodome and Auggie Tech turf.  I assume that is different, now.

[AO]

Back in my day, the turf at the Fargodome was akin to playing on 80-grit sandpaper or a wire-bristle brush.  Worse that the old Metrodome and Auggie Tech turf.  I assume that is different, now.

They upgraded before the 2012 season.

[sfury]

St. John's first-round game in 1996 was moved to the Dome too. I was a senior but can't remember why. Must have been snowstorm. They beat Simpson 21-18. Next game, on another horrific field, this one in La Crosse, the Johnnies blew a 30-8 lead and lost 37-30. Ramler's senior year.

[USTBench]

Back in my day, the turf at the Fargodome was akin to playing on 80-grit sandpaper or a wire-bristle brush.  Worse that the old Metrodome and Auggie Tech turf.  I assume that is different, now.

The alternative was Dakota Field behind the dome. The turf was very worn down and hard, but not abrasive. Though not totally preferable because the 1 to 2 inch gaps in the seams.

[DuffMan]

The alternative was Dakota Field behind the dome. The turf was very worn down and hard, but not abrasive. Though not totally preferable because the 1 to 2 inch gaps in the seams.

So, it was just like Auggie Tech with less chance of being shanked? 

[DoubleO]

Pretty cool banner around campus today.  Go Royals!

OH NO.....more frickin' HAND HOLDING!!!!   

world of difference between the players and the coach, imo. TONS of teams have their captains hold hands as the walk out to midfield. The irony of the poster is that it appears to be UST in the background as the opposing team 

I think that's appropriate as they had been the defending MIAC champs.

[OldAuggie]

The alternative was Dakota Field behind the dome. The turf was very worn down and hard, but not abrasive. Though not totally preferable because the 1 to 2 inch gaps in the seams.

So, it was just like Auggie Tech with less chance of being shanked? 

Less chance, but still a chance, in Fargo? Doubt it. We did have some mean turf back in the day. Now Edor Nelson Field has sparkling new field turf. Stuff is nice. Need a new scoreboard soon.

[tommiegun]

I thought the turf at Auggie Tech was too long.  We had baseball practice there in the winter.  It cut you a lot more easily than the stuff at UST.

[DuffMan]

I thought the turf at Auggie Tech was too long.  We had baseball practice there in the winter.  It cut you a lot more easily than the stuff at UST.

I'm talking old-school Auggie Tech.  Worn down Metrodome scraps.