Blue/White game to be on ESPN
From many sources on twitter and from ESPN’s ACC Blog comes word that the World Leader in Sports is going to televise the Spring Game in Chapel Hill, which is scheduled for April 10, with kickoff being at 3:00 p.m.. One person on twitter, which I wish I could remember his nic so I could link to him, made the comment that ESPN might be doing this to give more hype to the UNC-LSU game to begin next season. I have to say that while this could be part of the reason why this is happening, I just can not believe it’s the whole reason behind it. I have another thing I want to talk about this event, but first let me give you the statement from head coach Butch Davis:
“The Blue-White game is an excellent opportunity to showcase our football program and we are thrilled ESPN has chosen to telecast our contest,” coach Butch Davis said in a prepared statement. “In addition to the returning upperclassmen, the game also will feature several young players who will make a significant impact this season. This will be the first glimpse at the 2010 Tar Heels and I encourage all Carolina fans to pack Kenan Stadium on April 10. Your participation, energy and enthusiasm continues to make a significant impact on our success.”
For me the good news is that the game is going to be on ESPN. And, on the flip side of the coin, the bad news is that the game is going to be on ESPN. Why? Because I would rather have any and all fans be at the game than some think/say “well, it’s on television why should I go?” Now, I am not saying this is going to happen, especially since the game is free, but it might, and while the World Leader in Sports is using this to spring board into next season for UNC this can be a huge asset for recruiting if the stands are packed & rocking and a huge problem if they aren’t. Everyone here as a different vision on this game, some are thinking about ratings, some are thinking about recruiting and some are just looking. In order for this to work out all have to be satisfied, if not this is going to be a one time shot that is not going to help the program in the long run.
I hope that North Carolina advertises this game in a way that it fills Kenan Stadium to the brim and shows the rest of the college football world what UNC has to offer. As more information comes out about this I will post it, but for now let me say this: if you can make it to the game that weekend do not settle for the tv coverage, go see it live!
Alabama’s spring game has been televised for the last 2 years and we’ve filled up the stadium both times. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth…exposure…is exposure.
Leann,
I am just hoping that a lot of the fan base does not just go since it can be seen on the television. I am not saying it’s going to happen, just hoping it won’t. I guess in the end, since this is the first time this is happening, I am a bit nervous.
AEM
Including playing in the 04-06 spring games I’ve been at every spring game for the last six years and it has been abyssmal in terms of turnout. I’m admittedly envious of Bama, LSU, UGA hell even S. Carolina when it comes to football issues. To answer your question about fans going just for TV you couldn’t be more spot on. Fact is last year the spring game was sandwiched between the Sweet 16 victory over Gonzaga and the Elite 8 win over Oklahoma. To err on the side of underestimation there were some 20,000 fans in local establishments, dorms, frats and eventually on Franklin Street for those games. Saturday at the spring game I was one of a “robust” 2,000 (that’s a kind estimation).
Its pathetic, infuriating as a football player and it completely unacceptable for a kid living in Carmichael, Morrison, Ehringhaus, Teague, Avery etc to be “unable” to attend a spring game. Fact is they just don’t care.
On the flipside those football know-nothings had better show up because this is a great recruiting tool, a great kickoff to the UNC-LSU bout taking place in September and a great way to show the nation what UNC, as a program is working to become.