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I get why Roy Lang made the comparison between the Independence Bowl and the Music City Bowl in his article. Both games had similar payouts and had agreements with the SEC in 2002. His example was evidence of how the Music City Bowl tripled its payout in the last fifteen years while the I-Bowl did nothing to raise theirs since 2002.Quote:
Originally Posted by Houston Techsan
1.Quote:
However, one thing is crystal clear: It’s time to make the Independence Bowl great again.
Like President Trump’s battle cry, the slogan is misleading, as much is already great about the Independence Bowl.
The #1 great thing about the Independence Bowl is that the bowl game is old. Sears is really old also, but it's still crap.Quote:
Of 41 postseason college football games involving FBS teams, only 10 boast a longer tradition than Shreveport’s affair.
Of the 10 bowl games older than the Independence Bowl, six are in the College Playoff Bowl system and the other four are the Sun, Gator, Citrus, and Liberty Bowls.
2.Worthy in which ways? How is Independence Stadium worthy?Quote:
Independence Stadium is worthy
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Other than the financial issues, the loss of a title sponsor (again), the fact that no great teams or good teams or big-name teams will come to the game, and the realization that the I-Bowl is out of its league, there is much that is already great about the Independence Bowl.Quote:
Friday, the game lost title sponsor Camping World – the third title sponsor to depart in four years.
In many ways it’s obvious the I-Bowl has lost touch with the local fan base...
The game, while it won’t admit specifically, is behind the 8-ball financially.
Newsflash: 10-win teams aren’t coming to Shreveport. Neither is any other big name in the near future...
Without question, under the current setup, the I-Bowl is out of its league.
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Yeah Roy, blame the fans. The fans weren't the ones who signed the agreement to take the 11th-best team from the SEC each year. That was the I-Bowl committee.Quote:
For years, local fans have said they want to see the SEC. They lied.
"The doughnut Duck Commander fed the bowl" was agreed upon by the Independence Bowl committee. The I-Bowl should get the blame for this deal, not Duck Commander.Quote:
Locals who voted for or against the tax have legitimate beefs. The tax wasn’t touted as an effort to save the game, but was billed as a way to grow the game. Thanks in large part to the doughnut Duck Commander fed the bowl, that’s not happening.
According to a recent report posted by Jon Solomon at CBSSports.com, the I-Bowl’s minus-$582,512 in net assets in 2014 was the second lowest in the country.
Also, the financial troubles with the Independence Bowl come from more than just the Duck Commander deal.
The net assets of the bowl game fell from:
- $602,805 on 2-28-2013
- $72,800 on 2-28-2014 (two days after Duck Commander deal was signed)
- -$582,512 on 2-28-2015
- -$1,165,184 on 2-29-2016 (after 1st year of Camping World sponsorship deal)
I'd say that being 21 years removed from Shreveport living in Baton Rouge has made you out-of-touch with today's Shreveporters. You are an entire generation removed from the current climate here.Quote:
Originally Posted by brtransplant
Not entirely. I still have business interests in Shreveport and deal regularly with people there, but I hope you are correct, and that today's Shreveporters are more pro Tech than the ones I've known for the last 30 years.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawg06
If you spent about 5 minutes in Bossier and Shreveport you would know you are totally wrong. There is TECH everywhere now. I have lived here for 14 years, and there has never been more TECH stuff and more kids excited to be going to TECH as there are now. 21 years living with the crazies down there has made you out of touch. You are simply wrong. TECH is very much a favorite these days around here. I have a high school daughter getting letters and packets from schools all over the country. TECH is in the conversation for most of the local kids that don't have ties to BR, and it's not because they can't get in. Many of these kids could go anywhere.Quote:
Originally Posted by brtransplant
Have to agree with Cal&Ken. A lot has changed regarding the area's attitude toward Tech and it's much for the better. I started seeing a real change about 10 years ago and, seriously, I think the past 5 years has seen a marked improvement in perception. And there's good reason for it.
I am not sure why we all collectively waste our breath , time, and opinions on this...there is truth in all of the posts above...I grew up in BR, but left long ago to go to Tech...been several places, but here in Mayberry(Shreveport) for 30 years...yes, the attitude of younger kids in HS is much more receptive to Tech, no doubt...unfortunately there are still plenty of "older grown-ups_ who are 'bandwaggoners" and will never change...there are so many levels of things here that need to change because it makes sense in relation to our beloved University--but I said makes sense, not "political sense"...the I Bowl is dotted with older cronies that have no love for Tech..they'll go down in flames trying to be "right'...some friends and I were discussing at church yesterday how many things we've lost just in the last 10-20 years--its pathetic, and I Bowl may be next..what North LA needs badly, and Shreveport/Bossier in particular, is JOBS--companies that invest and the tentacles expand..been saying this for a long time..with Dr Guice's vision and attitude, which filters down through those below him, we have a very bright future...this area certainly can afford a company or companies that offer positive opportunities, but crony, petty politics continues to depress our chances...I, myself, and my family, can only continue to support our University financially, attendance wise, and represent with a smile and humble attitude....Tech has always been perceived as "ok, but small time" in this area...do i see that changing slowly? Yes, i do.There is absolutely no reasonable doubt that "separation" is occurring, thanks in large part to more involved donor giving and alumni support...reality is what you are seeing in higher numbers attending, growth in expansion on campus both athletically and academically, and the proof is there with the higher ACT scores, GPA's, you name it..Shreveport has always suffered from a "latching on there wagon to something perceived as bigger and better", mainly due to not having a home based major school here...its seriously too bad that the Health/medical system isn't under Tech's tutelage, but there again the politics takes over and not what makes economic and business sense for this area...maybe one day...all of this is under the "I Bowl heading'...I bought 4-10 tickets EVERY year to I-Bowl since the 70's, up until 2012...I thought it was always good to support the area, and quite frankly for a very long time they did a heck of a job...in recent history, not so much...I sat in the end zone complex with a relative this year(free invite), and the whole thing wreaked of "small time patheticness"(if you'll excuse the made up phrase)...i was embarrassed for them and our town..IF the I BOWL goes away, it will be a very sad day, but based on the current situation I certainly can see it...there are viable answers out there, but I do not believe current leadership will legitimately consider those options..BTW BRtransplant, about two years ago I do believe I met your child working in the Mall of Louisiana...nice, personable young lady--and I still have 93 year old parents and a brother down there in the "den of iniquity'(LOL), so i get down there fairly often...just HATE DRIVING DOWN THERE!
We ALL have decent opinions and thoughts...bottom line is THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN THIS AREA CAN make a difference EVERY day by how we act, support, and LOVE our school--people notice, and like water slowly dripping on a rock, it will slowly erode the status quo...here endeth the rant....
Paragraphs are your friend.
Ha! Good one Champ967! Gotta laugh at that1 Sorry, got carried away and forgot the whole English lesson thing...
Else wise, you did good, Dawg74, did very very good!
Good stuff. The biggest reason the LSUS-Tech merger failed was that the sales pitch to the legislature was that it would save money. In reality, it needed to be sold as a job creator. For example, the professors conducting research at Camp Minden aren't talking about thousands of jobs. They're talking about hundreds of thousands of jobs. That's what needed to be sold to the legislature.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawg74
I'm extremely happy to hear that the young people in Shreveport are more receptive to Tech than are the old codgers that I know and deal with. That's a really good sign that Tech is making some real progress in winning over some of the hearts and minds of people in northwest Louisiana.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dawg74
And thanks for the kind words about my daughter. I hope she shared with you that, even here in the "den of iniquity", she was raised properly to always be a supporter of Tech in every way possible.
Me and my better half went to the Armed forces bowl, one of the most exciting games i have seen in person. I was mad as hell with the defense but when i saw that fg go thru my blood pressure dropped finally! We left and got back to shreveport the next day for a family christmas get together. We were a little late and everyone was there already. We were immediately swarmed by family members who wanted to know about the game. They had all seen it tv and said what a great game it was and how they admired the team for never giving up. These are basically people who went to tech or nsu but support lsu because it was the thing that was popular. Many don't watch much football but there were posts on facebook, saying if your not watching Tech on tv you should be. Some of these people are Lawyers, builders and educators. We are making progress, we have to accept this and never stop moving forward.
BRtransplant---yes, with great pride your young daughter saw me with my Tech logo shirt and immediately said like "Go Dawgs" or something to that effect! You obviously "brainwashed her" in a very positive manner!! She kind of laughed after a few minutes and "insuated I was as a big of homer as her dad", which of course I took as a major compliment!! LOL! Well done sir! And I again apologize to you and all for the rant...I am not sure who turned on my "talk" button as I rarely post...but I sure enjoyed it! And thanks for the kind comments to all...I STILL hold on to the very "dim" notion that the IBOWL as well as some our leaders on the political landscape will "get it" one day... soon...
Love that story. Thanks for posting it.Quote:
Originally Posted by ronmyster