Weekend Games Played in Inadequate Stadiums

[GoDragons]

50792.41 in reply to 50792.10

Article from DMN today....on 3 large games this weekend being player in inadequate stadiums: Highland Park game (12,000 seat capacity), Trinity game (11,000 seat game) and Carroll game (14,500 seat capacity)...

"It was also inevitable, said Charles Breithaupt, UIL athletic director. He said the UIL executive committee has discussed for several years the possibility of creating permanent, rotating sites for the state football championship games. Large venues in Texas' three largest cities -- Dallas, Houston and San Antonio -- would switch off playing host to the title games.

But the Texas High School Coaches Association has been against it, Mr. Breithaupt said. He said that the association is adamantly opposed to anyone other than the two coaches determining the site.

"It's a control issue," he said, "but how much control do you have in a coin flip?"

And that leads to what Mr. Breithaupt calls the "$64,000 question."

"Do I want the lasting memory for kids in a state championship game to be at a high school stadium?" he said. "And what if I'm the parent of a kid in the game, and I can't get in the game?"

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B]Link for entire story:[/B]http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/highschools/topstories/stories/120605dnspohsticketssports.427b0d17.html

[TxNonRev]

It is a shame. I went to the Carroll vs. Plano game this past weekend.
Announcer said there was 34,000+ in attendance.

(Now I'm pretty sure some of those were fans for the next game.)

A 15,000 seat stadium just seems to be a tad on the small size.

I know I'm haveing second thoughts about attending the game.

[lonny23]

50792.41 in reply to 50792.10

Article from DMN today....on 3 large games this weekend being player in inadequate stadiums: Highland Park game (12,000 seat capacity), Trinity game (11,000 seat game) and Carroll game (14,500 seat capacity)...

"It was also inevitable, said Charles Breithaupt, UIL athletic director. He said the UIL executive committee has discussed for several years the possibility of creating permanent, rotating sites for the state football championship games. Large venues in Texas' three largest cities -- Dallas, Houston and San Antonio -- would switch off playing host to the title games.

But the Texas High School Coaches Association has been against it, Mr. Breithaupt said. He said that the association is adamantly opposed to anyone other than the two coaches determining the site.

"It's a control issue," he said, "but how much control do you have in a coin flip?"

And that leads to what Mr. Breithaupt calls the "$64,000 question."

"Do I want the lasting memory for kids in a state championship game to be at a high school stadium?" he said. "And what if I'm the parent of a kid in the game, and I can't get in the game?"

[/I][/I]

B]Link for entire story:[/B]http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/highschools/topstories/stories/120605dnspohsticketssports.427b0d17.html
I think they need to play in big stadiums, but the small one's are OK with me as long as they use coin flips to decide.

[UT66]

On this line, they expect to stuff about 18,000 into Tully stadium this Saturday for the Katy/SV game. Now that stadium is about a 12,000 seat stadium. They are going to open the hills in the end-zones and allow standing room all the way around the circular walks. Folks, thats a 50% over capacity expectation! Too bad Reliant Stadium wasnt available.

[bullrock]

Maybe it's time to build some play-off stadiums in the larger cities just for high school. That way we won't have to depend on "borrowing" some elses stadium. The Express News reported this morning that the "Aints" will probably be here (San Antonio) next year. That is sad. San Antonio had the perfect stadium to host the games and was always willing to. If it was available this weekend I'm sure there wouldn't be any of this crying foul stuff.

[KT2000]

Grass fields are crap this time of year, and that factors into the decision. I wouldn't want to play at Reliant right now with the condition that field is probably in. Texan skid marks everywhere. DKR is a possibility, but haven't hosted as many games since they moved to the "prescription turf". Kyle is also grass.

Basically, I think these decisions ultimately come down to what the players and coaches are comfortable with and they are #1. The fans matter too of course, but so does the competitive aspect.

[KatyTigerDad0407]

COACHES- They don't have a problem with the current system. They can pick nuetral(best thing to do, given the stakes) or flip(lose the flip;now we have a problem)

PLAYERS- Most are very loyal to their coaches

PARENTS- Buddy; don't get between a parent and their kid! Every parent wants all to see just how special their kid is. Not a top prioity for coaches. Coaches want to win; players are loyal to coaches

STUDENTS- currents students have lots of friends participating in the production(team,band,trainers,video,cheer,drill team)want to go and be supportive. Not a top priority for coaches. Coaches want to win; players are loyal to coaches.

ALUMNI- Past coaches, players, students, faculty- always want to support the alma-mater. Not a top priority for coaches. Coaches want to win; players are loyal to coaches.

FANS- speaking from my own expirience; I have driven hundreds of miles to see a game that I in no way have any connection. WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT THAT. That's what I do as a fan.

I think the RINGS and the TITLE are always the priority for the coaches and the players. Really; that is not so incomprehensible is it?

[LUFPAN]

[QUOTE=GoDragons]50792.41 in reply to 50792.10
"Do I want the lasting memory for kids in a state championship game to be at a high school stadium?" he said. "And what if I'm the parent of a kid in the game, and I can't get in the game?"
QUOTE]

I think a better question is, Do I want the lasting memory for kids in a state championship game to be that we won a state title in a high school stadium or lost it at professional stadium?

When a neutral site can not be agreed upon you flip for home and home. There's not a coach anywhere that wouldn't chose their home site for a play-off game if given the opprotunity. Home field does bring an advantage. Is it the coach's job to ensure that all people can fit into the stadium or is it his job to win games?

I suspect that we would not be hearing all this crying if Southlake had won the toss. Not because the game would have been in a larger stadium but because Texas Stadium is Southlake's home. Big cities schools feel that it is acceptable for smaller towns to drive 3+ hours to every play-off game. Its a problem they don't have to worry about because they have either college or professional stadiums nearby. Small town teams are perfectly content to play in our small town stadiums and make somebody else doing the driving for a change. We've been coming to big town back yards for years, now its time for the big town teams to travel.

Do we really feel that we should leave it up to the UIL to make "good" decisions for the football teams? Don't they already do enough damage with the authority that they do have? This portion of the article is the most frightening of all.

[KatyTigerDad0407]

Do we really feel that we should leave it up to the UIL to make "good" decisions for the football teams? Don't they already do enough damage with the authority that they do have? This portion of the article is the most frightening of all.
That is one hell of a quote there.

The guide lines are in place. It is part of the game.

[slcsportsfan]

This type of thread is really getting old!!!!!!!

Let's go through this one more time...

If a neutral site can not be agreed upon by the coaches then UIL says it goes to a flip between the coaches. Each coach designates which stadium it will use as home.

FOR ALL THE SLC FANS STILL UPSET, GET OVER IT. WE FLIPPED, WE LOST. SEE YOU IN LOVELY NACOGDOCHES.

[stangsfan]

It is a shame. I went to the Carroll vs. Plano game this past weekend.
Announcer said there was 34,000+ in attendance.

(Now I'm pretty sure some of those were fans for the next game.)

A 15,000 seat stadium just seems to be a tad on the small size.

I know I'm haveing second thoughts about attending the game.

I went to the Judson vs. Westfield game at the 10,000 seat Farris stadium on FM1604 in the back yard of Converse and there were less than 5,000 according to the SA paper. I was surprised by the poor turn out!

[c-lisle]

The best atmosphere of the year will be at SFA this weekend as long as they don't limit the number of people they let in the game. It will be very similar maybe even better than last year's LP/Lview game. This will be the best semi game by far IMO.

[JC73]

What it really boils down to for the UIL is money. They have total control over basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, track, etc. They make a killing off these other sports because they control who gets in for free, how much tickets cost, venue contracts, etc. Imagine how much money could be brought in by hosting a central site for state championship games and then not allowing anybody to get in free such as the coaches wives, coaches from other schools, or any faculty or staff from the participating schools. The TV contract alone would be huge. The UIL stands to make a lot more money than they do now by taking the percentage of the gate off the top that they get. It does not surprise me that someone from the UIL would take this opportunity to state a case for taking over this process from the schools involved.

[stangsfan]

It does not surprise me that someone from the UIL would take this opportunity to state a case for taking over this process from the schools involved.

They really don't even need to state their case. They only need to say; "UIL had decided to host all playoff games at ___ Stadium or Stadiums". Unfortunately, I think they have all power in this fight unless your school chooses not to participate in a UIL sanctioned event.

[TXfbfan]

On this line, they expect to stuff about 18,000 into Tully stadium this Saturday for the Katy/SV game. Now that stadium is about a 12,000 seat stadium. They are going to open the hills in the end-zones and allow standing room all the way around the circular walks. Folks, thats a 50% over capacity expectation! Too bad Reliant Stadium wasnt available.

Even if reliant was open id rather play at tully, It will be cold, hopefully rainy and jam pact to capacity, with fans that no how big this games going to be, its what makes the playoffs great.

[dragonfootballfan]

I suspect that we would not be hearing all this crying if Southlake had won the toss. Not because the game would have been in a larger stadium but because Texas Stadium is Southlake's home. Big cities schools feel that it is acceptable for smaller towns to drive 3+ hours to every play-off game. Its a problem they don't have to worry about because they have either college or professional stadiums nearby. Small town teams are perfectly content to play in our small town stadiums and make somebody else doing the driving for a change. We've been coming to big town back yards for years, now its time for the big town teams to travel.

If you don't want to travel then move to a town that is near a big stadium. Big games need to be in big stadiums.

[eingedikid]

I think part of the charm of the present system is that we DON'T know where it will all end (ie, where the Final will be held) until just the week before---all we do know is that someone will have an appointment with destiny at high noon (as per TV) on a given date. It makes for more excitement, I think. Secondly, there are plenty of college stadiums around that can hold 20000 at least, which is still maybe on the small side but at least it ensures that the venue is well filled in with color instead of empty seats as is the case for the really large stadiums. What I like about even the larger college stadiums such as Baylor and Rice; etc, is that it better helps to re-focus everyone on the fact that the endeavor is an education-related one---not just some "sports and entertainment profit center," and furthermore the TV doesn't end up showing some backdrop that has an ad for beer or cigarettes or something.

[LoneRocket]

Grass fields are crap this time of year, and that factors into the decision. I wouldn't want to play at Reliant right now with the condition that field is probably in. Texan skid marks everywhere. DKR is a possibility, but haven't hosted as many games since they moved to the "prescription turf". Kyle is also grass.

Basically, I think these decisions ultimately come down to what the players and coaches are comfortable with and they are #1. The fans matter too of course, but so does the competitive aspect.
DKR has a policy that they won't allow use of the stadium when UT is still "playing" not at home, but playing. Exception was when a recruit like Cedrick B was playing they let Lee and Westlake play. The WL coach said in the paper the field was in bad shape this time of time year and they would not allow them to use the locker room and some of their stuff was stolen.
Traveling and not knowing where you are playing next is just a part of the high school experience.

[LongviewLobo209]

The best atmosphere of the year will be at SFA this weekend as long as they don't limit the number of people they let in the game. It will be very similar maybe even better than last year's LP/Lview game. This will be the best semi game by far IMO.


Thats true. People who are griping about this need to get over it. If they dont limit the tickets there will probably be over 25,000 people. However, 10,000 will be on the grass most likely. I believe that this game will have the best atmosphere.

[SLCDad]

Big games need to be in big stadiums.I agree with that.

[dragonfootballfan]

The sixman Championship is going to be held in a stadium that is only 500 seats smaller than a 5A state semifinal game and a few thousand seats bigger than a 5A championship game. Does anybody else see anything wrong with this?

[LUFPAN]

If you don't want to travel then move to a town that is near a big stadium. Big games need to be in big stadiums.

I live in the Metroplex. I have enough big stadiums around me thanks. Big games do not need to be played in big stadiums. They need to be played on a field that is 100yds long period.....

[Pineywoodsrooter]

The sixman Championship is going to be held in a stadium that is only 500 seats smaller than a 5A state semifinal game and a few thousand seats bigger than a 5A championship game. Does anybody else see anything wrong with this?

How about you and the rest of the people crying about the stadium just dont come to the game. So we have more tickets.

[c-lisle]

I agree with that.


I promise most of ytou SLC fans will leave the game(win or lose) saying that the atmosphere was awesome and you would play there again. I guess if you don't like a packed house then you might not like it though. It seems some SLC fans don't like the idea of leaving the metroplex to play ball. We have running water, heat/ac, and all other amenities y'all enjoy in the big city. What's the problem?

[dragonfootballfan]

How about you and the rest of the people crying about the stadium just dont come to the game. So we have more tickets.
so you feel as long as people don't come to the game the six man championship should have a stadium that is bigger than a 5A championship game?

[dragonfootballfan]

I promise most of ytou SLC fans will leave the game(win or lose) saying that the atmosphere was awesome and you would play there again. I guess if you don't like a packed house then you might not like it though. It seems some SLC fans don't like the idea of leaving the metroplex to play ball. We have running water, heat/ac, and all other amenities y'all enjoy in the big city. What's the problem?
The fans could care less about the location of the stadium, they just want the stadium to be big enough to hold all of the fans. 15,500 seats is not big enough

[Pineywoodsrooter]

so you feel as long as people don't come to the game the six man championship should have a stadium that is bigger than a 5A championship game?

No im i am just tired of most of yall *****ing and moaning about the stadium. I am sure you are used to getting your way no matter what but guess what you aint getting your way this time. So just quit crying.

[TrojanHorse03]

Thats true. People who are griping about this need to get over it. If they dont limit the tickets there will probably be over 25,000 people. However, 10,000 will be on the grass most likely. I believe that this game will have the best atmosphere.

Not if ur the one on the grass, lol.

[dragonfootballfan]

No im i am just tired of most of yall *****ing and moaning about the stadium. I am sure you are used to getting your way no matter what but guess what you aint getting your way this time. So just quit crying.
I am not crying. Answer the question. Do you think it is right for the six man championship to be played at a bigger stadium than the 5A championship?

[Pineywoodsrooter]

Yes i do we won the flip

[PurpleNation]

I am not crying. Answer the question. Do you think it is right for the six man championship to be played at a bigger stadium than the 5A championship?


Have you ever been to SFA's stadium. It can hold over 30,000 if you completely used all the grass. Just look at the Lufkin vs Longview 2004 game there. Coach Mac told me they quit counting tickets at 23,000 so that Lufkin and View woudnt brake the record and after that they estimated around 5 to 6 thousand they let in for standing room only. So I would say we had a good 28,000 there with more room. Trust me nobody will be turned away.

[dragonfootballfan]

Yes i do we won the flip
so when in a position of power the right thing to do is not care about anybody else, just yourself?

[SLC Dragon Fan]

so when in a position of power the right thing to do is not care about anybody else, just yourself?

That's why they flip the coin. They won the flip so they get their choice. That's how it works. When was the last time you won a coin flip over something and considered giving something back to the person you lost to? We lost so get over it.

[dragonfootballfan]

That's why they flip the coin. They won the flip so they get their choice. That's how it works. When was the last time you won a coin flip over something and considered giving something back to the person you lost to? We lost so get over it.
They flip a coin to choose a stadium. They did not have to be considerate and they weren't. That is the point I am trying to make. I don't think any rules were broken or that they had to choose a different venue. I am just saying that their choice in stadium showed their true colors.

[SLC Dragon Fan]

They flip a coin to choose a stadium. They did not have to be considerate and they weren't. That is the point I am trying to make. I don't think any rules were broken or that they had to choose a different venue. I am just saying that their choice in stadium showed their true colors.

Your'e hopeless. You give the rest of us Dragon fans a bad reputation. Get over it!

[dragonfootballfan]

Your'e hopeless. You give the rest of us Dragon fans a bad reputation. Get over it!
can you please explain why.

[SLC Dragon Fan]

can you please explain why.

If you have to ask, you're even more clueless than I thought

[dragonfootballfan]

If you have to ask, you're even more clueless than I thought
you say I am hopeless, which by the way is against forum rules, and then fail to provide examples when asked. Please tell me why I am helpless and then tell me why you do not feel that Lufkin was selfish in their choice of stadium.

[lufkin_82]

why does everyone have to complain about the stadiums??!!! at this point in the season you should be happy your team is still playing. has it sunk in to anyone else that in d2 there are four teams left... FOUR and in d1 there is 2. at this point in the year you should be happy to have a team to watch. every other 5a school in the state except for these 6 left overall is playing basketball and in offseason. doesnt make sitting in an "unfit" stadium seem so bad now does it? i dont think yall know how many people wish that they were still talking about their teams chances THIS YEAR, not how good they may be next year. so shutup and play/watch some football, no matter where it is

[AZTiger]

take it from a non SLC fan....you're making your entire fan base look like a bunch of crybabies, which for the most part I know yall aren't.

"whaaaaaa Lufkin won the flip and picked a small stadium they showed their true colors they're classless, whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa"

Please, for the Love of God....stop, do it for the children.

[Big Daddy Cool]

not allowing anybody to get in free such as the coaches wives, coaches from other schools, or any faculty or staff from the participating schools.

None of those people should be allowed to get in free. They should buy a ticket just like the rest of us have to.

[pack98]

i am in Sandiego and cant come to the game so i am going to be tuned up to the radio unless someone wants to get me a ticket i will sit on top of the light pole and watch this game. just ge me a plane ticket. rain,Sleet,Snow,Windy or whatever mother nature can throw at us. stadium big,Small super big, super small will show up and watch the game get some popcorn at the half and a coke and wach the last half and hope my team wins the game and if not then well there is always next year. GOT TO LOVE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.

one not we are blessed to have stadiums there are schools out here in Socal that dont have tracks and if they do it is dirt there stadiums sit 1,000 small and check this out some dont even have lights so they play on Saturday afternoon. and we are compaling about SFA. GIVE ME A BREAK PEOPLE.

But all CIF Schools in the Southern California area play there games at Qualcome for the State championship or sectional sense california does not have a true state champion.

GO PANTHERS

[dragons08]

god just shut up, we cant do anything about it, so deal wiht it