Cotton Bowl Classic Moves To Arlington In 2010

MeanGreen61 · May 29, 2007

DMN/Cotton Bowl makes move to Cowboy Stadium/Push for BCS

A change of Cotton Bowl Classic's address

11:52 PM CDT on Monday, May 28, 2007

By CHUCK CARLTON / The Dallas Morning News

ccarlton@dallasnews.com

Faced with its biggest challenge since its founding by J. Curtis Sanford, the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic made a key choice this spring.

Bowl officials could have launched a 21st-century multimedia campaign, complete with high-tech presentations, trumpeting their move to the Cowboys' new stadium for Jan. 2, 2010, and their interest in joining the Bowl Championship Series.

Instead, Cotton Bowl president Rick Baker and his staff chose the personal touch. They started crisscrossing the country – conference by conference, even school by school – to spread the news about what the move to their new home in Arlington means.

The goal: raise awareness so that if the BCS adds to its lineup after 2010, the Cotton Bowl will be positioned to join the party.

When Southern California football coach Pete Carroll started quizzing Baker about the $1 billion stadium earlier this month, Cotton officials realized they had made the right decision.

"We want to tell them about our future, how positive it looks," Baker said. "We're a whole new entity that they really haven't considered yet."

Within weeks of announcing the game's move to Arlington, Baker attended the NCAA Final Four for the first time in 12 years, shaking hands and renewing acquaintances in Atlanta. He also briefed Notre Dame officials who came to Dallas for the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame ceremonies in April.

And in early May, the Cotton Bowl got a plum opportunity to tell its story to Pacific-10 football coaches and athletic directors. In some ways, it previewed what the Big 12 heard last week in Colorado Springs, Colo., and what the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten will hear later.

TOM FOX / DMN

The first Cotton Bowl Classic in the new stadium in Arlington will be Jan. 2, 2010. The Pac-10's spring meeting is normally reserved for bowls that have conference tie-ins. But commissioner Tom Hansen and Baker are longtime friends, and the Cotton Bowl had hosted the Pac-10 runner-up in the 1990s.

Some in the room, like Arizona coach Mike Stoops and Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, already had first-hand knowledge of the Cotton Bowl. Others wanted to know more.

Carroll, no stranger to big games or big stadiums, quizzed Baker about the capacity and the suites. A question followed about the enormous replay board.

Forecast: warm and dry

For some, it was nice knowing that the game would no longer be at the mercy of the Texas weather.

When Bellotti brought Oregon to the 1996 Cotton Bowl, the temperature was a balmy 70 on New Year's Eve. Then on game day, the temperature plunged 40 degrees and the rain came down sideways.

"With that type of a facility, their stadium will match the hospitality and just the great time people have there. In my opinion, it would be in line to host all of the major games that would occur," Bellotti said in a phone interview.

"The Cotton Bowl made my coaches and my players feel the most special of any bowl we've been to. I'll say that on record. It did a tremendous job of making the experience one that we'll remember forever."

When it comes to the game and weather, Cotton Bowl and Notre Dame officials have a memory of their own: the school's stirring 1979 win over Houston.

Every time Joe Montana's comeback victory got mentioned over the years, people thought of the icy weather that gripped Dallas that day.

Now, no apologies are needed.

Like Carroll, Notre Dame is used to big venues. And the Irish have a vote in the BCS process, just like the six BCS conferences.

"Not being privy to the details, but certainly judging by the scope of the project, it's not your average stadium," said John Heisler, a Notre Dame senior associate athletic director.

It's hard to overestimate the lure of the stadium or the excitement it has created.

Last week, the NFL chose the Cowboys' stadium to host Super Bowl XLV in 2011.

Two days later, the Big 12 awarded its championship game to Arlington for 2009 and 2010.

Momentum is already building.

"I think everybody recognizes it will be a very outstanding facility, so that's an added plus," said Hansen, who remembers the stadium questions that dogged the Cotton and other bowls during the BCS bowl selection process eight years ago.

"The Cotton, I think no doubt, was hurt by the stadium it was using," Hansen said. "I think everybody in college football will be aware of the stadium move, and that will add a certain cachet."

BCS competition

Conventional wisdom has the Cotton Bowl at the top of the list of BCS contenders, along with Atlanta's Chick-Fil-A Bowl and Orlando's Capital One Bowl.

The positioning and quiet lobbying and relationship-building might not mean anything if the BCS doesn't change its lineup or add a bowl, possibly by ending the double-hosting format. The championship site now hosts a second game a week earlier, straining city and bowl personnel.

Current BCS coordinator Mike Slive, the SEC commissioner, told his fellow commissioners to consider the future at their meetings this spring.

All the Cotton Bowl can do is tout its biggest asset, which just a few months ago was its biggest liability.

"I do sense that there is a lot of interest, there's a lot of curiosity, there definitely is a buzz about the new facility," Baker said. "Whether that translates into changes, I don't think anyone can predict that."

The lack of a concrete timetable was one reason Cotton Bowl officials decided on the slow-and-steady approach. They didn't want to be too early or too late with an advertising blitz.

"We understand we have no control over the process," Baker said. "We can do all this and the system can remain exactly the same. We're OK with that. We understand the system, and that may happen."

SPREADING THE WORD

Some of the key dates for AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic officials this spring and summer. They also plan to meet with the commissioners of the Big East, the Atlantic Coast Conference and several non-BCS conferences.

April 17 –Briefed Notre Dame officials in Dallas

May 2 –Spoke to Pac-10 athletic directors and football coaches in Phoenix

May 21-22 –Addressed Big 12 meetings in Colorado Springs, Colo.

May 29-30 –SEC meetings in Destin, Fla.

July 23-25 –Big 12 football media days in San Antonio

July 25-27 –SEC football media days in Hoover, Ala.

July 29-Aug. 2 –Big Ten football media days in Chicago

THE MOVE

In February, the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic board voted unanimously to move the game from Fair Park – its home since the game's inception in 1937 – to the Cowboys' new stadium in Arlington, starting in 2010.

THE GOAL

The Cotton Bowl sees the new stadium's retractable roof as a key asset as the game seeks entry into the prestigious Bowl Championship Series. The current BCS contract expires after the 2010 season. As part of the BCS rotation, Arlington would be in line to host a college football national championship game.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/...9c005.html

adman · May 29, 2007

So who owns the name "Cotton Bowl"?

DeepGreen · May 29, 2007

So who owns the name "Cotton Bowl"?

Wouldn't be surprised if Jerry Jones owns it.

adman · May 30, 2007

Wouldn't be surprised if Jerry Jones owns it.

Ha. You know, its funny, Jerry Jones doesn't live in Dallas. He doesn't office in Dallas. His team doesn't practice in Dallas. His team doesn't play in Dallas. Yet he reaps all the positives of Dallas and plays the Dallas angle whenever and however he can. And then he robs Dallas of a tradition. Sure it's business. I get that. And maybe the Cotton Bowl Committee came after him to host their game. But is there a point where he should tap the brakes on his investments and respect traditions? Should he say "No-Thanks" the Cotton Bowl belongs in the Cotton Bowl?

NTPhiKap99 · May 30, 2007

Maybe DALLAS should have stepped but and taken the call out of his hands. Everyone knew every big game was going wherever the new stadium was built and DALLAS got the right of first refusal.

adman · May 30, 2007

Maybe DALLAS should have stepped but and taken the call out of his hands. Everyone knew every big game was going wherever the new stadium was built and DALLAS got the right of first refusal.

Finacially Dallas was not in a position where they could.

Censored by Laurie · May 30, 2007

Finacially Dallas was not in a position where they could.

Jerry wanted to keep the Cowboys in Dallas...and was willing to contribute more to the building of a downtown stadium had the city been more inviting. He's been to Baltimore, and Indy, and Seattle and all the places that have or will have brand new stadiums in the heart of their respective downtowns, and he understands the financial benefit of setting up shop there. To say Dallas was not in a financial position to keep the Cowboys is just wrong when you look at the investment they are making in the Cotton Bowl. Would it have cost more to build Jerryland...of course...but it was Dallas' either short-sightedness or arrogance that Jerry wouldn't leave Dallas that cost the city its team...and soon its Bowl Game. After being shunned by Dallas there is no reason for Jerry to turn down the Cotton Bowl. Don't blame Jerry for being a shrewed businessman. Blame Laura Miller and the Dallas City Council for not looking out for the best interests of their city.

Also...I feel its important to note: I HATE THE COWBOYS. I even feel a bit dirty defending Jerry, so this isn't me being a homer...just a History and Urban Studies student seeing a city dramatically mismanaged

stebo · May 30, 2007

Opportunity Knocks! The Cotton Bowl will now be available in Dec/January each year. The Belt would like to set up a second bowl game at a DESTINATION LOCATION. Anyone see an opportunity here for NORTH TEXAS? How about NT puts together a bowl (like Boise did, UNLV did, TCU did, and UTEP did) and work with Dallas to make it happen. The next time reallignments come up, a renovated Cotton Bowl would go a long ways towards selling North Texas to CUSA. I say that we even work on the deal with SMU to get involved with them even more. Jerryworld can have their BCS game and we can play at the REAL Cotton Bowl - Sun Belt #2 against whatever. If SMU is eligible and a Belt team doesn't make sense geographically, then allow them to have the slot. Get them involved somehow.

Censored by Laurie · May 30, 2007

Opportunity Knocks! The Cotton Bowl will now be available in Dec/January each year. The Belt would like to set up a second bowl game at a DESTINATION LOCATION. Anyone see an opportunity here for NORTH TEXAS? How about NT puts together a bowl (like Boise did, UNLV did, TCU did, and UTEP did) and work with Dallas to make it happen. The next time reallignments come up, a renovated Cotton Bowl would go a long ways towards selling North Texas to CUSA. I say that we even work on the deal with SMU to get involved with them even more. Jerryworld can have their BCS game and we can play at the REAL Cotton Bowl - Sun Belt #2 against whatever. If SMU is eligible and a Belt team doesn't make sense geographically, then allow them to have the slot. Get them involved somehow.

Brilliant!

ForneyGreen · May 30, 2007

Opportunity Knocks! The Cotton Bowl will now be available in Dec/January each year. The Belt would like to set up a second bowl game at a DESTINATION LOCATION. Anyone see an opportunity here for NORTH TEXAS? How about NT puts together a bowl (like Boise did, UNLV did, TCU did, and UTEP did) and work with Dallas to make it happen. The next time reallignments come up, a renovated Cotton Bowl would go a long ways towards selling North Texas to CUSA. I say that we even work on the deal with SMU to get involved with them even more. Jerryworld can have their BCS game and we can play at the REAL Cotton Bowl - Sun Belt #2 against whatever. If SMU is eligible and a Belt team doesn't make sense geographically, then allow them to have the slot. Get them involved somehow.

Exactly! The bottom-tier bowls will continue to come and go, so there will always be an opportunity to start a new bowl game. If Dallas is really that serious about getting more teams to play in a renovated Cotton Bowl, then this is a wonderful opportunity to partner with the City of Dallas to get a new bowl game - possibly with hard tie-ins to the Sun Belt and CUSA.

CMJ · May 30, 2007

Great idea stebo!

Stan R · May 30, 2007

Quick! Somebody call Mr. Waters! Great Idea STEBO!!

adman · May 30, 2007

Jerry wanted to keep the Cowboys in Dallas...and was willing to contribute more to the building of a downtown stadium had the city been more inviting. He's been to Baltimore, and Indy, and Seattle and all the places that have or will have brand new stadiums in the heart of their respective downtowns, and he understands the financial benefit of setting up shop there. To say Dallas was not in a financial position to keep the Cowboys is just wrong when you look at the investment they are making in the Cotton Bowl. Would it have cost more to build Jerryland...of course...but it was Dallas' either short-sightedness or arrogance that Jerry wouldn't leave Dallas that cost the city its team...and soon its Bowl Game. After being shunned by Dallas there is no reason for Jerry to turn down the Cotton Bowl. Don't blame Jerry for being a shrewed businessman. Blame Laura Miller and the Dallas City Council for not looking out for the best interests of their city.
Also...I feel its important to note: I HATE THE COWBOYS. I even feel a bit dirty defending Jerry, so this isn't me being a homer...just a History and Urban Studies student seeing a city dramatically mismanaged

Wanted to keep the boys in Dallas? They weren't in Dallas to begin with. I'm not sure subsidising the super rich is in the best interest of the city. I suppose time will tell.

BTW Stebo - Nice idea about the Cotton.

Edited May 30, 2007 by adman