STrib: Prep Bowl heads outdoors to TCF Bank Stadium in 2014

[BleedGopher]

per the STrib:

The 2014 Prep Bowl will be held at TCF Bank Stadium during the week before Thanksgiving. The dates and location were approved Monday at the Minnesota State High School League board meeting.

The seven championship games will be held Nov. 21-22, a week earlier than they typically have been played on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. They also will be the first Prep Bowl title games played outside of the Metrodome, which is being replaced by a new Vikings stadium.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/preps/209949041.html

Go Gophers!!

 

[ButchNashGuy]

I love this. It will be great getting more focus on the U.

 

[upnorthkid]

I'm so jealous. would've loved to have our state playoff games outdoors instead of in the dome.

 

[GophersInIowa]

I'm so jealous. would've loved to have our state playoff games outdoors instead of in the dome.

I'm so jealous of those who just got to play a state playoff game regardless of where it was played.

 

[RailBaronYarr]

This isn't a shocker, but cool to see the details. Hopefully all goes well and they consider keeping the games at TCF moving forward. Doubtful because people are wimps, but considering the Gophers play there through Thanksgiving weekend and this is Minnesota it wouldn't be a huge deal (especially considering TCF will be getting field heating coils). Great exposure for the U in the meantime for high school kids and players across the state.

 

[station19]

Prep football: Half the teams in state could be left out of 2015 playoffs

and as it pertains to TCF

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_23380753/prep-football-half-teams-state-could-be-left

 

[GophersInIowa]

Prep football: Half the teams in state could be left out of 2015 playoffs

and as it pertains to TCF

http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_23380753/prep-football-half-teams-state-could-be-left

Dumb. Why not just play the semi-finals and even the championships at several other locations for one year? I know it would suck to not play at a huge venue but the way sections are made up, especially at the lower levels, some really good teams are going to be left out. You have some sections that draw teams from three different conferences.

 

[upnorthkid]

I'm so jealous of those who just got to play a state playoff game regardless of where it was played.

i hear you on that and know it is a lucky experience as our team ended a 76 game win streak to get us to state for the first time in 14ish years. was an amazing experience. i just love outdoor games with the elements.

 

[upnorthkid]

it'd be nice if they just did first round on say monday and played the semis on that friday. essentially 2 games in 1 week during playoffs. to me that option would be better than just booting teams out but im sure there's some regulation on this or something.

this is in response to trimming the field. missed my quote

 

[matt]

It'll be good to get those kids in the locker room. Hopefully they'll want to spend the next 4 years in it.

 

[HopHead]

Dumb. Why not just play the semi-finals and even the championships at several other locations for one year? I know it would suck to not play at a huge venue but the way sections are made up, especially at the lower levels, some really good teams are going to be left out. You have some sections that draw teams from three different conferences.

I agree that there are plenty of locations around the metro and state that could easily host early round playoff games. So I agree that it's dumb to use the stadium availablility as an excuse to trim the playoff field. However, I actually like the concept of having to make the playoffs by having a successful season. I've never been a fan of the "everybody makes the playoffs" concept that MN uses for football. Unfortunately, the fact that sections don't allign well with conferences make that the only fair way to determine the true best teams.

 

[Eagan]

Dumb. Why not just play the semi-finals and even the championships at several other locations for one year? I know it would suck to not play at a huge venue but the way sections are made up, especially at the lower levels, some really good teams are going to be left out. You have some sections that draw teams from three different conferences.

Fargodome appears to be available the last weekend of November, assuming that the Bison get a first round bye in the playoffs, which they usually do.

 

[Ole]

I agree that there are plenty of locations around the metro and state that could easily host early round playoff games. So I agree that it's dumb to use the stadium availablility as an excuse to trim the playoff field. However, I actually like the concept of having to make the playoffs by having a successful season. I've never been a fan of the "everybody makes the playoffs" concept that MN uses for football. Unfortunately, the fact that sections don't allign well with conferences make that the only fair way to determine the true best teams.

Stupid they'd need to cut down on games, but it makes sense if you've ever dealt with this monster of an organization.
It's an easy excuse for the HSL to cut down on the playoffs which they will love.
If it's easier, they'll do it.
It's not about the kids or the sport.
It's about ease, cheap costs, and not getting sued. That's all the HSL cares about.

 

[Tim Riggins]

Dumb. Why not just play the semi-finals and even the championships at several other locations for one year? I know it would suck to not play at a huge venue but the way sections are made up, especially at the lower levels, some really good teams are going to be left out. You have some sections that draw teams from three different conferences.

Is there a reason they couldn't play the games on Thursday and Friday the week before and the Friday after Thanksgiving? For one year, force a couple teams to play on Wednesday if you have to.

 

[RochesterGopher]

I agree that there are plenty of locations around the metro and state that could easily host early round playoff games. So I agree that it's dumb to use the stadium availablility as an excuse to trim the playoff field. However, I actually like the concept of having to make the playoffs by having a successful season. I've never been a fan of the "everybody makes the playoffs" concept that MN uses for football. Unfortunately, the fact that sections don't allign well with conferences make that the only fair way to determine the true best teams.

I know for state the requirments is that it has to have a artifical field. Dont know how that would work bumping it up a week but I wouldnt think it would be that difficult. However as I have looked around the state these past couple of years and that first night of the playoffs there are a ton of blowouts especially at the lower levels. I have often wondered if it is needed to play a game where the result ends up being 70 something to 6.

 

[Ole]

I know for state the requirments is that it has to have a artifical field. Dont know how that would work bumping it up a week but I wouldnt think it would be that difficult. However as I have looked around the state these past couple of years and that first night of the playoffs there are a ton of blowouts especially at the lower levels. I have often wondered if it is needed to play a game where the result ends up being 70 something to 6.

Again.
The HSL will take the easiest and cheapest way out of any situation, as long as nobody threatens litigation.
They absolutely could set up a much better playoff situation, even without the upcoming metrodome demo, but will not because to do so takes time, money, and motivation to improve the sports for the kids.
The artificial turf "requirement" is a perfect example of this. There's simply a lack of common sense in all this, even for a big sport like football.

The whole MSHSL should just be abolished and the coaches and athletics directors should set up a new one with formats based on what is best for each sport.
JMO

 

[paulsonj72]

Dumb. Why not just play the semi-finals and even the championships at several other locations for one year? I know it would suck to not play at a huge venue but the way sections are made up, especially at the lower levels, some really good teams are going to be left out. You have some sections that draw teams from three different conferences.

1st of all TV Contract calls for playing all the finals at ONE site. 2nd of all it costs money to lease the facilities for the playoffs. And have you ever tried to play on a grass field as we get LATER into November. It can be like playing on concrete. And once the new Vikes stadium is done the Prep Bowl goes back there as there was a provision in the stadium bill that the MSHSL gets a number of days use at the new stadium at NO COST to the MSHSL.