DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Tailgate Forum FCS Championship Game contract expiring

So I noticed a story from the local newspaper today that mentioned that the FCS Championship Game contract expires this year. I know the FCS has a strong following on here so I thought I would share my universities story on the subject:

University of Montana plans to make bid to host FCS title game

University of Montana officials told Missoula's businesses community Monday they want to bid for the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision national title game in 2010.
University administrators and athletic officials presented the idea in a late-afternoon meeting with representatives of the Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce, Missoula Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mayor John Engen and others gathered at the Canyon Club, atop Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
UM's stadium can compete well with other FCS venues, they said.
The FSC national championship game has been held in Chattanooga, Tenn., since 1997, but that city's contract ends this year. The deadline to submit bids to host the 2010 championship game is October. A handful of schools and municipalities have already expressed interest in hosting the event, including Chattanooga, said Chuck Maes, assistant athletic director.
If UM were to move forward, several challenges have already been identified. Raising enough money in a relatively short amount of time is among the largest.
Missoula's business community would have to raise as much as $300,000 by October. That's the profit UM suspects Missoula would need to guarantee the NCAA for its bid to be competitive. A financial institution would need to guarantee at least 75 percent of that amount before UM could even submit a bid.
The university cannot financially contribute to that expense, as it operates on tax dollars and tuition money, said executive vice president Jim Foley. However, it's willing to facilitate the bid process and, if successful, oversee preparations for hosting.
The $300,000 guarantee would come in addition to several required facility upgrades. The stadium would need temporary lighting, as the game would likely occur at night. That could run as much as $100,000, Maes said. The press box and visiting locker room might also need upgrades.
The NCAA not only runs the event, but profits from ticket sales. UM would not.
However, hosting the game would boost Missoula's economy. Tourists would eat in local restaurants and sleep in local hotels. Plus, Missoula would gain national attention through media coverage, they said.
Issues that have prevented Missoula from hosting the title game in the past have been the winter weather and its location, especially compared to many other schools in the FCS. However, attitudes at the NCAA are shifting, said athletic director Jim O'Day. Anymore, the athletic experience and community support
weigh heavily in the choice of a location.
The NCAA decides the length of the contract.
The Grizzlies have advanced to the national title game six times in the program's history.



This should be interesting to see what happens. I have to admit, it would feel awkward if it were held in a new location. Our stadium just had a huge renovation and it's really nice. It would be awesome if they could just permanently install lighting though instead of renting. Granted ESPN usually foots the bill when they want to televise a game at night for the lighting rental.

Oh yeah, the story is from here.

Being a YSU and Citadel fan, I like the FCS, especially because of the playoff(s).

I have never been enamored with having a lone site Title Game though. It really ought to be played in the city of the team with the highest ranking after the semi's are done.

Good luck to Montana, they have a great program.

I'm excited for this year. Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year for us but instead surprised a lot of people.