State finals

Patriot · 12-01-2012, 11:43 PM

I think they should rotate the finals between Bowling Green and Lexington/Richmond! Would love to see games played at EKU!

Thoughts.....

**toussaints** · 12-01-2012, 11:59 PM

are there enough hotels in richmond to house 12 football teams? it's a lot different than basketball

Wise one · 12-02-2012, 12:08 AM

Richmond many not have enough motels. Also EKU's stadium does not have much seating on one the visitor's side. It might be enough for the lower classes, but might not for the top classes.

Lexington does not have artificial turf.

Patriot · 12-02-2012, 12:32 AM

EKU's stadium will hold 20,000 (I think).

**toussaints** · 12-02-2012, 12:32 AM

even if Commonwealth had fieldturf, the stadium might be too big. even if 10,000 show up for a game, that's 60,000 empty seats

and it's not just how many people fit, its not good having the fans sit on the same side, and the visitor's section at eku isn't that good

**RunItUpTheGut** · 12-02-2012, 12:33 AM

Im an alum of EKU, and ive been to state championship games.
There are enough seats to house the championship games.

EKU holds 20,000.
Ive never seen any where near that at a state game.

I heard EKU was getting turf, which is a must if theres gonna be six games played on it two days. Did they? I havent been up there in forever.

Wise one · 12-02-2012, 12:54 AM

Patriot Wrote:EKU's stadium will hold 20,000 (I think).

Yes, but about 17500 sit on one side and 2500 on the other. It would not be good for fans to be on the same side. That was my point.

**adopted purple** · 12-02-2012, 01:04 AM

Plus, Bowling Geeen is a perfect fit for the finals.

**Do-double-gg** · 12-02-2012, 02:00 AM

I wish we had some schools with big enough stadiums. I think it would be awesome to have it spread all over the state each year. Like one year have it at a mountain school and the next have it at a northern school and so on. This would also be good for the local economy of the school chosen for that given year. In recent years we have had schools like Harlan County and Letcher Central in the mountains get some nice high tech stadiums and I know schools like Highlands, Trinity and Bowling Green probably have some nice big stadiums also but probably none big enough for a championship game. I know the logistics would be impossible for this in most areas because of the number of hotels for people and stuff like that but I would love it. This would probably also entice a lot of schools to upgrade their facilities.

Patriot · 12-02-2012, 02:48 AM

For statistical purposes, there was an announced total of 46,738, an average of just under 7,790. That is 6,878 more than 2011.
Year totals are:
2009 37,339 or 6223.17/game
2010 47,759 or 7959.85/game
2011 39,860 or 6643.33/game
2012 46,738 or 7789.67/game

For a place that holds 20,000 I think EKU could accommodate that making everyone comfortable, plus the promise of the State title games maybe they would upgrade their visitors side.

**Belfry0304** · 12-02-2012, 03:03 AM

I don't see why all the games have to be at the same site. Ohio uses two different stadiums.

**RunItUpTheGut** · 12-02-2012, 03:36 AM

^
If im not mitaken, Tennessee plays on a lot of different places.
Lets go to the old Texas high school ways and let the two teams in it come together and decide on a place to play.

**RunItUpTheGut** · 12-02-2012, 03:37 AM

At EKU, the atmosphere would be so much better.
That place would be packed full of fans and it would easily feel more like its at a high school.

**Jarons** · 12-02-2012, 06:23 AM

RunItUpTheGut Wrote:Im an alum of EKU, and ive been to state championship games.
There are enough seats to house the championship games.

EKU holds 20,000.
Ive never seen any where near that at a state game.

I heard EKU was getting turf, which is a must if theres gonna be six games played on it two days. Did they? I havent been up there in forever.

EKU got turf 2 or 3 years ago.

**Jarons** · 12-02-2012, 06:30 AM

North Carolina uses 3 different sites for their state finals.

**E's Army** · 12-02-2012, 09:57 AM

It is nice having all the games at one site because it makes the finals a homecoming for the states coaches.

Ole Miss Rebels · 12-02-2012, 10:54 AM

The KHSAA might entertain the sales pitch. But right now Bowling Green, Ky. has their eye. Think about it, the girls KHSAA Sweet 16, the Boys/Girls State Golf, and the Football championships. Bowling Green city merchants, resturants, hotels and chamber of commerece have no intention of letting it get away.

The Big East and UL football schedules in future took it away from Papa Johns; don't see it getting back. It would have to be on turf, six games in two days.
Tennessee does move it around, this past weekend the TSSAA was @ Tenn. Tech Univ. @ Cookeville,Tn. they've also held it at Vandy in Nashville in past.

Again, dont' see the KHSAA turning away from BG.

**RunItUpTheGut** · 12-02-2012, 01:14 PM

Wise one Wrote:Yes, but about 17500 sit on one side and 2500 on the other. It would not be good for fans to be on the same side. That was my point.

The majority of high school football fields have always only seated on one site.

EKU would be a much better site.

joethegreek · 12-02-2012, 01:16 PM

Bowling Green was the only city in Kentucky that placed a bit. Commonwealth isn't an option until they decide to install turf. Louisville didn't want it anymore. Until another city other than Bowling Green places a bid we are going to have to deal with it. Just like the six class system

**adopted purple** · 12-02-2012, 01:29 PM

Russell Atheletics signed on as a sponsor, because it is in Bowling Green, home of Fruit of the Loom. It will be here for several more years. Have all you guys that want it moved ever been to the finals at WKU. I don't know how it could be a better atmosphere anywhere else. True fans will follow their teams wherever they play.

Crossbones · 12-02-2012, 01:37 PM

adopted purple Wrote:Russell Atheletics signed on as a sponsor, because it is in Bowling Green, home of Fruit of the Loom. It will be here for several more years. Have all you guys that want it moved ever been to the finals at WKU. I don't know how it could be a better atmosphere anywhere else. True fans will follow their teams wherever they play.

As I said before, I love the Bowling Green area. But after my trip Friday, I don't think I can handle that drive down and drive back kinda day again. We spent over 10 hours in car alone. I'm not not going to say it aint fair, but Belfry fans had by far the longest drive at over 5 hours 1 way. It does need to be moved to neutral sites for teams in each class IMO. I also believe that attendance would improve. A lot of Belfry fans didn't go because of drive alone and Belfry had just about as many fans as anyone IMO.

joethegreek · 12-02-2012, 02:14 PM

The average attendance increased this year by 1,100 per game.

joethegreek · 12-02-2012, 02:22 PM

average attendance per game since finals have been played in Bowling Green.

2009 - 6,223

2010 - 9116

2011 - 6693

2012 - 7790

The weather has been good for the last three years. I have no problem with it being in Bowling Green . Especially since the area was the only one to place a bid. If it was moved to the eastern side then people from the west would gripe. So your never going to please anyone.

My only gripe is about the six class system. Too watered down. You will have a few close state title games but the majority are blow outs. But money is an issue and as long as attendance increases i am afraid that the six class system is here to stay.

Avg margin of victory per game for championship games

2012 - 29
2011 - 26
2010 - 36
2009 - 24
2008 - 17
2007 - 16

Patriot · 12-02-2012, 02:35 PM

adopted purple Wrote:Russell Atheletics signed on as a sponsor, because it is in Bowling Green, home of Fruit of the Loom. It will be here for several more years. Have all you guys that want it moved ever been to the finals at WKU. I don't know how it could be a better atmosphere anywhere else. True fans will follow their teams wherever they play.

Not being a jerk, but this statement from a Bowling Green fan isn't reasonable. It's easy to say "true fans follow their teams" when the final is a home game. You can bet your bottom dollar had Harlan County made we would have traveled the 5 or 6 hours to cheer for our the Bears. Again not being a jerk! It's just you being biased for home, that's why I say have it at EKU it kinda like home to me! The finals were played there back when Corbin won a championship.

Wise one · 12-02-2012, 02:37 PM

joethegreek Wrote:average attendance per game since finals have been played in Bowling Green.

2010 - 9116

Where did you get that number? You may want to check it again. 47759/6 = 7959.83333333...

***Granny Bear*** · 12-02-2012, 02:41 PM

Better believe I'd drive 5 hrs to watch the Black Bears play in a state championship; I mean we drive almost that much just to watch a regular season game!!

Be nice to have it closer, IMO.

**GetChili** · 12-02-2012, 03:04 PM

I would love to see the games played at Commonwealth, but with them not having turf, it could make for some bad footing come Saturday night.

EKU would be a nice place to host the State Championship, but as you all have stated, the visitors bleachers are small. I go to EKU right now, and the stadium looks pretty rough and could probably use an upgrade. Maybe if the KHSAA decided to bring the State Championship to EKU, an upgrade would take place.

Jumper Dad · 12-02-2012, 03:18 PM

Living in an oblong shaped state we unfortunately will never have a centralized location that isn't too close to0 some and too far for others.

EKU would be fine (if they added some bleachers to the Away side), but as mentioned hotel space for teams would be an issue.

How about this...
1A 2A at Bowling Green
3A 4A at EKU
5A 6A at Papa Johns

I know it wouldn't work but something to think about

Jumper Dad · 12-02-2012, 03:19 PM

I wish Semi-State was played at neutral sites

Mayfieldsportsfan · 12-02-2012, 03:36 PM

The following is State Finals attendance the past six years (two in Louisville and four in BG). Got this from another site.

CLASS 1A

2012 (BG) Mayfield vs. Fairview -- 6,038 (up 12.1%)
2011 (BG) Mayfield vs. Hazard -- 5,386
2010 (BG) Mayfield vs. Hazard -- 5,761
2009 (BG) Mayfield vs. Lexington Christian -- 3,582
2008 (PJCS) Beechwood vs. Hazard -- 3,316
2007 (PJCS) Beechwood vs. Lexington Christian -- 3,792

Class 2A

2012 (BG) Caldwell County vs. Newport Central Catholic -- 8,756 (up 23.7%)
2011 (BG) Glasgow vs. Holy Cross -- 7,077
2010 (BG) OCath vs. NewCath -- 7,964
2009 (BG) Fort Campbell vs. DeSales -- 4,157
2008 (PJCS) Fort Campbell vs. NewCath -- 4,635
2007 (PJCS) Fort Campbell vs. NewCath -- 5,679

Class 3A

2012 (BG) Central vs. Belfry -- 7,116 (up 32.7%)
2011 (BG) Central vs. Belfry -- 5,360
2010 (BG) Central vs. Belfry -- 5,792
2009 (BG) Paducah Tilghman vs. Somerset -- 6,106
2008 (PJCS) Central vs. Breathitt County -- 3,917
2007 (PJCS) Central vs. Belfry -- 7,619

Class 4A

2012 (BG) Highlands vs. Collins -- 8,312 (up 18.3%)
2011 (BG) Franklin-Simpson vs. Highlands -- 7,023
2010 (BG) Allen County-Scottsville vs. Boyle County -- 13,167
2009 (BG) Lone Oak vs. Boyle County -- 6.837
2008 (PJCS) Bullitt East vs. Bell County -- 6,103
2007 (PJCS) Lone Oak vs. Lexington Catholic -- 7,603

Class 5A

2012 (BG) Bowling Green vs. Cooper -- 9,104 (up 5.5%)
2011 (BG) Bowling Green vs. Anderson County -- 8,623
2010 (BG) Christian County vs. Highlands -- 5,959
2009 (BG) John Hardin vs. Highlands -- 6,695
2008 (PJCS) Christian County vs. Highlands -- 5,206
2007 (PJCS) Bowling Green vs. Highlands -- 6,231

Class 6A

2012 (BG) Trinity vs. PRP -- 7,412 (up 10.7%)
2011 (BG) Trinity vs. Scott County -- 6,691
2010 (BG) Trinity vs. Male -- 9,116
2009 (BG) Trinity vs. St. Xavier-- 9,962
2008 (PJCS) Trinity vs. Simon Kenton -- 11,556
2007 (PJCS) Trinity vs. St. Xavier -- 15,696

TOTALS

2012 (BG) - 46,738 (up 16.3%)
2011 (BG) - 40,160
2010 (BG) - 47,759
2009 (BG) - 37,339
2008 (PJCS) - 34,733
2007 (PJCS) - 42,828