WHO BELIEVES STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS SHOULD BE IN COLUMBUS.

[JChipwood]

So once again we are back to making money off of these student athletes and some on here condone those values held by the OHSAA. I ask you then why not allow open transfers because ultimately it could result in an extra $12 or so in someone's pocket? Why not eliminate all investigations against alleged transfers and all jobs created by theses investigations. Talk about savings. They arent't going to go broke with any of the proposals and if it were really for the fans and kids then they would not only take bids but also petition the Cols bidders and tell them; "we really want to be fair to all parts of the state and obviously could get better attendance if we centralize, so here is the number to beat, it's your choice." That is not fair to Stark Co but all 88 counties deserve fairness and should be considered, at least on a rotating basis. All this for a part of the state that, let's face it, isn't very receptive or cordial to other parts of the state, kinda like the California of Ohio. To say attendance would drop then why this year's low numbers. Why a decline in comparison to a growing population. Heck, the numbers should be almost twice what they were in the 80's but attendance is down or comparable at best on average. NEO is more populated, no doubt, however how many SW people don't attend that could. I guess Stark Co is just better and bigger than Hamilton as well.

[GoChiefs]

I'm in NE Ohio..and I think they should stay there. Do I think they should stay there just b/c I'm in NE Ohio? No..I think they should stay here b/c Stark County does a fine job with it..they have not given anyone any reason to want to move it other than the 'central location' argument.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

gochiefs, let me ask you, how do you think the northeastern quadrent of the state would react, if say ohsaa , signed a 10 year deal in either paul brown stadium, or nippert in cincy. they would throw a s---- fit. all the money is in neo. aside from cincy. you'd have to see our roads and ancient ruins of buildings here , to realize that. and i'm considering columbus in the north. anything south of columbus thats not dayton, or cincy. is ancient. but cincinatti could do an amazingly equal job in my opinion. you'd hear it from the ohio yanks then. then they'd be beggin for columbus.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

and neo , is not high school football. our programs are just as important to us here , as they are in cleveland.

[TIGERS90]

Im still telling people that if you listened to Dr Ross' interview at the state finals on STO, he has already answered this question. Bids will be received and the most lucrative will receive the opportunity to host. I dont know why some of you people think money should not be a prerequisite to awarding the bid, or do you think the OHSAA should take a lesser offer in the name of centralized location?

Secondly, I believe the OHSAA has a long history of taking care of sites that are always available to them, and this doesnt just apply to Stark County, but the earlier rounds of the playoffs as well. In this area we have some of the finest facilities in that state that all too often go unused or used infrequently like Athens Peden Stadium, Jackson, etc in favor of other sites who are always available like Zanesville, Lancaster, Hillsboro, etc.

Suppose Columbus put in a good bid and then a few years down the road decided it was not in their best financial (there's that money word again) to do it. Does the OHSAA crawl back to Stark County and hope they will get over it and host again? Sometimes a bird (sure thing) in the hand IS worth more than one in the bush.

I am not suggesting these are the reasons for what OHSAA does or doesnt do. Merely throwing out possible reasons for discussion.

If this was to happen...then at that time if Stark County wanted to host them...they could...if they were the highest bidder...if not...then the championships would go to the best site...Why not move it to Cincinnati...They have Bengals stadium and University of Cincinnati Stadiums...which I am sure would be nicer than Dirty Cleveland...or they could play at Cleveland Browns stadium...Ohio University's Stadium..Toledo, Akron, Miami and many others that I am sure would be as good of a fit...Why play the games every year in Dirty Cleveland...if the games stay at one place it should be in the center of the state...if not...move them to all corners of the state...I am sure Athens and Logan would be big enough to hold a Championship with crowds as small as they have been in the last ten years...C'mon...

[Tigercannon71]

Cleveland is still nasty. It has done a lot to bring up its image, but it still sucks.

Anyway Im biased,cause I played on both and lived there for 5 years, but I love the games in Stark County. Fawcett Stadium is an awesome facility, got the greatest bathrooms ever, and so is Massilions field. I know Columbus has the Buckeyes, but Stark county has much more football history. They are really the hotbed of football in Ohio. Plus they do a great job of hosting the games.

[4 HORSEMEN]

Honestly, after attending the last couple state championships, I will probably stay home and watch them on TV next year.........

Everything is just getting too far, and too expensive to justify.

If however, my team goes OR the championships are moved to Columbus........ Count me in, I'm there!

Driving an hour is no big deal (in fact you can drive home after Friday night, and back again Saturday morning), but driving 3-4 hours, paying for a hotel, and all the other expenses and then having over half the games be non-competitive....... Just makes watching at home look much more appealing.

[TIGERS90]

Cleveland is still nasty. It has done a lot to bring up its image, but it still sucks.

Anyway Im biased,cause I played on both and lived there for 5 years, but I love the games in Stark County. Fawcett Stadium is an awesome facility, got the greatest bathrooms ever, and so is Massilions field. I know Columbus has the Buckeyes, but Stark county has much more football history. They are really the hotbed of football in Ohio. Plus they do a great job of hosting the games.

Ironton has a lot of football history too...We play in the stadium where the Ironton Tanks played...who beat the Chicago Bears and NY Giants...and eventually became the Detroit Lions...but we aren't complaining that we don't host the state championships...it needs to be where everyone in the state can enjoy them not just the dirty Clevelanders...It is a State Championship..for all the State...and it should be put where everyone in the state can have a chance to watch them...This isn't Professional football...it's high school football..The best stadium in the State is the horseshoe...and it is centrally located...if it wasn't centrally located..I don't care how nice it was...Paul Brown Stadium is awesome..but you don't hear anyone on here saying it should be there...It is about Location...everyone...including the high school kids who didn't make it to play in it...should be able to have a short drive to watch it...Dirty Cleveland isn't Central at all...and makes for a long drive for the biggest fan...let alone a high school kid who wants to watch the games, maybe to improve his skills...or to just take part in the festivities...however locating them in the most north eastern corner of the state..this keeps the majority of the kids who play on Friday nights all year long sitting home not being able to go because of such a long drive...which is more important..padding the pockets or making it accessible for everyone who should matter to the OHSAA...including having your games much more attended....I believe it is time for a change...back to where the games are where everyone in the state has just as much a chance to enjoy them...and in a better environment...

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

while i'm not knocking cleveland as a dirty city, it is a very dangerous city. i've spent much time there through the years.

other than that tigers90, i whole heartedly agree with you. it's strictly politics, and the money going to the northeastern part of the state, where it always goes anyway. if anyone does not agree, travel there some time. last year i spent alot of time , in akron. the highways ,the buildings. there is no comparison. we have people around here remodeling business's that are in buildings 150 years old. it should be in columbus, nobody has the facilities of ohio stadium. and the things to do that columbus offers. outside the pro football hall of fame in canton. which i've been to several times. i would love to plan my trip around my friends in the columbus area,visit variuos buckeye places, do some shopping at the buckeye corner , and conrads, it's right before christmas. i never meant for this to become a thread for people to argue, this has nothing to do with . private/public schools. that is a seperate topic. i wanted to just get most people's opinion's , and thats what has happened, it's pretty obvious, the vast majority wants them in columbus. i don't care who is winning the championships. it only makes sense, that the most densely populated areas of the state, have a higher concentration of population, thus therefore more athletes to choose from. these should be the powerhouse programs of the state.

[GoChiefs]

Ironton has a lot of football history too..but we aren't complaining that we don't host the state championships

Yes..b/c you'd get laughed at. That's not even a logical option.

..It is about Location.

Obviously it's not.

[TIGERS90]

Ironton has a lot of football history too..but we aren't complaining that we don't host the state championships

Yes..b/c you'd get laughed at. That's not even a logical option.

..It is about Location.

Obviously it's not.

Obviously...you are correct...and I believe that the idea of having the championships in the farthest northeastern corner of the state should have been laughed at when it was first voted on in 1990...It takes the games away from the vast majority of the state...which also may be why the majority of teams that win the games are from the northeast corner of the state...When I was a kid...I went to watch the games at the horseshoe...and I looked forward to some day..somehow..getting there as did most kids who eventually got there...now how many kids actually get the chance to watch a state championship from Ironton...Cincinnati...Dayton...or even Columbus for that matter...?

[91blue14]

yes they should be in columbus. they have shut the southern part of the state off from seeing great football. the drive to canton and massillon is just too far to freeze to death lol

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

i agree 91blue14.

[Tigercannon71]

Theres a ton of things to do in Canton besides the Hall of Fame. The got a great mall some awesome restaurants. Its a short drive from Cleveland to gp to the Rock in Roll HoF or watch the Browns or Cavs play.
YTB, talkig about the money factor. You know why they get more money to build all those roads and things because people up there have good paying jobs and the business up there are not your local flea market or tatoo parlor we have in Ironton. The have actual hospitals in Canton unlike here. Thats why it seems like they are always building because they have a solid tax bae unlike a lot of the towns around here.
It is money just like the Olympics Stark county has shelled out the cash to get the games because they believe they can do a good job. The got great facilities,a great town , and volunteers to make the weekend a success.
You want it in Columbus then stop whining on here and write the officials in C-Town and tell them to put up some cash to get the games.
Myself I like them where they are at and I believe they should stay there. Best place for them I think.

[GoChiefs]

Theres a ton of things to do in Canton besides the Hall of Fame. The got a great mall some awesome restaurants. Its a short drive from Cleveland to gp to the Rock in Roll HoF or watch the Browns or Cavs play.
YTB, talkig about the money factor. You know why they get more money to build all those roads and things because people up there have good paying jobs and the business up there are not your local flea market or tatoo parlor we have in Ironton. The have actual hospitals in Canton unlike here. Thats why it seems like they are always building because they have a solid tax bae unlike a lot of the towns around here.
It is money just like the Olympics Stark county has shelled out the cash to get the games because they believe they can do a good job. The got great facilities,a great town , and volunteers to make the weekend a success.
You want it in Columbus then stop whining on here and write the officials in C-Town and tell them to put up some cash to get the games.
Myself I like them where they are at and I believe they should stay there. Best place for them I think.

LMAO! Are you SURE you've been to Canton? Good roads up here? YEAH RIGHT! LOL Canton has the worst roads I've ever been on! Pot holes out the a**. As for the good paying jobs..they went elsewhere also. Not many great jobs left up here.

[whompascat]

It could be worse, we could drive 6 hours to get to the game like california or texas. The teams from the U.P in michigan drive over 6 hours to get to ford field. 3 hours isn't that bad.

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

whompas, the topic is about ohio high school football. who cares about michigans upper penn. isn't that part of canada anyway, lol.

[JohnKnight]

I take a personal day and pay for the tickets for my son and me, myself, and the gas and room and have a great time. Once upon a time the school would pay for most of the trip and I always said I would pay myself if I had too. It is well worth the $$$.6 games in 2 days live is awesome and a much better experience than TV. I still love the atmosphere of Canton/Massillon and don't think Columbus could put on nearly the same show.

I do understand the feeling of getting home cooked on but until another venue can put together the same package, it won't be moving.

[TIGERS90]

I take a personal day and pay for the tickets for my son and me, myself, and the gas and room and have a great time. Once upon a time the school would pay for most of the trip and I always said I would pay myself if I had too. It is well worth the $$$.6 games in 2 days live is awesome and a much better experience than TV. I still love the atmosphere of Canton/Massillon and don't think Columbus could put on nearly the same show.

I do understand the feeling of getting home cooked on but until another venue can put together the same package, it won't be moving.

I am sure the horseshoe would make everyone happy...other than the few people from the dirty cleveland area...I am sure the kids playing in the game would much rather play in the best stadium in the world...rather than a high school stadium...and as far as that is concerned...I am sure that we have plenty of nice high school fields in the center of the state if the horseshoe isn't good enough for the state boys...Let's put this game back where it belongs...back where the kids can all see it...in the center of the state...

[YOU'RE TIGER BAIT]

i'm with ya brother.