(03-23-2017 10:38 AM)Sninho Wrote:  

(03-22-2017 01:37 PM)WKUYG Wrote:  

(03-22-2017 09:40 AM)DETLTU Wrote:  

(03-21-2017 07:25 PM)lmckay92 Wrote:  Also, Birmingham actually has other things to do besides go to the UAB game. How many times could you all in Bowling Green possibly go to the Corvette museum? Is that why the floor gave out?

I was actually surprised how much stuff there was to do in Bowling Green. We are taking a vacation there this summer. One of the things we really enjoyed was doing cave tours (that actually is the reason the floor gave out). We enjoy hiking and stuff though (and cars).

And only a 45 minute drive to downtown Nashville.

I personally think of BG as boring, not a lot to do, but that goes for most cities. Hell if you like to drink there are bars anywhere you go. Not my style. But other than that most of the cities are boring with a pocket full of kind of boring things to do and see. Unless you are into the flavor...like caving, hiking.

But people shouldn't limit themselves to just one area. As you found out there are caves all around BG with in a 30 minute drive. And as I said Nashville is 45 minutes (for me). Also a few good lakes to fish and golf courses to play. You have some gaming/slots 15 minutes up the road from BG at the Downs.

If the tourney is held in Frisco Texas....downtown Dallas is 27 miles away but probably 40+ minute drive and people will drive. But those same people look at exploring a 40 minute drive in the host city of BG or B'ham, or where ever....

will not make that drive and consider it too far

There's only a few things that will draw fans to spend a few vacation days and a big chunk of money the family might be saving for vacation.

1. good shopping for the wife
2. beach/ocean (warm weather is a huge plus)
3. gambling
4. great night life
5. history
6. golf
7. fishing/boating
8. great food...different types

That's what most people will be willing to give up vacation time for to go along with basketball. Other than Fla. only New Orleans will give you most of those. But a very close 2nd would be Biloxi Miss. With New Orleans a kind of short 90 minute drive.

Some people look at New Orleans as dangerous, like B'ham. I think most of those just are afraid in general and see the world as the way intercities are shown on TV. I love being around all classes of life and not once felt afraid in New Orleans or B'ham. Not even when myself and my wife or son were the only white people eating in a rundown building close to the 9th ward (one of the poorest more dangerous/crime neighborhoods)in New Orleans. I know that is stereo typing but lets be honest...most white folks when they talk about being unsafe are talking about race. Not saying anyone is racist for feeling that way. Most aren't but people view the world in the way TV shows it to them. For the most part

I take that back we walked into a nice looking place (from the outside) to eat Maryland, fairly close to DC on our trip to a WKU/Navy football game. They had two armed...fully armed with body armor standing inside the door.

Long story just to make a quick point....
every place is interesting if you don't limit yourself just to a area. But to get more families...you need about 70-80% of the things on that list.

From Frisco, you don't need to drive to Dallas for the things I highlighted. They're all within a 10min drive from Frisco. Shopping in Frisco and Northwest Plano, nightlife in Northwest Plano, TPC Craig Ranch for golf in McKinney, Lake Lewisville (or other surrounding lakes) for fishing/boating, tons of food options in Plano, The Colony, McKinney, and Frisco. If you want History, you can make the drive to Dallas, but you don't have to. And if you really have to gamble, Winstar World Casino is just over the Oklahoma border, 1.5-2hrs away. I haven't seen plans, but the Ford Center seats 15K for football, and their stands are raised above the field. I wouldn't be surprised if a basketball arrangement sat 18K. There's also a convention center with an arena where the Maverick's D-League team plays that could probably also be used to have the Women's tournament at the same time. Frisco would be a very family friendly atmosphere as well.

1. good shopping for the wife
2. beach/ocean (warm weather is a huge plus)
3. gambling
4. great night life
5. history
6. golf
7. fishing/boating
8. great food...different types

Norfolk/VA beach checks all boxes but gambling....too bad we have such a stupid rule (men/women together requirement).

Don't worry I'll throw together a quick CUSA poker tournament if we ever host

The tourney should be in a neutral location somewhere in the middle of the conference. Not sure where that would be but New Orleans sounds like a good place.

What about St. Louis?

(03-23-2017 01:07 PM)Fitbud Wrote:  The tourney should be in a neutral location somewhere in the middle of the conference. Not sure where that would be but New Orleans sounds like a good place.

What about St. Louis?

Ha of all the places thrown out to host that is the one that makes the least sense...What school do we have anywhere near St. Louis? St. Louis host the MVC tourney, our schools do not have anything in common or close to St. Louis....Hell might as well have it in Indianapolis or Des Moines...

Reward the players, coaches, fans, ADs and Presidents and all of the school's traveling party.....

South Fla. There's a reason FAU or FIU will most likely make up the highest attended road football game for fans of most CUSA schools that is not with in a 4 hour drive. Families love the beach, weather, city

If not there New Orleans

If not there Biloxi

Be just as many fans at one of these places if the home team got knocked out early if played in one of our cities. Hell even Mobile with Orange beach and Biloxi a short 30 minute drive. The last time Middle and Western met in the finials in Mobile....

6,000+ showed up