Illinois State’s Coach Spack 👏👏

[colin2229]

Illinois State earned the right to host a home playoff game this week but since ISU is hosting the IHSA title games - they are on the road.

Coach Spack’s comments on the events ⬇️

"I thought it was more important that we get the state high school football championships back on campus. They needed to hear it from me that we would go on the road if we had to that first week.

"This is where the state championships belong. They were here when I was in high school, and this is where everyone wanted to end up," Spack told local outlet WMBD.

Very cool

https://footballscoop.com/news/fcs-program-who-earned-home-field-advantage-in-first-round-chooses-to-play-on-the-road-instead

 

[greatgig13]

Smooth move.

 

[MC63]

Yes, nice move -- but the games should be at NIU - close to where 90% of the state's population lives.

 

[4Afan]

Yes, nice move -- but the games should be at NIU - close to where 90% of the state's population lives.

Cry more. Dekalb was not a good place for these games.

 

[bccanwin]

1st class move Coach Spack and ISU...

I wish the U if I cared as much about Illinois High Scool football and the Coaches Association as much as ISU....

 

[jha618]

Cry more. Dekalb was not a good place for these games.

I hated the games in Dekalb. Champaign and Bloomington are infinitely better locations for championship weekend.

 

[EdgyTim]

I hated the games in Dekalb. Champaign and Bloomington are infinitely better locations for championship weekend.

Yeah but at least NIU wanted them and I thought was a good host......blue collar u also lets not forget that ISU basically kicked the games to the curb because they thought they make $$$ hosting FCS games.....which was a joke since very few FCS school host actually make money.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

Great PR, ISU is thriving.

 

[MC63]

Too long a drive to ISU and U of I for overwhflming portion of the public.

NIU is the only good choice.

 

[4Afan]

Too long a drive to ISU and U of I for overwhflming portion of the public.

NIU is the only good choice.

No, only curmudgeon's like you complain about the travel for a state game.

 

[MC63]

No, only curmudgeon's like you complain about the travel for a state game.

No, I complained about traveling to this game well before I became a curmudgeon. Congratulations on spelling it correctly.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

I’d rather stay away from DeKalb, my kids compete in the ICA state cheer there every year, no thanks.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

It’s a whole 1:24 longer from NW suburbs to Bloomington than DeKalb. Let’s not act like it’s Carbondale.

 

[4Afan]

It’s a whole 1:24 longer from NW suburbs to Bloomington than DeKalb. Let’s not act like it’s Carbondale.

And depending on traffic it may not even take that much longer. Bloomington is a straight shot down 55. Depending on where you live getting to 88 and paying tolls to get to Dekalb may not be the easier route.

 

[greatgig13]

DeKalb. Yuck. Normal is it.

 

[Topiary]

IHSA HQ in Bloomington - ESL, Rochester, Springfield Gr, Bradley, Belleville A, etc lot closer to Normal than DeKalb. Better hotels, more things to do if you stay the nite.

 

[colin2229]

Only thing NIU has going for themselves is proximity to Chicago which allows for bigger crowds.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

Only thing NIU has going for themselves is proximity to Chicago which allows for bigger crowds.

is that true?
I thought the figures were very close.

 

[colin2229]

is that true?
I thought the figures were very close.

Hour drive vs 2 hr drive.

 

[SiuCubFan8]

Hour drive vs 2 hr drive.

Ya I know that but I thought attendance was similar last year vs DeKalb.

 

[MC63]

Only thing NIU has going for themselves is proximity to Chicago which allows for bigger crowds.

That is the ONLY thing that counts. All three stadiums have sufficient seating and parking for major crowds. But let's face it, no one goes to DeKalb, Urbana or Normal for fine dining, resorts or special shopping. It's the state championships pf football and ... like everything else, its location, location, and location.

 

[Prep writer]

Yes, nice move -- but the games should be at NIU - close to where 90% of the state's population lives.

Lmfaoz Hancock Stadium is the perfect venue, centrally located. There’s a hell or a lot of quality restaurants and places to stay. What a ridiculous take. But not surprisig coming from the site’s King Curmudgeon!

 

[Prep writer]

That is the ONLY thing that counts. All three stadiums have sufficient seating and parking for major crowds. But let's face it, no one goes to DeKalb, Urbana or Normal for fine dining, resorts or special shopping. It's the state championships pf football and ... like everything else, its location, location, and location.

Comparing B-N to DeKalb is pure silliness. You’ll probably be sitting your lazy ass on the couch this weekend instead of making the trip to ISU anyway. And I’m sure would have as well if the games were in DeKalb.

 

[Prep writer]

Too long a drive to ISU and U of I for overwhflming portion of the public.

NIU is the only good choice.

A two hour drive is overwhelming? Holy hell!

 

[SiuCubFan8]

ISU is the spot…if you don’t want to drive for selfish reasons that’s fine just say it.

 

[MC63]

A two hour drive is overwhelming? Holy hell!

No, overwhelming refers to the portion of the population - not the act of driving. I thought folks could tell. Sorry if I don't get want to take long boring rides.

 

[Prep writer]

No, overwhelming refers to the portion of the population - not the act of driving. I thought folks could tell. Sorry if I don't get want to take long boring rides.

Im sure 99 percent of the population is just fine with making the two hour trip down 55 to plan for a state title.

You’re a spoiled old man who whines about everything.

Got a news flash for ya, Ebenizer. This isn’t about you, as much as you want it to be.

 

[MC63]

Im sure 99 percent of the population is just fine with making the two hour trip down 55 to plan for a state title.

You’re a spoiled old man who whines about everything.

Got a news flash for ya, Ebenizer. This isn’t about you, as much as you want it to be.

Wow. Three cheap shots about my age in one afternoon from a guy who claims to be a professional writer.. Did you go to the library for "curmudgeon"? I haven't been called that on this board since yesterday -- one of the teenagers,

You really went ballistic over differences of opinion about the possible sites for high school football games. You must be something at a traffic stop.

What's the big deal? I never said anything disparaging about Urbana or Normal. I just do't know why the games need to be .so far from the population center. And yes, an extra 90 minutes after a full day of earlier driving is a big deal to a lot of people. Maybe not you, but that's your business.

 

[cpacmel]

Yeah but at least NIU wanted them and I thought was a good host......blue collar u also lets not forget that ISU basically kicked the games to the curb because they thought they make $$$ hosting FCS games.....which was a joke since very few FCS school host actually make money.

Edgy, I don't think it was ever about ISU thinking they could make money off home play-off games. I think the thought process was home play-off games gave the team the best chance to advance in the FCS Play-offs.

 

[CIMRY90]

At halftime, looks like playing opening game on the road has not hampered ISU.

ISU 28
SEMO 7

 

[forlouann]

ISU is the spot…if you don’t want to drive for selfish reasons that’s fine just say it.

I was at ISU yesterday. The drive was easy and the venue great. It was an awesome game day experience

 

[Topiary]

Birds win on road at SEMO - no harm, no foul. Good to see the IHSA tourney go well.

 

[Lion4Life01]

ISU is a great host for these games. Much prefer the campus to Champaign or Dekalb.

 

[corey90]

Was Esstern Illinois ever an option? Just asking. Would appreciate honest feedback if anyone knows.

 

[Dave Brody]

Was Esstern Illinois ever an option? Just asking. Would appreciate honest feedback if anyone knows.

What’s the hotel situation in Charleston? I don’t recall many options but it’s been years since I was there.

ISU has plenty of options.

 

[SouthofI80FootballFan]

What’s the hotel situation in Charleston? I don’t recall many options but it’s been years since I was there.

ISU has plenty of options.

Charleston/Mattoon has very little to offer.
Maybe 4 hotels, not a lot of food options, and the facilities aren't great. Stands only on 1 side. ISU is by far the best choice for tht State Series.

 

[wickerpark wildcat]

Hope Northwestern throws it's hat in ring when new stadium completes. Actually, the current lakeside field would be great as well.

 

[UlbKA91]

Charleston/Mattoon has very little to offer.
Maybe 4 hotels, not a lot of food options, and the facilities aren't great. Stands only on 1 side. ISU is by far the best choice for tht State Series.

What about 1a and 2a or the 2 most South -south matchups for Charleston? That way their is less compression with regards to ISU game times like what happened for the Saturday games this year

 

[Dave Brody]

Hope Northwestern throws it's hat in ring when new stadium completes. Actually, the current lakeside field would be great as well.

No thanks. I’m sure their facilities are gonna be great but Evanston is a bitch to get to. I live less than 20 miles away and it’s a hassle. I can’t imagine asking the IHSA asking downstate fans to travel there.

Could they use the facilities for northern teams like ISU was used in the opening wknd? Sure, go for it.

 

[LTHSALUM76]

And depending on traffic it may not even take that much longer. Bloomington is a straight shot down 55. Depending on where you live getting to 88 and paying tolls to get to Dekalb may not be the easier route.

I would rather drive on 355 and 88 any day over any part of 55 north of Coal City.