Blacksburg riding the Cinderella train will it continue and any chance this game is moved to the Lynchburg area?
Staunton River vs Blacksburg
- Thread starter OCBoy
- Start date
Congratulations West teams. It has been West vs West last 2 years! VHSL needs to reconsider Liberty University as the state venue! Wonderful area and why should teams that would travel 1-2 hours now have to travel 4.5 hours. I know that these 2 teams are glad to be going to the dance but Liberty is in the middle of 3A competition! Again, congratulations to both teams on your accomplishments this season! 1 more game for all the marbles!!
Liberty is out of the question I'm sure with late notice but I would think they could find a decent size HS stadium to play in down there
Just to add my two cents, IMHO LU does absolutely not need to be reconsidered. I doubt W&M would say to the VHSL, "Okay, we'll just forget about that contract you signed". Nor should they.
I'd drive to Chincoteague to see my team play for all the marbles. If Blacksburg and SR fans aren't willing to do the same for their first title game appearances in 27 years, and EVER (respectively), then shame on them. Something tells me plenty of fans from both schools will be up for a road trip. Especially to Williamsburg, a considerably nicer place to visit than Lynchburg. IMHO again, of course.
I'd drive to Chincoteague to see my team play for all the marbles. If Blacksburg and SR fans aren't willing to do the same for their first title game appearances in 27 years, and EVER (respectively), then shame on them. Something tells me plenty of fans from both schools will be up for a road trip. Especially to Williamsburg, a considerably nicer place to visit than Lynchburg. IMHO again, of course.
Lynchburg city stadium has been upgraded a ton this year.. it's a very nice pl to play the game. Lynchburg fans would pack that place.
Word is wrestling might be split in half at state - 1/2/3 @ Salem, 4/5/6 out East.
Wonder how football would do if they went that route?
Games @ Salem and, lets say W'burg, at 11, 3 and 7?
Wonder how football would do if they went that route?
Games @ Salem and, lets say W'burg, at 11, 3 and 7?
I made that suggestion on here last year and it's a great idea
It's not a done deal for wrestling. VHSL announced they were going to do that but didn't check with the venue in Norfolk on money for adding 4A and of course the venue wants more money and VHSL don't want to pay more. They are talking about having 4A wrestling have it separate in some high school on their own which is BS. Talks are trying to get it back in Salem for this year.
That's why I said 'word is' and 'might'.
Pretty sure this season was locked in a while back with 1-4 still in Salem and 5/6 @ Oscar Smith.
The new set-up would be for the start of the next 2-year cycle.
I don't know about 5/6, but I made a suggestion for Salem on how they could keep things at 2 days instead of going to 3. We'll see.
Ky does that with their six, but they seem to run into conflicts with the college that requires moving a game or 3.
If the game was still at LU it would save ton of money for SR & Blacksburg . Now they got to get hotel rooms for over night your looking at 60 people
Per team that's right $$ plus when they can't give teachers raises & so does the fans .
Per team that's right $$ plus when they can't give teachers raises & so does the fans .
what would be great and REALLY SIMPLE would be for 1A and 3A to switch locations. I'm sure Sussex would rather play at W&M than Salem; Riverheads would only add about 100 miles.
The VHSL is so dumb and stupid I cannot put it into words. There simply isn't words in the English language to describe the decision to move D3/4 games from Lynchburg to Williamsburg. Lynchburg has W'Burg beat in every facet of being host venue for the games. Not sure of route Salem, St. River and Blacksburg will take, but there's a good chance that they will drive within 100 yards of LU stadium on way to W&M. How stupid is this for VHSL ? Traffic will be a nightmare on 64 and all the side roads leading into W&M., not to mention getting around Richmond. I hope VHSL suffers a major financial blow "at the gate". Granted a lot of fans will still make the voyage to W&M, but a lot will also stay home rather than suffer thru the traffic situation, that will develop.
I originally said I would not go no matter who's playing, but I am considering going down, just to be able to compare the W&M site with LU site. The St. River-Blacksburg game has potential to be best D3 game in years. SR is there for first time and Blacksburg is probably first 10 seed ever to make it to title game. This will not be 2 wing T teams playing to a 6-0 final score.
I am surprised someone within VHSL didn't stand up and tell VHSL how stupid this move was. If my memory is correct the Executive Committee voted 15-0 to make this move. I can't believe no one was against such a stupid decision.
I originally said I would not go no matter who's playing, but I am considering going down, just to be able to compare the W&M site with LU site. The St. River-Blacksburg game has potential to be best D3 game in years. SR is there for first time and Blacksburg is probably first 10 seed ever to make it to title game. This will not be 2 wing T teams playing to a 6-0 final score.
I am surprised someone within VHSL didn't stand up and tell VHSL how stupid this move was. If my memory is correct the Executive Committee voted 15-0 to make this move. I can't believe no one was against such a stupid decision.
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Typically, most people do a day trip to these games; some will do an overnight. Lynchburg, for a day trip, minus the tourist component, is perfect for a state final game. Restaurants have gotten better and the LU campus is very beautiful (now). The central location of Lynchburg for West and East teams makes the most sense, in my opinion.
Only a portion of the travel costs a school incurs for state championships are reimbursed by the VHSL. Blacksburg had to initiate a fundraiser to pay its share for hotel rooms and buses from Blacksburg to Hampton for the Phoebus semi-final, and will have to do so again for the state championship game.
Even though it shortened our (Dinwiddie) bus trip by 1 hour I still wish the 3-4 finals were still being played at Liberty. Have been to the finals each year since 2013 and thoroughly enjoyed the experience at Liberty. With that being said you cannot predict who is going to make it to the finals. For the past two seasons LT had to make the trip to Lynchburg and pay for hotels while Salem jumped on a bus for the 1 hour trip. I get the two west teams thing in 3a, but who would have predicted Blacksburg vs. Staunton River before the contracts were signed.
Next year we are going back to regional play, so like it or not (two best teams may not make final) a true east vs. west, north vs. south) match-up will occur and centrally located games should be considered. To be honest, I don't know how to make it fair or where that should be. Is it fair to currently make any team at any level drive 3-5 hours? I think as fans we are very unreasonable. There is really no sound answer here. The VHSL cannot wait until the semi's are completed to make a decision. You have to play where the game is pre-scheduled or stay at home. One thing to consider is the schools are the VHSL. If one does not like the format then go to your own school administrator and voice your concern. The school representatives are the responsible party, not the VHSL.
Next year we are going back to regional play, so like it or not (two best teams may not make final) a true east vs. west, north vs. south) match-up will occur and centrally located games should be considered. To be honest, I don't know how to make it fair or where that should be. Is it fair to currently make any team at any level drive 3-5 hours? I think as fans we are very unreasonable. There is really no sound answer here. The VHSL cannot wait until the semi's are completed to make a decision. You have to play where the game is pre-scheduled or stay at home. One thing to consider is the schools are the VHSL. If one does not like the format then go to your own school administrator and voice your concern. The school representatives are the responsible party, not the VHSL.
I say everyone in state should contact VHSL Director in Charlottesville. Granted the schools vote, but Director normally "suggests" what to do. That's why Exec Committee vote was 15-0.
Its called a contract. Unless there is a clause in the contract allowing VHSL to void it at any time the site would have every right to claim a loss of income through a law suit. I am sure William and Mary and Hampton would even have to amend their own schedules had they made the playoffs by playing on Friday night. Plus there may be a substantial deposit required. What you are suggesting is a poor business model. If they did that no college in their right mind would bid on the contract only to be told sorry the two teams are not from your area. Would you give a rip if the game was in Salem and the two teams came from Hopewell and Phoebus?
I just thought of something. I remember Dinwiddie traveled to Virginia Tech one year to play Phoebus for the title. It was cold as a well diggers tail, but no one complained about playing there. Its the State Championship. You think Alabama cares if they play Clemson in California for the National Championship? By your method they would cancel the contract and play it in the orange bowl.
I just thought of something. I remember Dinwiddie traveled to Virginia Tech one year to play Phoebus for the title. It was cold as a well diggers tail, but no one complained about playing there. Its the State Championship. You think Alabama cares if they play Clemson in California for the National Championship? By your method they would cancel the contract and play it in the orange bowl.
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@vhsl helper, check out vhsl web site under state event facility requirements. This may shed some light on the situation. The bids for host sites for the 2016-2017 sports season were required to be submitted by July 5, 2015.
A few examples:
The number one "policy and programs" priority identified in VHSL's current 5-year Strategic Plan (adopted May 2, 2007) is to "Enhance district, region and state events, venues and experiences for all participants." As a part of this initiative, staff was directed to investigate and implement options that would "create a positive, 'big time,' special atmosphere for VHSL events."
To that end, VHSL has established facilities requirements and a bid process to be used by schools, institutions, or organizations that may wish to host one or more VHSL State Championship events. Additionally, there is an establish region rotation for events to be used in the event no bid is received. The rotation is a back-up plan to be used ONLY when no appropriate bid is received.
VHSL sponsors championships in 17 sports and 5 academic activities. More than 200,000 students participate in VHSL programs. Hosting a VHSL Championship can be an exciting and rewarding experience for the host community. We encourage you to review the facilities requirements and, if your facility meets or closely approximates those requirements, submit a bid for consideration.
FOOTBALL
Seating Minimums Div. 6 Div. 5 Div. 4 Div. 3 Div. 2 Div. 1
Semifinal 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000
Final 8000 8000 7500 7500 3500 3500
A few examples:
The number one "policy and programs" priority identified in VHSL's current 5-year Strategic Plan (adopted May 2, 2007) is to "Enhance district, region and state events, venues and experiences for all participants." As a part of this initiative, staff was directed to investigate and implement options that would "create a positive, 'big time,' special atmosphere for VHSL events."
To that end, VHSL has established facilities requirements and a bid process to be used by schools, institutions, or organizations that may wish to host one or more VHSL State Championship events. Additionally, there is an establish region rotation for events to be used in the event no bid is received. The rotation is a back-up plan to be used ONLY when no appropriate bid is received.
VHSL sponsors championships in 17 sports and 5 academic activities. More than 200,000 students participate in VHSL programs. Hosting a VHSL Championship can be an exciting and rewarding experience for the host community. We encourage you to review the facilities requirements and, if your facility meets or closely approximates those requirements, submit a bid for consideration.
FOOTBALL
Seating Minimums Div. 6 Div. 5 Div. 4 Div. 3 Div. 2 Div. 1
Semifinal 4500 4000 3500 3000 2500 2000
Final 8000 8000 7500 7500 3500 3500
Actually # of seats needed depends more on who is playing and venue, rather than size of school. I have seen D1 schools bring more fans than some D4 schools.
Location wise UVA is good. I not sure of parking.
But more fans probably would show up for SR vs Blacksburg than show up for UVA games.
But more fans probably would show up for SR vs Blacksburg than show up for UVA games.
They just moved 6A and 5A away from UVa. From the conversations on here back in May after the announcement, no one was really sure why they left UVa. I still don't understand that move. But I agree 100% with everything Bleeding Navy has said here.
Out of the six state final matchups, only two are being held at a location that lies anywhere between the two combatants - the 2A game, where Salem is pretty close to smackdab in the middle of Richlands and Appo, and the 6A game. And in that one, Hampton U is basically in Oscar Smith's front yard.
I also don't get all the complaining. Well, I do get it, but it's senseless. There's no way the VHSL can make arrangements with suitable venues, and ensure that those venues are going to be convenient to Team A, Team B, Team C, Team D, and all neutral fans that might want to attend. It's just not possible. So if one really wants to attend, get in the damn car and go. As I said before, I doubt many actual fans of Staunton River or Blacksburg are complaining.
It should never be played at a home school. Should always be neutral site on turf field. Same for semis in my opinion.
If Blacksburg wins Saturday they will have won 5 playoff games on the road. Quite an accomplishment considering playoff schedules are set up to aid higher seeded team.
why if the kids play and win they deserve to play at home. And the hell with turf football is a game of elements except lightning. Some kids and schools cant afford 10 pair of shoes depending on the type of field. The weather doesn't discriminate.
The weather doesn't discriminate but it puts a team like Giles at a disadvantage when you have a sloppy field like the state championship some years ago that was played at Midlothian HS against Powhatan. We may not have beaten Powhatan on a turf field either but the conditions were awful. It was after that when games were moved to turf fields. Practically speaking though, why can't 3A and 1A switch if everyone agreed. Doesn't change the number of games in Williamsburg or Salem. Neither SR or Bburg would have to spend the night. I've rarely seen VHSL make any rational decisions. And I don't buy the school administrators decide part.
Its well known here unless Giles is playing Blacksburg there is no bigger Giles fan here than me. But its your style of football that put Giles at a disadvantage if there was one, both teams had to play in it.Just like you have to play with the players dealt you, you have to play with the weather dealt you. Whats next socialist football? lol
The weather cannot be controlled but the playing surface can. That's why turf fields should always be used for state championship games.
I agree the Lynchhurg City Stadium is my favorite now. It would more than accommodate a state game
