SEC Championship in BHM?

[Blazer85]

CUSA has a unique setup. Our championship game will be played in the stadium of the team with the best overall record (between the East Division Champ and West Division Champ).

Birmingham I think is, no matter how you break it up, statistically the center of the SEC ... hence the reason the SEC HQs are here and the reason the SEC CG began here. From what I've heard, the SEC office doesnt too much care whether ATL has more to do than BHM. It has more to do with BHM's centrality and the fact that the conference offices are here. They may indeed keep it in ATL, but the rumor is that the SEC basketball and/or football championship games will be moved to BHM when/if the BJCC Dome is built.

 

[Freak]

Originally posted by GatorVille@Jul 30, 2005 7:09 PM
You cant do that OldVol.

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Why?

I agree that it should not be in Atlanta EVERY year.

 

[GatorVille]

Its like the super bowl, theres a lot of advertising, money, so on and so forth, as well as other conf. that would love to play their CG game in atl ( ala the acc), you just cant have the game bounce around from city to city

 

[volbrian]

I believe the SECCG should be rotated, to every stadium in the conference that can seat 75,000 or more. Let the teams battle the field, the weather or anything else that happens to come along on any given football Saturday.

 

[la.lovesorange]

When was the last time we won a game in Atlanta?? I think it should rotate to different places every year. We seem to be stuck in a rut and maybe playing somewhere else might help!!!!

I love Birmingham! I stay there on my way to Tennessee everytime I go. If the stadium would be big enough, I wouldnt mind it being played there once and a while. I still think it should rotate though.

 

[BeltwayVol]

Last win in ATL was the 98' National Championship season.

 

[GvHm6]

Originally posted by Blazer85@Jul 30, 2005 9:24 PM
Birmingham I think is, no matter how you break it up, statistically the center of the SEC...

I don't know that I understand 'statistical center'. Maybe you could explain what you mean by that.

Where is the geographic center of the conference?


Atlanta is fine by me. I wouldn't mind Nashville, the Titans Stadium would be a good change of scenery. It's outdoors (said not a Dome) and Nashville is quite capable of handling the event. Nashville has plenty of extra curricular entertainment as well.

I don't like the idea of moving it from venue to venue ala the SuperBowl, with the CG being played at a various conference stadiums. Maybe playing it, like previously mentioned, at the home of the team with the best record could work. Hypotheticaly, having FLA and LSU play the game in Lexington just doesn't make sense. IMHO - YMMV

 

[Blazer85]

Originally posted by GvHm6@Aug 1, 2005 10:01 AM
I don't know that I understand 'statistical center'. Maybe you could explain what you mean by that.

Where is the geographic center of the conference?
Atlanta is fine by me. I wouldn't mind Nashville, the Titans Stadium would be a good change of scenery. It's outdoors (said not a Dome) and Nashville is quite capable of handling the event. Nashville has plenty of extra curricular entertainment as well.

I don't like the idea of moving it from venue to venue ala the SuperBowl, with the CG being played at a various conference stadiums. Maybe playing it, like previously mentioned, at the home of the team with the best record could work. Hypotheticaly, having FLA and LSU play the game in Lexington just doesn't make sense. IMHO - YMMV

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Statistically, the center = geographic center

 

[GvHm6]

Originally posted by Blazer85@Aug 1, 2005 11:05 AM
Statistically, the center = geographic center

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Ahh, OK.

I thought that by saying, "no matter how you break it up, statistically.." you had other data that you were throwing into consideration (such as population, school attendance or fan base records of some sort).

 

[Blazer85]

Originally posted by GvHm6@Aug 1, 2005 10:15 AM
Ahh, OK.

I thought that by saying, "no matter how you break it up, statistically.." you had other data that you were throwing into consideration (such as population, school attendance or fan base records of some sort).

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Oh... no, I was just basing it on mileage from Birmingham to the various institutions of the SEC.

 

[GatorVille]

For those that dont know, the ACC would LOVE to have their CCG in ATL, its almost a perfect place for them. However, the SEC flip flopping locations would probably not be allowed by the NCAA, and the ACC would want in the ATL if it wasnt being used for the SECCG. I cant see the hSECCG flip flopping locations, but if B-ham did open, I could see it making a permenant home there.

 

[Blazer85]

Originally posted by GatorVille@Aug 1, 2005 10:31 AM
For those that dont know, the ACC would LOVE to have their CCG in ATL, its almost a perfect place for them.  However, the SEC flip flopping locations would probably not be allowed by the NCAA, and the ACC would want in the ATL if it wasnt being used for the SECCG.  I cant see the hSECCG flip flopping locations, but if B-ham did open, I could see it making a permenant home there.

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Exactly... that's actually what is expected to happen when/if the SEC moves the game back to BHM.

 

[kiddiedoc]

The biggest problem with a proposed move to Birmingham IMO is that many people around the country (myself included) try to avoid having to cross into the Alabama state lines if at all possible. Atlanta is a great "central" location -- with tons to do, great places to stay and eat, and a huge airport. Nashville would be "fine with me," but I won't claim that it should get the game over Hot-Lanta.

Oh, and unless the proposed Westin is going to be 250 stories tall, I doubt it would hold all the out-of-towners.

 

[Blazer85]

Originally posted by kiddiedoc@Aug 1, 2005 11:42 AM
The biggest problem with a proposed move to Birmingham IMO is that many people around the country (myself included) try to avoid having to cross into the Alabama state lines if at all possible.  Atlanta is a great "central" location -- with tons to do, great places to stay and eat, and a huge airport.  Nashville would be "fine with me," but I won't claim that it should get the game over Hot-Lanta.

Oh, and unless the proposed Westin is going to be 250 stories tall, I doubt it would hold all the out-of-towners.

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Right around the BJCC, we have the 18-story Sheraton already and we have proposals for a 25-story Westin and 2 other 30-story hotels all within a few blocks of the area. Birmingham's culinary scene in particular is quite underrated. Many of you would be surprised to know that one of the Top 5 restaurants in America is in Birmingham (0 of the Top 5 in Atlanta)... and we have one of the Top 10 bars in the World (0 of the Top 10 in Atlanta).

 

[GatorVille]

1 restaurant and 1 bar wont get you the SECCG.

 

[Blazer85]

Originally posted by GatorVille@Aug 1, 2005 2:47 PM
1 restaurant and 1 bar wont get you the SECCG.

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You dont seem to get it. They wont be asking the fans. I'm just asking you guys what you think. Rumor is that theyre fairly likely to move it if the dome is built (irregardless of which city has more to offer). And Birmingham doesnt have just 1 bar and 1 restaurant... but we have 1 bar and 1 restaurant that are highly acclaimed (unlike Atlanta).

 

[la.lovesorange]

Originally posted by BeltwayVol@Aug 1, 2005 9:55 AM
Last win in ATL was the 98' National Championship season.

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I know. I was stating the fact that we keep going and LOOSING!!!!! Just thought maybe if we got to play somewhere else maybe it could break the "curse"!!! :thumbsup:

 

[GAVol]

Originally posted by Blazer85@Aug 1, 2005 4:56 PM
You dont seem to get it.  They wont be asking the fans.  I'm just asking you guys what you think.  Rumor is that theyre fairly likely to move it if the dome is built (irregardless of which city has more to offer).  And Birmingham doesnt have just 1 bar and 1 restaurant... but we have 1 bar and 1 restaurant that are highly acclaimed (unlike Atlanta).

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That's a heck of a gamble for Birmingham to take isn't it? Building a dome without a pro sports franchise or even a college team to fill it up on a regular basis?

 

[Blazer85]

Originally posted by GAVol@Aug 1, 2005 8:21 PM
That's a heck of a gamble for Birmingham to take isn't it?  Building a dome without a pro sports franchise or even a college team to fill it up on a regular basis?

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Some do say that, but Birmingham needs the added convention space as well. We've had to even turn away large conventions that people have wanted to have here for lack of space and nearby hotel units. And it would be used for things like: UAB, SWAC Championship, SWAC/MEAC Challenge, Magic City Classic, State High School Playoffs, NCAA basketball regional games, potentially a college bowl game, etc etc

 

[kiddiedoc]

Not picking a fight, but comparing the culture of Birmingham and Atlanta makes you look just a tad silly. OK, so there's a distinguished French restaurant that could serve maybe a couple of hundred diners one night an expensive, gourmet, 5-star meal. JUST what my buddies and I try to hit right after an SEC championship win.

Having experienced both the dining AND nightlife in Hot-Lanta a number of times, I don't think it's much of a stretch to say that the Peaches win. Hands down. Unless, of course, your highly-acclaimed bar offers a Gallion dunking-pool game.

For reference (and to put things in perspective), the DiRoNA award has been awarded to 21 Atlanta restaurants, compared to 2 in B'ham. DiRoNA

Again, one more problem with Birmingham: it's in Alabama.

 

[GAVol]

I understand what you are saying Doc. I kind of laughed when I saw the point about restaurants and sports bars. I really don't want to knock Birmingham either because it is a nice enough place, but I still haven't seen a compelling reason to move the game.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Heh heh heh. :naughty:

 

[Blazer85]

Well again... the SEC offices wont be taking a poll as I am. They'll act unilaterally and are expected to do so if BHM builds the dome. No one ever said there's MORE in BHM than in ATL, but there's certainly MUCH more to do in BHM than the general public is aware of.

 

[GAVol]

What kind of timetable is Birmingham looking at? I assume it will be publicly financed (Don't get me started on that).

 

[Blazer85]

Originally posted by GAVol@Aug 2, 2005 7:45 PM
What kind of timetable is Birmingham looking at?  I assume it will be publicly financed (Don't get me started on that).

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Well... that's the debate and hangup. The public voted and rejected the proposal, but there are many trying to do things behind the scenes that will use a hotel tax among other things to help finance the project (much like ATL did with the GA Dome). Also, the Jefferson Co. Commission, City of Birmingham, and BJCC will all be contributing money to help make it happen. Frank Haney (from Tennessee) is one of the guys proposing a 30-story hotel near the dome. As far as a timetable, I dont really know, but it will likely be a little while. Construction of the dome itself would take about 18-24months, but construction has not yet begun, so you're looking at a good while from now if it happens at all.