Every year we discuss the pros and cons of playing state semifinals at neutral sites. If the KHSAA were to adopt this format (they won't, and I'm fine with that, but just play along), what would be your requirements for hosting?

 

First, I think it would have to be played at a facility with turf. Turf would assure that weather wouldn't be too big of a problem. Also, in case there were multiple games played at the facility in one day/weekend, turf would hold up better.

 

Second, I have no reason to say college fields only, but I do think there would need to be some type of minimum seating capacity.

 

Finally, all schools would need to be on board and the KHSAA in conjunction with participating schools would make the final call on game sites. You would have to have games a reasonable distance between both schools. [Example: Corbin vs. Belfry this week could be played at Hazard High; turf field; 73 miles from Corbin, 89 miles from Belfry]. Both schools would have to agree to participate, while all host schools that meet requirements would automatically be required to participate if chosen. Any college could choose to participate, but obviously would be exempt if they were hosting a regular season or playoff game. I think colleges would be interesting in this as it could serve as a possible recruiting tool for their school.

 

So lets hear it from you guys. What would be your requirements for something like this?

I'd charge 20 bucks a ticket.

I am fine with the seating and field requirements. Don't think it has to be at a college or field turf necessarily though. People tend to overestimate how many fans travel for games - especially for a game the day after Thanksgiving.

I am fine with the seating and field requirements. Don't think it has to be at a college or field turf necessarily though. People tend to overestimate how many fans travel for games - especially for a game the day after Thanksgiving.

 

That's true. But state semifinals typically do pull in big crowds. My thought on turf is that it would eliminate a bad weather issue and would also help prep the winning team for the state championship game the next week.

That's true. But state semifinals typically do pull in big crowds. My thought on turf is that it would eliminate a bad weather issue and would also help prep the winning team for the state championship game the next week.

 

For home crowds they do. But when you take two schools traveling 90-120 minutes, that number is cut in half I would say. Again, it is my experience that people overestimate how many people travel to games (or even show up to their own stadiums for that fact).

For home crowds they do. But when you take two schools traveling 90-120 minutes, that number is cut in half I would say.

 

Good point. It would probably depend on the school traveling. For instance, would more Corbin fans travel to Hazard instead of Belfry? Maybe. Would that offset the number not traveling from Belfry to Hazard who would have watched the game at Belfry? Not sure.

I like the idea of Semi State being at a Neutral Site. A lot of other states do this...and isn't Kentucky Football horrible and we should do it like Ohio and Texas...that's one thing they do differently.

 

Semi state shouldn't be decided because one team has a 4 hour bus ride and the other one doesn't.

 

I'd like to see a list of fields available and on Saturday morning after the Region Finals the KHSAA and 2 ADs have a quick Conference call to determine the best site for the game.

Sites have to be predetermined before playoffs even start or it will look shady on the KHSAA part.

 

Find places that work (its not like the who plays who --regions wise--) changes from year to year. You will need 4 sites, 3 games at each site. One on Friday, two on Saturday.

Sites have to be predetermined before playoffs even start or it will look shady on the KHSAA part.

 

Find places that work (its not like the who plays who --regions wise--) changes from year to year. You will need 4 sites, 3 games at each site. One on Friday, two on Saturday.

 

I think a list of available sites would have to be determined but the schools could figure it out the morning after the region finals.

 

Two Examples using Eastern half of 5A, Some of the available sites are Georgetown, EKU or Madison Southern

1) Highlands and Harlan County in the Semi Finals...Mad Southern would be right at 2 hours (per Mapquest)for each team

2) Highlands and Pulaski in the Semi Finals...a little over an hour for both schools...15 minutes closer for Highlands

 

A system could easily be set up to facilitate this.

1. Seating Capacity > 4000

2. Separate and Ample Home and Visitor Seating

3. Turf Field

4. Seperate home and visiting locker rooms. No teams having to prepare in a gym or on the field.

5. A KHSAA approved P.A. man (no cheerleaders)

6. A KHSAA approved clock operator (no affiliation to either team)

7. Stadium lighting levels must meet a certain threshold of footcandles.

I think a list of available sites would have to be determined but the schools could figure it out the morning after the region finals.

 

Two Examples using Eastern half of 5A, Some of the available sites are Georgetown, EKU or Madison Southern

1) Highlands and Harlan County in the Semi Finals...Mad Southern would be right at 2 hours (per Mapquest)for each team

2) Highlands and Pulaski in the Semi Finals...a little over an hour for both schools...15 minutes closer for Highlands

 

A system could easily be set up to facilitate this.

 

Sites have to be announced before playoffs start, period. Leaves the door open for suggested favoritism if you don't (whether it is their or not.)

1. Seating Capacity > 4000

2. Separate and Ample Home and Visitor Seating

3. Turf Field

4. Seperate home and visiting locker rooms. No teams having to prepare in a gym or on the field.

5. A KHSAA approved P.A. man (no cheerleaders)

6. A KHSAA approved clock operator (no affiliation to either team)

7. Stadium lighting levels must meet a certain threshold of footcandles.

 

I thought clocks were ran by officials after the first round playoff games anyways?

Sites have to be announced before playoffs start, period. Leaves the door open for suggested favoritism if you don't (whether it is their or not.)

 

How would it be favoritism if both teams agreed to the site...it would be worse if the site was assigned beforehand and when game time came site clearly favored one team over the other.

 

I think Texas does it this way maybe, schools get together and decide on location so that neither team has an advantage.

Sites have to be announced before playoffs start, period. Leaves the door open for suggested favoritism if you don't (whether it is their or not.)

 

I think you could have a list of schools/colleges that are potential host sites prior to the start of the postseason. Then when two teams are set for the semifinals, use a mapping system to find a turf-field midpoint.

 

I'm not understanding how favoritism comes in? If Belfry/Corbin were moved to Hazard, who is that playing favorites for?

I thought clocks were ran by officials after the first round playoff games anyways?

 

Nope. When we made the state semifinals a few years back the same folks were in the press box as all season.