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

[AO]

Say two people who have never been to Salem and weren't in Atlanta ...

Judging from attendance numbers, I'm not the only person who hasn't found his way over to Salem.

[AO]

If it is "growing the brand" that you're after, then it doesn't matter where the championship game is held.  Growing the brand isn't about a couple of extra thousands butts in seats it's about several hundred thousand eyeballs on TV and that game is already on TV.

Wouldn't you see a local boost to ratings wherever the game is held?  I think the in-person stadium experience is also important to grow the number of "D3 converts".

[wally_wabash]

If it is "growing the brand" that you're after, then it doesn't matter where the championship game is held.  Growing the brand isn't about a couple of extra thousands butts in seats it's about several hundred thousand eyeballs on TV and that game is already on TV.

Wouldn't you see a local boost to ratings wherever the game is held?  I think the in-person stadium experience is also important to grow the number of "D3 converts".

I think if there were any kind of significant influence from the location of the championship game on the broadcast ratings, then the network would get behind some kind of effort to put the game where they'll get the most bang for their buck.  Not that I'm suggesting ESPN has any kind of influence with the NCAA...nah. 

[smedindy]

Somehow, I think this whole argument is about a couple of people who don't want to go to Virginia.

[Scots13]

I'm sure you've talked to Pat about this before, but I think last year's basketball tournament in Atlanta should alleviate some of your worries about media coverage.  If the big newspaper in town doesn't cover it now, why is it a bad thing to get it covered on the day of the game at least?

This only worked because all three games were played in the same city and the NCAA relentlessly promoted it. At football, you don't have football semifinals two nights earlier to promote your D2 and D3 championships with. If you just put the D3 MBB championship game in Atlanta without the rest around it, it doesn't draw more than a couple thousand, and nobody locally covers it.

Nobody locally covers it? You were initially skeptical of the coverage it would get regardless of the NCAA promotion. If the Salem local media puts the Stagg on the front page of the newspaper and has it as the feature story on the local evening news, does it really help the national recognition of D3?  Maybe you could hire fake reporters in a bigger city to ask questions to the players if the player experience is what you're after here.  You're not going to grow the brand while keeping the game in Salem.

Who really cares if local media in Salem or anywhere else covers it other than their "normal" gameday ways. The game has a prime time slot on the ESPNU/2 (Really don't know because I actually enjoy my time at the game, weather and all). Millions of people have the chance to watch the game. It's kind of like the FCS Championship in Frisco, TX. Other than people from Frisco, TX who the hell cares about Frisco, TX? I'm sure I'm not the only one that doesn't..

I feel it's the responsibility of the schools within Division 3 to "grow the brand". Division 3 athletics is not a money maker for the NCAA...Division 3 athletics is a money maker for the schools. (Increased enrollment, higher alumni interaction, etc.)

[jackson5]

Have MLS stadiums been considered yet? Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus Ohio would be a good fit. 20K capacity.  Put tarps over the endzone seats and capacity would be closer to 14-16K. It'll be close to Mount Union, and a possible drive for most schools.

PPL Park near Philly would be a good pick also. 18,500 Capacity, would be near many schools to. Would think either of those would be better picks than going down to texas or florida unless you are going to Mary-Hardin Baylor's home stadium.

[jknezek]

Have MLS stadiums been considered yet? Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus Ohio would be a good fit. 20K capacity.  Put tarps over the endzone seats and capacity would be closer to 14-16K. It'll be close to Mount Union, and a possible drive for most schools.

PPL Park near Philly would be a good pick also. 18,500 Capacity, would be near many schools to. Would think either of those would be better picks than going down to texas or florida unless you are going to Mary-Hardin Baylor's home stadium.

PPL is hosting the D1 soccer champs this year. Birmingham (Hoover actually) hosted the last two years. I went to Hoover for the games and was unimpressed. I've been to the Stagg and seen a community get behind the event. It's much better when that happens. We'll see what PPL brings, but PPL hosted the College Rugby Sevens Cup as well and it was pretty much empty in the stadium.

[HSCTiger74]

Somehow, I think this whole argument is about a couple of people who don't want to go to Virginia.

   +k

[Craft_Beermeister]

Somehow, I think this whole argument is about a couple of people who don't want to go to Virginia.

+K

[wartknight]

UNI-Dome (approx 16,000) - Cedar Falls IA. Close enough for many Midwest D3 conferences (& an easy drive for me. )

[Jonny Utah]

How about my backyard?  I bought a new Webber Grill this past summer (although the smaller Sprit version).  I'll cook up some dogs for everyone, and I'll even provide free Wi-Fi for the broadcast crew.

[Ralph Turner]

How about my backyard?  I bought a new Webber Grill this past summer (although the smaller Sprit version).  I'll cook up some dogs for everyone, and I'll even provide free Wi-Fi for the broadcast crew.

You da man!     +1!

[K-Mack]

Getting close to "beating a dead horse" time...   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjoMQJf5vKI

That needs to be a .gif, not a link to YouTube where I have to watch a 30-second ad first.

Otherwise, Bravo!

[K-Mack]

Have MLS stadiums been considered yet? Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus Ohio would be a good fit. 20K capacity.  Put tarps over the endzone seats and capacity would be closer to 14-16K. It'll be close to Mount Union, and a possible drive for most schools.

PPL Park near Philly would be a good pick also. 18,500 Capacity, would be near many schools to. Would think either of those would be better picks than going down to texas or florida unless you are going to Mary-Hardin Baylor's home stadium.

PPL is hosting the D1 soccer champs this year. Birmingham (Hoover actually) hosted the last two years. I went to Hoover for the games and was unimpressed. I've been to the Stagg and seen a community get behind the event. It's much better when that happens. We'll see what PPL brings, but PPL hosted the College Rugby Sevens Cup as well and it was pretty much empty in the stadium.

Mentioned this exact stadium on the previous page, but no evidence that anyone in charge has ever considered a bid in Columbus.

[K-Mack]

I'm all for growing the brand, but you have to be realistic about what the brand is and how much growth there is to be had.

I'm all for improving the game and experience, even if that means leaving Salem or rotating it out once in a while, but I have yet to hear enough compelling reasons why a bigger city = better experience, for players and fans, or why a different city = better.

The number one thing is another place has to want it, and put the bid together that would leapfrog Salem. The IMG and the Texas bids are/were intriguing.