tom_hsfootball_fan
Well-known member
The first state title game I ever attended was the first state title game, way back before most of you were born. In tournament history, I've been to about 200 title games in all. I've been to every location they were ever held in, in all.kinds of weather. I've met people from hundreds of schools... players, coaches, administrators, parents and fans.
For most, there are a few issues that, later, are seen to be meaningless. The primary one is distance. In the end, most I've talked to see it as a minor inconvenience and really don't care... except in combination with the time of the game. It can result in an overnight stay which some object to.
The REAL issues for most all have to with convenience AT THE LOCATION... parking, gates, vending, bathrooms. And, by extension, restaurants, etc. They are the SAME issues people deal with at a home game. However, the NUMBER ONE issue is ease of access / traffic. That is why having the games in Ckeveland or Cincinnati or Columbus is near impossible. Friday afternoon is no time to be dumping an additional several thousand cars onto the streets and highways around the Shoe. It's been discussed ad nauseam and is considered a real safety problem.
Everyone wants the games near their hometown. What we should be focusing on is what location offers the best experience for the players, coaches and fans. I loved it when I lived in Canton and could walk to Fawcett. But, I wondered if things like the lousy parking made the place less than the ideal. Now that the HOF Village is finally being realized, it's hard to make an argument against Benson, though I have long moved away.
This discussion began when the playoffs began. And, it will go on until the OHSAA builds a sports facility of its own in the geographic center of the state. But, if you only go to the finals when your school is in it, you should drop out of the conversation.
For most, there are a few issues that, later, are seen to be meaningless. The primary one is distance. In the end, most I've talked to see it as a minor inconvenience and really don't care... except in combination with the time of the game. It can result in an overnight stay which some object to.
The REAL issues for most all have to with convenience AT THE LOCATION... parking, gates, vending, bathrooms. And, by extension, restaurants, etc. They are the SAME issues people deal with at a home game. However, the NUMBER ONE issue is ease of access / traffic. That is why having the games in Ckeveland or Cincinnati or Columbus is near impossible. Friday afternoon is no time to be dumping an additional several thousand cars onto the streets and highways around the Shoe. It's been discussed ad nauseam and is considered a real safety problem.
Everyone wants the games near their hometown. What we should be focusing on is what location offers the best experience for the players, coaches and fans. I loved it when I lived in Canton and could walk to Fawcett. But, I wondered if things like the lousy parking made the place less than the ideal. Now that the HOF Village is finally being realized, it's hard to make an argument against Benson, though I have long moved away.
This discussion began when the playoffs began. And, it will go on until the OHSAA builds a sports facility of its own in the geographic center of the state. But, if you only go to the finals when your school is in it, you should drop out of the conversation.
. Maybe, you should not opine on recycled topics.
