FAMU could soon ink a deal to open its 2011 season against the USF Bulls at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.
“The only thing we haven't done is sign a contract," said Alvin Hollins, FAMU’s assistant athletic director. "Our president is very interested in us opening the (2011) season there, and we're looking at trying to do something down there every other year. ... It's percolating pretty good.”
When FAMU faced off against USF in 2005, the game attracted 43,122 fans. That was the second-largest crowd in USF football’s history.
That year the Rattlers, who scored 3 points to the Bulls’ 37, cut a deal to receive part of the game’s ticket revenues. The two universities have not commented on whether a similar agreement is in the works for the anticipated 2011 matchup.
“The only thing we haven't done is sign a contract," said Alvin Hollins, FAMU’s assistant athletic director. "Our president is very interested in us opening the (2011) season there, and we're looking at trying to do something down there every other year. ... It's percolating pretty good.”
When FAMU faced off against USF in 2005, the game attracted 43,122 fans. That was the second-largest crowd in USF football’s history.
That year the Rattlers, who scored 3 points to the Bulls’ 37, cut a deal to receive part of the game’s ticket revenues. The two universities have not commented on whether a similar agreement is in the works for the anticipated 2011 matchup.
Now we have TWO years to prepare to whop them at HOME. Uh, they should have home-home rotation televised.
ReplyDeleteWith Taylor as the Head Coach I think we can BEAT ANYBODY!!!! In addition, I think that it prepares and changes the mind set of our Football Players inline with Coach Taylor's mind set, that winning the MEAC aint nothing he wants and we all should want a National Championship!!!
ReplyDeleteI am a graduate of both universities and I plan on attending the game if it is officially scheduled. FAMU is a big draw and the Rattlers deserve a cut of the gate and/or a chunk of upfront money.
ReplyDeleteThere is no way USF is going to play in Bragg. The schools may schedule a neutral site game though.
I'm surprised the Hate-Tampa crowd has not come out to the blog yet. I'm referring to the shouting down we get whenever someone mentions moving the FLA Classic back to Tampa. If we hate Tampa so much that we won't play the Classic there, why give a Tampa-based school a boost in attendance? Before they managed to get ranked #2 in the country, FAMU was their second highest attended game.
ReplyDeleteThey're NOT too good to come to Bragg! If they want the arses in seats at RJStadium, they'll come to Bragg! If WE can venture into TAMPA, surely the short trip to Tallahasse is equitable. It could be alternating every other year. That's twice in TEN years! We've gotta schedule better HOME games. We need MORE attractive HOME games. And as SOON as we get out of the MEAC and stop letting these BCu type games dictate what we do and the "D-1" schools push us around for petty cash, we'll be better off. We are the asset NOT the game(event).
ReplyDeleteWe should also better DIRECT the game experience. The band actually plays 30sec sound bytes these days to help with the flow. There should never be a dull moment. Get the crowd back into the game, it's really not a spectator sport! I mean you're supposed to cheer regardless of what the outcome of the play is. We used to know what to do when we get first downs. Third downs, red zone plays. Touch downs, kickoffs, etc. (Let's get it together) It seems that some think the "tv" experience happens automatically.You're at the game, not watching it. Perhaps some think they're too cute to be a part of the game. this IS NOT GOLF. They may try to supress our band but our crowd can't be stopped. WAKE UP! Let's GO RATTLERS!
ReplyDelete7/29/2009 12:25 PM
ReplyDelete"I'm surprised the Hate-Tampa crowd has not come out to the blog yet. I'm referring to the shouting down we get whenever someone mentions moving the FLA Classic back to Tampa."
GET A CLUE AND GET REAL! We punished Tampa GOOD and thats what all people Black, White and Other should do when people disrespct them! Hit them in the pocket! No stupid marches and crying and praying with some fake preacher like Holmes or Jesse or Al, just good old fashion action! It was so good that now each school takes home OVER 1 MILLION DOLLARS a year now from the Classic! That NEVER happened in Tampa and it never would have because people like my parents who went to FAMU and fought in the 60's so that I would not be disrepected would have stopped going to the Classic.In addition, when they tried to get our Law School which created a payroll of over a million dollars a year and brings in another million a year based on student enrollment and what they spend, they did not get that either!
And, I will assume that you are African American and state that instead of attacking other African Americans why have you not, after all these years, DEMANDED an apology from the city of Tampa an offical apology?? Barrack points out a white police officer acted stupidly(and he did) and the next day White America demanded an apology!
12:25pm,
ReplyDelete1. We just started earning $1mil+ for the FL Classic since 2006. It had nothing to do with Orlando nor Disney but the creation of the FL Classic Consortium between FAMU and bcu's administrators.
2. Tampa offered more money, services, and facilities than Orlando to house the FAMU COL.
3. Tampa offered the highest bid along with Jacksonville to keep the FL Classic before it departed for Orlando.
4. Tampa offered money for the FL Classic to return after one year in Orlando.
5. Tampa apologized for the transgressions of those businesses. Even attempted to reconcile the relationship with FAMU as evidenced by meeting then exceeding the competitive bids of other cities for the FAMU COL.
6. Orlando/Orange County shares a percentage of the economic impact from the Champs and Capital One bowls (which have less attendance, and spend less locally) with those bowl games. But does not offer the same agreement with the FL Classic.
7. Close to the expiration of the FL Classic contract with Orlando, if Tampa, or any other FL city for that matter, offers more money to host the FL Classic, then FAMU and bcu should seriously consider the proposal.
^^^Post above addressing both 12:25pm and 3:21pm.
ReplyDelete4:39pm
ReplyDeleteMy point was that we needed to and did punish Tampa. It made a serious point to anyone who would think of trying to take our green dollars for granted again!
As far as now is concerned I think lesson learned, but if we were to return to Tampa it would need to come with an official written and public apology from the Mayor via the City and the Chamber of Commerce. And guarenteed money!
There's no way in hell USF will play in Bragg stadium. Sorry, but that's just the way it is.
ReplyDeleteHere's the dirty little secret. We don't need USF, they need us!
ReplyDeleteNext UCF will come calling. FAU too.
Don't tease information like that. Spill the beans! Why do those Florida teams need us that badly? Are they having problems filling up their stadiums? Are their concession or ticket sales down?
ReplyDeleteOkay, so lets punish Tallahassee, particularly the Tallahassee Democrat. Has anyone noticed the "overkill" of FSU football news and pictures, but hardly any mention of FAMU football? Look at the photo gallery on tdo.com. In my opinion, the Tallahassee Democrat is run by skin heads.
ReplyDeleteThat's not a secret. Miami, USF, UCF, FIU, and FAU know the kind of EXTRA loot they could make by hosting FAMU because we bump up their attendance numbers from our strong fanbase around the state. And if the Marching 100 is included in the deal, that's an even bigger attendance boost from their followers. More attendance = More ticket sales = More Revenue. Simple as that.
ReplyDeleteAs far as punishing the dixiecrat, I'm all for that too. Everyday they have pics of the criminole football photo gallery, but nothing new for FAMU. I've emailed the editor Gibardi and St Murraine about more features on our team before the season starts.
As far as an apology from the Tampa mayor, et al, the people who were running the city back then are probably good and gone. So what would be the point of them apologizing "officially" again? Showing FAMU the money is enough talking and walking in my book.
Smh, let Miami show them all how to HOST FAMU! Tampa is the same, Charlie and the likes are still there and in control. We have not had a series in MIA since the Orange Blossom Classic. Tampa did apologize but this, for me is more about the better choices and Tampa is not it. Now it is VERY true that they need us more than most know. As a sports fan there is no reason that they should be immune to COMING to BRAGG! They don't have much to lose-remember that they are STILL very NEW on the block.And they have NO room to make demands like never coming to Bragg. And STOP hatin' on the people who came before you. YOU HAVE NO ROOM, 3:21.
ReplyDeleteCoach, get someone from the football power region of South Florida. We've been losing in a lot of areas, including ENROLLMENT because we have not stepped up in s.Florida. Everyone in the country recruits there and we shouldn't let them come in so easy. Hell the students are reluctantly going to FAU, FIU and Bcu. Everyone is benefiting but us! We have a staggering amount of support there but we never made moves once FIU and FAU started teams. That's just football, in basketball there are legacy connections at schools like Dillard in Ft.Lauderdale, which is an annual powerhouse. Multiple state championships and we don't go after them. We go to random places with one, maybe two prospects with little to return to year after year. Hell, Rutgers and West Virginia has "set-up shop" there. We have to defend our backyard which is a gold mine!
ReplyDelete10:07pm you are absolutely correct. FAMU needs to re-establish its academic and athletic thumbprint in South Florida. Due to our lack of presence in South Florida, not only have the Rutgers and W. Virginia's of the sports world encroached on our territory, but FCS teams like Morgan State have been heavily recruiting and robbing our base too! Check Morgan State's football roster and you will see players from Miami Northwestern, Pompano Ely, among many other Dade and Broward County schools. Until Orlando and the Citrus Bowl can get their money and facilities straight, rotating the FL Classic around the state to the highest host city bidder (Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville) isnt a bad idea. At least then FAMU can begin establishing and reconnecting relationships with the students, athletes, Rattlers, and others we've lost over the years as faithful constituents by bringing a WINNING FAMU product to their front door.
ReplyDeleteHubba 10:48
ReplyDeleteYou dont build tradition by moving the CLASSIC "around". That makes no sense at all! Actually, FAMU should play USF in Tampa (split the gate take), FAMU should play FAU in Miami....etc This would make the most sense 10:48.
ReplyDeleteYet, for FAMU to move up it has to start with vision. I offer this, take a visit to UCF in Orlando and dont reinvent the wheel simply take what they did and do it FAMU style.
No offense 11:07, but FAMU built a lot of things before the "classics" got started. When I got to FAMU we actually did have a "classic" in all four of the cities mentioned and we were winning convincingly. So considering all of the factors, moving to the highest bidder would strengthen the brand and satisfy the exposure we've lost tryin to hold on to the neutral site classics. How do you move up by kneeling down, Sambo? And why would FAU play us in Miami when they're building an on campus site? I guess they, like the others you guys worship, should never be expected to play in BRAGG? And perhaps there are some things to learn from UCF but remember they are not FAMU and they really still aren't relatable in many areas. We are unique in this world of football and we ought to act like it. Post haste.
ReplyDelete12:28 PM, I agree with you wholeheartedly. We are FAMU and don't have to imitate NOBODY!! Let FAU, UCF and the rest come to Bragg and wash our drawers. We don't need them as much as they need us. Come to Bragg or else!!
ReplyDeleteExactly, and we haven't always been in the MEAC either, so we don't have to be married to them if they don't want better! We need more and better HOME games and the game experience should not feel like it's by chance. It should be carefully composed and directed. Go Rattlers!
ReplyDeleteExactly because the secret is that they are all tryin to get some clout and they for the most part don't have on-campus facilities anyhow. FAU is building one and FIU has a medium stadium that jus got expanded. UCF has a project ongiong to be on campus and USF hasn't even entertained it, they're in RayJ. We do happen to have the largest FCS(D-1AA) stadium owned by the school. Others are renters.
ReplyDeleteCheck this out. This is how they are going at our built-in prospects. http://www.cstv.com/media_server/play.smil?school=cs&media_type=video&specialtemplate=rev2&content=http://mfile.akamai.com/9192/wmv/cstv.download.akamai.com/8108/open/fau/07-08/video/genrel/06jun/FAU-stadium%20animation_060908CSTV.wmv
ReplyDelete11:07AM what you've suggested actually makes less sense. The objective is to bring a WINNING FAMU product to the faithful constituents we've alienated over the years. Your proposal presents a two fold dilemma. The first being it does not align with the WINNING objective. By revolving the FL Classic around the state to the highest bidding host city, at least our chances of WINNING in that contest are greater than against FAU, FIU, USF, UCF. Of course we wouldnt move the game every year, but entertain negotiations close to contract negotiations. On average, that's every 4 years.
ReplyDeleteThe second problem with your proposal is playing FAU in Palm Beach, FIU in Miami, USF in Tampa, UCF in Orlando. They're ALL away games. We already dont have enough HOME games as it is. We want to expand the FAMU brand across the state, but at the same time, we dont want to disenfranchise our own local HOME base. FAMU should be trying its best to bring MORE marquee, appealing FCS, and if possible, FBS opponents to Bragg.
^^^Correction: "But entertain negotiations close to contract expiration. On average, that's every 4 years."
ReplyDeleteBTW, Norfolk State (30K) and Southern University (28K) both have larger stadiums than Bragg (25K).
One thing I know we can take from UCF is how they financed the construction of their new football stadium through selling the naming rights of the stadium to a corporation (Brighthouse Networks).
HUBBA 12:28PM!
ReplyDeleteI prefer a HOME/HOME series every other year. Whatever works with the rotation of the Classic. Maybe it will only rotate for a few years but Orlando does need to get the stadium together. And it's time for more profit if we're really setting up shop there. Now truth is that in S. Florida ALL of the schools here would be willing to negotiate. As far as I'm concerned the Florida classic could rotate, makes me no difference. I mean the ATL classic should be modified too. Maybe we can alternate the TSU game between ATL and Tampa or JAX. We can do this without thee schedule looking too foreign.
ReplyDeleteThe Vast majority of the post on this subject are amazingly absurd.
ReplyDelete12:28pm/12:50pm/4:58pm/9:50pm/10:19pm/1:03pm
FAMU is so far behind until it is pathatic and until you people accept that, FAMU will keep falling behind! You dont even sell out Bragg? Your Booster program is a FULL JOKE!!! Your AD and ADepartment are a JOKE!!!! And all of you running your mouth where is your money? FAMU CANT EVEN RAISE $1MILLION DOLLARS IN A YEAR FOR THE ENTIRE ATHLETIC PROGRAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So stop with the everyone wants to be FAMU crap! UCF has a BRAND NEW $50MILLION DOLLAR STADIUM!
I love FAMU my $20,000 dollars over the past five years prove it! No more money until I see some VISION!!
^^^Since athletics is so pathetic, then what the hell do you plan to do besides bitch, moan, and cry about it? You obviously dont understand the POWER of the almighty dollar. When you dislike the results you see, that's not the time to take your money away. That's the time when you're supposed to give MORE! Only then can you dictate and affect CHANGE! The only way those in control in athletics will LISTEN to you is when your money is TALKING! You thinking that you're stickin it to FAMU by not giving anymore is in essence silencing your cries. So if you dont plan on doin nothing but complaining, then do like your money and STFU!
ReplyDeleteBack to topic: We dont sell out Bragg because locally it's not perceived as the place to be in Tallahassee on Saturday fall afternoons, and the quality/appeal of opponent visiting is severely lacking. Therefore, something has to be done with marketing FAMU home games to draw ppl (whether Rattler fans or casual sports supporters) from as far as Pensacola, Dothan, Cairo, and Jacksonville. And our athletic department has to get us more attractive home games worth ppl's money because Norfolk, Howard, Hampton, Delaware, and the rest of the MEAC scrubs aint hittin on jack! If we are going to take the TSU game from ATL, then we might as well bring that rivalry HOME! This new generation of Rattlers have been so alienated that they dont even perceive of TSU as a rival. The ATL Classic is a social event and not a football rivalry to them.
I'm not doubting that we can get the Troys, FIUs, and FAUs of FBS to commit to a home/homoe series with FAMU. Like it has been said before in this discussion, our $$$ is just as green as theirs and they need it!
5:59am Can u read? 11:53pm says they have given $20,000 over five yrs to FAMU, if that is so, then they can talk!
ReplyDeleteSecond, Classics are a part of Black College Football, so much so that now White schools are trying to imitate them(Flordia V Georgia in Jville). But, at anyrate this topic is an example of why FAMU is in the shape that it is in. FAMU needs a strong person to come in and do WHATEVER IT TAKES to produce an entire athletic program that is able to compete on any level! This person should not have to answer to anyone until he/she job is done. The Boosters need to be an INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION! And its continous horrible leadership needs to go!
10:18AM, I read what he said. He said he gave $20,000 to FAMU over 5 years. Well guess what? I gave $20,000 to FAMU too. But I did it in 4 years! He didnt specify whether he gave to athletics or to the endowment. But his numbers looked more like those of an undergrad total tuition. That's why I ignored his comment because every FAMUan on this blog has given that amount or more to the University. So he's not special.
ReplyDeleteHubba 5:59. WE need to get our minds together and really start making some waves because that is when we get things done most often. This conversation proves that this is something that should be spotlighted. Those of us who are fans and alumni as well as members of the sports community here in Florida know: We are sitting on gold mines and diamond fields! This is only as hard as we've made it. I really don't like feeling like I'm the hero alumni, saving the legacy and destined from following fads and trends to higher education. RN, you have any ideas? Where do we go from here?
ReplyDeletePlease tell me that FAMU has found a track coach!
ReplyDeleteFAMU should have started Cross Country training last week. Without a coach, our track athletes are like orphans right now. Bill Hayes is a disgrace to the Athletic Profession and he's having a very negative impact on FAMU.
ReplyDeleteNo, we do not have a track coach yet.