Representatives from four different cities were on hand in Columbus on Monday to give their presentations to the Ohio High School Athletic Association to host the football state championship games beginning in 2012. Cincinnati, Columbus, and Akron are attempting to lure the games from Stark County, where the games have been played in Massillon and Canton for nearly two decades. All four made their pitch on Monday.
Bowling Green and Toledo both also made bids, but were not invited to the presentation in Columbus.
"The situation we have with the football finals in Stark County has been great for the past 20 years," said Bob Goldring, OHSAA associate commissioner for operations, told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. "For us to change venues would mean that another site has demonstrated that it can exceed what is currently being done for our schools, their communities and football fans.
Cincinnati would split games between Paul Brown Stadium and Nippert Stadium and likely spread the six games over three days.
It’s hard to imagine the OHSAA leaving such a good situation, but if the dollars are right any move would be considered.
"Any possible change would have to make financial sense for the OHSAA, since our football tournament helps support so many of our other programs," Goldring claimed.
http://www.tristatefootball.com/articles.asp?articleid=2138
Bowling Green and Toledo both also made bids, but were not invited to the presentation in Columbus.
"The situation we have with the football finals in Stark County has been great for the past 20 years," said Bob Goldring, OHSAA associate commissioner for operations, told the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. "For us to change venues would mean that another site has demonstrated that it can exceed what is currently being done for our schools, their communities and football fans.
Cincinnati would split games between Paul Brown Stadium and Nippert Stadium and likely spread the six games over three days.
It’s hard to imagine the OHSAA leaving such a good situation, but if the dollars are right any move would be considered.
"Any possible change would have to make financial sense for the OHSAA, since our football tournament helps support so many of our other programs," Goldring claimed.
http://www.tristatefootball.com/articles.asp?articleid=2138
