Bowl Rumors

[Jimdish255]

I’m not sure they get that choice. They maybe can swap another ACC for Syracuse or something, but if they don’t send a team no way can they expect to get paid. My guess is they will try to swap Syracuse for another ACC team first. Maybe Louisville or Pitt to Fenway and the Orange to Pinstripe or Military. Something like that.

The other thing this could potentially do is add UConn as a tie-in for Fenway for the future. Even if it were ACC vs AAC or UConn.

We shouldn't try to get "locked in" to the Fenway Bowl. And If we do them a favor I wouldn't expect "reciprocity" either.

 

[UCSouth]

Thanks for info. My only question is how many people from New England are going to turn out in the cold to see Wake Forest or East Carolina play at a windy Fenway Park. Neither BC nor UMass qualify for bowl games this year, that leaves UConn, and the state's eager fans who are happy to drive to Boston.

That's potentially the problem. The Fenway Bowl would probably prefer a fan base that booked hotel rooms and spent more than just GameDay in Boston. Just a thought.

 

[HeGotGame]

Thanks for info. My only question is how many people from New England are going to turn out in the cold to see Wake Forest or East Carolina play at a windy Fenway Park. Neither BC nor UMass qualify for bowl games this year, that leaves UConn, and the state's eager fans who are happy to drive to Boston.

I have tickets already, live just outside of Boston, taking my son regardless of who plays. How long we stay, well that is a different story.....

 

[kibblesnbits]

That's potentially the problem. The Fenway Bowl would probably prefer a fan base that booked hotel rooms and spent more than just GameDay in Boston. Just a thought.

The Fenway Bowl is run by Fenway Sports Group (i.e. Red Sox properties including a NASCAR team, Liverpool, etc.). They care about promoting the brand and will be far more interested in having a good crowd than enriching the local Chamber of Commerce. In fact, when they announced the game the press release specifically listed geographic proximity as a key factor in selecting teams for the game.

Press Release

 

[gampelcrazies]

I don’t know how anyone can root against us getting the Fenway bowl. Place would be electric and buzzing with UConn fans.

Anywhere else we will struggle to get fans/sell tickets.

 

[UCSouth]

The Fenway Bowl is run by Fenway Sports Group (i.e. Red Sox properties including a NASCAR team, Liverpool, etc.). They care about promoting the brand and will be far more interested in having a good crowd than enriching the local Chamber of Commerce. In fact, when they announced the game the press release specifically listed geographic proximity as a key factor in selecting teams for the game.

Press Release

There was more to the press release than just geographic proximity as a key factor. I would plan on packing your bags for a longer road trip than that.

 

[kibblesnbits]

There was more to the press release than just geographic proximity as a key factor. I would plan on packing your bags for a longer road trip than that.

Of course there was more and the odds are still stacked against the Huskies. However, I've never seen a bowl press release that explicitly said they wanted teams from the near region. It was probably put in there because a realist knows fans from Florida, GA and the Carolinas are unlikely to visit Boston in large numbers in December so they were pitching for BC, SU or Pitt as the ACC rep. Since that doesn't appear likely (and the AAC has no eligible teams within reasonable geographic proximity), if the bowl recognizes the need for a regional team as a draw that certainly improves the chances of working out a deal.

 

[pepband99]

That's potentially the problem. The Fenway Bowl would probably prefer a fan base that booked hotel rooms and spent more than just GameDay in Boston. Just a thought.

Bowls in good, major cities don't have the hotel/CoC angle on them. There won't be an issue with hotels being filled in good cities. Mobile, AL? not so much.

 

[HCCForever]

The US Soccer team just won. The men and women just went 3,000 miles away and kicked everyones ass. I just doubled down and made the reservation for 2 nights.

And the Men's Hockey team got back into the win column as well.

 

[Wildgopher]

I don’t know how anyone can root against us getting the Fenway bowl. Place would be electric and buzzing with UConn fans.

Anywhere else we will struggle to get fans/sell tickets.

You of course, are looking at it strictly as a fan. If you look at it from a players perspective, would you rather be in Boston or somewhere warm for 5 days as a reward for such a surprising season?

 

[giddyup]

You of course, are looking at it strictly as a fan. If you look at it from a players perspective, would you rather be in Boston or somewhere warm for 5 days as a reward for such a surprising season?

I think most players would prefer to play in a game with a big crowd and excitement over a pseudo vacation with a ho hum game. They’ve worked too hard for this.

 

[freescooter]

I think most players would prefer to play in a game with a big crowd and excitement over a pseudo vacation with a ho hum game. They’ve worked too hard for this.

That was my feeling about the last bowl. Lackluster crowd. Lackluster feeling. I think Fenway would be pretty rocking with UConn there.

 

[pepband99]

That was my feeling about the last bowl. Lackluster crowd. Lackluster feeling. I think Fenway would be pretty rocking with UConn there.

That last bowl is essentially made-for-tv only, in the time they had it. December 26th at 11 in the morning - you either have to completely FUBAR your Christmas, or fly insanely early to FL. Thankfully that's been changed since.

 

[outlaw]

That last bowl is essentially made-for-tv only, in the time they had it. December 26th at 11 in the morning - you either have to completely FUBAR your Christmas, or fly insanely early to FL. Thankfully that's been changed since.

yeah spending that christmas day driving from CT to FL was far from ideal

 

[huskymedic]

 

[HCCForever]

Not too excited about Rice since they are on the schedule next October 7th.

 

[UConnJim]

The Fenway Bowl is run by Fenway Sports Group (i.e. Red Sox properties including a NASCAR team, Liverpool, etc.). They care about promoting the brand and will be far more interested in having a good crowd than enriching the local Chamber of Commerce. In fact, when they announced the game the press release specifically listed geographic proximity as a key factor in selecting teams for the game.

Press Release

The Wasabi Bowl is advised by a 16 member Executive Committee which includes:

Gen DeFilippo (yes, the former BC AD who lobbied against UConn to the ACC)
CEO Boston Chamber of Commerce
President and CEO Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Ex. Director Massachusetts Convention Center
Consultant - Marriott International
Chief Marketing Officer Boston Globe Media

So, I would think they would want at least one team that travels well and spends money in Boston and I can't see Gene D being a big booster for UConn.

 

[Wildgopher]

Frisco is known as the safest city in America and a short ride to Dallas or Fort Worth.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

Not too excited about Rice since they are on the schedule next October 7th.

I don't mind Rice, an academically elite college with a recovering football program, but Texas won't get much of a UConn turnout and Rice football is not much of a draw in Texas compared to the other regional colleges.

 

[kibblesnbits]

The Wasabi Bowl is advised by a 16 member Executive Committee which includes:

Gen DeFilippo (yes, the former BC AD who lobbied against UConn to the ACC)
CEO Boston Chamber of Commerce
President and CEO Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
Ex. Director Massachusetts Convention Center
Consultant - Marriott International
Chief Marketing Officer Boston Globe Media

So, I would think they would want at least one team that travels well and spends money in Boston and I can't see Gene D being a big booster for UConn.

Advisory boards don't write checks to underwrite the game. This first-time bowl needs to establish itself before it can worry about being a big revenue generator for outside interests. Which would Fenway and ESPN, the guys investing the most in the game, want more - an impressive turnout at the gate or a few hundred more hotel rooms when they get East Carolina v Louisville in front of 10K-12K fans? Remember also that this is one of the earliest bowls so it's going to be a rush to implemnt travel plans for any schools outside the northeast. As I said, UConn is a longshot for this, but there are very good reasons why a new bowl in the northeast may want a school from this region.

 

[HuskDawg]

Just had my son's wedding outside of Frisco and we all stayed at the Omni, loved it.
Cool spot with the Star (Cowboys training facility) adjacent. Great bars and restaurants all in walking distance or quick uber.
Perfect for family or weekend boys bender. If you go check out the Truck Yard, about 10 min uber from downtown.
Outdoor food trucks, live band, micro brews... wedding party and family loved it. Great road trip destination.

 

[freescooter]

Frisco Wouldn’t be my favorite. I think an East Coast (Boston- Miami sort of corridor) gets the best UConn turnout, followed by a major city. But again, Ill take any bowl after the last several years.

 

[Palatine]

Fenway would be great for the students, if they are anything like students in the 70s, we were always looking for an excuse to hit Boston. San Fran used to one of favorite towns, not any more. I thought the Motor City Bowl was a nice time. Everything close together, pretty much walkable. And the Casinos across the river were fun.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Because when I think of Boston I think of Wasabi.


And when I think of wasabi food I think of Boston.



And yes, I realize it is named after a technology company and not a spice/flavoring.

 

[Waquoit]

I think the Flipper ought to stick some wasabi up his nose.