ETSU and Western Carolina to play at Bristol Motor Speedway

[ETSUfan1]

The only way this makes sense to me is if there is a day full of games at BMS. This will come the week after the UT vs VT game so the field will already be down.

http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Football/2016/01/25/Bucs-to-play-at-BMS.html?ci=stream&lp=13&p=1

[catamount man]

Sounds cool though. GO CATS!!!

[CID1990]

Interesting

these days schools dont want to give up home field revenues, but it would be neat to see something like my Dad saw when he was at UNC in the 50s- Duke, NCSU, Wake Forest and UNC played a doubleheader on the same field (I believe in Raleigh)

The would be awesome if we did something like that in the SoCon


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MR. CHICKEN]

.........'NOTHERAH....UNACCEPTABLE STADIUM.....WHIFF UH TRACK.......xnonono2x.........AWK!

[CID1990]

.........'NOTHERAH....UNACCEPTABLE STADIUM.....WHIFF UH TRACK.......xnonono2x.........AWK!

lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[RootinFerDukes]

VT and UT might fill all of the stands of BMS due to the event nature of the game. I can't imagine what it might look like with ETSU and WCU.
However, I do think it's cool that the schools are playing there. The schools need to promote the crap out of it.
JMU played WVU at Fed Ex Field in 2012 and we had alumni who I hadn't heard utter the school's name since graduation come out of the woodwork to drive several hours to that game.

[UNIFanSince1983]

Yeah I am not even sure about the VT and Tennessee game. The only reason I can see people wanting to go is they want to be part of history. I mean if you are at the top of the stadium around the turns you will hardly be able to see the game.

It is probably good for WCU and ETSU simply because of the spectacle. It may be empty or there may be people there just because it is something different. It will for sure make some headlines something most teams in FCS can use.

[KPSUL]

Are they playing football or having a team on team demolition derby?

[dgtw]

The UT-VT game will draw a big crowd both for the novelty and because they both have huge fan bases. I really can't see this game drawing enough to make it worth the trouble. I saw a layout of the field in the infield and it does look like there would be vision issues for a lot of the fans.

[walliver]

Interesting

these days schools dont want to give up home field revenues, but it would be neat to see something like my Dad saw when he was at UNC in the 50s- Duke, NCSU, Wake Forest and UNC played a doubleheader on the same field (I believe in Raleigh)

The would be awesome if we did something like that in the SoCon


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Wofford and the Citadel could start playing at the Orangeburg County Fair again. I'm sure the fairgrounds can seat as many people as Buccaneer Field. ;)

Playing multiple games in the same stadium, however, seems to much like high school playoffs.

[Catamount87]

Are they playing football or having a team on team demolition derby?

Given how bad ETSU was last year, it'd be a rather one sided demolition.

Playing at BMS is a head scratcher though.

[Libertine]

Playing at BMS is a head scratcher though.

Because the alternative is Science Hill High School?

[ElCid]

I actually don't think it will too bad viewing it. The track is only a half mile so about double the standard track around a football field plus its bit wider than a running track, so a bit more. Could be worse. It has a capacity of 160K and while I was sure that it will fill up for Va Tech and Tenn, I am not so sure any more. I have a diehard Tenn fan in my office and he said he did not want any part of it even if it was history so not sure how many other fans will feel that way. It will probably still fill up for that game.

Not sure about the turnout for WCU and ETSU though. WCU averaged about 10K this year and ETSU about 7K, so you might expect that to go up for this venue because of the novelty but it is about 2.5 hours from WCU but only 30M from ETSU so who knows. Some folks who might want to see a game there, but who also do not want to fight the crowds the week earlier, may go. 30K tops would be my guess. I am sure their will be many deals for groups from Johnson city to get tickets. Still pretty cool.

A double header would be pretty cool though. I have to say if The Citadel was to play Gardner Webb there for a doubleheader instead of in Boiling Springs that weekend, I would probably make the trip for those games. It's about 2.5 hours from Boiling Springs to Bristol as well. But very far from Chucktown.

This is a view from near the top. No worse than the upper deck of many stadiums now.


http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22147&stc=1

[chattanoogamocs]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GzMYdFwsKgc/UlwXUqqYLfI/AAAAAAAATKI/VQAD906qEC4/s640/BWO62i0CQAAo1SR.jpg

[catamount man]

It's official: http://wjhl.com/2016/01/26/battle-at-bristol-part-2-etsu-v-western-carolina-on-sept-17/ GO CATS!!!

[Smitty]

Not too excited about this to be honest. Nothing like cheering for your team with 130k seats available (and that is being generous). I guess you could easily pick any seat you want though...

[PAllen]

That's pretty f'n far away from the field. Of course, with only 20-30k, you'll be able to sit much closer.

[UNIFanSince1983]

I actually don't think it will too bad viewing it. The track is only a half mile so about double the standard track around a football field plus its bit wider than a running track, so a bit more. Could be worse. It has a capacity of 160K and while I was sure that it will fill up for Va Tech and Tenn, I am not so sure any more. I have a diehard Tenn fan in my office and he said he did not want any part of it even if it was history so not sure how many other fans will feel that way. It will probably still fill up for that game.

Not sure about the turnout for WCU and ETSU though. WCU averaged about 10K this year and ETSU about 7K, so you might expect that to go up for this venue because of the novelty but it is about 2.5 hours from WCU but only 30M from ETSU so who knows. Some folks who might want to see a game there, but who also do not want to fight the crowds the week earlier, may go. 30K tops would be my guess. I am sure their will be many deals for groups from Johnson city to get tickets. Still pretty cool.

A double header would be pretty cool though. I have to say if The Citadel was to play Gardner Webb there for a doubleheader instead of in Boiling Springs that weekend, I would probably make the trip for those games. It's about 2.5 hours from Boiling Springs to Bristol as well. But very far from Chucktown.

This is a view from near the top. No worse than the upper deck of many stadiums now.


http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22147&stc=1

Yeah near the top on the straightaways wouldn't be bad. However. Near the top on the corners would be brutal.

[ASU33]

interesting!

[RootinFerDukes]

1) great for Fcs and the socon. I like the respect.
2) you would think putting up temporary seating closer to the field would make it a better experience and not look as bad, but then what's the point of having it there?
3) I'd say it's 30k fans max and that's if there's 10k casual interest persons in attendance. Maybe 20k.
4) if I was free that weekend and lived closer to Bristol, I'd go out of casual interest.

[UNIFanSince1983]

BTW doesn't Winston Salem State play their games at a racetrack already?

[Libertine]

BTW doesn't Winston Salem State play their games at a racetrack already?

They do. Bowman Gray Stadium

http://www.d2football.com/stadiums/winston-salem/t243/

[JSUSoutherner]

This isn't the first time Bristol has been used as a football venue. The NFL has been there before. Plus I don't really think vision will be an issue, especially considering the new big ass Jumbotron they are installing this spring.
http://www.anygivensaturday.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=22154&stc=1

[Bisonoline]

Thats a looooooooooong ways from the field.

[dgtw]

The NFL played there in 1961.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Motor_Speedway#Other_uses_of_Bristol_Motor _Speedway

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

The NFL played there in 1961.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_Motor_Speedway#Other_uses_of_Bristol_Motor _Speedway

I follow NASCAR and I knew the NFL wasn't there in the last 30 years. Bristol was a much different track then. It had about 15k seats and the banking was about 20 degrees.

This whole thing seems strange.

[Laker]

I follow NASCAR and I knew the NFL wasn't there in the last 30 years. Bristol was a much different track then. It had about 15k seats and the banking was about 20 degrees.

This whole thing seems strange.

Speaking of NFL exhibition games being in strange places, the first Viking game was in Sioux Falls.

The announcer was explaining to the crowd that Dallas was penalized for having an illegitimate receiver downfield.

Shocking.

http://www.argusleader.com/story/stuwhitney/2014/08/14/vikings-nfl-howard-wood-field-sioux-falls/14058365/

[chattownmocs]

One question....why? Tennessee and Virginia Tech have obvious motives. Halfway between the schools, all time attendance record etc. Don't get the motives here.

[Libertine]

One question....why? Tennessee and Virginia Tech have obvious motives. Halfway between the schools, all time attendance record etc. Don't get the motives here.

The alternative is Science Hill High School.

[chattownmocs]

The alternative is Science Hill High School.


You do realize that there isn't much difference between many fcs stadiums and many high school stadiums correct?

[Libertine]

You do realize that there isn't much difference between many fcs stadiums and many high school stadiums correct?

xrolleyesx Yes. I've been to a few stadiums. I'm vaguely aware of the utter wrecks that some teams -- including some low-level FBS teams -- consider to be worthy of D1. Also, in fairness, I haven't been to Science Hill HS but I'm told it's a reasonable facility as high school stadiums go. However, given that ETSU is trying to re-build their program into regional relevance, -- prior to dropping the program in '03, they considered themselves to be the Tri-Cities' team -- playing a game at a NASCAR landmark is probably a lot more effective marketing tool than telling people to spend their Saturday at the local high school.

[JSUSoutherner]

The Tennessee game there will be cool. But the ETSU WCU game here doesn't make sense. Bristol holds 160,000 people. They aren't even expecting Tennessee and VT to sell out. If you combine the average attendance of WCU and ETSU you don't even get 20,000. The atmoshpere at that game will be awful. It's like having a championship game without NDSU at AT&T stadium instead of Toyota.

[UNIFanSince1983]

I don't think it will be about the amount of fans they get or how barren the track will look. It is all about the notoriety the team receives from playing there. It will at the very least get mentioned on ESPN. There will be at least a little notoriety from the novelty of it. It might even intrigue some people that might not normally go to or watch an ETSU game.

[Libertine]

I don't think it will be about the amount of fans they get or how barren the track will look. It is all about the notoriety the team receives from playing there. It will at the very least get mentioned on ESPN. There will be at least a little notoriety from the novelty of it. It might even intrigue some people that might not normally go to or watch an ETSU game.

This. To Southerner's point, as a singular novelty event where they get some exposure and the fans revel in the idea and the unusual experience for one game, it'll be fine. If, however, this were ETSU's regular home venue, then you are correct that it would be a weekly disaster a la Georgia State in the Georgia Dome.

[walliver]

Maybe they could have a race at halftime. (Just don't invite Tony Stewart).

[chattanoogamocs]

Glad to see that this game is already getting great press...

2 lower-level college football teams might play at a 160,000-seat NASCAR trackTwo FCS teams might be playing a game at damn Bristol Motor Speedway (http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2016/1/26/10835760/etsu-bucs-wcu-western-home-game-bristol-motor-speedway-terrible-idea), according (http://wjhl.com/2016/01/26/battle-at-bristol-part-2-etsu-v-western-carolina-on-sept-17/)to (http://wjhl.com/2016/01/26/battle-at-bristol-part-2-etsu-v-western-carolina-on-sept-17/)bunches (http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Football/2016/01/25/Bucs-to-play-at-BMS.html?ci=stream&lp=11&p=) of local reports (http://www.knoxnews.com/sports/etsu-western-carolina-may-play-at-bristol-motor-speedway-next-season-366679621.html), meaning we could see a game with more than 100,000 empty seats. I'm an Atlanta Falcons fan, and not even I have ever seen that kind of seat real estate!
Regional powers Tennessee and Virginia Tech playing there was a wild enough idea (http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2013/10/14/4821780/virginia-tech-tennessee-football-bristol-motor-speedway), but the second-level East Tennessee State and Western Carolina? WCU averages about 9,000 fans per game, and ETSU just took 12 years off from football.


http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/1/27/10838616/bristol-nascar-track-ncaa-football-etsu-wcu-tennessee-virginia-tech

[chattanoogamocs]

Well, at least tickets for the amazing spectacle will be affordable...

Early bird ticket prices are $25 for general admission, $40 for reserved seating and $55 for Battlefield seats on the track near the sidelines. Groups of 50 or more may call BMS about special pricing.

$40 to sit behind a fence, 225 feet away from the field. AWESOME!

http://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/it-s-official-etsu-football-will-open-socon-schedule-at/article_329864e2-c5eb-11e5-96da-0ff4fbbbd260.html

[ETSUfan1]

The awesome thing is, YOU don't have to go!

Bottom line, it will be the largest attended ETSU home game ever.

The crappy part is we'll probably lose by 4 TD's.

[chattanoogamocs]

Thank God you are correct. I don't have to go (so happy to see WCU wrapped up in this joke of a game instead of UTC)

And a couple of corrections...

1) you HOPE it is the largest ETSU home game.

2) I think you will lose by more than 4 TD's to Western (I saw that before you edited)



Welcome back to the SoCon! I can't wait to come up and watch the Mocs hang at least 50 on the 2nd best home team at Science Hill high school. :)

[ETSUfan1]

If we can beat UTC by 61 points with half a football team in 2003, I'd say we can keep the UTC and Western games within 4 tds.

And yes, I believe more than 13,000 people will attend.

[catamount man]

http://www.catamountsports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/012816aaa.html

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

This is very interesting from both angles. Anyone who follows NASCAR knows attendance has been dropping at an alarming rate the last 6-7 years. Bristol's once famed August night race no longer comes close to selling out. That race use to have a waiting list that was something like 20,000 deep 15 years ago. Now it might draw 120k in a 160k venue. The spring race's attendance has fallen even further. I'm not sure if Bristol has legitimately broken the 100,000 barrier for that race the last 2-3 years.

Like most tracks on the circuit Bristol needs to generate revenue in other ways given the dramatic loss in ticket sales, concessions, parking, camping etc. Getting a couple regional football teams together for a unique event is a great way to make back some coin.. I always thought Dover should sell 20k of their recently removed seats to the UD so they can built a new stadium.

Here's a pic from the 2014 March Sprint Cup Race. I'd say there's maybe 80-100k??

http://fantasyracingcheatsheet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/bristol-motor-speedway-food-city-500-2013.jpg

Bristol when it truly was "Thunder Valley". This is the version I grew up with...

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/33/d1/00/33d100091b3ddff3fdd248d869e024c5.jpg

[chattanoogamocs]

If we can beat UTC by 61 points with half a football team in 2003, I'd say we can keep the UTC and Western games within 4 tds.

And yes, I believe more than 13,000 people will attend.


LOL...you couldn't keep Kennesaw State, Charleston Southern, St Francis, Mercer, or Montana State within 4 TD's last year...and lost to two non-scholarship programs. What miracle change from year one to year two that is going to happen to make ETSU even remotely competitive with any DI programs?

BTW...you have changed your statement from "bottom line" to "I believe"...I can live with that, it realistic to believe it could happen, it is kind of silly to bottom line it when not a ticket has even been sold (and you have no "track" record to back up your statement).

Personally, I love the pie in the sky fans from ETSU that think y'all might set some sort of FCS attendance record.

Most realistic record that will be set...

Most empty seats ever at a college football game.

[The Cats]

(so happy to see WCU wrapped up in this joke of a game instead of UTC)

You may call it a joke of a game, but ETSU and WCU are both getting a FREE publicity bonanza, that neither school could have afforded to pay for because of this game.

No one expects the Bucs and Cats to fill a 160k stadium, it's just that Bristol is taking advantage of an already in place football field for a second game at the track, and I think it's a hell'va way for the Bucs to play their first Southern Conference football game on their return to the conference. I'm glad we had that spot on the schedule.

At this point, I have no idea what the attendance will be, but I can tell you, there'll be a heck of a lot more folks for North Carolina coming to Bristol, than there otherwise would have been.

[Bisonoline]

You may call it a joke of a game, but ETSU and WCU are both getting a FREE publicity bonanza, that neither school could have afforded to pay for because of this game.

No one expects the Bucs and Cats to fill a 160k stadium, it's just that Bristol is taking advantage of an already in place football field for a second game at the track, and I think it's a hell'va way for the Bucs to play their first Southern Conference football game on their return to the conference. I'm glad we had that spot on the schedule.

At this point, I have no idea what the attendance will be, but I can tell you, there'll be a heck of a lot more folks for North Carolina coming to Bristol, than there otherwise would have been.

Why do they have a football field there?

[chattownmocs]

If we can beat UTC by 61 points with half a football team in 2003, I'd say we can keep the UTC and Western games within 4 tds.

And yes, I believe more than 13,000 people will attend.

I don't know, Western doesn't seem to be able to keep it within 4 tds against us.

[ETSUfan1]

The only thing I can say is that ETSU has started up differently than most programs. We played with ALL freshmen last year. This year they will have another year of experience and we are taking JuCo's this year. I believe we will be improved. Granted, we are playing a tougher schedule, but I think overall we will be more competitive.

I also love how cocky UTC fans are these days. A few years of semi-success and being able to put more than 3k people in your stadium has sure changed your outlook. Let's not forget that UTC has been downright pitiful for the majority of their history, just like ETSU. Don't get carried away and act as if you all are so great.

[ETSUfan1]

Personally, I love the pie in the sky *fan* from ETSU that think y'all might set some sort of FCS attendance record.




FIFY

[FUBeAR]

The only thing I can say is that ETSU has started up differently than most programs. We played with ALL freshmen last year. This year they will have another year of experience and we are taking JuCo's this year. I believe we will be improved. Granted, we are playing a tougher schedule, but I think overall we will be more competitive.

I don't disagree with your conclusion in any way. I think ETSU is going to fine and will be competitive in the SoCon in the years ahead. ETSU had some good athletes this year and they were well-coached (despite some interesting personnel machinations at the QB spot), but it was obvious the Bucs guys in the trenches were not physically or experience-wise 'seasoned' in 2015. So, no doubt, that will improve....

But I don't understand how ETSU's start-up was "different than most programs." They brought in an experienced staff of Coaches. They recruited with scholarships for 2 years (2014 & 2015). They had a practice year (2014) and they played a somewhat 'manageable' schedule in Year 1 (2015). Maybe they didn't take quite as many JUCO's/Transfers as some schools have for their 1st year on the field, but I'm not sure their numbers in those areas were that far from whatever the mean might be. And maybe there were/are some facilities challenges there, but I think most (not all) start-up programs have issues in that area. So, is it just the Xfer/JUCO thing or are you talking about other differences? Having watched Mercer's start-up very, very closely; I'm just interested in the nuances of the issues that other schools have faced.

[kdinva]

Why do they have a football field there?

They don't have a permanent field there.......they'll start installing a temp field after the August NASCAR race. They'll remove the scoring pylon from the middle, etc.....

http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/news_media/news_releases/bristol-motor-speedway-transform-into-worlds-largest-college-football-venue-for-battle-bristol.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/behold-football-field-bristol-motor-speedway-look-photo-154536470--ncaaf.html

[The Cats]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT9UpN9RCYs

[chattanoogamocs]

The only thing I can say is that ETSU has started up differently than most programs. We played with ALL freshmen last year. This year they will have another year of experience and we are taking JuCo's this year. I believe we will be improved. Granted, we are playing a tougher schedule, but I think overall we will be more competitive.

I also love how cocky UTC fans are these days. A few years of semi-success and being able to put more than 3k people in your stadium has sure changed your outlook. Let's not forget that UTC has been downright pitiful for the majority of their history, just like ETSU. Don't get carried away and act as if you all are so great.

You're showing your age and ignorance of history. Except for a 25 year stretch around the time you were born, UC always had a pretty respectable football program, including two College Football Hall of Fame coaches.

No matter how much you want to try and bring the Mocs down to the Bucs level, at best it is an apples and oranges comparison...



Chattanooga has 7 SoCon titles, ETSU has none.
(ETSU hasn't won a title in any league since the OVC in 1969).

Chattanooga is 522-518-34 overall. Granted, that is just over .500 all-time, but, 140 of those losses were against SEC/ACC schools (9-140-3). That's correct, the Mocs have played ACC/SEC schools a total of 152 times. There are very few at the FCS level that can claim that over their history.

Conversely, ETSU's history is 345-417-26, well under .500. And this record was achieved while nearly playing half of their existence in conferences like the "Smokey Mtn AC" and the "Volunteer State AC."

While the Mocs spent their time playing sometimes as many as 3-5 SEC teams a year, ETSU was playing Lees-McRae and Tusculum, etal. ETSU has only played SEC/ACC schools a total of 11 times in their history (1-10-0) because for most of their existence, they have been a small time program.

Of course, the biggest and most glaring difference between Chattanooga and ETSU is that when the going got tough...

ETSU QUIT PLAYING.

UTC went out and got better.

Mic drop.

[JSUSoutherner]

You're showing your age and ignorance of history. Except for a 25 year stretch around the time you were born, UC always had a pretty respectable football program, including two College Football Hall of Fame coaches.

No matter how much you want to try and bring the Mocs down to the Bucs level, at best it is an apples and oranges comparison...



Chattanooga has 7 SoCon titles, ETSU has none.
(ETSU hasn't won a title in any league since the OVC in 1969).

Chattanooga is 522-518-34 (tel:522-518-34) overall. Granted, that is just over .500 all-time, but, 140 of those losses were against SEC/ACC schools (9-140-3). That's correct, the Mocs have played ACC/SEC schools a total of 152 times. There are very few at the FCS level that can claim that over their history.

Conversely, ETSU's history is 345-417-26 (tel:345-417-26), well under .500. And this record was achieved while nearly playing half of their existence in conferences like the "Smokey Mtn AC" and the "Volunteer State AC."

While the Mocs spent their time playing sometimes as many as 3-5 SEC teams a year, ETSU was playing Lees-McRae and Tusculum, etal. ETSU has only played SEC/ACC schools a total of 11 times in their history (1-10-0) because for most of their existence, they have been a small time program.

Of course, the biggest and most glaring difference between Chattanooga and ETSU is that when the going got tough...

ETSU QUIT PLAYING.

UTC went out and got better.

Mic drop.

All those nifty 'accolades' (if you call going 9-140 an accolade) from 50 years ago and now the mighty Moc's have trouble dispatching OVC teams.

https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video/CVfqDRvVEAAVtbB.mp4

Mic drop.

[Bisonoline]

All those nifty 'accolades' (if you call going 9-140 an accolade) from 50 years ago and now the mighty Moc's have trouble dispatching OVC teams.

https://pbs.twimg.com/tweet_video/CVfqDRvVEAAVtbB.mp4

Mic drop.

What does JSU have to do with their conversation? Didnt see JSU mentioned.

[chattanoogamocs]

All time records vs JSU...26-14 Mocs

Y'all just have to beat the Mocs 12 more times in a row to catch up.

Now go back to polishing your flute band geek.

(or defending your baby momma beating QB).

[chattanoogamocs]

What does JSU have to do with their conversation? Didnt see JSU mentioned.

While I am the first one to admit that JSU has the Mocs number the last decade

...in general, they suffer from the same "overcompensating" problem that ETSU has when it comes to Chattanooga.

Hey, it makes for a good rivalry.

And outside of JSU, the Mocs haven't had much problem with the OVC...ever.

[Bisonoline]

While I am the first one to admit that JSU has the Mocs number the last decade

...in general, they suffer from the same "overcompensating" problem that ETSU has when it comes to Chattanooga.

Hey, it makes for a good rivalry.



And outside of JSU, the Mocs haven't had much problem with the OVC...ever.

Yes that does seem to be an issue with them. xsmiley_wix

[JSUSoutherner]

While I am the first one to admit that JSU has the Mocs number the last decade

...in general, they suffer from the same "overcompensating" problem that ETSU has when it comes to Chattanooga.

Hey, it makes for a good rivalry.

And outside of JSU, the Mocs haven't had much problem with the OVC...ever.
Yes we do.

I'm not the one using a 9-140 record to assert my teams dominance over a team that went 2-9.

Yes it does. Fun stuff. A good rivalry has plenty of smack. Hence my post.

No one does. The OVC is a sham.

[Libertine]

I have zero dog in this fight but...


Except for a 25 year stretch ..., UC always had a pretty respectable football program, ...

Mic drop.

... I don't know how you could say all that with a straight face. xlolx

Honestly, that's just some kind of amazing.

[The Cats]

The giant screen that will hang over the Bristol.......

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KwqXPWJ7wrRJe2A_RWnI0NXFYt8=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/5976057/Screen_Shot_2016-01-29_at_11.27.02_AM.0.png

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/1/29/10869824/bristol-motor-speedway-virginia-tech-east-tennessee-western-carolina-football-game

[catamount man]

Definitely gonna try to make this game. I imagine tailgating will be awesome. GO CATS!!!

[Smitty]

Definitely gonna try to make this game. I imagine tailgating will be awesome. GO CATS!!!

Parking and leaving will be a breeze compared to race day. Although I'm sure it will still be difficult for the Tennessee game.

[tenNesseeCat]

http://www.knoxnews.com/sports/vols/football/preparations-begin-for-battle-at-bristol-football-game-3aa9194d-ec8f-57b4-e053-0100007ff1d9-390899181.html

Field construction begins!

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

I can't believe they're taken down the catch fence! That seems like serious overkill imo. Don't sell seats in the first 10 rows

[ElonFirefighter]

Woo Hoo ETSU WCU Game Day

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Y9kgyYsJ64/T2z6Q1LISYI/AAAAAAAAJWs/qjJ7x98AsNo/s1600/20120317C+Bristol+Motor+Speedway+009.jpg

[CHIP72]

The only way this makes sense to me is if there is a NASCAR race at the same time at BMS. This will come the week after the UT vs VT game so the field will already be down.

http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/Football/2016/01/25/Bucs-to-play-at-BMS.html?ci=stream&lp=13&p=1

Fixed your post for you. :)

[PantherRob82]

This looks like it is going to be awesome.

[Toby]

Woo Hoo ETSU WCU Game Day

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Y9kgyYsJ64/T2z6Q1LISYI/AAAAAAAAJWs/qjJ7x98AsNo/s1600/20120317C+Bristol+Motor+Speedway+009.jpg

I'm thinking the steep angle of the stands with the combination of many inebriated fans could lead to a few ER visits.... That is at the UT-VT game, not ETSU-WCU.

[SENOREIDA]

I'm thinking the steep angle of the stands with the combination of many inebriated fans could lead to a few ER visits.... That is at the UT-VT game, not ETSU-WCU.
Someone has never been to a NASCAR race before. Trust me that place is made for drinking and drunk people. No other sport allows you to bring in your own alcohol.

[tenNesseeCat]

I can't believe they're taken down the catch fence! That seems like serious overkill imo. Don't sell seats in the first 10 rows

From my understanding, the whole idea is to make this the highest attended football game ever. It looks like they removed the fence, and added seats down the track. I think 150k+ tickets have been sold. For the main event that is. The bucs and cats pretty much get to play because they'll leave it setup for us. Reminds me of a spoof rap song.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yvHYWD29ZNY BMS will probably make some extra $ outta our game. Which raises a question. How many do ya'll think will attend? I'm hoping for 15-20k but expect 10-15k.

[Thumper 76]

From my understanding, the whole idea is to make this the highest attended football game ever. It looks like they removed the fence, and added seats down the track. I think 150k+ tickets have been sold. For the main event that is. The bucs and cats pretty much get to play because they'll leave it setup for us. Reminds me of a spoof rap song.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yvHYWD29ZNY BMS will probably make some extra $ outta our game. Which raises a question. How many do ya'll think will attend? I'm hoping for 15-20k but expect 10-15k.

Love that song xlolx

[Hammerhead]

Not sure if this link will work, but the Google earth view shows the closest seats will be about 70 yards from the sidelines.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bristol+Motor+Speedway/@36.5152241,-82.2567737,295m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xfd258abebaa4a647!8m2 !3d36.515694!4d-82.2569667?hl=en

[Southern Bison]

Not sure if this link will work, but the Google earth view shows the closest seats will be about 70 yards from the sidelines.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bristol+Motor+Speedway/@36.5152241,-82.2567737,295m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0xfd258abebaa4a647!8m2 !3d36.515694!4d-82.2569667?hl=en
It's the same as the NHL playing hockey at Gillette Stadium, Heinz Field, etc. It's for the experience and tv coverage. You & I watched the Bison 12' from the field (2nd row student section) where we could yell at the opposing players & a few tried to climb the wall to get to us.

If it was a FBS matchup I was interested in, I'd be there since it is only 3 hrs away.

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[grizband]

I have zero dog in this fight but...



... I don't know how you could say all that with a straight face. xlolx

Honestly, that's just some kind of amazing.
Chattanooga has won 7+ games in only 23 of 112 seasons playing football...

[chattanoogamocs]

Chattanooga has won 7+ games in only 23 of 112 seasons playing football...


Congrats on looking thru 112 years of Chattanooga football just add one sentence to the conversation ;)

But I am not here to flame back and forth with UM fans, my aunt and uncle live in Missoula and are season ticket holders, so outside of Chattanooga, I actually pull for the Griz. I would rather spend my time making fun of ETSU now that they have a football team again (which is much more fun than feeling sorry for them because of their moronic past AD and President)

But, I admit, I quickly went back and looked at the Griz history, I was actually surprised how bad to average Montana was until the late 80's. Only five 7+ win seasons between 1945-1988 (I don't care enough to look back any further than that, but it couldn't be good considering UM is only about 60 games over .500 after 106 years).

Serious question, what was it that flipped the switch at UM and turned things around so thoroughly? Was it just Don Read? Or was it something more from the University itself?

[grizband]

Pretty easy to review, when you use spreadsheets lol. Honestly, I just remember Chattanooga being so bad, I wanted to find out when they were good. Yes, Montana had many bleak years in football, the program has certainly progressed...

Building Washington grizzly stadium was a primary catalyst for the current state of Griz football. Don Read certainly helped, although his success was limited in the first years.

Sorry for the drive by posting

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[Catamount87]

So, the question that has continually been asked around the WCU vs ETSU at BMS is why? What's in it for each school, for BMS? I think for the schools, it's simply the publicity. For BMS, it's basically more revenue to cover the cost of hosting the UT vs VT game. If I were a betting man, I'd suspect the BMS originated this game idea for this very reason. WCU and ETSU really have nothing to lose. Okay, maybe we'll suffer a few empty seat jokes but hey as they say, there's no such thing as bad publicity. Okay, for the record, I think the whole thing is a bit of a circus and would prefer not to be a part of any empty seat jokes.

[walliver]

The only upside I see to this game is that ETSU won't start its new SoCon schedule playing in a high school stadium.

[ElonFirefighter]

The only upside I see to this game is that ETSU won't start its new SoCon schedule playing in a high school stadium.

Downside, a high school Friday night game will still draw more of a crowd.

[ASU33]

interesting................I wonder how's the ticket sales going?

[tenNesseeCat]

Downside, a high school Friday night game will still draw more of a crowd.

Says the fan of a team who had marginally better home attendance.

Average home attendance for '15, Elon - 7842, ETSU - 7129. Most of the ETSU home schedule was against sub-D1 teams. I don't think they did too bad. It's gotta put them ahead of Samford. Maybe even Wofford? Furman?

[ElonFirefighter]

Says the fan of a team who had marginally better home attendance.

Average home attendance for '15, Elon - 7842, ETSU - 7129. Most of the ETSU home schedule was against sub-D1 teams. I don't think they did too bad. It's gotta put them ahead of Samford. Maybe even Wofford? Furman?

My comment was more directed at ETSU. I still haven't forgave them sending us there Father Son Coach/QB duo Hamilton a few years back

BTW 2015 was down mainly in part to the previous coach killing the atmosphere. Though we do sit in the middle of ACC country so we always take a back burner to that.

[tenNesseeCat]

I was just givin you a hard time.

[ElonFirefighter]

I was just givin you a hard time.

:D So was I

[tenNesseeCat]

A fellow catamount posted this on another forum. http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/fans/news-archive/pilot-flying-battle-bristol-live-construction-cam.html

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

I'm sorry but this looks even more ridiculous than I thought. I love NASCAR (I'll be at Michigan on Sunday) and college football but this just isn't jiving imo.....

http://racing-forums.com/attachments/untitled-jpg.20624/

[Schism55]

Any estimates of what the attendance # is going to be? If there isn't a ton of peeps there the atmosphere will be putrid.

[kdinva]

to me, not much worse than ice hockey @ Michigan or Foxborough.........by the way, where is Uecker's seat?



I'm sorry but this looks even more ridiculous than I thought. I love NASCAR (I'll be at Michigan on Sunday) and college football but this just isn't jiving imo.....

http://racing-forums.com/attachments/untitled-jpg.20624/

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Here's the Winter Classic in Foxborough. It's not great wither but at least the hockey rink is relatively long relative to a football field...

https://nesncom.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/winter-classic1.jpg?w=640

[CHIP72]

to me, not much worse than ice hockey @ Michigan or Foxborough.........by the way, where is Uecker's seat?

An even more apt comparison would be the Final Four basketball games played in domed football stadiums. A basketball court is a lot smaller than a hockey rink. They do put seats close to court for those games but the viewing angle from most of the those seats is hideous.


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[ASU33]

I wonder what type of atmosphere they'll have with the place being 3/4 empty?

[Thumper 76]

I wonder what type of atmosphere they'll have with the place being 3/4 empty?

The sad thing is even if the draw 25k they won't be at 1/4 full.

[Smitty]

I wonder what type of atmosphere they'll have with the place being 3/4 empty?

To be honest I'm not too worried about it. You are still playing a game in a different place than what you are used to. Should be fun either way

[whoanellie]

What's the big deal WSSU plays at Bowman Gray Stadium "The Mad House" all summer long NASCAR since 1950
was Home to Wake Forest until 1968. held demolish-on Derby's on the field and We played our HS games the next week.

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Field is basically done...

http://racing-forums.com/attachments/untitled-jpg.20652/

[Schism55]

Dang, that field is far as hell from every seat xeyebrowx

[Go Lehigh TU owl]

Dang, that field is far as hell from every seat xeyebrowx

Are they really going to put assistant coaches in the press box? How the hell are they going to see the numbers without having binoculars permanently attached to their head? They better hire some NASCAR spotters....

[Bisonoline]

The first row seats have to be 50 yards from the field. No thank you.

[tenNesseeCat]

The first row seats have to be 50 yards from the field. No thank you.

It's where ETSU wants to play us, so I'll be there. I think it would have been in a high school stadium otherwise. It's not going to be ideal, but we can't play all our games in Cullowhee. If they wanted to play in a parking lot...I'd watch from the cooler in the back of my truck. I guess the infield at Bristol kinda is a parking lot. Go Cats!

[Catamount87]

Everyone will be seated in the grandstands on the left side of that photo. They'll also have some seating built on the track and along the end zones. Shoot, even if it drew 20,000 I can't imagine it would sound loud because of the distance between the fans and the field. But enough of the negativity, it's a conference game, my Catamounts will be playing and are favored. It's all good!

[dgtw]

The first row seats have to be 50 yards from the field. No thank you.

Can the end zone people even see over those buildings?


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[Catamount87]

Can the end zone people even see over those buildings?

I do believe they will be building some temporary stands along the endzones and on the track. At least that's what the seating chart looks like.

[Milktruck74]

It'll be interesting to see what 157,500 empty seats look like. I remember playing in Miche Stadium in Prep School with about 37k empties...it was a beautiful sunny afternoon and the receivers were all blinded by the stands... Ground Game!!!!