Lacrosse Final Four to FedEx Field?
Spoke with John Williams, director of NCAA championships, for a story for tomorrow's paper. During the interview he mentioned that officials from several venues have "expressed an interest" in applying to host the lacrosse semifinals and final--and that one such venue was FedEx Field.
The others included the new complex at the Meadowlands and the Cowboys' new stadium in Dallas.
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Foxborough, Mass., also have either already applied to host the men's semifinals and final or are expected to do so soon.
Official applications to host are due soon and a decision on the sites for 2010, 2011 and 2012 likely will be reached in the fall. (A meeting scheduled for August was pushed back.)
The semifinals last year, held at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, drew 52,004 fans. The title game drew 48,433 fans.
"I think they see lacrosse and it's in the springtime, when they have these big stadiums that are sitting there not being used," Williams said.
Foxborough, Mass. will host the lacrosse Final Four this year and in 2009.
By Christian Swezey |
May 15, 2008; 9:46 AM ET
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Posted by: Incredulous | May 15, 2008 1:48 PM
For Dallas to throw their hat into the ring is completely ridiculous. That would be one of the least convenient locations imaginable for any of the possible participants.
Posted by: Philip | May 15, 2008 3:14 PM
Philip,
i wouldn't worry too much about Dallas, Denver, Chicago or other areas that have be thrown out. Apparently the sales for the FF in NE aren't going nearly as well as the last couple of years. While a new record each year will get harder and harder to break, dropping down to 40K which is what the numbers will look like this year isn't a great move. I would guess the NCAA will keep it in the Philly, Baltimore/DC, NYC area for the foreseeable future.
Posted by: Chris | May 19, 2008 2:49 PM
The FedEx Field thing ain't new news. InsideLacrosse talked about that last year, after Foxborough got the nod.
Denver doesn't sound too far-fetched. Be interesting to see how the MLL all-star game goes out there.
Posted by: Juan-John | May 21, 2008 11:48 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I actually hope it DOESN'T come to Fed-Ex field, despite the proximity to DC.
I've been to two Redskins games at Fed-Ex, and both are tied for the worst sporting event experience I've ever had. Parking: Miserable. Public Transportation: Miserable. Stadium: Miserable.
The fact that I had to watch the Redskins: Miserable. The fact that I lined Danny Snyder's pockets: Miserable.
I'd much rather just drive to B'more. M&T was a dream. Bring it back!