SEC Tourney Venue

[@1RBFjr]

It ends in 2024—same year SEC’s contract with Hoover ends.

No weather issues, but seeing all the empty seats for the Big 12 tournament is painful.

And surely the SEC would never sell the tournament to the highest bidder!

 

[taylorvol]

No weather issues, but seeing all the empty seats for the Big 12 tournament is painful.

And surely the SEC would never sell the tournament to the highest bidder!

I’d prefer they keep it in Hoover Vs a cavernous MLB stadium. College football has been moving way too many games to NFL Stadiums which is a big mistake IMO. I enjoyed my brief time there this week.

 

[txbo]

No weather issues, but seeing all the empty seats for the Big 12 tournament is painful.

And surely the SEC would never sell the tournament to the highest bidder!

My daughter used to produce the B12 tourney in OKC when she worked for the Dodgers. I’m biased but it was a great event. Never should have been moved.

 

[txbo]

I’d prefer they keep it in Hoover Vs a cavernous MLB stadium. College football has been moving way too many games to NFL Stadiums which is a big mistake IMO. I enjoyed my brief time there this week.

Nothing beats football on campus.
Minor league parks are the perfect size to create the right atmosphere for conference tournaments.

 

[drylo]

Let me say why it works from a player's point of view. They have a great hotel setup right next to the mall. All the top 8 teams get to stay in the same hotel which allows them to see each other and build relationships that will surpass their college years. They actually had a game competition in the gameroom on Monday night with various teams facing off, impromptu, in air hockey, basketball shootout, and other games. Before anyone says it these guys have the ability to turn it on and off between the lines and outside the lines. The police escort from hotel to stadium and back is pretty epic to watch and be a part of. Plenty of food for the players to walk to. Some of you think they have team meals but that is not the case. They give them money to go eat where they want most of the time. The only time there are team meals is when they are riding but right after games on the road or late at night at motels. Any other time they give them money for meals.
For fans. Easy in and out of complex. Plenty of parking. Reasonable food. Great options. Good views from all seats. Plenty of seating.
The only drawback is see is it is in Alabama and field is huge. But it does prepare them for Omaha.

I agree with you entirely… and Hoover is an excellent fan experience too. But the bolded is a pretty big drawback

Here’s my proposed solution — we keep the baseball tourney in Hoover, but move the SEC office to Knoxville It’s about time for that anyway.

 

[vols1071]

Attended my first SEC tourney yesterday and Hoover Met was great for me... Simple stadium layout with little wait at concessions... Parking is as easy as any place I've been. Super fan friendly venue and the traffic in and out was fairly quick. If it ain't broke don't fix it.. I give it a thumbs up. Only thing that could have made it better was the Big Orange playing

 

[Volstylexx]

 

[GOBO-Baseball02]

I've been to a few now at Hoover. I'd think upgrading the field (exception mound) to turf would be a good move.

 

[nashvillepanther]

Speaking of venues, more SEC stadium renovations are coming out this month. The arms race is incredible to witness.

I have a distinct feeling that the top 10 SEC baseball stadiums in 2035 will be better than 99% of minor league stadiums.