Iona Drops Football…Will They Add Mens Lax?

http://deadspin.com/5095782/the-maac-where-college-football-programs-go-to-die

The MAAC, one of the worst conferences in college lacrosse stopped sponsoring football last year. As a result, their remaining schools are beginning to drop football from their athletic programs. The first is Iona College. They currently have a women’s lacrosse team. Will they replace lacrosse for their newly departed football program? It has just as much contact and is a cheaper alternative. It will be interesting to see if they make the jump to adding lacrosse. After all, they already are in a conference that sponsors it.

Dallas and Columbus Not Realistic Bids

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2008/11/14/update-mens-lacrosse-championship-weekend-bids-timetable/

There were four initial bids for the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Final Four, Baltimore, Denver, Meadowlands, and Foxborough. Now Dallas and Columbus have added attempts to get the NCAA Lacrosse Championships. Here’s the problem with both of them:

Dallas-There have been no college lacrosse teams in Texas until 2010 when Southwestern University will be playing DII lacrosse. MLL hosted a game in Texas Stadium in 2008 which had a modest crowd, but nowhere near the current standard of Final Four games. Dallas would probably host the Final Four in the new Cowboys stadium, but everyone would have to travel to the games and Dallas is just not as impressive as a lax hotbed as other cities.

Columbus-Ohio State has hosted a few games in the big football stadium and has the record for largest regular season lacrosse crowd. However, Final Fours on college campuses are antiquated and probably would not get as many people to the games as a NFL stadium would.

MLL Putting Eggs In One Basket

http://insidelacrosse.com/page.cfm?pagerid=2&news=fdetail&storyid=192555

Major League Lacrosse announced yesterday that they are going to give Annapolis, the new home of the Bayhawks, the next three MLL Championships. I have never been impressed with Maryland’s support of professional lacrosse and think this is a dumb move. Having the Steinfeld Cup games in Boston has always been successful, and Rochester, Denver, and LA have been somewhat successful.

Maryland/Baltimore does a great job hosting the college Final Four, but nobody seems to make an effort to see professional lax there. Three consecutive years is a huge commitment that is not necessary.

Bids For the Final Four…Who Deserves it Most?

http://blogs.insidelacrosse.com/2008/11/07/sources-ncaa-lacrosse-championship-weekend-receives-four-bids/

There are four finalists for the 2010, 2011, and 2012 NCAA Lacrosse Championships, Denver, Foxborough, Baltimore, and The Meadowlands. Here is who I think deserves to host, how many championships they should host, and why they deserve it the most:

1. Denver-Probably the fastest growing hotbed in lacrosse the past 25 years, they support professional lacrosse very well. Great destination for people to go to despite people needing to fly. Its a risky venture, so I would only give them the 2011 Championship, and spilt 2010 and 2012 in a safe place like Baltimore or Foxborough.

2. Foxborough-Proved they could be a successful host in 2008 by breaking the NCAA Lacrosse attendance record. Host of the Final Four again this year. Shouldn’t get the 2010 championships or even the 2011 championships because it would be putting the event in the same place too often. But I would be fine if they hosted the 2012 Championships.

3. Baltimore-Always a safe choice. Out of town fans know Baltimore well enough now to keep coming to the Final Four. Baltimore residents always turn out to the game for Hopkins and Salisbury. Good choice of hosting 2010 and 2011, give the 2012 to Denver or Meadowlands.

4. Meadowlands-Assuming the new stadium opens in 2010, hosting the Final Four there would attract New York, Philly, New Jersey and Maryland fans since Rutgers hosted the Final Four regularly up until 2002. Good chance to take a risk on a safe metropolitan area. Give them a year to host either 2010, 2011, or 2012.