(06-03-2013 09:58 PM)Geotag Wrote:  Make sure to swing by Club 152.

I heard it just closed.

(06-03-2013 11:28 PM)TripleA Wrote:  

(06-03-2013 09:26 PM)Bleeds_Purple Wrote:  

(06-03-2013 08:44 PM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  

(06-03-2013 08:40 PM)Bleeds_Purple Wrote:  Could this some how help us get the Liberty Bowl?

Sorry but I see zero connect between the two. Nada. Different people involved, different economics, different sport. Maybe I'm missing something.

How involved is the city of Memphis with the liberty bowl? Bringing the conference tournament to Memphis brings in a lot of tourism money. People getting hotels eating shopping etc. I'm assuming the city will be happy about this and may encourage the liberty bowl to sign with the American. Maybe the liberty bowl will say hey the American Supports the city of Memphis so we should support the American? Maybe I'm way off base here speculating more than anything

The city of Memphis owns Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The city, the university and Liberty Bowl officials have always worked together. If it is possible for the AAC to snag a share of the LB, it will definitely be due to cooperation between the 3 parties. All have something to gain from it.

Tiger fans support the Liberty Bowl through bowl attendance, the university supports it through financial support of stadium maintenance, etc., the city benefits from the success of both, and Memphis' conference has benefitted from a LB tie-in.

In the end, I think we'll get at least a partial share of the Liberty, perhaps rotated with another bowl. Just a guess.

Hope your right. I see a tie to the Liberty as a big key in salvaging a respectable bowl line up for the conference.

So, we're not going to get the Orange Bowl--it is what it is. But if we can get the Liberty, a decent opponent in the Aresco Bowl, maybe a #7/#8 ACC team in the Military---I'd consider that a pretty respectable top half of a bowl line up for a G-5 conference. Fill out the bottom with New Orleans, St Pete, and Dallas--maybe another one or two---I wouldnt be popping the champagne--but it wouldnt be terrible either. It would be respectable.

(06-03-2013 09:41 PM)transitt Wrote:  Ok...if it happens, I know that most of our new conference brethren know this, for for the UConn and Temple fans. Here's the arena.

It pretty well sits in between THIS

and THIS

and while you're here you should eat lots of THIS

and especially THIS

I am all in... cant wait.

what is capacity of Fedex Forum ?

Is the Pyramid still used ?

(06-04-2013 07:00 AM)taximan1 Wrote:  I am all in... cant wait.

what is capacity of Fedex Forum ?

Is the Pyramid still used ?

18,119

The Pyramid is in the process of being converted to the world's largest Bass Pro Shop.

(06-03-2013 11:28 PM)TripleA Wrote:  The city, the university and Liberty Bowl officials have always worked together.

Except for the fact that Liberty Bowl founder (and Notre Dame alumn) Bud Dudley, who brought the bowl to Memphis in 1964 did not want UofM to play in his bowl. It was only after the bowl came under the direction of Steve Earhart that UofM became viewed as a valuable asset and with respect. Had the Liberty Bowl given Tiger football the opportunities back in the 60's and 70's that the Orange Bowl later gave Miami, there is no telling what we could have accomplished.

(06-03-2013 09:26 PM)Bleeds_Purple Wrote:  

(06-03-2013 08:44 PM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  

(06-03-2013 08:40 PM)Bleeds_Purple Wrote:  Could this some how help us get the Liberty Bowl?

Sorry but I see zero connect between the two. Nada. Different people involved, different economics, different sport. Maybe I'm missing something.

How involved is the city of Memphis with the liberty bowl? Bringing the conference tournament to Memphis brings in a lot of tourism money. People getting hotels eating shopping etc. I'm assuming the city will be happy about this and may encourage the liberty bowl to sign with the American. Maybe the liberty bowl will say hey the American Supports the city of Memphis so we should support the American? Maybe I'm way off base here speculating more than anything

First -- the Liberty Bowl is going to sign with some conference so the stuff about "tourism money" applies, to different degrees, to any conference the Liberty Bowl contracts with. Second, both the Liberty Bowl game and the FedExForum are run by stand alone for profit organizations -- not the city of Memphis. Both are primarily responsible to themselves first. I'm sure that there are different factors that go into deciding the conference invite for a basketball tournament (with many teams) and a contract with two conferences for a bowl game (with two teams) --- in the latter, but not necessarily the former, you had better make sure you're contracting with a conference whose members are likely to travel since you have only two teams involved. Not so important for a field of teams in a tournament. Now some may disagree -- but the AAC is much more of a crap shoot in football than some of the other choices the Liberty Bowl might have. I doubt very seriously that the Liberty Bowl would do well with distant teams like UConn or Temple in the game or even a near team like Tulane. On the other hand a basketball tournament with a Tulane or a ECU, on their own, doesn't hurt and isn't a factor. Plus the citizens of Memphis are generally more likely to come to watch basketball than football - all else equal.

(06-04-2013 08:49 AM)Gray Avenger Wrote:  

(06-03-2013 11:28 PM)TripleA Wrote:  The city, the university and Liberty Bowl officials have always worked together.

Except for the fact that Liberty Bowl founder (and Notre Dame alumn) Bud Dudley, who brought the bowl to Memphis in 1964 did not want UofM to play in his bowl. It was only after the bowl came under the direction of Steve Earhart that UofM became viewed as a valuable asset and with respect. Had the Liberty Bowl given Tiger football the opportunities back in the 60's and 70's that the Orange Bowl later gave Miami, there is no telling what we could have accomplished.

Okay, I should have said for a long time, instead of always. I'm posting with one thumb on a phone most of the time. Give me a break here.

I was leaning towards Palestra, but Memphis has been a great location for many C-USA tournaments, and will be a great location for AAC, too.

Actually they should make it part of the Liberty Bowl deal...we will play the hoops tourney here only if the Liberty Bowl signs at last a 3 year deal with the AAC vs Big12 . If not Cincy can step in and host....Memphis would be my choice for year one!

(06-04-2013 02:00 PM)Bearcat T Wrote:  Actually they should make it part of the Liberty Bowl deal...we will play the hoops tourney here only if the Liberty Bowl signs at least a 3 year deal with the AAC vs Big12.

They would say NO even before you could finish reading that sentence.

(06-03-2013 09:58 PM)Geotag Wrote:  Make sure to swing by Club 152.

(06-03-2013 04:11 PM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  Greg Gaston ‏@Greg_Gaston 1h
Mike Aresco will visit FedExForum on Wednesday. Unless there is a major about face Memphis will be awarded the 1st A.A.C. Men's hoop tourney

Can't argue with that. Nice facility, not a bad geographic location in terms of travel, a fun town, and a fan-base that appreciates college hoops.

Yes, it will give Memphis an advantage, but .... so what?

(06-04-2013 08:49 AM)Gray Avenger Wrote:  Had the Liberty Bowl given Tiger football the opportunities back in the 60's and 70's that the Orange Bowl later gave Miami, there is no telling what we could have accomplished.

The Orange Bowl never really smiled on Miami until Miami was good enough to attract everyone's attention (1983).

I sure hope Tiger fans can deliver on their promise to deliver the Liberty Bowl to the AAC, but, would anyone be surprised if they can't? Bowls often have bigger fish to fry than working with the local school.

(06-04-2013 06:22 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(06-04-2013 08:49 AM)Gray Avenger Wrote:  Had the Liberty Bowl given Tiger football the opportunities back in the 60's and 70's that the Orange Bowl later gave Miami, there is no telling what we could have accomplished.

The Orange Bowl never really smiled on Miami until Miami was good enough to attract everyone's attention (1983).

I sure hope Tiger fans can deliver on their promise to deliver the Liberty Bowl to the AAC, but, would anyone be surprised if they can't? Bowls often have bigger fish to fry than working with the local school.

I don't recall seeing an absolute "promise" but I haven't read every single comment by all Memphis fans.

I think GA has said it will happen. Don't recall anyone else, so it's likely one fan, not "fans."

(06-04-2013 06:22 PM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(06-04-2013 08:49 AM)Gray Avenger Wrote:  Had the Liberty Bowl given Tiger football the opportunities back in the 60's and 70's that the Orange Bowl later gave Miami, there is no telling what we could have accomplished.

The Orange Bowl never really smiled on Miami until Miami was good enough to attract everyone's attention (1983).

I sure hope Tiger fans can deliver on their promise to deliver the Liberty Bowl to the AAC, but, would anyone be surprised if they can't? Bowls often have bigger fish to fry than working with the local school.

A lot depends on the background of those running the bowl games. In the case of the OB yes UM was not invited until they were good enough but the OB tied itself to whichever league UM was part of. It's no coincidence that the BE lost its OB tie in when UM left.
The OB now is made up of many in community with ties to UM no way they go away from a tie in to a league where UM is not a member.

(06-04-2013 08:30 PM)TripleA Wrote:  I think GA has said it will happen. Don't recall anyone else, so it's likely one fan, not "fans."

Ahhhhhh yes.

I remember seeing something like ~"I assure you------" over the last day or two. Thanks for the reminder.

Gary Parrish @GaryParrishCBS
Mike Aresco spent Wednesday in Memphis and should soon announce his tourney will be there, source told @CBSSports. http://cbsprt.co/14yjQS1

Quote:American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco visited FedExForum on Wednesday and will, barring a major change of plans, announce "sooner rather than later" that his league's first men's basketball tournament will be played in Memphis, a source told CBSSports.com.

The dates are expected to be March 13-15.

The American will next season be a 10-school league headlined by Louisville, Memphis, Connecticut, Cincinnati and Temple. Louisville and Memphis are both in the top 15 of the CBSSports.com preseason Top 25 (and one). FedExForum is also home to the Memphis Grizzlies and Memphis Tigers.

AAC MemphisLooks like it is Memphis

Good deal. Now let's get the bowl lineup done!