September 9, 2005
Sugar Bowl officials prepare to move game
Officials from the BCS, SEC, and the Sugar Bowl will meet to discuss relocation options for the Sugar Bowl. With the New Orleans Superdome out (and possibly subject to demolition), several cities have emerged as potential hosts for the annual bowl game.
Among the possible relocation sites are Jacksonville's Alltel Stadium (home to the Gator Bowl), San Antonio's Alamodome (home to the Alamo Bowl), Houston's Reliant Stadium (home to the Houston Bowl), Atlanta's Georgia Dome (home to the Peach Bowl), and Baton Rouge's LSU Stadium.
"It's obvious the Superdome won't be ready for anything in the long-term," said Charles Bloom, associate commissioner for the SEC, the host conference for the Sugar Bowl in the years when it does not host the BCS Championship game. "Even if it was, there are hotel and transportation issues that won't be solved by Jan. 2. But there is a contract with the BCS and ABC for the game to be played, and it will be played somewhere."
San Antonio and Houston may be the early leaders in the relo race, as both Atlanta & Jacksonville host game immediately prior to the Sugar Bowl. With the Peach & Gator bowls just before the Sugar, it's unlikely that the teams & fans would have sufficient accommodations. There is also some concern that the traditional bowl festivities would be diminished if two games were being played back-to-back.
No word yet on possible relocation for the New Orleans Bowl, however, Shreveport's Independence Bowl has put forth an offer to serve as the relocated host the first bowl game of the season.
Comments:
CumberlandAve said:
posted on September 9, 2005 4:30 PM — 24.215.202.246 — link — abuse?
Hey guys,
I think Baton Rouge would be a good temporary site for the Sugar Bowl. You've got a built-in fan base for the game already there and it would help boost the local economy.
The other sites already have bowl games. I don't think we need two bowl games in Houston, San Antonio and the other cities in the span of a month or so.
Having the Sugar Bowl in Baton Rouge in Jan. 2006 would also facilitate the return to New Orleans when that city is ready to host the Sugar Bowl.
posted on September 9, 2005 7:12 PM — 208.54.14.33 — link — abuse?Josh Crockett said:
CumberlandAve: yeah, but an outdoor game in Louisiana in January? Not sure I'd go for that for a BCS-level game. Plus Baton Rouge is likely to still have a hotel/housing shortage. I doubt there'll be room for over 50K traveling fans there, even in January.
Put me down for Houston (1), San Antonio (2). Atlanta might be able to handle the double crowd for Peach/Sugar (especially since the Peach is on New Year's Eve), but Jacksonville wouldn't be able to.
Mark L said:
posted on September 10, 2005 4:11 AM — 24.1.46.154 — link — abuse?
Sentimental favorite: Baton Rouge. Keep it in Louisiana.
Practical favorite: Houston. You've got good air transport and a stadium/dome for 70,000 fans. Plus, slightly sentimental nod since Houston has been helping so many evacuees.
posted on September 10, 2005 10:01 AM — link — abuse?
Of the 2 coldest bowl games I've been to, 1 was in the state of Louisiana in late December - the '85 (or was it '86) Independence in Shreveport. The other was the '79 Peach at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium.
posted on September 12, 2005 11:45 PM — link — abuse?
Who wants to go to St. Louis in late December-early January?
posted on September 13, 2005 9:17 AM — 168.166.54.11 — link — abuse?
Jeff, who wants to go to Detroit in February for the Super Bowl??? Maybe not many, but I bet they'll go in huge numbers. St. Louis would be the same. Unless you try stuff the Sugar Bowl into a city that already has post-Christmas bowl (creating logistical problems aplenty), what else can you do?
There aren't many appealing southern cities with the facilities to host a BCS bowl that don't already have a post-Christmas game.
Hayden Brooks said:
posted on November 23, 2005 4:45 PM — 152.163.100.139 — link — abuse?
I think that every college football fan would most likely like the Sugar Bowl to be hosted at Morgantown, West Virginia, home of the Mountaineers.The southeren states are horrible bowl host cities. No offense i love the south, but for once they should give the north a chance.
GO MOUNTAINEERS!!!!!!!!!!
Please note that all comments are subject to the Fanblogs Comment Policy.
realist said:
posted on September 9, 2005 12:20 PM — 169.200.204.16 — link — abuse?Atlanta would be the most logical since UGA will be playing in the Sugar this year (unless Texas loses) ;)