CUSA folks will whine that it's in Birmingham again, but logistics dictate that selection with the current setup. Sure if the strength of CUSA shifts or the membership shifts or the format of the tournament changes, a change of venue is likely needed.
I'm not against trying other locations, I just think league officials know that's an even bigger gamble than continuing the tournament in Birmingham.
Advantage or not, the host school should have the time slot of their choosing. I would say the same thing even if the tournament were held elsewhere. Fans may question the "fairness" of that philosophy but at this stage it's a financial decision for CUSA. Do they want to create perhaps a more fair environment or do they want the best crowds for TV and bottom $ line that they can achieve? Low attendance obviously produces lower ticket sales revenue but also decreases interest/offers from TV and sponsors.
Its easy, fairness. All the rest is another excuse from the Southside.
ODU fans seem the most butthurt over the selection. Louisiana Tech fans are surprisingly quiet. Are they still in CUSA?
(05-26-2016 10:28 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]ODU fans seem the most butthurt over the selection. Louisiana Tech fans are surprisingly quiet. Are they still in CUSA?
Well, I would hope we would be the most butthurt. The tournament (once again) is nowhere even close to our fanbase, and that's extremely unfortunate.
Objectively, I think Birmingham is probably the best spot for the conference, but going to Alabama is an absolute disaster for ODU fans that aren't retired. At the absolute maximum, we'll have 750 there in blue and silver. Put it in Charlotte and ODU can probably get 3,500-4,500 fans. Put it in Norfolk and we'll have the Ted's/Scope's capacity (~8,500).
Regardless, ODU can't bid on the tourney (Scope is being used by the MEAC) unless the women's and men's tournaments are divided. Look forward to seeing if ODU can win it all next year!
(05-26-2016 12:47 PM)Murray007 Wrote: [ -> ] (05-26-2016 10:28 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]ODU fans seem the most butthurt over the selection. Louisiana Tech fans are surprisingly quiet. Are they still in CUSA?
Well, I would hope we would be the most butthurt. The tournament (once again) is nowhere even close to our fanbase, and that's extremely unfortunate.
Objectively, I think Birmingham is probably the best spot for the conference, but going to Alabama is an absolute disaster for ODU fans that aren't retired. At the absolute maximum, we'll have 750 there in blue and silver. Put it in Charlotte and ODU can probably get 3,500-4,500 fans. Put it in Norfolk and we'll have the Ted's/Scope's capacity (~8,500).
Regardless, ODU can't bid on the tourney (Scope is being used by the MEAC) unless the women's and men's tournaments are divided. Look forward to seeing if ODU can win it all next year!
I'm guessing that the C-USA decision makers were at least somewhat pleased by the number of fans of other than UAB schools who made the trip to B'ham last year. Perhaps those eastern seaboard cities did not put their money where their mouth was, so they got left out. Maybe they will improve their offers next year.
If C-USA adds GSU, I would expect Atlanta to be a regular host city in our rotation, especially after the completion of their new MPF in 2017 or 2018. Atlanta might even bid for the C-USA BB and/or FB championship games regardless of GSU's status with its new venue coming into existence..
(05-26-2016 12:47 PM)Murray007 Wrote: [ -> ] (05-26-2016 10:28 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]ODU fans seem the most butthurt over the selection. Louisiana Tech fans are surprisingly quiet. Are they still in CUSA?
Well, I would hope we would be the most butthurt. The tournament (once again) is nowhere even close to our fanbase, and that's extremely unfortunate.
Objectively, I think Birmingham is probably the best spot for the conference, but going to Alabama is an absolute disaster for ODU fans that aren't retired. At the absolute maximum, we'll have 750 there in blue and silver. Put it in Charlotte and ODU can probably get 3,500-4,500 fans. Put it in Norfolk and we'll have the Ted's/Scope's capacity (~8,500).
Regardless, ODU can't bid on the tourney (Scope is being used by the MEAC) unless the women's and men's tournaments are divided. Look forward to seeing if ODU can win it all next year!
I drove all night from Birmingham to a Sun Belt Tournament hosted by Old Dominion and VCU at Hampton Roads, Virginia in the 1980's. Made the decision to go about two hours before I left. Arrived 30 minutes before tip and had a blast.
Where there is a will, there is a way. You don't have to be retired, just a little crazy.
(05-26-2016 02:27 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote: [ -> ]I'm guessing that the C-USA decision makers were at least somewhat pleased by the number of fans of other than UAB schools who made the trip to B'ham last year. Perhaps those eastern seaboard cities did not put their money where their mouth was, so they got left out. Maybe they will improve their offers next year.
If C-USA adds GSU, I would expect Atlanta to be a regular host city in our rotation, especially after the completion of their new MPF in 2017 or 2018. Atlanta might even bid for the C-USA BB and/or FB championship games regardless of GSU's status with its new venue coming into existence..
Yeah, I think Birmingham is a good location for most of the centrally placed schools. USM, WKU, MTSU, UAB (obviously), LA Tech, even Marshall and Charlotte are decently close and can bring at least 1,000 fans. The only two eastern cities I can see biding for the tournament are Charlotte and Norfolk, and while I don't know why Charlotte won't bid, Norfolk has a venue problem.
I'm hopeful C-USA will not expand, but if GSU gets an invite then I can see Atlanta becoming a good tournament location. Anyway, it all depends on the $$$ and B'Ham is obviously bringing that to the table. Only downside: really far location for most ODU fans, but hey that's C-USA for ya!
(05-26-2016 03:12 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]I drove all night from Birmingham to a Sun Belt Tournament hosted by Old Dominion and VCU at Hampton Roads, Virginia in the 1980's. Made the decision to go about two hours before I left. Arrived 30 minutes before tip and had a blast.
Where there is a will, there is a way. You don't have to be retired, just a little crazy.
Bet it was a heck of a trip! Sadly, I don't see the average ODU fan doing that simply because of the distance. The ODU fans, including myself, on the message boards? Probably a better chance of an all-nighter.
(05-28-2016 02:09 AM)Murray007 Wrote: [ -> ] (05-26-2016 02:27 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote: [ -> ]I'm guessing that the C-USA decision makers were at least somewhat pleased by the number of fans of other than UAB schools who made the trip to B'ham last year. Perhaps those eastern seaboard cities did not put their money where their mouth was, so they got left out. Maybe they will improve their offers next year.
If C-USA adds GSU, I would expect Atlanta to be a regular host city in our rotation, especially after the completion of their new MPF in 2017 or 2018. Atlanta might even bid for the C-USA BB and/or FB championship games regardless of GSU's status with its new venue coming into existence..
Yeah, I think Birmingham is a good location for most of the centrally placed schools. USM, WKU, MTSU, UAB (obviously), LA Tech, even Marshall and Charlotte are decently close and can bring at least 1,000 fans. The only two eastern cities I can see biding for the tournament are Charlotte and Norfolk, and while I don't know why Charlotte won't bid, Norfolk has a venue problem.
I'm hopeful C-USA will not expand, but if GSU gets an invite then I can see Atlanta becoming a good tournament location. Anyway, it all depends on the $$$ and B'Ham is obviously bringing that to the table. Only downside: really far location for most ODU fans, but hey that's C-USA for ya!
Considering the unrest currently at UTEP, it's almost certain the regular season and tournament champ will come East of Texas. Like I said in the article Birmingham provides a drivable location for many of the better traveling fan bases. I will say ODU is the real loser here. It's too far to drive for ODU fans like you said. They would be there by the thousands if it was closer. I'm a big supporter for Atlanta. It's a one way flight for just about everyone and it's a little more doable of a drive for Monarch fans.