That's a tremendous failure on OSU's part. Why would you not want to make a deal to make certain that the State Track Meet was at Ohio State? For the prestige of the university and great recruiting/exposure for your track program.
Cutting the cost, or even it costing the university money is well worth not having the meet there at all.
I'd say 4 sites.
I can see most of the sport tournaments that are traditionally held at OSU leaving because of the price tag.
Kent State, Akron, Miami of Ohio, Bowling Green, and Ashland all have tracks that are separate from their football stadiums. I know earlier in the year there was a thread looking for 9 lane tracks around the state. From that thread I know that St. Mary's, Findlay, and Mehock Field all are large enough tracks.Not a fan of multiple sites. It's nice seeing at least one other Division compete. Do any other colleges have stadiums with Tracks in them?
What is the outdoor track at Spire like? I have only seen it looking out from inside the indoor facility but it looked nice. Is there enough seating? I know it is in a remote location but there have to be alternatives to a $100k fee.
There are a lot of high school tracks and facilities that could host. I saw the Pickerington regional a few years ago and they even have a second track next to the stadium that can be used for warm-up.
Could Ohio Wesleyan handle a meet that size. Parking and other nuances would be the concern. The track itself seems fine.
I'm sure there are many doable options if everyone searches hard enough.
I believe Spire is 9 lanes. It is a beautiful facility, but the Southwest contingency would have every right to complain about the location. I know that no matter what happens some one will not be happy. Ohio Wesleyan has enough seating at 9,100 compared to 10,000 at Jesse Owens. The major problem at Ohio Wesleyan would be parking and it only being an 8 lane track . Not a lot of parking near the stadium if I remember correctly.What is the outdoor track at Spire like? I have only seen it looking out from inside the indoor facility but it looked nice. Is there enough seating? I know it is in a remote location but there have to be alternatives to a $100k fee.
There are a lot of high school tracks and facilities that could host. I saw the Pickerington regional a few years ago and they even have a second track next to the stadium that can be used for warm-up.
Could Ohio Wesleyan handle a meet that size. Parking and other nuances would be the concern. The track itself seems fine.
I'm sure there are many doable options if everyone searches hard enough.
I believe Spire is 9 lanes. It is a beautiful facility, but the Southwest contingency would have every right to complain about the location. I know that no matter what happens some one will not be happy. Ohio Wesleyan has enough seating at 9,100 compared to 10,000 at Jesse Owens. The major problem at Ohio Wesleyan would be parking and it only being an 8 lane track . Not a lot of parking near the stadium if I remember correctly.
I understand the SW complaints but like you said there really is no perfect situation for everyone. I was in E/SE Ohio and had to travel all over for district & regional. It was an inconvenience but had no effect in my opinion on our performances.
When I was at OWU for juniors years ago I got the same impression as you, that parking would be an issue for a state meet. I see 9 lanes as a bonus they should take if available but not a deal breaker in finding an appropriate facility. I love that athletes in the finals are not guaranteed scoring without beating someone but could live without it if needed.
To be honest, I think the majority of schools would go for 4 divisions rather than keeping the 2 extra at large bids if it can’t work. I like the at large bid option but the 4 divisions should be the top priority and outweighs it. Also it’s only been in effect for two years.
The profit and fairness of 4 divisions drastically outweighs the need for 2 extra athletes in a prelim of a meet.
I know the OATCCC would love to keep the state meet at OSU. It is OSU that really doesn't want it with the price that they charge.It would be a real shame if the state meet was moved away from Ohio State, and especially so if each Division competes at a different venue. Would just feel like any old weekend invitational. Our kids look forward to traveling to OSU each year, taking a photo with the Jesse Owens statue, touring the campus, and watching the other divisions. Our state meet is special and hopefully the OATCCC is fighting to preserve it.
I agree with this the 4th division would make the division better. I do really like the at large bids because we all know that not all regions are created equal and it allows an athlete in a region that is loaded in an event an opportunity to show what they can do at state. It also helps some in races where a kid makes it to state in multiple events and then chooses what events they are competing in when they get to the meet.To be honest, I think the majority of schools would go for 4 divisions rather than keeping the 2 extra at large bids if it can’t work. I like the at large bid option but the 4 divisions should be the top priority and outweighs it. Also it’s only been in effect for two years.
The profit and fairness of 4 divisions drastically outweighs the need for 2 extra athletes in a prelim of a meet.
Not a fan of that. Part of the strategy to score the most points or to have your competition score fewer points is to take that spot away from a competitor. They had their chance to qualify the week before.If they go to an 8 man track or stay with at large on 9 lane track I would like to see they give a scratch window open until like Tuesday for someone to opt out of an event and the 5th place or next fast time can then take that spot. So if a distance guy qualifies in both 1600 and 3200 but know he is only running 3200 let the next runner up take the spot in 1600.
I would say your price range would a nice above average facility. The school I coach at just put in a new all weather track from limestone and that bill was $750,000-1,000,000 range with minimum dirt work. I do know that bleachers are a HUGE expense. Lighting is in the million dollar range for MUSCO.Ohio has over a hundred Universities. I can't believe not one has a Track and Field facility that can hold the state meet besides OSU.
How much could it cost to build a facility from scratch? $15-$20 million. Should have added that to the new Crew stadium and we would be set.
I understand what you are saying and if in the chance it would be a team that you think your would be competing against don't scratch your runner that early. I am just thinking of giving more kids the opportunity to compete at the state meet.$50,000=$100,000 would go a long way to making another venue very special. I do agree that it would be much better to keep it a meet that has all the Divisions in one place. The larger the crowds the better.
Not a fan of that. Part of the strategy to score the most points or to have your competition score fewer points is to take that spot away from a competitor. They had their chance to qualify the week before.