[toussaints]

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

not next year, they're moving to Columbus. A huge reason why is they hate using 2 separate stadiums. Have to pay rent for both sites, have to pay double for small stuff too

[Ole Miss Rebels]

Keep in mind, and you all make good points to discuss. But facts to point out; four 4, first time schools in the State Finals. Fairveiw, Collins, Cooper and PRP. A beautiful fall weekend and temps; many of you over the years have and can recall snows, freezing temps, rain. etc. So attendance up could be for a great weekend of weather and new blood in the finals.

Sponsors speak volumes, and the KHSAA will continue to look at the numbers, and I do sympathize with the eastern ky schools who have to make that kind of drive. But don't see BG losing the site as host anytime soon.

[Wise one]

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

I find it interesting to note that in the first four years in BG, each year has been higher than the last year in Louisville. Further, when you look at 2007, 36.6% of the total was the "holy war" Class 6A final. The games are overall drawing much better in BG than they were in Louisville.

It appears to me, Bowling Green is a hit with the fans. If I were the KHSAA, I wouldn't look elsewhere for quite some time.





Elsewhere I made a comment about the Louisville fans not traveling well. My point is confirmed by looking at the 2007 and 2009 Class 6A attendance figures.

[zebra'seyes]

The finals are not just about the games. There are coaches clinics and other meetings that take place. Plus, wherever it is held would have to have a private box area.

[Wise one]

As we consider the numbers and whether BG is the right place to have the finals, we might also want to consider what other states are doing. In Ohio, they also held their championships this weekend. They use two high school stadiums that are about 20 miles apart in Massillon and Canton with alternating start times, on Fri, the 11 am and 7 pm games are in Massillon with the 3 pm game in Canton. On Sat the opposite is true. Ohio thinks that they are one of the top states for high school football. The OHSAA has announced a total attendance of 43,911 for the six games. That is down from 4,784 from 2011.

With KY attendance up 6,878 from 2011, something must be happening correctly in KY.

[toussaints]

As we consider the numbers and whether BG is the right place to have the finals, we might also want to consider what other states are doing. In Ohio, they also held their championships this weekend. They use two high school stadiums that are about 20 miles apart in Massillon and Canton with alternating start times, on Fri, the 11 am and 7 pm games are in Massillon with the 3 pm game in Canton. On Sat the opposite is true. Ohio thinks that they are one of the top states for high school football. The OHSAA has announced a total attendance of 43,911 for the six games. That is down from 4,784 from 2011.

With KY attendance up 6,878 from 2011, something must be happening correctly in KY.

i addressed this earlier, Ohio is having their state titles in Columbus next year because the 2 stadium system is too expensive and the ohio championships make a lot of money off of selling all game passes and clinics. if ohio has shown us anything, it's that the 2 stadium system is bad

i think houchens stadium at wku is a perfect stadium for the state finals. locker rooms are field level, stands accommodate both fan bases, plenty of parking, field turf, good press box, ample amount of hotels close by, and it's a college venue which makes it a little extra special. the only negative is the location statewide

[MtnHSFootballFan]

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

Richmond is only 25 miles from Lexington and Lexington has loads of rooms.

[MtnHSFootballFan]

i addressed this earlier, Ohio is having their state titles in Columbus next year because the 2 stadium system is too expensive and the ohio championships make a lot of money off of selling all game passes and clinics. if ohio has shown us anything, it's that the 2 stadium system is bad

i think houchens stadium at wku is a perfect stadium for the state finals. locker rooms are field level, stands accommodate both fan bases, plenty of parking, field turf, good press box, ample amount of hotels close by, and it's a college venue which makes it a little extra special. the only negative is the location statewide

And unfortunately, that is a very big negative.

[toussaints]

Richmond is only 25 miles from Lexington and Lexington has loads of rooms.

and I can tell you that the city of Richmond, the KHSAA, the teams playing, and the fans going would hate to stay at a hotel 30 minutes away from the field the games are at. The hotels need to be in the same city, and with school in session, they can't stay in the doorms

[tradition]

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.

[/B]

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.

Well, from a Highlands fan who traveled the 3 1/2 hours for the past 4 years, I love Western. Actually have gotten use to the drive. The stadium is perfect, the atmosphere is 100% better than Papa Johns and Papa Johns was charging for the use of the stadium and Western doesn't. Western has been more than accommodating and doing a great job of making it a nice place to watch football.

Eastern would also be an option if they bid on it and if they have enough hotel space for all the teams.

UK is out of the equation unless they got field turf which I don't see happening.

[tradition]

Richmond is only 25 miles from Lexington and Lexington has loads of rooms.

If they want it , they are going to have to put together a pretty good package to get it. Western has done that.

[MtnHSFootballFan]

and I can tell you that the city of Richmond, the KHSAA, the teams playing, and the fans going would hate to stay at a hotel 30 minutes away from the field the games are at. The hotels need to be in the same city, and with school in session, they can't stay in the doorms

I think we all have our points. What I am looking at is fairness to all in trying to locate a place as close as possible to the geographical center of our state that has the facilities and accommodations. Richmond lists over 1000 rooms right in the city and there are others up and down Interstate 75, and, of course, in Lexington and even Winchester if one desired to stay there. Personally since I'm from the East side of the Commonwealth, I would rather stay in Lexington and drive to Richmond than have the much longer drive to Bowling Green and then still have to stay. Actually I could commute to Richmond for the games and more people in the state could too, if it was in the center of the state. I think we all want the best place for the games and fairness to all our teams and fans. I wish what is best for all of us. How many more days until Football season starts again?

[toussaints]

I think we all have our points. What I am looking at is fairness to all in trying to locate a place as close as possible to the geographical center of our state that has the facilities and accommodations. Richmond lists over 1000 rooms right in the city and there are others up and down Interstate 75, and, of course, in Lexington and even Winchester if one desired to stay there. Personally since I'm from the East side of the Commonwealth, I would rather stay in Lexington and drive to Richmond than have the much longer drive to Bowling Green and then still have to stay. Actually I could commute to Richmond for the games and more people in the state could too, if it was in the center of the state. I think we all want the best place for the games and fairness to all our teams and fans. I wish what is best for all of us.

and I agree with you there, although EKU is a heck of a drive for WKY. EKU would be a great spot if they had the stadium to do it, and right now I don't think they do.

Kentucky is a weird shape

[MtnHSFootballFan]

Will reply tomorrow. Bedtime, up early for work.

[mysonis55]

I have heard it all now. We are gonna complain about 6 classes because they dont produce close championship games. They had 3 games that were decided by 2 touchdowns or less this year. Now we can't complain about that. We are gonna complain about private schools playing against public schools. There aren't enough teams that are private to make 2 districts even, so we cant complain about that. Now we are gonna complain that Independant schools are playing public schools. Oh, independants are publics as well. Dang, we cant complain about that. Now we got it we will complain about the drive to get to the state championships. It seems to me that someone will complain no matter what KHSAA does. Get over it, enjoy it and go on. Just so you know, we at Mayfield have to drive 5.5 hrs one way every year for a sub state game against Beechwood, who is somehow a west team. Do you hear us complaining, we all travel it. I drove 11 hours friday before last and watched a 3 hr game in between. It has absolutely nothing to do with the drive for me. I think BG is a great place for the environment, the city is clean, the stadium is the perfect size, plenty of parking, plenty of restaraunts and hotels. I also have to travel 2.5 hours or more one way for that game. Just so you can understand how petty this is, we had to travel 3 plus hours one way for a Regional final game. We had to travel 5 plus hours one way for Sub state. We then had to travel 2 plus hours for state. I would say there isn't a team that had to travel any more than that in a three week stretch in Ky. Did you hear us complaining. Take some Midol and get over it.

[Poseidon]

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

I would move 1A&2A to smaller venues for better atmosphere. Maybe even 3A. Does anyone know the average attendance for each game? I have seen the total attendance, but I think the lower attended classes need smaller venues for atmosphere.

[Crossbones]

I have heard it all now. We are gonna complain about 6 classes because they dont produce close championship games. They had 3 games that were decided by 2 touchdowns or less this year. Now we can't complain about that. We are gonna complain about private schools playing against public schools. There aren't enough teams that are private to make 2 districts even, so we cant complain about that. Now we are gonna complain that Independant schools are playing public schools. Oh, independants are publics as well. Dang, we cant complain about that. Now we got it we will complain about the drive to get to the state championships. It seems to me that someone will complain no matter what KHSAA does. Get over it, enjoy it and go on. Just so you know, we at Mayfield have to drive 5.5 hrs one way every year for a sub state game against Beechwood, who is somehow a west team. Do you hear us complaining, we all travel it. I drove 11 hours friday before last and watched a 3 hr game in between. It has absolutely nothing to do with the drive for me. I think BG is a great place for the environment, the city is clean, the stadium is the perfect size, plenty of parking, plenty of restaraunts and hotels. I also have to travel 2.5 hours or more one way for that game. Just so you can understand how petty this is, we had to travel 3 plus hours one way for a Regional final game. We had to travel 5 plus hours one way for Sub state. We then had to travel 2 plus hours for state. I would say there isn't a team that had to travel any more than that in a three week stretch in Ky. Did you hear us complaining. Take some Midol and get over it.

First, you all at Mayfield do not drive 5.5 hours every year. Last year Beechwood drove to Mayfield. The only drive you all had last was the short trip to bowling Green.:eyeroll: As for the second bolded part. Yes we did, go back and read the Mayfield/Beechwood thread..again.:eyeroll: As far as the next bolded part..Belfry made those long trips last year when we didn't host..again.:eyeroll: As far as the last line in your post..maybe you should take some prozac and calm down. Not everyone agrees with you and you are not always right.hh:

[MtnHSFootballFan]

I guess Crossbones said it pretty well.

[Hatz]

The truth is, there is no real way to satisfy everyone. Contracts have to be made well in advance and if no one from a Richmond, Lexington or Louisville is bidding to host it - it won't be done.

Louisville was always logical to me but once it moved to Papa Johns and the UL issues came into play, they obviously did not want it anymore. It would be nice for the Eastern side of the state to have it a little closer but if no city wants it, there is nothing that can be done.

Be grateful that you go numerous years to a state finals and have opportunity to play for a title so many times. Whether the game is in Pikeville or Paducah it is an honor to be there and the kids will remember that they played for a title.

[mysonis55]

Crossbones, you said it all. Not everyone is going to agree with me. Not everyone is going to agree with you. The point is, that every decision KHSAA makes you Monday morning qb's who have absolutely nothing to do with the game, get on here and complain about it. It is what it is, live with it or don't go. I made the trips to Louisville when it was there and did not complain. My son almost got to play in Lexington for middle school this year. I would not have complained one bit. I would have made the 4 plus hour trip and been happy. These guys do the best they can with what they they have and every time someone complains. Until you have actually put on a tournament for some sport you have no idea how much time and effort is put into it. I don't care if it is tee ball or golf, once it is done someone complains about something. We, that includes you, do not even play. Chill out let the boys enjoy what they have.

[Crossbones]

The truth is, there is no real way to satisfy everyone. Contracts have to be made well in advance and if no one from a Richmond, Lexington or Louisville is bidding to host it - it won't be done.

Louisville was always logical to me but once it moved to Papa Johns and the UL issues came into play, they obviously did not want it anymore. It would be nice for the Eastern side of the state to have it a little closer but if no city wants it, there is nothing that can be done.

Be grateful that you go numerous years to a state finals and have opportunity to play for a title so many times. Whether the game is in Pikeville or Paducah it is an honor to be there and the kids will remember that they played for a title.

Like I have said several times..I like the Bowling Green area and I think Western does a fine job with the venue. What I did have a problem with is some jerk out west that can ride a bike to the games tell everyone to basically shut up about it. (yes, I know how far Mayfield is to Bowling Green, little sarcasm) I do have a problem with driving over 11 hours in a days time also. Would I continue to drive it? Absolutely. There can be some parity in the equation thou.

[Crossbones]

Crossbones, you said it all. Not everyone is going to agree with me. Not everyone is going to agree with you. The point is, that every decision KHSAA makes you Monday morning qb's who have absolutely nothing to do with the game, get on here and complain about it. It is what it is, live with it or don't go. I made the trips to Louisville when it was there and did not complain. My son almost got to play in Lexington for middle school this year. I would not have complained one bit. I would have made the 4 plus hour trip and been happy. These guys do the best they can with what they they have and every time someone complains. Until you have actually put on a tournament for some sport you have no idea how much time and effort is put into it. I don't care if it is tee ball or golf, once it is done someone complains about something. We, that includes you, do not even play. Chill out let the boys enjoy what they have.

I have as much to do with the game as you or anyone else. If it was not for us parents and fans that pay for tickets, why would they have a game.hh: We did get to play in Lexington for Middle school and I was there for all of it, Just like the High school. As a parent and tax payer, I have every right to complain about an 11 hour drive. You can sit back and think its all fine an dandy until you have to drive to say Eastern, 4 or 5 times. Then you'll whine, shoot, I read where you said "long drive" about going to Beechwood. I have played and I have supported the school and all the teams as a parent and fan. Playing hasn't got a thing to do with it. So maybe you should chill out and if ya don't like what someone else writes get over it. I probably wouldn't even said anything until you started spouting off.

[Hatz]

Like I have said several times..I like the Bowling Green area and I think Western does a fine job with the venue. What I did have a problem with is some jerk out west that can ride a bike to the games tell everyone to basically shut up about it. (yes, I know how far Mayfield is to Bowling Green, little sarcasm) I do have a problem with driving over 11 hours in a days time also. Would I continue to drive it? Absolutely. There can be some parity in the equation thou.

If it helps any, the last time I was at the State Finals it took 8 hours, one way. Of course I was coming from VA and I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express before driving back the next day. :Thumbs:

[zebra'seyes]

It is Louisville or Bowling Green. No other facility has the box area for coaches, officials, and khsaa diplomats.

[MayfieldCardinal]

BG hands down is the best place in the state to hosts it. Though I wish they would move it to Murray who has a stadium that is adequate for the crowd.

[mysonis55]

I promise I would not whine about going to state, even if they made us drive to Texas. I have to go to Richmond about once per year anyway, for something that isn't as much fun as football.

[Crossbones]

Depends on who's hands your looking at!! I wish they would move it to Pikeville College, since some of you all want it moved into your back yard, all the way on the other end of the state. Why not move it all the way to this end of the state?

[toussaints]

Here's the thing for the state finals, you can't have both fan bases sit on the same side. You don't want the opposing fans behind your bench, you don't want fights breaking out in the stands, and you'll want to have concession stands and restrooms on separate sides (not a grill and port-o-potty). You need a stadium that has multiple entrances, field turf, multiple locker rooms, plenty of parking, and hotel space close by. It helps having the game in a college stadium, making it a little extra special too. Most importantly, it needs to hold at least 15,000 comfortably and a press/luxury box

Looking at all of that, here are the stadiums in kentucky that fit
- Houchens Stadium, Bowling Green
- Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Louisville

[MtnHSFootballFan]

Yawn!!!!!!!!!!!

[mysonis55]

I guess some of yall don't enjoy the trips as much as we do. We kind of make it part of the fun. Our bunch will be deciding months in advance whether they want to take the fan bus, car pool with someone and drive straight through, drive alone and stay the night or drive alone and drive straight through. We usually have favorite places to eat along the way or whatever. I guess we actually enjoy that part as much as the game. I dont know maybe it is because our closest district game is 30 miles one way. Our furthest is 2.5 hours. For Regionals every other year its a 3 hour trip. For Semi Finals every other year its 5 plus hours one way and if we are so fortunate state is 2.5 hours one way. If it was in Louisville it only added about an hour to our trip. We actually have fans that will go up to state every year, whether or not we are there. I think the personnel of KHSAA are doing all they can to make the state games fair, accessible to all, reasonably priced and fun. I really think that it is a slap in the face of the people that work so hard all year long on this type of stuff for us to get on here and continue to question every decision they make.