Should the Stagg Bowl find a better site or stay in Salem, Va.

[Ryan Tipps]

warmer would be nice, but those of us who were there 2 years ago in the blizzard had a ball and will have stories to tell for years to come, dont get them in warm climate.

I second that! +1

[roocru]

warmer would be nice, but those of us who were there 2 years ago in the blizzard had a ball and will have stories to tell for years to come, dont get them in warm climate.

I second that! +1

Once we finally got there it was great!

[seventiesraider]

As someone who has had the privilege of attending most of the recent Staggs, I vote for "ANY PLACE FRICKIN' WARM"!  How about the Bahamas?  They are very big on tourism, and you can get a fairly cheap flight there.   

Better give the winners more time to make arrangements if it goes anywhere extreme (And given the handful of West Coast and Southern teams I'd consider anything west of Iowa and south of North Carolina extreme)

[K-Mack]

since i have attended the last 5 for no other reason than to hang out with great peopel, stone station, and enjoy a good game, i dont see any reason to change it.  warmer would be nice, but those of us who were there 2 years ago in the blizzard had a ball and will have stories to tell for years to come, dont get them in warm climate.  it is easy to get to from most of d3 and the city wants it which from what i hear is a huge advantage and they do a great job.  moving it just to move it makes no sense to me.

Good point on the blizzard. I've been every year since '97 and that trip -- beyond just the game -- really stands out.

Re: a lot of the other recent comments, it's not Salem's right to have the game. It comes up for bid every 2 years and if a city felt strongly enough and put together a compelling argument/package/group of volunteers, it would have a shot.

I'd be opposed to fixed sites for other playoff games. The on-campus playoff game is a) the closest approximation of a regular season game and b) the best way to guarantee a good crowd, except for during Thanksgiving break. The Week 2 crowds are always terrible.

[panthersfan]

I think the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL would be ideal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cramton_Bowl

[Ralph Turner]

I think the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL would be ideal.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cramton_Bowl

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cramton_Bowl_baseball.jpg

Look at the dimensions to left field!  That is unbelievable.

I have driven past Cramton, several times.  Sorry, but it would not be my first choice to a place to which the Stagg might move.

[Pat Coleman]

I think 24,000 is too big for this event.

[badgerwarhawk]

I don't know if Camton is a baseball facility converted to football or a football facility converted for baseball.  But either way who wants to play a football game on a baseball diamond?

[Ralph Turner]

I don't know if Camton is a baseball facility converted to football or a football facility converted for baseball.  But either way who wants to play a football game on a baseball diamond?

Here is the current appearance of Cramton as provided by the links that pantherfan gave.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Facilities2_full.jpg

It is actually appears to be a very nice facility, and the upgrades that they have made in the last 3-5 years are a big improvement.

[Ron Boerger]

I think 24,000 is too big for this event.

Maybe they could fill some of those seats if Birmingham-Southern made the championship.   

[hazzben]

I think 24,000 is too big for this event.

Agreed.

The upgraded facilities look great, but the last thing you want is a crowd that is drastically under the stadiums capacity. That's one of the annoying/humorous things about the proliferation of FBS Bowl Games. So many of those bowls get horrible attendance and it just makes the bowl seem like a joke.

Not to mention, this seems a bit further from the majority of the DIII footprint than Salem, VA.

[CruFrenzy]

Why not Mary Hardin Baylor's new Venue? The climate in Texas during mid December is going to be better than anywhere else, and the new stadium in Belton looks like its going to be as nice or nicer than any other in all of division III. Also worth mentioning, it seats around 10 to 12,000, and probably around 15,000 with over flow seating into the standing area and in the grass. Sounds perfect to me!

[Ryan Tipps]

Why not Mary Hardin Baylor's new Venue? The climate in Texas during mid December is going to be better than anywhere else, and the new stadium in Belton looks like its going to be as nice or nicer than any other in all of division III. Also worth mentioning, it seats around 10 to 12,000, and probably around 15,000 with over flow seating into the standing area and in the grass. Sounds perfect to me!

As has been mentioned before, something like that comes down to location, location, location. And Belton isn't located very close to the heart of the D-III universe.

[Pat Coleman]

Let's let you guys play in the stadium for a couple years ... or even actually open it ... before we start moving the title game there.

[CruFrenzy]

Let's let you guys play in the stadium for a couple years ... or even actually open it ... before we start moving the title game there.

Yes, i understand your point Pat. But what do you think of the idea maybe a few years after we open it? Will the location be a problem? Because i know the facility itself wont.