June 27, 2007
VaTech lands first ESPN GameDay of 2007
Get ready Hokie fans, ESPN College GameDay is coming to Blacksburg for the September 1st matchup against East Carolina.
"Virginia Tech is a special place and the community is one of the most respectful and passionate we have visited," said Norby Williamson, ESPN's executive vice president of production. "Our coverage will be considerate of the emotional day facing the students, faculty, and people of Blacksburg and the country."Virginia Tech football head coach Frank Beamer added, "Every time College GameDay has come to Blacksburg it has been exciting. This time, I think there will be a greater togetherness than ever before."
"As we embark on a new academic year and football season, we are very pleased that College GameDay will join us on campus for our season opener," said Virginia Tech Director of Athletics Jim Weaver.
Earlier reports by Scout.com and Cal Bears fans proved to be just wishful thinking.
The 2007 season-opener will be the GameDay crew's sixth visit to Virginia Tech.
Comments:
c-dogg said:
posted on June 27, 2007 10:26 PM — 76.188.144.228 — link — abuse?
I so much want to pat ESPN on the back for this....but I can't. I think they are exploiting the tragedy for profit. I have a suggestion ESPN.......take 80% of the revenues from your commercial sponsors and donate it to the official VT memorial fund. Other than that, those ESPN executives can go to.....well you know.
I had a chance to lock down one of the domain names for the VT tragedy. My conscious wouldn't allow me to do it.
Pete said:
posted on June 27, 2007 10:33 PM — 74.130.13.223 — link — abuse?
I find myself agreeing with c-dogg. (I should lie down)
Not only that, but UT/Cal is a much better match-up AND they'll have the LSU/VT game the week after that, which might be one of the best OOC games of the entire season. Sure, it won't be in Blacksburg, but I'm quite certain that wouldn't stop them from milking it for all it's worth.
NastyNate said:
posted on June 27, 2007 11:26 PM — 216.220.216.158 — link — abuse?
They need to be at Cal vs. Tenn. This is a college football show not a soap opra. They are suppose to be at the best games and this isn't one. I understand what happend at Va Tech and there reason for doing this. But I think this will only add more attention to the school negatively as far as bringing the issue back up. I think ESPN is using the situation to profit from instead of doing what they are suppose to do in bring the best gameday experience that weekend. Va Tech and ECU, c'mon man.
The Mayor said:
posted on June 28, 2007 1:15 AM — 24.7.49.173 — link — abuse?
Fanblogs crew,
If you like c-dogg's idea, log onto www.espn.com and make your support known. I entered my thoughts as goducks (somebody grabbed The Mayor blog name already). Just click on the Colege Football section and the VT headline.
I'd love to see this happen and for c-dogg to get a little love on this one...
shiguy said:
posted on June 28, 2007 8:32 AM — 64.9.12.234 — link — abuse?
i agree with you C-dogg this is nothing more than publicity to be gained from having Gameday at VT. they're only playing east carolina which isn't a bad school but is in no way shape or form the equivalent of a miami or florida st. game furthermore i think it's horse crap that they're getting Gameday for that game. When is the last time that a BE team got Gameday? none that i can think of recently. the BE doesn't even get gameday for any of it's big games. though probably due to the thursday night schedulings.
NittanyNation said:
posted on June 28, 2007 9:38 AM — 63.144.43.98 — link — abuse?
I'm a huge Hokie fan (along with Penn State of course)! My brother went to Tech and my sister went to Easy U. Excuse me, I mean ECU. I almost feel sorry for ECU. Who the hell am I kiddin! Go Hokies!
WE ARE...PENN STATE
Hokie Hokie Hi Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech V.P.IDoug said:
posted on June 28, 2007 9:39 AM — 169.200.185.24 — link — abuse?
I only read college football message boards because of my love for the game. Some of the above comments have really hurt me. I have a child and I would give my life right now for her. I can not understand how people such as Kyle Petty go on with life after losing his son. Why don't you go to the parents of the 32 people that lost their lives and tell them that ESPN chose the wrong game!
Regan said:
posted on June 28, 2007 11:42 AM — 192.24.243.21 — link — abuse?
c-dogg (#3):
The Mayor (#7-#8):Right On. I didn't even think about that either. I don't believe on face value that ESPN is trying to exploit the VT tragedy; I think they are actually doing it for a 'good cause'. They probably just don't mind making a little cash on the side.
In any case, c-dogg's got it right - have them work it out to have the profits go to the VT Fund so they can put their money where their mouths are.
I'll go to ESPN.com too. If they are exploiting this, Kev will get 'em...
c-dogg said:
posted on June 28, 2007 11:48 AM — 76.188.144.228 — link — abuse?
@#11. Hey Doug.... I never said ESPN chose the wrong game, just the wrong motives. ESPN needs to give $10,000 memorial scholarships in the name of each victim. The slain faculty members' scholarships would be used at V.Tech and the slain student's scholarship $$ would be used for a high school senior from their Alma Mater.
shiguy said:
posted on June 28, 2007 12:38 PM — 64.9.12.234 — link — abuse?
Doug i'm glad you have a child that you care so much about but what people are saying are not attacking VT but more ESPN for simply hoping on a enticing publicity stunt in a game that doesn't even have that much importance in the grand scheme of things. if they really wanted to show support they would announce that they would be there for the miami or the florida st. game durring weeks that they could be at other big games. it's just the whole way it was presented as just a half ass "we're showing support too see!!"
TrojanHorse said:
posted on June 28, 2007 2:33 PM — 72.17.131.194 — link — abuse?
Doug I also have two little boys and the last thing I would want in the event of a tragedy like that is some conglomerate like ABC, Inc making a ton of money of my sons (or anyone elses) death like this... again, capatalism at its finest
AU03 said:
posted on June 28, 2007 4:18 PM — 205.255.224.10 — link — abuse?
Mayor, C-Dogg, I agree with you- at least as far as Gameday should be looking for the best game of the week to attend (Cal-Tenn, most likely), but if you think about who owns ESPN (Mickey Mouse), it's hardly surprising.
On the other hand, it may have pissed some people off if they DIDN'T open the season at Blacksburg, either.
gatorstud said:
posted on June 28, 2007 4:39 PM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
wow..i can't believe the reaction you all have..you guys are crucifying espn for trying to do something good....i don't remember seeing any post on here, when the VT tradgedy went on, about the news coverage that was happening there....reporters sticking their cameras and microphones in peoples faces while they were still trying to deal w. it......and yet no-one on here said anything about that......but when espn tries to do something good.....you all are quick to judge.....i just can't believe that espn is banking on this game....that would just be pathetic.....i could care less what other "BIG" games are on....i would glady give up gameday coming to a fla-tenn game in order to do a va. tech game.....
it seems to me that there are people who are quick to judge without really knowing what is going on.....
guilty until proven innocent is what i am seeing here......
so until i hear about espn doing bad things..i will continue to support this game.......
go gators....AND HOKIESAU03 said:
posted on June 28, 2007 4:52 PM — 205.255.224.10 — link — abuse?
Gatorstud, I think that may have something to do with the facts that (A)ESPN is a sports channel, not a news channel,(B)for the most part Gameday tries to go to the best (or at least, one of the best)games every week- and VA Tech v. East Carolina doesn't even come close to being that, and (C)the reporters you mention were in Blacksburg as the events were unfolding (as it was their job), not 5-6 (or however many) months after the fact.
c-dogg said:
posted on June 28, 2007 4:59 PM — 76.188.144.228 — link — abuse?
Hey Gatorstud (#16),
Did ESPN simultaneously announce any plans for donating money to a VT Memorial fund when they announced the game? I'm sure they will after they see this thread. Trust me.....someone from ESPN goes on fanblogs.
Crucify them! :o)
posted on June 28, 2007 6:19 PM — 64.12.116.77 — link — abuse?War Eagle Atlanta said:
We all know why they're opening up the season in Blacksburg, but don't you think they could honor the university more by deciding to come during another game, a game that has some implications? East Carolina means nothing to the Hokie's schedule.
If I was a VT alum, I don't know that I would want them there for that reason, anyway. College Game Day is about football. Why try to intermix the two? What point is served? Yes, it was a horrible tragedy, but let's move on. Sure, the team may draw some strength from the tragedy, but do we need to turn it into one big sob-fest for all of college football?
gatordstud said:
posted on June 28, 2007 6:24 PM — 71.120.36.19 — link — abuse?
c-dogg......c'mon...do you actually think that espn made a rash judgement and didn't think about the implications....were talking about the "tiger woods" of sports broadcasting....i just can't believe that they would do something like that just to make a buck.....of course by showing the game on tv..money will be made...but to imply that they are doing it JUST to make money....ridiculous.....
let me ask you this...if they were to go to blacksburg in the middle of the season and do their "heartfelt gameday".....would you still feel the same way......the first weekend of college football is special...and to have gameday there is even better......so i will still pat espn on the back for what they are doing......
i hope the details of this arrangement come out so we all can see what truly inspires espn........
sports....or money.....
go gators.....and hokies
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on June 28, 2007 6:52 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
For those of you attempting to contact ESPN... try this link...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?page=contact/espntv
VOLPIMP said:
posted on June 28, 2007 7:15 PM — 208.0.27.10 — link — abuse?
It's a respect thing guys, come on. No offense, but there would be a bigger audience for Tenn/Cal than Va Tech/East Carolina, I hate ESPN as much as anyone, but if they hadn't chosen Va Tech some of you same guys would have said they were insensitive for NOT being there. ESPN isn't hurting for money last I heard, and having the Three Stooges at that game will have little bearing on the number of people watching it, matter of fact it will probably hurt the audience if everyone feels the way I do about them. They are gonna get paid no matter where Gameday goes. My feelings are that the campus is ready to get past this, not keep reliving it. Now if the morons turn it into a 5 channel fiasco like they did last year for FSU/Miami then I will agree 100% that it's a $$$$ ploy.
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on June 28, 2007 7:16 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
Look, this is pretty simple:
ESPN's job is to draw viewers to each of their broadcast. They ARE intentionally using the shooting as a way of increasing their ratings and number of people to tune in. Weather they are trying to have a tribute to the victims and VT or some other approach, it's all meant to draw in viewers. Now, I personally don't think they are maliciously trying to exploit the shooting tragedy, but, they ARE exploiting it in attempting to have a tribute - several months later none-the-less.
Take the shooting tragedy out of the equation for a moment, lets look at the game it's self.
From a football perspective, VT vs East Carolina is a joke of a game. The match up isn't even close to being "College GameDay worthy" in and of it's self. In fact, there are SEVERAL more "College GameDay worthy" games that weekend: Georgia Tech at Notre Dame, Wake Forest at Boston College, Oklahoma State at Georgia, Kansas State at Auburn, Tennessee at California, or even Florida State at Clemson on the special Labor Day weekend game.
Yet, they chose East Carolina at Va Tech and it certainly wasn't from a football perspective.
Even if it's a tribute to VT in some way, it's still exploiting the tragedy that happened several months ago, to bring in more viewers.
The Mayor said:
posted on June 28, 2007 7:45 PM — 24.7.49.173 — link — abuse?
I for one thing it is an admirable thing to do and will give ESPN the benefit of the doubt.
This campus could use a lift when the new school year starts.
Sure there are better games but I can't think of one campus that would benefit more by hosting College Game Day.
Interesting that one man's tribute is another man's exploitation with this group.
c-dogg said:
posted on June 28, 2007 7:50 PM — 76.188.144.228 — link — abuse?
gatorstud(#21),
I certainly respect your thoughts on this. Would I feel the same if College gameday went to VT in midseason?......no. Why? because I truly believe that they would be choosing the best matchup on the schedule for that week. Let's say Miami vs. V.Tech....winner goes to ACC championship game. But EAST CAROLINA????? c'mon Gatorstud. They should be ashamed of themselves. Just my opinion.
By the way....ESPN is the Tiger Woods of sports broadcasting because of RATINGS. The smoked CNN's sports show so bad that Fred Hickman jumped off that Titanic and went to ESPN. Vince Chillini (spelling?) is now commentator on the golf channel! Yes this is about ratings.
TrojanHorse said:
posted on June 28, 2007 9:14 PM — 72.17.131.194 — link — abuse?
this game would not be on ESPN Game days list of possible sites for this particular week.. if it were not for the shootings
matter of fact, I'll bet my check it is not on the top 25 games they would consider if not for the shootings..
this is pure greed from increased viewership.. its a calculated decision based on increasing ratings pure and simple
c-dogg said:
posted on June 28, 2007 9:23 PM — 76.188.144.228 — link — abuse?
The Mayor(#27),
You shouldn't be surprised that ESPN deleted your message. Thanks for making the effort to contact them though. The "big wigs' @ ESPN got your message loud & clear. Bloggers are more powerful than people realize. We'll see what decision they come up with. If they donate big $$, they won't give us credit for it. They will say that they already planned to donate. ;o)
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on June 28, 2007 11:25 PM — 68.107.110.83 — link — abuse?
C-Dogg,
I'm with you. This is definitely about ratings. Sorry Gatorstud, but you have to really be turning your head from the big picture if you don't think these guys aren't scheming up ways for ratings day in and day out. They are definitely exploiting the VT tragedy, but at the same time they are providing a service that I think a lot of people want to see--that is, something good come out of VT. Give the people what they want. I guess that is their job, but if they had any decency they would pledge some donation off their earnings to a VT memorial fund.
Bobert said:
posted on June 29, 2007 1:47 AM — 68.39.114.79 — link — abuse?
Ok So i go to Virginia tech and I approve ESPN's college gameday. They are trying to send a positive message on how the school is resiliant and will bounce back and how supportive we are. Screw their profits they r truly backing us and trying to show how great we are. As Chris Fowler said he loved coming here when they first came and we truly started the fan base of gameday and every school has copied us by getting fans out sense. So in a way it has coem full circle. We got people to make ESPN Gameday what it is and now they will show how spectacular we r following such a horrific event..
Doug said:
posted on June 29, 2007 8:34 AM — 169.200.185.26 — link — abuse?
I may not be an authority on much. I grad from a highly ranked U (same favorite football team that I never tell you guys)with a finance degree and since grad. 16 years ago I have worked at the same company the 4th largest bank in the U.S.....this by no means makes me an authority on capitalism. But let me just enlighten the masses here Profit for one day doesn't change your Profit Margin for a whole fiscal year! It is 99.9% percent impossible!! IF by chance ABC/ESPN profit dramatically jumps for this fiscal year then by all means you can have the right to say "Doug I told you so" I am always man enough to admit a mistake.
Doug said:
posted on June 29, 2007 8:46 AM — 169.200.185.19 — link — abuse?
Here is the best example I can come up with on short notice. The OIL COMPANIES and the PRICE OF a GALLON OF GAS....OF course their profits doubled but quess what the demand doubled! This means their PROFIT MARGIN stays the same. XYZ Company yes may pay more for a 30 sec. commercial that certain day but when you divide the other 365 days and how much the company is willing to pay for a commercial during a girls softball game on ESPN it drags the one day profit from that day to a flat line. (a fiscal year is 366 days by the way)
Zac said:
posted on June 29, 2007 9:23 AM — 209.36.193.14 — link — abuse?
This has proven to be quite the emotional topic, and rightly so. You have the school at which a horrible tragedy took place. You have ESPN, who perhaps (I don’t really know.) seized an opportunity. You have the families of those directly involved with the tragedy. Then, you have us, and doubtless many more, talking about it. Some of us, like myself, have kids, and like myself love them a bunch. Some of us just love the game of college football. While I can imagine an ESPN employee suggesting with a good heart that the very 1st college game day of the season should be held in Blacksburg, I can also imagine another ESPN employee suggesting what a money maker that could be. It wasn’t my 1st thought, but I can imagine it. The question is, why do we do that? It seems almost every time someone offers something out-of-the-blue, people always want to know what’s the catch. We forget that age ole adage, “Never look a gift horse in the mouth.” Yeah, there will be a few more games refutably more interesting than this one. But, I don’t really see anything wrong with it. Let the nation remember VA Tech; let ESPN make their money (It is, after all, why they’re in business.); let ECU appear in the college opener for once. Who knows? They just might give Tech a scare; they’ve certainly not made things easy on my Mountaineers. Oh, and let’s hope there isn’t a thunder shower, and some van doesn’t get hit by lighting, where-by the game gets canceled. If that happens, at least we’ll all know what somebody else thinks about it. If you do nothing else, do me this favor, even if you don’t care if VA Tech ever wins a game. Remember those who’ve fallen with a prayer in your heart for their families. Thanks for listening.
posted on June 29, 2007 4:53 PM — 64.12.116.77 — link — abuse?
Doug: I'm curious if at this 4th largest bank at which you work, if they make you spell out the word 'graduate' when you type out memos. Might come in handy if you're trying to get some point across. Say something hard like economic theory.
And why are you scared to fly your colors on here? Ok everybody, let's all ask Dougie who he roots for, and promptly begin to trash them at every possible moment...
posted on June 29, 2007 7:17 PM — 70.149.165.209 — link — abuse?
So...ESPN doesn't do anything bad? How many times do we have to hear about how Michigan and Ohio State were "clearly" the best two teams in the nation last year, when neither of them were close?
Or how about how OU was "clearly" the best team "perhaps, of the century," in 2003, yet they lose to K-State, and then to LSU, only to have ESPN tell us that, "clearly, USC was the best team in the nation, this year..."
Gimme a break...ESPN's out to boost ESPN's ratings, and ABC's ratings...and that's why they pimped matchups and conferences more than others, whether it was the Big 10, USC, etc, to help make media markets turn out viewership and ratings so they could make the ducats their advertisers would pay by increased ratings.
They wagged the dog of college football from the time ABC bought them and they partnered up. I just wish the SEC would get a deal with FOX so we could shove it back down Herb, Chris, and Lee's throats for about a decade...
ESPN is a shill...nothing more...They, like much of the media in contemporary America, craft and mold the view of the story as much as they report it. They stopped simple reporting decades ago...
The real crime is that the REAL important game, VT versus LSU, won't have the exposure Game Day would bring by coming to Baton Rouge, because they'll have just been there to VT to pounce on the tradegdy and suck any remaining juice out of it for maximum advertiser dollar.
OU Fan said:
posted on June 29, 2007 8:12 PM — 84.146.13.159 — link — abuse?
TigerEducated, yes OU was almost considered the best team of the century until they went to Kansas City with their heads in their asses and got hammered, and that ass woopin obviously stayed with them all the way to the national championship game. And you are correct about the media on how they exploit anything they can. But in my opinion, you are like that in your own sort of way also. I can't recall how many post I've read from you and other LSU fans about how tough LSU will be next season, how they WILL win the national championship next season, how great Matt Flynn will be, how Matt Flynn will win the Heisman, etc, etc, but yet the season has yet to begin. To me, we all contradict ourselves in our own sort of way. SAW 'EM OFF! BOOMER SOONER!!
OU Fan said:
posted on June 29, 2007 8:22 PM — 84.146.13.159 — link — abuse?
I'd have to say my thoughts are fifty fifty on this issue. I can see where you all are coming from on how ESPN is trying to sneak in profit from this game, but I can also see how ESPN is paying their respects. The fact that Gameday is not where we would all expect them to be and that they will be at the Virginia Tech vs East Carolina game, a game that would not have been televised to me says that they are paying their respects and are honoring the University. Like I said earlier, I can see this both ways and therefore I have mixed feelings. BOOMER SOONER!!
TrojanHorse said:
posted on June 30, 2007 8:26 AM — 72.17.131.194 — link — abuse?
doug post 34; I'm not in the TV biz but I would guess that they set their ad prices (revenue) by using past ratings. Since there are only about 14 CFB weekends a year which means about 14 shows a year, a significant spike in viewership in one show can boost the ratings either for that month or season or whatever measuring unit or metric that ESPN applies to rates. hence this would be a profit enhancer for their NEXT rate setting period
hokie4life said:
posted on June 30, 2007 10:34 AM — 67.72.98.115 — link — abuse?
guys i've read every entry on this thread and respect all of your opinions. VT ECU isn't exactly the most enticing game for that weekend correct. It is though the most important game of the week because of what has happened. I live in Charlotte and travel back to the Blacksburg area regularly. Hokie Football is VT period. The students and all of Hokie Nation are waiting for this game!!! The talk of the opening game vs. ECU has been enormous. WAY WAY before ESPN announced Gameday being held there. This will be Hokie Nations way of healing. As far as the middle atlantic states go it's been a game that everybody highly anticipates. I'll speak for Hokie Nation saying this. Hokie Nation could care less if Gameday was there or not it will be a special day regardless. The last thing on our minds is the thoughts of ESPN trying to make a buck. We need this season and this game. It will be a game in the memory of the victims and a way to pull Hokie Nation even closer. It's hard if your a fan of another school to feel what we are feeling right now I understand that. Again VT could care less if they are here or in California doing Gameday. We are going to have our day Hokie Style with or without the nation watching!!! Personally I'll be there!!! Can't Wait till September LET ME HEAR YOU!!! LET"S GO HOKIES!!!
Zac said:
posted on June 30, 2007 11:38 PM — 65.31.230.72 — link — abuse?
As a Mountaineer I cry, "Hokie Hokie Hi, Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech, V.P.I!!!"
Now, bring back the Black Diamond Trophy that our teams may shout, "Yet I will try the last. Before my body I throw my warlike shield: lay on, Macduff; And damn'd be him that first cries, "Hold, enough!"
Till then, ESPN or no, ECU it is!!!
posted on July 1, 2007 9:15 PM — 70.149.165.209 — link — abuse?
Say what you want, and I fully understand my opinion may come off as callous, crass, caustic, etc...But, it still stands...
ESPN & ABC are out to make a buck, and they're simply using this tradgedy...
As for the thoughts of hokie4life...I disagree whole-heartedly...if all your school had to hang its hat on was your football program, then you haven't had much of a school since the latter part of the 90's, have you?
You're a johnny come lately on the collegiate football map, so as far as saying, "Hokie football is VT, period," I'd have to respond by saying, well, it just got that way recently. Not sure what you had to love about the school before that.
Again, I know that this post may come off as caustic, but I'm just simply trying to be objective.
Why didn't College Game Day come down to Baton Rouge after the Hurricanes? I mean...the greatest natural disaster in our nation's recorded history, and we didn't get one sniff from the folks at ABC or ESPN...
I'm just not sold on the high-minded intentions of the networks...and I know full and well I could and probably will get blasted for this post...I simply don't buy it. Nobody will watch or care about the ECU/VT game unless ECU somehow tops the Hokies...Period, end of story...
As for OU Fan and your comments about not being able to recall how many posts you've seen from me talking about how LSU WILL win the national championship and how Matt Flynn WILL win the Heisman Trophy...
I'll refresh your memory for you...The reason you can't recall how many of those posts I've made is because I haven't made them, at all...
I've always thought that I was a tad loquacious, verbose...chatty, if you will...I've never thought that I wasn't outspoken enough that people would put words in my mouth...But, on that issue, you sure as hell are.
This will be my last post on this topic, but again...I don't buy it...for a second...
BaltimoreBob said:
posted on July 2, 2007 10:54 PM — 69.250.184.124 — link — abuse?
Someone is going to have to explain to me why ESPN would expect to make a lot of money by televising a game that relatively few people will watch. At least that's what a lot of people on this blog have said. Sure, VT and ECU football fans will watch, and non-football fans with connections to VT and ECU may watch if they know about Gameday, but from a business standpoint I don't see why anyone would expect ESPN to do this to make a buck.
I think Gameday is going to Blacksburg because they have something to give that a lot of people want, and they decided to give it to the group of people that need it the most.
If ESPN does make money from it, it will be because they gave the viewers what they wanted. For me, I will watch because I want to see evidence that the hokies are recovering from the hell they have experienced.
posted on July 3, 2007 11:53 AM — 64.12.116.77 — link — abuse?
Doug: Come on, man. Don't be like that. Come on back. We didn't mean it. Try it again. We would like you to declare allegiance to someone, though, even if it is Duke football. It's more fun that way. Let's just try to talk more football rather than price elasticity of commodities and such. That's so waaaaay over most of these guys' heads. Only me, Gatorhippy, and Tiger Educated are going to know that one. And maybe Zac...
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on July 3, 2007 12:53 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
BaltimoreBob #50:
College GameDay is simply a pre-game show. It has nothing to do with how many people will watch the actual VT - ECU game. Most people watch College GameDay for the preview of other games, the picks, and to see how crazy the crowd is. Every other Saturday people watch GameDay, then change the channel to another game. In fact, most of GameDay's locations are at prime time game locations that don't start until the evening anyway.
College GameDay doesn't benefit from people watching the game that comes on after their broadcast.
Most of the time TV advertising rates come in different tiers. The cost for advertisers goes up the more viewers there are the higher the advertising rates go up.
GameDay will gain due to anticipation of more viewers tuning in to see the atmosphere at VT after the tragedy. I think a lot of people will watch simply to see how fired up they are.
ESPN will profit but if they can put on a nice tribute to VT and do a classy job of documenting how the community is healing - it's a win, win. ESPN profits and it's a nice for VT too. I don't have a problem with it being good for both parties. However, if ESPN just goes about it business as usual with no special tribute - I think that'd be disgraceful.
gatordstud said:
posted on July 3, 2007 6:31 PM — 71.120.36.19 — link — abuse?
hey tiger educated #49....you can't relate what happened during katrina with the events at VT....and if i am not mistaken...the first home game for the saints....WAS MADE OUT TO BE A BIG DEAL...maybe it wasn't the lsu tigers but at least attention was brought to the depressing situation in louisianna.....but you didn't come on here and gripe about the nfl exploiting it and making a buck...and for you to come on here and rant at hokie4life..for what he feels is right..and showing support for his school...then that shows your character...i was just in the blacksburg area visiting freinds....and that whole community , the team, the coach..they are all behind gameday and espn....the people i spoke to feel like it (the shootings) have been swept under the rug and no-one cares anymore....
and let me ask you all this....why don't we see anymore on what
happened at VT....it seems to have become erased from the media...do they (the media and the rest of the country) think that this is over and will not happen anywhere else.....if espn chooses to run stories on this for the rest of the year then so be it...as long as people don't forget why this happened.....and to keep fresh in our minds that this could have been prevented....and we need to take the steps to keep the students safe...at all levels of educationif what espn is doing in someway brings awareness and helps a educational institution stop a planned school attack....then how can you say that it was a mistake.....that it was wrong for them to be there.....
but that is the world we live in now isn't it...to think the worst of something...instead of giving it a chance.....
jmho.....
go gators....and hokies
SEMINOLE_NATION said:
posted on July 3, 2007 6:52 PM — 71.14.108.232 — link — abuse?
gatordstud #54:
I fully agree no one should be criticized for their views and opinions on such a sensitive issue. Everyone is entitled to how they feel and shouldn't be attacked for it.
I respectfully disagree with some of what you said though.
My heart and prayers have gone out and CONTINUE to go out to the victims of the shooting and the community. I've donated financially to various victims funds. Trust me, I personally given my heart and resources to the VT community following the tragedy. I mention that because what I'm about to say some people may not agree with and I don't want it to come across the wrong way.
Personally, I'm glad it's not all over the news anymore. It's been MONTHS since it happened. What good will constant news coverage be if it continued this long? Trust me, no one will forget because the following WEEKS and WEEKS the media played the same exact footage and clips over and over and over 24/7 and they burned them into our heads. The media I think covered it excessively after it happened. Let them get their lives back to normal. Media coverage MONTHS later isn't something I personally want to see and I doubt will help get things back to normal.
"...as long as people don't forget why this happened.....and to keep fresh in our minds that this could have been prevented...."
Unfortunately my friend, there's NO WAY to prevent a radical like that from carrying out his deed. If someone wants to kill a lot of people and plan it out for weeks or months, or even years - they'll most likely do the damage they're set out to do.
To VT and the community: We still care, we still remember - that will never change. I personally just don't need to have anymore media coverage to remind me of it and shove it down my throat.
posted on July 3, 2007 10:46 PM — 70.149.165.209 — link — abuse?
Of course, like I said, I knew that I would be opening myself up to criticism...I really didn't hone and craft that message to close any chinks in my usually airtight armor, and I knew that I honestly was shooting from the hip in a certain sense, as well...
I'm sorry if I've offended anyone or their sensibilities, this is merely just a point where we disagree.
ESPN, CNN, FoxNews, anyone else can do a myriad of good when it comes to this situation, but I just feel like ESPN's going to capitalize on a tradgedy by going out there.
Of course VT fans are happy they're out there...Bringing that kind of positive attention to something other than the football program, even if it's soley-and for NO other reason than-the tradgedy that occurred that had nothing to do with collegiate athletics in general and college football in specific.
How the media chooses to help is one thing...But, the media is driven by their viewers and the never ending, insatiable quest to attract more and more...
If you don't think that ESPN figured that they'd attract more by opening up GameDay there, as opposed to a legitimately big, meaningful (in terms of the show's scope, focus, and purpose) game that week, then you're simply living in an alternate state of the universe.
The bottom line is that I think ESPN's is interjecting itself into a situation not for the good of college football or VT, though it knows that by doing so, some ancillary good will be achieved, and they'll come out looking like the good guy, and a lot of good will and positive karma from the community, and perhaps across the nation in pockets will come forth as a result.
But, I think the bottom line is the dollar. Always has. Always will.
Zac said:
posted on July 4, 2007 12:16 AM — 65.31.230.72 — link — abuse?
I've got a question. Do any of you think ESPN will talk about the reaction of bloggers, such as ourselves, to their having chosen ECU vs VA Tech? Does anyone think they'll talk about us at all? Not that it matters, but I can't help being curious.
Margaret said:
posted on July 4, 2007 2:32 AM — 71.80.77.63 — link — abuse?
As a resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, and a current Virginia Tech student...I think I might be able to shed some unique perspective on the situation.
While the Cal./Tennessee game would be excellent, I'm still happy that Gameday is coming to Tech. The entire town of Knoxville thinks that ESPN has some sort of conspiracy against them....it started when Peyton didn't win the Heisman, and they felt that ESPN's coverage of their 1998 National Championship wasn't adequate.
Whatever......there's a reason I decided to pay out-of-state and go to Virginia Tech and not stay at home and go to Tennessee for free. GO HOKIES!!!
I don't think there will be any exploitation going on. ESPN has always treated Tech with respect, and we have always shown them the same. Our first football game will be very emotional, and I think it will be a good indicator to the nation that our community is STILL strong and STILL fighting. My RA died, as well as a fellow member of the band...and none of us really had time to process what happened as a student community. The shooting happened so near the end of the semester, and once classes were deemed optional....most everyone went home. This first football game will bring us back together for the first time since April 16th, and I am glad the nation will be there to support us.
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on July 5, 2007 5:46 AM — 138.163.0.43 — link — abuse?
Gatorstud:
How much money did the NFL donate to the New Orleans Saints after the grand production? How about before? Let me give you a clue- they made the New Orleans Saints. All I'm sayin as posted in #31, the least ESPN could do is donate something to a VT memorial instead of scubbing people's message boards with ideas like that from Mayor as stated in post #28. Something is wrong with that.
posted on July 5, 2007 2:27 PM — 205.188.117.75 — link — abuse?
Zac: ESPN or any other national media doesn't care one bit about what bloggers think or do. The mainstream media holds bloggers in great contempt, mostly from them being rough, un-accredited sources of information. They kind of have a point, though. I'm skeptical about anything I read in a blog, political, sports, or otherwise, unless I can verify the information myself. I hate it when I click on a story banner online, and then it goes to someone's blog. As biased as the mainstream media is, at least they do have some standards; albeit standards that are slowly withering away. Only occasionally does the momentum from a preponderance of bloggers pierce the arrogange of the media to make headlines.
Say that we got a fanblogs.com national championship going. Even if we had some buzz about us, a media giant like ESPN could dismiss us as casually as "What do they know? We're experts. They're nothing but guys sitting around in their underwear."
Well, I'll have them know that I do all my posting at work. Although I work for myself, it would be hard to do it in my underwear.
gatorstud said:
posted on July 5, 2007 3:39 PM — 69.95.111.248 — link — abuse?
seminole nation #56...i will agree w/ you on the fact that if someone wants to do harm to others...it is hard to stop it....but, the events that led up to it, the professors, counselors, and even his dormmates said that the signs were there....they were tipped off to this individuals attitude and demeanor long before it happened...he slipped through the cracks after his professors asked others to get involved........
as noles and gators...we can look back at events that happened on our university's.....in your case - ted bundy....and in floridas case - danny rollins.....those events were hard to predict because those were not students there....but in VT case..this was a student that was diagnosed by his professors as someone who needs some help....and he didn't get it.....
i don't completely disagree w/ you....we just see it a little differently......jmho....
eye of the tiger # 60....you hit the nail on the head..."How much money did the NFL donate to the New Orleans Saints"......they helped the "SAINTS" get ready for a football game....everyone talked about it when the game was coming up.....the money should of went to the city...not the stadium and the saints.....and to say that "they made the new orleans saints" is a ponderous statement...what would of happened if the saints lost that game and tanked it in for the season with a losing record...would all that money going to the "SAINTS" still be justified....HELL NO....
i just think we should all wait till the game gets here and see how it is all handled.....i am hoping that espn does it right and brings to light the need for a better system to handle the pressures of college life....
jmho....
go gators...and hokies
Eye of the Tiger said:
posted on July 6, 2007 1:23 PM — 138.163.0.37 — link — abuse?
Gatorstud:
Nothing would've happened if the Saint's would've lost that game(like that was even a possibility). All I'm sayin is if it wasn't for the NFL's contributions the Saint's wouldn't have even been in New Orleans last year. They would've been in San Antonio or LA thanks to the proud owner(yea right). That right there is a good enough gift to New Orleans. Now, not to stray too far off topic, I think a donation to the VT Memorial Fund would not be asking too much for a company that will capitalize a lot on a game that nobody would watch if not for the exploitation.
Gator Fan Eric said:
posted on July 7, 2007 4:56 AM — 138.32.80.20 — link — abuse?
I dont understand why all yall are getting so worked up about this. I think it is a good idea, and the last time I ckecked College Game Day was a warm up/ pregame show. No one is forcing you to watch the VT, ECU game, all the other games will still be on. Who cares who VT is playing, or if ESPN makes a ton of money the students and fans of VT went through some hard times this year and they deserve this. Why is everyone so worried about ESPN making money???? THIS IS NOT ABOUT ESPN IT IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE AT VIRGINA TECH.
GO GATORS!!!!
hokie4life said:
posted on July 7, 2007 11:21 PM — 67.72.98.109 — link — abuse?
#64 good post. It is not about ESPN, it's about VT which in my opinion a lot of people are jealous of. Deep down they want their school recognized on opening day. This makes total sense for ESPN to broadcast from VT. WE deserve it and noone else does period! I could care less if this game isn't as big as Cal vs. Ten or whatever the fuck other matchup is going on in the country that day. HOKIE NATION will prevail one way or another. Maybe you Hokie Haters can tune in and watch us do it Vah Tech Style. You'll find no other gameday atmosphere better than Blacksburg Virginia on opening day I would guarantee it. Hey perhaps that's why ESPN is going to attend??? Perhaps they know the atmosphere is going to be phenominal. I'm going to do my part Damn fact!!
VT HOKIES class '08 said:
posted on July 8, 2007 5:20 PM — 24.253.153.242 — link — abuse?
I go to Virginia Tech. It is a huge deal everytime College GameDay comes to Blacksburg. I think I speak for my classmates when I say that we are excited about them coming for opening day. We have a "statement" to make to the nation about the strength and unity of our university, and football games are often where we shine the brightest. The media has been exploiting the tragedy for money since the beginning, but I know on Sept. 1st I will be getting out of bed early to go to College GameDay with thousands of other SMILING Hokies.
c-dogg said:
posted on July 8, 2007 7:11 PM — 76.188.144.228 — link — abuse?
@#65 hokie4life,
I really don't think anyone on this blog is jealous of Gameday not opeining @ their school. Miami had the last 2 or 3 labor day games vs. Florida State. That was hardly a bragging moment for me. (win or loose. It's not that serious dude.
Also, no one is a hokie hater b-cuz there is nothing to hate them about. Where is their national titles?
And in closing....whoever gets the LAST ESPN gameday of the season really has bragging rights. Think about it. ;o)'79 Hokie said:
posted on July 11, 2007 1:18 PM — 216.57.126.136 — link — abuse?
Some of you guys have kind of short memories; ESPN has done plenty to acknowlege the VT tragedy. On the day of and days following 4/16, they mentioned it constantly. During this most recent draft, their coverage paid special tribute to VT and their commentators donned VT ribbon pins and on their desks sat VT helmets. While ESPN is a corporation in business to make profit (remember, this is America, thank God!), I truly believe that as the producers sat around and brainstormed about the upcoming season of Game Days, they felt obligated to take the first one to Blacksburg for far more than financial reasons. Remember, Game Day is a sports news platform where ALL the day's big games are highlighted, previewed and then kept abreast of. I - for one - flip channels around to keep watching different games as the Game Day game is not the only one on air. I applaud ESPN for going to Blacksburg and know that they'll do what's right when it comes to considering the Memorial Fund at Tech. GO HOKIES!
marshall said:
posted on July 15, 2007 12:57 PM — 69.231.234.143 — link — abuse?
First of all what happened at VT was a tragedy and will hopefully always be remembered as a day when no one listening would turn into a day, of 32 people not living.
Its sad, but VT must move on. ESPN you are full of shit to try and tell the entire football community that you are honoring the victims of the VT tragedy by going to VT for the first game. First of all, more people will not watch gameday because of the publicity stunt angle, and because hell it is definately not the best game of the season. Gameday is a football show, not a news coverage center, not a talkshow, and certainly not a media driven news grabber.
The entire switch is a ridicioulus and foolish attempt to use misery as profit. Its dirt in the eyes of true football fans as we are getting screwed out of seeing CAL vs Tenn, which has some much more meaning in the football community than a weak VT opener. Let VT move on, forgive dont forget, and gosh darnit ESPN do your job, take gameday to the best game of the week, not the one that saps with memorials
10 bucks says that all the fans there wont even be mourning, and crying, they'll be drunk off their asses showing signs that lee corso is a penis, thats what gameday is and for those of you that want gameday to be something its not, i say to you tell FOX or CNN to cover that aspect of the game, leave football and analysis to ESPNVTHokie23 said:
posted on July 16, 2007 5:44 PM — 148.177.1.218 — link — abuse?
To Marshall...
First of all, the TN vs CA game is on at 8PM est on ABC. Anyone who would rather watch that game then the VT vs ECU game will be able to watch it.
Second, One of the key reasons for ESPN to come to Blacksburg is to show how well the Hokie community has come together and is healing. Read some of the above posts by current and former VT students. It might shead some light.
I'm positive the entier Gameday broadcast won't be about VA Tech. It is a football show and will highlight the upcomming season and discuss some of the big games of the day. Sure I'm sure they'll do a tribute to VA Tech as they often have a heart felt story that ties into football.
I honestly don't get what the big uproar is all about. Are there any other BIG games on at 12est that aren't being broadcast on a different channel?
hotrodpinto said:
posted on July 17, 2007 12:53 PM — 66.193.225.2 — link — abuse?
This is ridiculous! Why on earth are they not at the Tenn/Cal game. Let the people of VT heal and don't try to capitalize off of their tragedy. Game day should be at the best matchup of the week and this one is not even close.Herbstreit probably had something to do with this one since it was an SEC school who would be covered had they gone to the Tenn/Cal game.This is a great injustice to college football fans and i don't know how this has happened. I mean everyone just knew that the Tenn/Cal game was a shoe in for college gameday.ESPN has once again found a way to screw it up. They almost pulled off getting Michigan a rematch with OSU in the championship game last year. Aren't we glad they didn't have the authority to pick the teams in that game. I think Herbstreit knew deep in his mind that Mich was Osu's only chance to win the championship and that's why he lobbied so hard against Florida. What a homer!!
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gatordstud said:
posted on June 27, 2007 8:42 PM — 71.120.36.19 — link — abuse?i think it's absolutely perfect.....i hope for at least one afternoon, that community can come together and cheer....and be able to, not forget, but to.....you know....get it out of there minds for at least a short time....we can only image what these kids lives have been like this summer.....and the reality that, for some, it is time to return....i can tell i'm getting old....cause this just breaks my heart everytime i talk to my kids about it.....and for those students who have to re-live it everyday....it's just mind numbing to fathom.....
the boys from gameday will do it right...those guys are class through and through...blacksburg has always been a favorite place for them guys.....it's only fitting that it should start there....get football back in their minds.........
...for at least one afternoon......
go gators....and hokies