If The Bayou Classic Is Moved To Houston......


good point

Originally posted by BgJag
I'm not an advocate of moving the game at all but agree that something have to be done within the hotel industry and the city here to better accomodate the fans. Personally doesn't like the idea of temporary moving to Houston then back to Nawlins. Don't like the 2 year deal Houston is offering. Make it longer and show what you got. What happens after the second year, the same ole stuff here, higher hotel rates, dome rental, etc. If we are gonna get screwed I rather got screwed at home.;) Furthermore if we leave Nawlins it will be difficult to move back. Do you think they will keep those days open waiting for us to return? Events are booked 7-10 years out. Some convention wants that slot and book it for the next 10 years and we're stuck in Houston with a 2 year deal and no bargaining power.
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BG,
I was in favor of a two year move because I thought it would give the City of New Orleans a chance to get their act together. However your comments put an entire new spin on the situation. If we lose those dates or better yet the city fills those dates with another money making event, then we are screwed. I may have to re-think my position on this one.
 
Yes, that is possible. So, you are saying that we should continue to allow ourselves to be raped by the city and treated 3rd class. I'm sorry, I'm just not one for being mistreated. I just don't see New Orleans not wanting the Classic to come back. I think they just feel we are going to do the same thing we have always done - fold our cards and let them win the hand. They don't think there is no way possible we will leave. They don't think there is no way possible the alumni will allow it to leave. Think about it. The Marriott tells us, we don't need your Bayou Classic business. Why, because they know whether they make a special deal with the Bayou Classic Committee or not, we are going to book rooms with them and fill their hotel up also. It is like being in an abusive relationhip. As long as you stay there and take the abuse, you can't expect help to come or things to get better. You have to put your foot down and demand repect while you still have something to offer the relationship or you simply want get it. Let one of the teams start losing; let NBC backout of the game; or let the title sponsor backout of the game and the firmness of our stance has just been weekened. If you don't demand respect now, just except being pimped from this point forward.

Again, don't get me wrong, I want the game in New Orleans. I just want some respect. I just want us to get a fair share of what we are being to the city. That's all. No matter what happens, we will all be able to look back on these few months and realize how significant the decision we are going to make was. I pray it will be the decision that benefits our school's the most.

PEACE!!!
 



Originally posted by ZNSPR8502
... The Marriott tells us, we don't need your Bayou Classic business. Why, because they know whether they make a special deal with the Bayou Classic Committee or not, we are going to book rooms with them and fill their hotel up also.
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ZNSPR8502,

I was at the same meeting when they quoted the GM from the Marriott. He's only one of many hotels in the city. Why not black list his azz. A short term deal in H-town won't work. Believe me those dates will be gone the minute we announce we're going to Houston.
 
Interesting points being made...

My .02.

I don't particularly think that moving the BC to Shreveport will solve ALL of the problems that were mentioned about mistreatment. I can recall vividly on several occasions where local Shrev hotels JACKED UP rates when the Red River Classic (UAPB-GSU) was being played. Imagine the thoughts of hotel owners when they realize that a 40+K Jag Nation is coming to town followed by local GSU faithful! :eek: I do agree that a rivalry game should continue to be played in the home state. I just cannot imagine PV playing TSU in La/Ark/Miss... Or a GSU playing Alcorn in La/Tx/Al/... Doesn't sound/seem right.... But still, something HAS to be done that tells the NO powers that be that mistreatment of AAs and their AA $$$$$$s will not be tolerated. A 2 year move may not be a bad idea in the LONG run. But, the short haul may ruffle some feathers.

For SU? We played SU in Dallas (fall 1987) 2 weeks before the GSU-PV matchup and there were over 47+K for the SU-PV game followed by 55+K for the GSU game (which was preceded by the tx-ou game). Dallas had back to back to back blockbuster weekends that particular year. Should this be revisited? I'm not certain. SU-PV in San Antonio (to me) doesn't offer anything positive for any school other than PV as we have a mandate to increase our Hispanic enrollment (truthfully). SU-PV in Austin? Well..... I'd rather we play SU on campus and keep the $$$$$ (if our newly renov stadium would accomodate the 50+K that SU brings).
 
Time for HBCUs to expand their stadiums.

I just don't see how you could even think about moving the largest rivalry game in the state, OUT OF STATE,,, N.O. mis-treatment or not. At least the spin-off money is remaining in the state.

Other than that, HBCUs need to look at comprehensive stadium expansion plans and move towards making these "classics" home-n-home series.
 
Hey, I didn't say anything about moving the Classic to Shreveport. Shreveport is TOOO SMALL for the Classic and it doesn't have anythign to offer financially to the schools. Houston is the ideal city for us to boycott New Orleans with because 1) it is still in the Bayou, 2) it is offering each school money to come to HOuston, 3) they are offering to give the school's money off of each booked room, 4) expenses are greatly reduced, and the city is large enough to hold the Classic.

Again, we are only speaking of a couple of years at most so New Orleans will have time to WAKE UP and smell the coffee.

As for the PV/SU game being in SU, I don't have any doubt that it would be big. Any SU game would be the boom in Dallas. But, PV has a huge alumni base in Dallas. So, yes, that game would have absolutely no problem being huge in Dallas with just the locals. I was a senior in the band at SU when we came to Dallas to play PV. That was a large crowd. I didn't realize how close it was to the GSU game in Dallas. My reason for mentioning San Antonio or Austin (as someone else mentioned) was to give both schools the chance to reach areas they aren't already visiting for recruitment purposes. Yet, PV is TOOO SMALL to host SU. Ya'll want the money you can make off our fans and you wouldn't be able to capitolize on the Nation in PV.

PEACE!!!
 
When SU comes to play PV in Houston, the game only generates 18K at most. Check your stats.

In 2000, the attendance was 18K

In 98', it was in Beaumont and had 13K

96 it had 14K at Robinson

94, same thing

92', 3K because it was played the week before the Classic and a thunderstorm hit town the same day

90? No football was to be played

take it back to campus when our stadium is ready. I don't care if SU can't fit, the home atmosphere is what matters.
 
Originally posted by The Panther Fan
When SU comes to play PV in Houston, the game only generates 18K at most. Check your stats.

In 2000, the attendance was 18K

In 98', it was in Beaumont and had 13K

96 it had 14K at Robinson

94, same thing

92', 3K because it was played the week before the Classic and a thunderstorm hit town the same day

90? No football was to be played

take it back to campus when our stadium is ready. I don't care if SU can't fit, the home atmosphere is what matters.
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I don't care what these stats you pulled up from where ever say. Anybody that knows anything about SU knows we don't play anywhere with less than 18,000 fans of our own. I didn't make it to the 2000 game due to scheduling. You must be saying the stadium in Beaumont only holds 13K, because it was packed up in there. People were standing on the ground behind the endzone (like back in the day on the Reservation in Alcorn). I know SU was in the house along with what appeared to TxSU students and some high school students in '94 & '96 at Robinson stadium. No, it wasn't a 28K plus crowd. We never get it in Houston, because TxSU nor PV fans don't turn out. '92 was on a Monday after the game was cancelled due to storms. Even the band didn't go back for that game, because it was on that Monday.

PEACE!!!
 
Hey LB, that 92 game was played on a Saturday and the weather turned ugly during the game, but they finished it that day. PV was winning 6-0 when they halted the game for awhile. Then resumed the game which we won 7-6. I remember waiting under Robertson for the game to start back up.

Panther Fan or TBF,
The reason why the SU/PV game doesn't draw say a 35k number is because even our fans know it isn't a must see game and your fans don't show. Now SU stills bring more fans than anyone else that plays PV besides the TSU/PV game(which still doesn't draw the big numbers it should considering it is a rival game played on a holiday weekend in a big city) and the PV/GSU game which is more a show than game. It is the atmosphere and tradition that makes the PV/GSU game. The TsU/PV game should be drawing what the Dallas game does.
But until PV has at least a vistor side that holds some fans, the SU game will not be down in PV. Our dominate Houston alumni dictates that game to be played in Houston. Your admin doesn't have the nads to move it with those facilities you have. You reference the Beaumont game in 98. That game was overflowing in that too little stadium. Since PV had dropped the ball in securing a stadium in H-town we were subjected to that mess. What made it worse since Beaumont is so close to La. Even more SU fans rolled out. I know you want SU on PV's campus for some homecooking, but you know you guys can't hold even your own fans that would come to see that game. Now that you guys are competative maybe your fans will come out in Houston next year and maybe a few more Jag fans will show too since they now know you guys can compete. Unless this year was a one year wonder.
 
Wait, until recently, the TSU and SU games drew over 30K in Houston. Since both teams had below average seasons (yes, it was in BR) the attendance kind of bombed out this year. Plus, they moved the game indoors a month before the game and Houston folks are really getting tired of spending $5 for parking, unless it is a one-time HS playoff deal with super talent. (Madison and NS drew 30K+)

SU and PV will not draw big crowds. Just leave it at 18K regardless. Also, tell your "super" adminsitration to have the game outside next season. I am tired of the dome.
 
I agree that the TxSU/SU game should not be in the dome. I hate domes and I have felt the pain myself for 9 years of parking at the Astrodome. I am sure parking will be 6 dollars when Reliant Field opens. SMH. Tsu needs to just pay U of H to play as many home games there as possible. It's a better atmosphere. PV probably will have to play SU at the new dome I guess. I don't know if you guys play at Robertson anymore. You are right about SU/PV, that game is not going to draw big numbers unles PV is undefeated when they play SU. Even in BR that game does not draw the record Mumford crowds. Hopefully PV will continue to get better and maybe folks will come out more when we play.

Now we both know HS football draws well. I am not shocked that Madison and North Shore drew that big crowd. BTW what's the word on the qb from Madison. Is he headed for a PWC or what. What about his teamates?
 
Originally posted by JR
Hey LB, that 92 game was played on a Saturday and the weather turned ugly during the game, but they finished it that day. PV was winning 6-0 when they halted the game for awhile. Then resumed the game which we won 7-6. I remember waiting under Robertson for the game to start back up.
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You're right. That was my first thought, but I talk myself into thinking that happened another time. It was a tornado that came through. I remember seeing the damaged houses and trees when we left that game. It rained soo band, the Jukebox never got off the bus and went back to the hotel. PV eventually came in, but left after the game was halted due to the weather. Yeah, we all blessed that the tornado didn't touch down at the stadium.

PEACE!!!
 
Vincent Young will be playing for the white man sad to say. I was in the press box last week and I asked Seals about him and he said VY is going to the big schools. For some odd reason, Young lists Southern Mississippi as one of his top choices, why is that?

The running back said he received a letter from PV but he probably will go big time. They have a 6-5 DE who is pretty good but I don't know what he is going to do.

Seals sounds like he wants some of his kids to go to his alma mater but he told me that he is mad that they don't come with any money. He did say he glad they finally call the school after years of neglect but they sure are not offering any dough. What can you say.

They also have former NFL and Colorado Buff star Kanavis McGee on staff. He grew up in 5th ward and went big time you already know they will listen to his stories with wide eyes.

As for that new stadium, I doubt we'll touch the field that much. Since it is grass and new, they will be very picky on who plays on it. Don't be surprised if we're in the dome a few more years.
 
Originally posted by JR
Hey LB, that 92 game was played on a Saturday and the weather turned ugly during the game, but they finished it that day. PV was winning 6-0 when they halted the game for awhile. Then resumed the game which we won 7-6. I remember waiting under Robertson for the game to start back up.
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I was at that game too and we should have won it 13-0(7), remember the interception that was run back for a 98 yard TD. Then slim and his boys huddled up and said the whistle blew and disallowed the TD. We got the ball on the 15 yard line instead. I think there was more than 3k at that game. There was a lot of people huddled up under the stands. PV's band played music under the stands also.

That was a football game.....
 
I agree that the GSU/PVU game is an event! But not for the reason that you state. The State Fair power-that-be realized that giving the fair a kick start was important. That's why they chose to invite the two HBCU's with the largest following of fans in Dallas.

Grambling has a huge following in Dallas. We could schedule Tougaloo College in Dallas every year and the game would draw 35k. SMU has noticed...don't be surprised if a home and home series is not worked out with them in the near future. Our relationship with Dallas has been shown throughout the years with the number of college students from the Dallas area and our bands performances at Dallas Maverick and Cowboys home games.

To some degree, GSU likes playing games on the road so that our national following of fans get a chance to experience GREATNESS. However, our current AD and coaching staff has decided (rightfully so) to increase the number of home games played on campus. Although college athletics is a business and we welcome the chance to go on the road an play in front of 50k plus crowds, we realize that the college football team actually belongs to the students. It's good for school morale to have a Championship team play at least 4 games on campus plus our other "home" game in Shreveport and Dallas.
 



Originally posted by MikeBigg

Grambling has a huge following in Dallas. We could schedule Tougaloo College in Dallas every year and the game would draw 35k.
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So true. Dallas A.K.A. West Grambling.
 
Originally posted by MikeBigg
I agree that the GSU/PVU game is an event! But not for the reason that you state. The State Fair power-that-be realized that giving the fair a kick start was important. That's why they chose to invite the two HBCU's with the largest following of fans in Dallas.

Grambling has a huge following in Dallas. We could schedule Tougaloo College in Dallas every year and the game would draw 35k. SMU has noticed...don't be surprised if a home and home series is not worked out with them in the near future. Our relationship with Dallas has been shown throughout the years with the number of college students from the Dallas area and our bands performances at Dallas Maverick and Cowboys home games.

To some degree, GSU likes playing games on the road so that our national following of fans get a chance to experience GREATNESS. However, our current AD and coaching staff has decided (rightfully so) to increase the number of home games played on campus. Although college athletics is a business and we welcome the chance to go on the road an play in front of 50k plus crowds, we realize that the college football team actually belongs to the students. It's good for school morale to have a Championship team play at least 4 games on campus plus our other "home" game in Shreveport and Dallas.
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OK.. settle down and come back to reality. GSU does have a good following in Dallas, especially when the team is winning. But, the largest alumni base in Dallas is PV and it ain't close. Don't even try to claim that all those folks at the game are there for GSU. Most are coming because the game is a big black event to the city, no matter what the school's records are. All those local PV alums are there. All those kids that are now crazy about PV's band are there. And all of the fans and students that want to see GSU are there. I find it hard to believe GSU would draw 35K with a non-State Fair Classic game in Dallas not without us making it a Black College special event to entice the other HBCU alumni to also support it, as we do with the state fair classic. You share the light with PV for that game, so don't down play their alumni and crowd support.

PEACE!!!
 
I still rather see Southern in Dallas on a yearly basis during the state fair. Grambling is boring. There are always more PV fans than Grambling fans.
 
Originally posted by The Panther Fan
There are always more PV fans than Grambling fans.
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KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE. GRAMBLING FANS ARE MORE THAN JUST ALUMNI. BUT YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT. YEAH LIKE THEY COME TO SEE PV'S FOOTBALL TEAM. MAN YOU KILL ME!!!!
 
Originally posted by MACHIAVELLI



KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE. GRAMBLING FANS ARE MORE THAN JUST ALUMNI. BUT YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT. YEAH LIKE THEY COME TO SEE PV'S FOOTBALL TEAM. MAN YOU KILL ME!!!!
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YOu are right... Very very very very few people go to the state fair classic for the game. Most go because it is a major event in Dallas (like tradition). Another very large group go to see teh halftime and a majority of them are going to see PV. when I first came to Dallas back in '89, they came to see GSU. But, when PV took it a notch and cleaned GSU out one of those years, a lot of those students started going to PV. There are a heck of a lot of PV alumnus in Dallas and a heck of a lot of younsters (especially bandsmen) that are crazy about PV. That is why one reason I hope SU plays a game in Dallas soon. We brought the travel band the last 2 years to play for the Maverick's for our Black College Alumni Night. But, that ain't nothing like playing in front of 50,000 blacks...

Again, as HBCU supporters, we don't need to tamper with the GSU vs PV state fair classic. But, we do need to get the likes of SU and JSU to come here at least once every 5 to 6 years against a decent HBCU football team.

PEACE!!!
 
they sure are not there to see that band also

in 97, SU and Valley were supposed to play in Dallas but it fell through
 
The Texas State Fair has another big game the following week when Texas and Oklahoma plays. I wonder how many black folk are at the fair that week. My point is that the majority of the people who come to the game view the fair as an added attraction. I bet less than 30% of the people leave the game and go to the fair. For the most part, these two events co-exist. But don't blame GSU because some fans leave before halftime. I'm not trying to smack PVU, but a lot of fans are neutral. But they know that if GSU is involved, it will be a "happening" and that based on past history, the game will be over by the half. So much so that a lot of people have pre-planned to leave and go do some partying.

I'm sure SU would draw well in Dallas. Why don't yall give it a try?
Don't yall play PV every year. Just do a two year series in Dallas to see how it goes...
 
Taking the Conversation back to the BC

http://www.wafb.com/global/Frameset.asp?P=/default.asp


December 12, 2001
Price Comparisons are Similiar for Bayou Classic & Sugar Bowl


Despite one report to the contrary, there is still no firm deal Wednesday night on where the next football matchup between Southern and Grambling will be. Pivotal meetings resume Thursday morning aimed at keeping the Bayou Classic in New Orleans. Regardless of where the game is played, Southern alumni are working to make sure fans don't pay too much for hotel rooms. In fact, they've even hired an outspoken politician who is also a lawyer to plead their case.

Cleo Fields said, "the things that were tolerated in the past will not be tolerated in the future." That's the message Cleo Fields is sending to hotel owners in New Orleans, or whatever city hosts the next Bayou Classic. Fields said, "there's not another event that generates the kind of money the Bayou Classic generates for New Orleans."

But the money you'll pay for another big football match, the Sugar Bowl, isn't a far cry from the cost of attending the Bayou Classic. The New Orleans Hyatt has the same restrictions of a two night minimum stay for both events with no refunds, but charges 200 dollars a night for the Sugar Bowl compared to 165-dollars a night for the Bayou Classic. The Westin only charges ten dollars more a night for Sugar Bowl and again has the same restrictions. At the New Orleans Hilton, there's only 20-dollar increase for the Sugar Bowl per night with no minimum stay and a full refund if you cancel 72 hours in advance: the same restrictions for both events. And the Sheraton New Orleans charges 169 a night for Bayou Classic and a 189 for Sugar Bowl with no minimum stay and no refunds for both events. But Fields says that's still not a fair comparison.

Fields said, "when you look at the totality of the circumstances, you'll find that you're not dealing with apples and apples, but apples and bananas." Fields added, "state of Louisiana pays about 2-million dollars to get the Sugar Bowl and Southern and Grambling have to pay to use the Superdome. To me, that's not fair." Two pivotal meetings are scheduled for Thursday that could determine where the next Bayou Classic is played. One is in New Orleans between Cleo Fields, Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Blanco and the New Orleans Visitors Bureau.

The other is a meeting of the Southern University board of supervisors. There members will hear the latest on proposals from interested cities. Southern spokesman Ralph Slaughter tells WAFB News that so far, the university has not received a written proposal from New Orleans.
 
cat daddy:
Thanks for the article and I'm glad to see Cleo is involved. Cleo is right... We need to stop comparing the Classic to the Sugar Bowl. The state PAYS well for this game while SU/GSU don't see any of this money.
 
The game SU/MVSU game didn't come to Dallas for one simple reason. As I keep telling you, SU has to have the money they agree to in the bank cleared a specified time prior to the game. this wasn't common knowledge to the major company that was underwriting the expenses. Once it became common knowledge, they attempted some compromises, but SU doesn't compromise with its money. We don't risk not making the profit we must have to travel. There have been some school that have come to Dallas and used lower quality promoters and the games have had very poor support. Though SU packed the Cotton Bowl in '87 against PV, there have been too many subpar attended HBCU games in the city since then. So, the company couldn't be convinced that SU would be any different. If they had believed it, they would have gotten more than their money's worth out of the game. However, there were some other underwriters that would have covered the money for SU and there still are some today.

I don't have anything against PV. But with PV and GSU already being a big game in Dallas, I just think 2 other HBCU teams should come and do it right. SU and anybody would draw big. FAMU and almost anybody would probably draw big. Jackson State and a fairly decent opponent would do well here. A combination of either one of them or one of them with the likes of TnSU would be a huge hit.

PEACE!!!
 
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