With all of the new field turf around the state, both at the high school and college venues, it seems it would be possible for teams that would be four hours apart normally, to find a half way spot to set up shop. A two hour drive isn't bad for the teams or their fans.

 

 

How many teams are 2 hours from Lexington, Ashland, Bowling Green, Louisville, etc?

 

As it stands now, if Ashland and BG want to get together, it is a day trip for someone. If they meet in Lexington...it would be no big deal.

I think this is a great idea.

 

I have heard numbers for field turf on the order of $750,000 for the field. If some of the larger districts would put in one, or more, field turf fields they could actually share the field among teams. You might need to share the field among 4 teams with a game played Friday and one on Saturday.

 

I see this as an opportunity for more schools to play on field turf.

 

If the Jefferson County District, or Fayette District adopted a model similar to this I think they could save some bucks keeping a field up for each school.

 

It becomes quite a mess when a grass turf field hosts 5+ football games and girls and boys soccer and possibly lacrosse. By the time you reach November the field can be one big strip of mud (if we had any rain).

 

A common neutral sight would not necessarily cut down on the aggregate total of travel, but it will distribute evenly every year and allow the fans to make a reasonable trip, if they are able. I think it could also open up some cross state rivalries - which can't be anything but good for Kentucky prep football.:ylsuper:

One factor not considered in holding neutral site games. Who is in charge of the following?

 

Concession workers

Cleaning up the stadium/lockerroom after the game

Security

On site logistics

How will stadium rent be split

 

 

If Danville and Corbin want to meet in Bowling Green in the semifinals, they would have to pay to rent LT Smith Stadium, plus pay for the associated costs. How much would that cut into the profit for both teams?

 

Even if a high school that has field turf hosts the game, they would still charge rent and other costs.

 

I'm sure many schools had rather have the benefit of the gate rather than benefit of neutrality.

my thought was more along the lines of using a field turf field that is not being used on a given Friday night.

 

Example: Highlands plays an away game at Dixie. Two teams from opposite ends of the state (about 2 hours from Ft Thomas) get together there. Say Ashland v E-Town. If one of them traveled to the others home field, it would be a 4 hour drive each way. This way each team drives 2 hours each way, and the opportunities to play teams from all over increases by a bunch. You would only want to do this once or at the most twice a year, but because you are not tied into a home and home with the other team, it would increase the number of different teams you would see over the years.

 

This could be done all over the state.

Off the top of my head I would say Teams split the gate - generally hte fans are theirs - save a few locals who want to see good football. The home school can take the concessions. This could be big depending upon the crowd, although with the setup now they have the gate and concessions....

One factor not considered in holding neutral site games. Who is in charge of the following?

 

Concession workers

Cleaning up the stadium/lockerroom after the game

Security

On site logistics

How will stadium rent be split

 

 

If Danville and Corbin want to meet in Bowling Green in the semifinals, they would have to pay to rent LT Smith Stadium, plus pay for the associated costs. How much would that cut into the profit for both teams?

 

Even if a high school that has field turf hosts the game, they would still charge rent and other costs.

 

I'm sure many schools had rather have the benefit of the gate rather than benefit of neutrality.

 

Good points, but as the idea would expand, the hosting team would, I hope charge minimally for the use of a field that would be dark anyway. It would also give people from different areas a chance to see two teams play that they would never see otherwise.

It could but it would kill attendance. If the schools weren't sharing the gate, it would be logical. But again, you have schools whose athletic budgets depend on the football gate.

 

Why is neutrality such a big deal for the playoffs? Both Fort Campbell and NCC won on the road in the semifinals. Beechwood won at Frankfort. Central won at Paducah Tilghman. Bowling Green won at Owensboro. I'm not seeing the overall logic because where I'm at, there is only one venue in a two hour drive with field turf.

my thought was more along the lines of using a field turf field that is not being used on a given Friday night.

 

Sorry, I am actually with you and agree with your proposal. I took the post in a slightly different direction. Obviously the logistics would still need to be worked out, but I see your proposal as a great way to cut travel (vs. home and away) and being able to play on a more consistent surface than grass turf.

I like it. You also have Bye weeks which leaves a Friday night available.

You can take between 3 and 5 grand right off the top to rent a field with a type of field turf.

 

Pay for at least one person from host school to open up, and close the field.

 

Security/police, most are off duty and I have heard it's about, or over, $20 per hour per person.

 

The host team will need to find people who are willing to work the concessions, this may come down to paying those people too.

 

Ticket takers could be from one or both of the school playing.

 

Are both teams going to bring enough fans to cover the above mentioned items, plus travel expenses?

I would just caution that while it is enjoyable to see good teams match-up in good games, I would limit it because the games should be easily accessible by the schools students and fans.

 

Two hour trips by students driving cars on unfamiliar roads is always a worry-thing.

QUOTE=SportsGuy41017;2543333

 

You can take between 3 and 5 grand right off the top to rent a field with a type of field turf.

 

I find it hard to believe a high school would charge this kind of jack for 4-5 hours of use considering it would only happen a couple of times a year on a field that would not otherwise be in use that night.

 

Pay for at least one person from host school to open up, and close the field.

 

A janitor and an administrator would be necessary.

 

Security/police, most are off duty and I have heard it's about, or over, $20 per hour per person.

 

Not any different than at any home game...teams would split the cost.

 

The host team will need to find people who are willing to work the concessions, this may come down to paying those people too.

 

Most schools have no shortage of organizations looking to raise a buck

 

Ticket takers could be from one or both of the school playing.

 

Are both teams going to bring enough fans to cover the above mentioned items, plus travel expenses?

 

I think that teams interested in this concept would be the kind of teams with big followings. Plus, like I said before, these games would draw fans that would never have a chance to see these teams.

, I would limit it because the games should be easily accessible by the schools students and fans.

 

Two hour trips by students driving cars on unfamiliar roads is always a worry-thing.

 

Your right APNW, two hours is quite a drive for student in an unfamiliar area, 3-4 hours is even worse. It seems the discussion has moved to larger schools, with that said the larger schools could also rent buses - a $20 bus ride to and from, $6 ticket and $10 for concessions, back home before morning, and a win for your football team - priceless.

Your right APNW, two hours is quite a drive for student in an unfamiliar area, 3-4 hours is even worse. It seems the discussion has moved to larger schools, with that said the larger schools could also rent buses - a $20 bus ride to and from, $6 ticket and $10 for concessions, back home before morning, and a win for your football team - priceless.

 

:laugh::laugh:

Now your turning this into a private issue.

ha ha

And I totally agree with you.

I think that teams interested in this concept would be the kind of teams with big followings. Plus, like I said before, these games would draw fans that would never have a chance to see these teams.

 

 

Based on your example above, the attendance would probably be smaller than if they played at home. With all the other local games going on on that Friday night, fans are going to be at their respective school's game. The only chance to have a large gate is to hold it on a Saturday night when the locals aren't playing.