We've discussed in the past on this board the possibility of having Canton as a possible location for the MACC.

Let me suggest having the "MAC Kickoff Classic" there instead.

Canton is a less than ideal MACC location because weather in early December can be well, you know. But that isn't so much an issue in late August/early September.

Because of the uneven schedules, there is typically an early scheduled conference game (or games) in the first couple of weeks. This can be featured, preferably that opening weekend or Labor day weekend, as the "MAC Kickoff Classic" at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium.

The MAC can work with the Pro Football Hall of Fame to showcase one of the MAC's great distinguishing attributes, its great football history as a conference. Only the Big Ten and SEC have longer running tenures as football conferences.

Perfect sized stadium to provide a great football atmosphere, check out the game, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, tailgating, live music, BBQ.

Fawcett Stadium
Capacity: 22,364


#MACtion

Proposed logo of MAC Kickoff Classic:

(03-24-2014 07:39 PM)TARDledo Wrote:  NIU has been successful with its Soldier Field games. But that's because there are so many Big Ten options with large alumni numbers in Chicago. Perhaps the New York Bulls can pull something off in Giants stadium. There has to be many Big Ten/ACC schools with large alumni groups in the NYC metro. How many UB alumni are in the NY Metro area?

There are roughly 36,000 UB alumni in the NY Metro area. Rutgers, of course, has a massive alumni count. Syracuse is strong as well with 57,000. The counts for other big-time programs aren't really spectacular for the metro area, though Notre Dame and Penn St have significant 'subway alums' who prop up local ratings.

Canton is most convenient to Akron and Kent, of course, but its also a place where OhioU and Buffalo or Bowling Green and Buffalo could play not far off halfway between. Its a longer drive from Oxford, of course, and nothing convenient to many Eastern teams will be convenient to UMass, but it seems like fairly natural if the MAC wanted to do an early season Eastern division match-up.

But thinking of it in those terms, I'm not sure I can think of any similar location for the Western division.

There's still the home game issue ... it would have to be planned well in advance to make sure that a school can take a neutral site game into account in its scheduling.

(03-24-2014 07:59 PM)TARDledo Wrote:  We've discussed in the past on this board the possibility of having Canton as a possible location for the MACC.

Let me suggest having the "MAC Kickoff Classic" there instead.

Canton is a less than ideal MACC location because weather in early December can be well, you know. But that isn't so much an issue in late August/early September.

Because of the uneven schedules, there is typically an early scheduled conference game (or games) in the first couple of weeks. This can be featured, preferably that opening weekend or Labor day weekend, as the "MAC Kickoff Classic" at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium.

The MAC can work with the Pro Football Hall of Fame to showcase one of the MAC's great distinguishing attributes, its great football history as a conference. Only the Big Ten and SEC have longer running tenures as football conferences.

Perfect sized stadium to provide a great football atmosphere, check out the game, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, tailgating, live music, BBQ.

Fawcett Stadium
Capacity: 22,364


#MACtion

I like it...

Have 4-5 games over 2 days and make it a festival which also involves the NFL HOF.

Best October option would be to have it over Columbus day weekend when more out of town/state families with kids are more likely to make the trip because of no school on Monday.

(03-25-2014 09:53 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I like it...

Have 4-5 games over 2 days and make it a festival which also involves the NFL HOF.

Best October option would be to have it over Columbus day weekend when more out of town/state families with kids are more likely to make the trip because of no school on Monday.

Have a smallish band do a pregame concert in the lot (like UB does) and then have another big concert in the stadium after the second day?

(03-25-2014 12:46 AM)RecoveringHillbilly Wrote:  

(03-24-2014 07:39 PM)TARDledo Wrote:  NIU has been successful with its Soldier Field games. But that's because there are so many Big Ten options with large alumni numbers in Chicago. Perhaps the New York Bulls can pull something off in Giants stadium. There has to be many Big Ten/ACC schools with large alumni groups in the NYC metro. How many UB alumni are in the NY Metro area?

There are roughly 36,000 UB alumni in the NY Metro area. Rutgers, of course, has a massive alumni count. Syracuse is strong as well with 57,000. The counts for other big-time programs aren't really spectacular for the metro area, though Notre Dame and Penn St have significant 'subway alums' who prop up local ratings.

Wow. Got to admit, that's lower than I thought. Both the UB numbers and the other alumni groups.

This would have been easier to get the Big Ten to agree to before they added Rutgers. Maybe Notre Dame or UNC, judging by those numbers. Penn State and Michigan look like good candidates from the Big Ten.

Notre Dame should not have an issue with playing THE State University of NEW YORK (and AAU member) in NYC Metro. Seems like they like to throw out the "peer" elitism crap but that's be nothing but an excuse against NY-Buffalo.

(03-25-2014 10:24 AM)Bull_In_Exile Wrote:  

(03-25-2014 09:53 AM)HuskieJohn Wrote:  I like it...

Have 4-5 games over 2 days and make it a festival which also involves the NFL HOF.

Best October option would be to have it over Columbus day weekend when more out of town/state families with kids are more likely to make the trip because of no school on Monday.

Have a smallish band do a pregame concert in the lot (like UB does) and then have another big concert in the stadium after the second day?

Well, that would be another way to go with this idea. I wasn't thinking a multi-day/multi-game event, just a single game with maybe the MAC holding ceremonies for MAC Hall of Fame inductees and/or Cradle of Coaches inductees.

The West division teams shouldn't have any issues with this as it would just be a "road" conference game for them. The bigger issue may be with the East division team that would have to count the game as a "home" conference game. Although, that shouldn't be that big of a deal for Akron/Kent. Also, in years when/if two West teams are matched up the team designated the "home" team may take issue with it.

As an example, if this was to happen this year, the Ohio vs Kent State game on Saturday, Aug. 30 would be designated as the...

"MAC Kickoff Classic at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium"

For the one-off game, a three year trial might be reasonable, for which it might just be the three closest schools hosting in turn, with sufficient notice for each school to take it into account when scheduling.

Save the multi-game extravaganza until we see how the basic neutral site game at the Fawcett works.

It's hard to imagine Akron agreeing to play a home game in Canton where they would have to pay to rent the facilities when they have a better facility 25 miles away that they are in serious debt to pay off.

Id assume the "home team" would garner the profits.

I dont think Akron or Kent St would be too thrilled in Fawcett Stadium---- whats the difference between their stadiums.

Im actually liking this for the MAC championship. I know it could potenitally be super cold, but 15000 looks better in a 22000 seat stadium than 15000 in a 50000 seat stadium.

Just my two cents. Add in one of the Ohio schools in the East- BG, Akron, Kent, Ohio could potentially help offset smaller numbers from the west (Western, Central, NIU) or Buffalo, UMASS.

(03-25-2014 02:43 PM)rocketinchitown Wrote:  Id assume the "home team" would garner the profits.

I dont think Akron or Kent St would be too thrilled in Fawcett Stadium---- whats the difference between their stadiums.

Im actually liking this for the MAC championship. I know it could potenitally be super cold, but 15000 looks better in a 22000 seat stadium than 15000 in a 50000 seat stadium.

Just my two cents. Add in one of the Ohio schools in the East- BG, Akron, Kent, Ohio could potentially help offset smaller numbers from the west (Western, Central, NIU) or Buffalo, UMASS.

the gray cup had a huge tailgate party and concert before kickoff, it was ausome, lot of people. I would love to have something like that prior to MACC.

(03-26-2014 07:12 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  

(03-25-2014 02:43 PM)rocketinchitown Wrote:  Id assume the "home team" would garner the profits.

I dont think Akron or Kent St would be too thrilled in Fawcett Stadium---- whats the difference between their stadiums.

Im actually liking this for the MAC championship. I know it could potenitally be super cold, but 15000 looks better in a 22000 seat stadium than 15000 in a 50000 seat stadium.

Just my two cents. Add in one of the Ohio schools in the East- BG, Akron, Kent, Ohio could potentially help offset smaller numbers from the west (Western, Central, NIU) or Buffalo, UMASS.

the gray cup had a huge tailgate party and concert before kickoff, it was ausome, lot of people. I would love to have something like that prior to MACC.

It's been a very popular thing at UB games...

(03-25-2014 02:43 PM)rocketinchitown Wrote:  Id assume the "home team" would garner the profits.

If there is a home team. If its a neutral site game, then either games would have to be mirrored so both teams given up one home game and one away game, or else it would have to be an OOC opponent, eg, Pitt.

I've been a little sour on neutral-site games ever since we played (and got killed by) Kentucky at Paul Brown Stadium in 2009. It made us move our schedule around, resulting in us losing an Oxford home game against UK, Colorado, Mizzou, and Boise State, while also being forced to play CU in basketball for no money and BSU on the road in football. Those games can work, but it needs to be planned well and have a little luck on its side. The MAC isn't able to pull off something like the Cowboys Classic in Arlington.

(03-26-2014 09:40 AM)Love and Honor Wrote:  I've been a little sour on neutral-site games ever since we played (and got killed by) Kentucky at Paul Brown Stadium in 2009. It made us move our schedule around, resulting in us losing an Oxford home game against UK, Colorado, Mizzou, and Boise State, while also being forced to play CU in basketball for no money and BSU on the road in football. Those games can work, but it needs to be planned well and have a little luck on its side. The MAC isn't able to pull off something like the Cowboys Classic in Arlington.

the schools that host the espn games should make it more of an event ala what buffalo seems to be doing. Open the stadium up early have a concert or in the tailgate lot, would get more locals i bet to show up and help the attendance for the weeknight games. get some decent bands i there and it really could make maction special.
CMU and Soaring Eagle could collaborate on the music end, the casino is getting some good names in lately

(03-26-2014 09:58 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  

(03-26-2014 09:40 AM)Love and Honor Wrote:  I've been a little sour on neutral-site games ever since we played (and got killed by) Kentucky at Paul Brown Stadium in 2009. It made us move our schedule around, resulting in us losing an Oxford home game against UK, Colorado, Mizzou, and Boise State, while also being forced to play CU in basketball for no money and BSU on the road in football. Those games can work, but it needs to be planned well and have a little luck on its side. The MAC isn't able to pull off something like the Cowboys Classic in Arlington.

the schools that host the espn games should make it more of an event ala what buffalo seems to be doing. Open the stadium up early have a concert or in the tailgate lot, would get more locals i bet to show up and help the attendance for the weeknight games. get some decent bands i there and it really could make maction special.
CMU and Soaring Eagle could collaborate on the music end, the casino is getting some good names in lately

Good points. I've long held the belief that shifting Miami games to a party-like atmosphere would spark student interest and boost attendance in the short run. If our teams end up winning again (which in reality is the only way to put butts in the seats long-term) then we can keep the students there.

Detroit advertises the MAC well because Wright State, Detroit, and Oakland are the only premier universities around the city. Of course State and UM fans are everywhere, but the city itself doesn't have an overwhelming presence by any one school. EMU signs are all over, as well as Toledo. Heck we had the left field bullpen for the Tigers!

(03-25-2014 12:46 AM)RecoveringHillbilly Wrote:  

(03-24-2014 07:39 PM)TARDledo Wrote:  NIU has been successful with its Soldier Field games. But that's because there are so many Big Ten options with large alumni numbers in Chicago. Perhaps the New York Bulls can pull something off in Giants stadium. There has to be many Big Ten/ACC schools with large alumni groups in the NYC metro. How many UB alumni are in the NY Metro area?

There are roughly 36,000 UB alumni in the NY Metro area. Rutgers, of course, has a massive alumni count. Syracuse is strong as well with 57,000. The counts for other big-time programs aren't really spectacular for the metro area, though Notre Dame and Penn St have significant 'subway alums' who prop up local ratings.

Wow, great find. I've wondered about those numbers. I figured PSU, Mich and ZSU had strong bases, but those were weaker than I guessed.

I was surprised that U$C and Stanfraud were so high.

That preseason opening game between the Giants and Bills looked pretty good on TV.

(03-24-2014 07:59 PM)TARDledo Wrote:  We've discussed in the past on this board the possibility of having Canton as a possible location for the MACC.

Let me suggest having the "MAC Kickoff Classic" there instead.

Canton is a less than ideal MACC location because weather in early December can be well, you know. But that isn't so much an issue in late August/early September.

Because of the uneven schedules, there is typically an early scheduled conference game (or games) in the first couple of weeks. This can be featured, preferably that opening weekend or Labor day weekend, as the "MAC Kickoff Classic" at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium.

The MAC can work with the Pro Football Hall of Fame to showcase one of the MAC's great distinguishing attributes, its great football history as a conference. Only the Big Ten and SEC have longer running tenures as football conferences.

Perfect sized stadium to provide a great football atmosphere, check out the game, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, tailgating, live music, BBQ.

Fawcett Stadium
Capacity: 22,364


#MACtion

(03-25-2014 12:35 PM)TARDledo Wrote:  Well, that would be another way to go with this idea. I wasn't thinking a multi-day/multi-game event, just a single game with maybe the MAC holding ceremonies for MAC Hall of Fame inductees and/or Cradle of Coaches inductees.

The West division teams shouldn't have any issues with this as it would just be a "road" conference game for them. The bigger issue may be with the East division team that would have to count the game as a "home" conference game. Although, that shouldn't be that big of a deal for Akron/Kent. Also, in years when/if two West teams are matched up the team designated the "home" team may take issue with it.

As an example, if this was to happen this year, the Ohio vs Kent State game on Saturday, Aug. 30 would be designated as the...

"MAC Kickoff Classic at Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium"