GoDaddy Bowl info (hotels)

[Schadenfreude]

I love Detroit. I love Lafayette Coney Island, Vernors, the Detroit Industry mural at the Detroit Institute of Arts, The Stooges, Juan Atkins, The Fist, and Michigan lefts.

And I hate the fact that the Big Ten is muscling us out of Detroit. The Pizza Bowl was a great bowl game -- one of the smartest ideas the MAC ever had in football.

But the Detroit experience isn't the same experience as Mobile. Detroit has one of the best football stadiums in the country and the cultural assets of a major American city. Also, it's close, so it makes a lot of sense for the MAC. We will never put butts in seats at another bowl game the way we can do that at Ford Field. Here Detroit > Mobile.

Mobile, on the other hand, offers warmer weather, a parade, and an overall small town sense that they really, really, appreciate the fact that you came to visit. In these ways, Mobile > Detroit.

Both are good experiences. They are just different. Mobile is more of the traditional bowl experience. But Detroit always made a lot of sense for us, and it has been very good in many ways.

[Flipper]

Detroit's an interesting city....we're watching the results of decades of corruption and mismanagement play out in the bankruptcy so there's a chance at a fresh start if the city can rid itself of the bottom feeders and opportunists that have run city council for decades. I love going up to Detroit...the Fox Theater, the Opera House and the Fisher theater are great venues...although the stage at the Fisher is a bit small for Broadway and it's kind of on an island up in New Center. It'd be great if the arena development would lead to more growth that could link downtown, mid town and New center.

[jpfalcon09]

Detroit gets a bad rap from people who have never been there, and the national perception is that its some hell hole with no hope. Yes, a majority of the city is rundown and beyond recovery, but there are many hidden gems in the downtown area and the suburbs are some of the nicest in the country. I've been in downtown Detroit at least 100 times and I have never been harrassed, threatened, anything. I think its a great venue for the MAC and I'm bitter the Pizza Bowl is going away. Ford Field is a great place for football and I'm excited to be able to go back there again on Friday, and I hope BG goes back there in a few weeks for the bowl game.

[hammb]

I definitely look forward to seeing what Illitch can do with a new Wings Arena to create an all-encompassing entertainment district around Ford Field and Comerica park. I enjoy going up there now, but I would like to see more good eating options right in that area. There are some good places to drink around there now, but I'd like something akin to Slows right there in that neighborhood.

Eitherway, I like the area quite a bit. No doubt that Detroit is facing a lot of issues due to rampant corruption in the city's politics. I hope it can rebound.

[Schadenfreude]

No doubt that Detroit is facing a lot of issues due to rampant corruption in the city's politics. I hope it can rebound.

Corruption, while abhorrent and wrong, is a side issue. The District of Columbia has faced at least as many local corruption scandals recently, but the DC economy is booming. The difference is that DC's economy wasn't built on automobile manufacturing.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sp ... -scandals/

[Flipper]

No...the DC economy was built on government...much like Columbus...which never really goes away. Corruption was and is much more than a side issue in Detroit. Part of the reason the economy never diversified beyond the auto industry was the "pay to play" mindset that ran rampant in local politics. Monica Conyers and Sam Riddle were the rule..not the exception. Development and growth were greatly curtailed because the people who were making the rules either blocked competing businesses from coming in to protect local interests or they wanted so much upfront money in their greasy little mitts that even the semi-honest business interests were turned off.

[hammb]

I'm not an economist, and hell never even took an economics course, but I don't think it's fair to compare the economy of DC with ANY other city in the country...if the world. The US government keeps growing and growing, and as long as that is happening the DC economy is bound to keep growing along with it.

No doubt that Detroit was poised for a setback by building its economy on the back of one single industry, but like Flipper said there is an argument to be made that the corruption is what kept the economy built upon that one industry. In the end there are a lot of factors at play up there, and all I was saying was that I hope the city can rebound on some level.

As for DC, I freaking love it. I love Georgetown, I love the national mall, and I love the culture of the city. But if there is a city in the country whose economy is indestructible it's gotta be DC. The entire country is funneling cash by the billions into that city. Of course their economy is thriving.

[transfer2BGSU]

I love Detroit. I love Lafayette Coney Island, Vernors, the Detroit Industry mural at the Detroit Institute of Arts, The Stooges, Juan Atkins, The Fist, and Michigan lefts.

And I hate the fact that the Big Ten is muscling us out of Detroit. The Pizza Bowl was a great bowl game -- one of the smartest ideas the MAC ever had in football.

But the Detroit experience isn't the same experience as Mobile. Detroit has one of the best football stadiums in the country and the cultural assets of a major American city. Also, it's close, so it makes a lot of sense for the MAC. We will never put butts in seats at another bowl game the way we can do that at Ford Field. Here Detroit > Mobile.

Mobile, on the other hand, offers warmer weather, a parade, and an overall small town sense that they really, really, appreciate the fact that you came to visit. In these ways, Mobile > Detroit.

Both are good experiences. They are just different. Mobile is more of the traditional bowl experience. But Detroit always made a lot of sense for us, and it has been very good in many ways.

very well said.

I prefer Mobile for the players because I feel that it is truly a reward for a good season.

The most important thing though is we get to go to a bowl game and the 15 additional practices are an even better reward for the 2014 Falcon Football team.

[Flipper]

Yep...not only does it help sharpen next year's squad, but it's a nice recruiting edge to be able to show prospective student ahletes that the team is enjoying some success.

[falconawesome19]

I'm not an economist, and hell never even took an economics course, but I don't think it's fair to compare the economy of DC with ANY other city in the country...if the world. The US government keeps growing and growing, and as long as that is happening the DC economy is bound to keep growing along with it.

No doubt that Detroit was poised for a setback by building its economy on the back of one single industry, but like Flipper said there is an argument to be made that the corruption is what kept the economy built upon that one industry. In the end there are a lot of factors at play up there, and all I was saying was that I hope the city can rebound on some level.

As for DC, I freaking love it. I love Georgetown, I love the national mall, and I love the culture of the city. But if there is a city in the country whose economy is indestructible it's gotta be DC. The entire country is funneling cash by the billions into that city. Of course their economy is thriving.

I hate to break it to you but the government has not gained in employees since the 70s. It's the local and state governments that have actually exploded in size.

But I think Detroit is indeed a very enjoyable city, but just as many Midwest cities, it's suburbs killed it. That's what happens when you have large populations in the middle of nowhere, it just spreads out over time

[BGWriter]

I'm not an economist, and hell never even took an economics course, but I don't think it's fair to compare the economy of DC with ANY other city in the country...if the world. The US government keeps growing and growing, and as long as that is happening the DC economy is bound to keep growing along with it.

No doubt that Detroit was poised for a setback by building its economy on the back of one single industry, but like Flipper said there is an argument to be made that the corruption is what kept the economy built upon that one industry. In the end there are a lot of factors at play up there, and all I was saying was that I hope the city can rebound on some level.

As for DC, I freaking love it. I love Georgetown, I love the national mall, and I love the culture of the city. But if there is a city in the country whose economy is indestructible it's gotta be DC. The entire country is funneling cash by the billions into that city. Of course their economy is thriving.

I hate to break it to you but the government has not gained in employees since the 70s. It's the local and state governments that have actually exploded in size.

But I think Detroit is indeed a very enjoyable city, but just as many Midwest cities, it's suburbs killed it. That's what happens when you have large populations in the middle of nowhere, it just spreads out over time

Detroit was killed by cronyism and corruption -- not by the suburbs. Where is the bulk of the debt that Detroit can't pay these days? It's in union pensions for employees that were bargained for (much like the auto industry did) in which too much union power resulted in unrealistic wages and benefits for those who retired. Billions in debt that will never be able to be paid, and has crippled the city's ability to fund needed services.

Combine that with a tax base that has all but disappeared because productive citizens have fled the poverty and blight, leaving behind those on government programs (who don't pay taxes). It's like every bad government program you can imagine, all coming together in one city and imploding under poor management and corrupt leadership.

The suburbs didn't come into Detroit and steal these people in the middle of the night: they left because they saw city services going down the rat hole as money was siphoned off either due to corruption or the debt (mostly retirement pensions) it couldn't afford to pay. It was all downhill spiral from there.

There are plenty of cities that have survived despite having thriving suburban areas, because they didn't fall into the same hole as Detroit...and other cities that will be following because of many of the same issues, like Chicago. It's typically what happens when you have one party control in an area for decade after decade, and no opposing voice to keep people honest and above board.

Oh and if anyone doesn't think D.C. can ever go into the tank, think again. All it will take is the continued mismanagement of the U.S. debt until a point where other nations are no longer interested in buying that debt so the country can continue to live off borrowed money. It's already happening to some degree; but if the bubble ever bursts, unemployment in Washington will skyrocket because the federal government won't be able to pay most of its employees.

[MobileBama]

Well said Schadenfreude. Detroit has an awesome stadium and it sounds like there is plenty to do and see. I think the big city aspects would appeal to visiting fans and be a plus for the players. If South Alabama ever made it to Detroit I would travel up there and have a great time.

I'm most proud of Mobile by the way the locals embrace the visiting fans. We are really excited and happy that you guys choose to come all the way down.

Kudos to both cities for hosting bowls. Good luck tonight! I've got my Ay Ziggy Zoombell out

[JohnnySwoop '85]

Jeez people.... governmental employment levels, economics, why don't we throw in entitlement debates and debt ceiling talks and make this the crappiest Football Forum post ever.

MobileBama...how you been man! Two words for you ......BRICK PIT!

[FalconTurf]

Detroit has a great stadium. Convenient parking. Found a nice pre-game meal just outside the stadium. BUT.............................................it took an hour to get from a surface lot across the street from the stadium to an entry ramp onto I-75. The place is like the Hotel California - you can check out but you can never leave. Memories of a great game ease the travel pain but I'm not sure it wouldn't be quicker to get home from Mobile.

[fredthefalcon]

Detroit has a great stadium. Convenient parking. Found a nice pre-game meal just outside the stadium. BUT.............................................it took an hour to get from a surface lot across the street from the stadium to an entry ramp onto I-75. The place is like the Hotel California - you can check out but you can never leave. Memories of a great game ease the travel pain but I'm not sure it wouldn't be quicker to get home from Mobile.

Here's the main problem. You parked across the street from the stadium. It is better to walk a few blocks south to another lot. Pay less and then head S on Woodward or some other major street, hit Michigan Ave etc. and hook into I-75 M-10 from there.