1 1/2 hours is a heck of a lot less than a ridiculous 4+ hours. People from almost the entire state have a completely legitimate reason to be concerned about the distance. Keep it in Louisville--it's the most reasonable option.

 

We travel through there every year. So I know it's a horribly long trip.

 

According to Mapquest, it takes three 3 hours 35 minutes. Add in any gas stops and it's like 3 hours 45 minutes. With that long of a trip, you're also more likely to stop and eat somewhere before the game.

 

I can tell you, it takes 20-25 minutes to get to Blue Ash from my house. We live about 6 minutes from the Levee.

 

It was 3:32 for me. And I live in the dreaded south end.

 

I agree. There's no comparison.

 

And some may enjoy ridiculously long drives; but I sure don't.

 

If you're in NKY, it's a HUGE argument--as in, double the drive time.

 

Of course, for you, BG probably would be no difference in travel time.

 

All you have talked about is your drive time, there is more to the state than NKY. If fans from NKY don't want to see the games because they are 3 hrs away, well thats there problem, don't come

It adds and hr and a half to your trip, and takes an hr and a half off mine, what makes your time more valuable than mine or anyone else's in WKY? We've been doing it for years.

I'm just curious. What is there to do in Louisville, other than the games the first weekend in December, that you can't do in BG?

 

Comparing EKU, Morehead, Murray, etc. to WKU's facilities is a joke. WKU's upgraded facilites are every bit as nice as either UK or UL. I think most of you are speaking of WKU's facilities and haven't even seen them.

 

I'll be honest Jason Michael is one of my best friends. He QBed on Western's National Championship team. I haven't been back that way since he played because it's to far from Eastern Ky.

You really think that the kids playing at PJS in a state championship would look at it any differently than kids playing at WKU in a state championship? We won state my senior year playing at WKU. Frankly, until this debate began on WKU, I couldn't have readily answered where we played when we won state. Where we played was, at least to me, a non issue. Thus I don't think playing at WKU will be any less of a dream for the kids. I really don't.

 

As for the nicer venue, we'll probably have to disagree on that also. From what I know about the renovations at WKU, they are top shelf and the fans and players, if the games move to WKU, will be very satisfied with the facilities. I will agree with you about the convenience issue for folks from eastern Kentucky. But again, aren't we talking about a one time inconvenience (well, a once a year inconvenience for those programs that go to state seemingly every year)? Serious question: how much longer drive will it be for you to go to BG than it is for you to go to Lville?

 

Honestly the game is going to be a memory of a lifetime no matter where it is played. I think most kids that grow up in KY look at the opportunity to play in UK or UofL's stadium as a once in a lifetime thing where they don't really think about Western (at least around here). I've coached in Louisville, Lexington and Eastern KY. I guess it's a little different here than a lot of folks realize. I remember a lot of my best friends had never even been to Lexington until our Sr year in High School.

I'll also be honest in saying that I haven't seen a game at Western since my buddy played there the year the won the National Championship. I am in no way trying to knock Western because I am a fan of what they have done with their program.

Louisville is 3 hours and Bowling Green is probably around 5 hours from here. I know it was a huge disadvantage when we had to drive to Mayfield so maybe that leaves a little bad taste for me. I also have had a lot of amazing memories with my dad as we go to the state championship almost every year together in Louisville. Some of it is sentimental I guess.

I agree that it's not going to matter in the end because it is a memory of a lifetime. I hate how it looks like nobody is at Papa John's because it's so big but I love the field and the dream the kids think about playing there. They at least see it on T.V. here.

It adds and hr and a half to your trip, and takes an hr and a half off mine, what makes your time more valuable than mine or anyone else's in WKY? We've been doing it for years.

Actually, the difference is closer to an hour ... Paducah to Bowling Green takes about 2:15-2:30. Paducah to Louisville is about 3:15-3:30.

Honestly the game is going to be a memory of a lifetime no matter where it is played. I think most kids that grow up in KY look at the opportunity to play in UK or UofL's stadium as a once in a lifetime thing where they don't really think about Western (at least around here). I've coached in Louisville, Lexington and Eastern KY. I guess it's a little different here than a lot of folks realize. I remember a lot of my best friends had never even been to Lexington until our Sr year in High School.

I'll also be honest in saying that I haven't seen a game at Western since my buddy played there the year the won the National Championship. I am in no way trying to knock Western because I am a fan of what they have done with their program.

Louisville is 3 hours and Bowling Green is probably around 5 hours from here. I know it was a huge disadvantage when we had to drive to Mayfield so maybe that leaves a little bad taste for me. I also have had a lot of amazing memories with my dad as we go to the state championship almost every year together in Louisville. Some of it is sentimental I guess.

I agree that it's not going to matter in the end because it is a memory of a lifetime. I hate how it looks like nobody is at Papa John's because it's so big but I love the field and the dream the kids think about playing there. They at least see it on T.V. here.

 

Fair comments. And as I pointed out in one of my earlier posts ( I think:D), I can understand the people from eastern Kentucky not being happy with a move to BG. And no matter where the KHSAA decides to put the championships, there will be some winners and some losers. Which is why I ultimately think it will come down to 1. the money (which unfortunately has to be a consideration), 2. which city/university is willing to work the hardest to make the event as special as possible for the teams participating, and 3. which city/university makes the event as fan friendly as possible (I'd love to see the host city/university provide heated tents that would allow fans, at no additional charge, to leave the stadium but be able to re-enter, purchase some lunch, purchase merchandise from vendors and watch the games on tv while they are in heated tents. That way if you wanted to only watch the first and third game, you could get out of the cold for the second game and relax in the heated tents. Sort of like an outside Brown and Williamson room that all fans could use).

Fair comments. And as I pointed out in one of my earlier posts ( I think:D), I can understand the people from eastern Kentucky not being happy with a move to BG. And no matter where the KHSAA decides to put the championships, there will be some winners and some losers. Which is why I ultimately think it will come down to 1. the money (which unfortunately has to be a consideration), 2. which city/university is willing to work the hardest to make the event as special as possible for the teams participating, and 3. which city/university makes the event as fan friendly as possible (I'd love to see the host city/university provide heated tents that would allow fans, at no additional charge, to leave the stadium but be able to re-enter, purchase some lunch, purchase merchandise from vendors and watch the games on tv while they are in heated tents. That way if you wanted to only watch the first and third game, you could get out of the cold for the second game and relax in the heated tents. Sort of like an outside Brown and Williamson room that all fans could use).

 

Bravo

All you have talked about is your drive time, there is more to the state than NKY. If fans from NKY don't want to see the games because they are 3 hrs away, well thats there problem, don't come

All I'm hearing you say is NKY NKY NKY. You may not like NKY; but as I've repeated too many times, this isn't a NKY issue. I'll leave it at that. It should be sufficient.

It adds and hr and a half to your trip, and takes an hr and a half off mine, what makes your time more valuable than mine or anyone else's in WKY? We've been doing it for years.

I think it's rather selfish for one part of the state to want it in their backyard, for their own convenience. A cental location is fair to all.

I wouldn't be against having the finals at WKU...but, if they do that, then they should start a three year rotation between WKU, U of L and UK...

 

I still haven't figured out why they've never switched to a Commonwealth Stadium/Papa John's rotation.

All I'm hearing you say is NKY NKY NKY. You may not like NKY; but as I've repeated too many times, this isn't a NKY issue. I'll leave it at that. It should be sufficient.

 

 

"If you're in NKY, it's a HUGE argument--as in, double the drive time."

 

Well... is it? Or is it not a HUGE NKY issue? If this isn't a NKY issue, then why does NKY have a HUGE arguement on the move?

 

I'm going to have to side on Rocket and the folks in WKY on this one. Westerners have had to travel for years now the extra length, while the great people of Louisville and NKY haven't had much of a drive.

 

I think the people that should be complaining non-stop are our neighbors to the East. I commend them on taking this issue lightly! :thumb:

Of course, for you, BG probably would be no difference in travel time.

 

Add an hour and 60 miles from Belfry....

I wouldn't be against having the finals at WKU...but, if they do that, then they should start a three year rotation between WKU, U of L and UK...

 

I still haven't figured out why they've never switched to a Commonwealth Stadium/Papa John's rotation.

 

Winter + Cleats + Multiple games in short period of time

 

Grass vs. Synthetic

I think it's rather selfish for one part of the state to want it in their backyard, for their own convenience. A cental location is fair to all.

 

4 hrs from Paducah/Murray/Mayfield

1 1/2 from NKY

1 hr from Lex

0 hrs from Louisville

 

 

Fair to all? I think not

All I'm hearing you say is NKY NKY NKY. You may not like NKY; but as I've repeated too many times, this isn't a NKY issue. I'll leave it at that. It should be sufficient.

 

If its not the issue then quit complaining about the extra drive time from NKY