Hoover alternatives

[justwin]

So, the SEC is having media days this week. One topic that I'd like to see is adapting an alternating SEC baseball venue instead of exclusively being @ Hoover. I would think:

Biloxi - the new stadium down there should be a big draw ~ fishing, casinos, let's face it...LSU/MSU/OM/UF are usually the better tourney teams and they would all travel well there.

Hilton Head / Charleston - great destination for a vacation up & down the coast

Florida - there has to be countless A+ level minor league parks, etc.

Memphis - Redbirds facility, blues, coincides with Memphis in May

I think it has worked well rotating the basketball tourney from Nawlins, Nash, Atl, even Tampa.

I actually would like to see the SEC Football Champ start rotating venues....Nawlins, Nash, Charlotte, Florida, Bristol even. I'd like to see the SEC ship being played on real grass for once or in the cold even ~ Nash, Charlotte, Bristol

Thoughts?

[HereComesTheSpiral]

Didnt the SEC sign some ridiculous lease to keep the tournament in that shithole.

[nsvltndog]

Hoover has contract through 2016 so next 2 seasons are locked unless it has been extended further.

Most games seem to top out in the 8000-9000 range on attendance, but there are bumps up to 12,000-13,000 for big games - MSU in 2012 championship game was ~12,500.

Find the parks that fit those numbers and you have your alternatives.

[Goat Holder]

I went for the first time this year, and I like it at Hoover. This has come up a lot, and I think it's up for re-bid again after 2016. But I think it will stay in Hoover, that city takes too much pride in it. They have it down to a science. Plus, the huge RV lots are one big thing that gives it a leg up on other parks around the region (and being near the SEC office never hurts). Hoover just has a better college feel to me, and I really don't think they want it to coincide with that other stuff you listed. I think they'd rather SEC baseball be the main attraction, and it is in Hoover.

[BulldogBear]

Rotate through several of those

[MetEdDawg]

The only reason I could see anyone wanting it moved it because of proximity. There is plenty of food nearby, the RV parking is good and a necessity at an event like this, the stadium is in good shape, it's centrally located, and although it can be difficult to get in and out of at times, it would be like that most anywhere you hold it.

I will admit I'm biased because I'm from that area and know it very well, but it's been there for as long as I can remember (I'm young) and they've really done a great job in my opinion. I hope it stays there.

[dickiedawg]

The only reason I could see anyone wanting it moved it because of proximity. There is plenty of food nearby, the RV parking is good and a necessity at an event like this, the stadium is in good shape, it's centrally located, and although it can be difficult to get in and out of at times, it would be like that most anywhere you hold it.

I will admit I'm biased because I'm from that area and know it very well, but it's been there for as long as I can remember (I'm young) and they've really done a great job in my opinion. I hope it stays there.

Agree with every word of this. It's normally really not that hard to get in and out of, they really do a great job with traffic. Almost anywhere else they put it I would think parking would be a problem.

Like you, though, I am partial to the area because I have family and friends there.

[Goat Holder]

I'm with you, with basically everything you posted. Except I disagree that it can be tough to get in and out of.........they had the best traffic control I've EVER seen at a sporting event. Very well maintained. For that matter, every sporting event will be a traffic nightmare if it gets crowded enough, especially at Regions Field, Autozone park, and other fields in major downtown areas.

Hoover quite possibly could be the perfect destination for the SECT. It's the format that needs changing, not the location.

[godlluB]

As a Bulldog, it would be idiotic to want to move it anywhere else. It's the closest good venue to Starkville. It's also simple to get to it from Tupelo, Meridian, Hattiesburg and Jackson. It's a beautiful park with good amenities located in a city with plenty of good food and nice hotels nearby. I've never had a traffic problem there, and parking is free and plentiful. We have a ton of alumni in the Birmingham area.

It's a 100% positive for MSU to play the tourney in Hoover.

[Steakonastick]

It will stay in Hoover. That town bends over backwards for it.

Also it's one of the few minor league stadiums that candle 12k fans. Memphis would be a disaster parking wise. You would have to pay to park where as Hoover is free. Also zero parking for rv's. The sec tourney will never be on the east coast. LSU, State, Bama, Ole Miss are the schools that make up 80 percent of the attendance. I don't see it going on the Miss Coast because that stadium would not be large enough. Also, the only full service hotels you have are casinos. Can't see the Sec putting teams up in the Beau. I think as long as Hoover keeps putting money into the Met its there to stay.