State championship games at Benedict?

[Deputy]

I do think that Clemson at one time offered their stadium for free, or at cost. Even played the games there one year. But just like playing in Rock Hill would be, it is an injustice for the lower state teams and puts them at a disadvantage. Rock Hill would be much better. Just like the SCHSL has floated the idea of putting basketball state championships in the North Charleston arena. Yea, that make sense. Make the upstate teams drive 4 hours for that deal. Somebody needs to go get things works out with USC. Now you play at Benedict in a much lesser atmosphere, and lose the casual fan who isn't going to show for just one game. But Jerome and his minions continue to make decisions convenient for them as opposed to the masses, or even the school. They supposedly serve at the pleasure of the member schools. Can never figure out why the movers and shakers in that group don't hold them a little more accountable. But as we have seem with Covid. Most in the educational system are little more than sheep. Not wanting to make any waves and just doing whatever they are told.

[Tigerific]

All five classes need to be at Williams Brice like it used to be. If not then it needs to be on rotational bases. Coastal Carolina has a 20,000 seat stadium that can host it. The CNB jamboree is now played there and the North South game. They’ve been very welcoming to high school football. I know Coastal donated the use of their stadium to both Conway and CF a couple of times when their fields were unplayable.

[Rebel-Fan-74]

Just how does one become part of the "decision makers" at the SCHSL?

One of you folks with the right connections find out....

Me and Slicker need a seat on the board!

[bringthewood]

Fairgrounds gets their cash by charging for parking. USC gets the concessions

if you were the director of the hsl and had any clue at all, you would make a deal with USC that ran yearly. They want the event, the fans want it there as do the players/teams, so why not make it happen for the good of the state?

I guess those Texas schools are paying a pretty penny to have theirs at the Cowboys stadium. Give me a break. Just another example of a failure of leadership from the SCHL

USC never wanted to make a deal... just bid the cost. That is why the A/AA games left Willy B long ago because they didn't make financial sense.

If you ask anyone that knows about the 'weekend of champions' that has been played out in Cola/USC versus the few times these game have been played in Clemson (primarily b/c the teams were in the Upstate) to a person (fan, coach, players, admin, etc..) Clemson was done better. To fees charged (or not charged) parking, accessibility, accommodation, hospitality,... you name it Clemson was much better.

Now the geography of Clemson vs Columbia might have played into the equation, but the other factors are clear.

[bringthewood]

I do think that Clemson at one time offered their stadium for free, or at cost. Even played the games there one year. But just like playing in Rock Hill would be, it is an injustice for the lower state teams and puts them at a disadvantage. Rock Hill would be much better. Just like the SCHSL has floated the idea of putting basketball state championships in the North Charleston arena. Yea, that make sense. Make the upstate teams drive 4 hours for that deal. Somebody needs to go get things works out with USC. Now you play at Benedict in a much lesser atmosphere, and lose the casual fan who isn't going to show for just one game. But Jerome and his minions continue to make decisions convenient for them as opposed to the masses, or even the school. They supposedly serve at the pleasure of the member schools. Can never figure out why the movers and shakers in that group don't hold them a little more accountable. But as we have seem with Covid. Most in the educational system are little more than sheep. Not wanting to make any waves and just doing whatever they are told.

See my post below yours; the League can't just tell USC (and the Fairgrounds) what to do.

Again it might make sense to you and me (and the SCHSL!!!), but these entities have their own agendas and accountabilities.

[Deputy]

Never said they could make them. But as a school that is supported by taxpayer dollars, there should be some pressure that can be applied through the right political connections. No kid dreams of playing a game at Benedict. It is just an absolute joke.

[bringthewood]

Never said they could make them. But as a school that is supported by taxpayer dollars, there should be some pressure that can be applied through the right political connections. No kid dreams of playing a game at Benedict. It is just an absolute joke.

You really want to talk politics about 1 Friday/Saturday out of the year in which a bunch parents pay $10-15 for ticket versus the 80.000+ that show up 6 Saturdays a year, plus all the money spent on the Cock-a-boose, booster check, etc...?????? Really????? The parents/team/etc... that show up for the title game are a 1 year wonder. The spenders at Willy B are year around.

I'm neither here nor there on the issue. I've got not stake in the game. I'm not even saying I like it or condone it.

I'm just letting everyone know what is driving the game.

[bringthewood]

Think about it this way; Williams Brice sits empty... no events... no revenue.. just wasting away in the elements waiting to be repaired... for 350+ days a year.

Same for most football stadiums.

[Onion Rings]

Fairgrounds gets their cash by charging for parking. USC gets the concessions

if you were the director of the hsl and had any clue at all, you would make a deal with USC that ran yearly. They want the event, the fans want it there as do the players/teams, so why not make it happen for the good of the state?

I guess those Texas schools are paying a pretty penny to have theirs at the Cowboys stadium. Give me a break. Just another example of a failure of leadership from the SCHL

USC never wanted to make a deal... just bid the cost. That is why the A/AA games left Willy B long ago because they didn't make financial sense.

If you ask anyone that knows about the 'weekend of champions' that has been played out in Cola/USC versus the few times these game have been played in Clemson (primarily b/c the teams were in the Upstate) to a person (fan, coach, players, admin, etc..) Clemson was done better. To fees charged (or not charged) parking, accessibility, accommodation, hospitality,... you name it Clemson was much better.

Now the geography of Clemson vs Columbia might have played into the equation, but the other factors are clear.

I agree with everything you said, but location is THE factor above all others. It can be a great set up but if the location is not fair and equal to all, it is not the solution period

[bringthewood]

Fairgrounds gets their cash by charging for parking. USC gets the concessions

if you were the director of the hsl and had any clue at all, you would make a deal with USC that ran yearly. They want the event, the fans want it there as do the players/teams, so why not make it happen for the good of the state?

I guess those Texas schools are paying a pretty penny to have theirs at the Cowboys stadium. Give me a break. Just another example of a failure of leadership from the SCHL

USC never wanted to make a deal... just bid the cost. That is why the A/AA games left Willy B long ago because they didn't make financial sense.

If you ask anyone that knows about the 'weekend of champions' that has been played out in Cola/USC versus the few times these game have been played in Clemson (primarily b/c the teams were in the Upstate) to a person (fan, coach, players, admin, etc..) Clemson was done better. To fees charged (or not charged) parking, accessibility, accommodation, hospitality,... you name it Clemson was much better.

Now the geography of Clemson vs Columbia might have played into the equation, but the other factors are clear.

I agree with everything you said, but location is THE factor above all others. It can be a great set up but if the location is not fair and equal to all, it is not the solution period

very much agree

possibly why Cola has been such a hassle