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Official says Gulf Coast Classic might not be played in Mobile this year
By Dan Murtaugh
September 28, 2009, 6:00AM
full article@http://blog.al.com/live/2009/09/official_says_gulf_coast_class.html
Organizers say they could move the game out of Mobile this year.
MOBILE, Ala. -- Kickoff for the Gulf Coast Classic is less than two months away, but the game has no contract with Ladd-Peebles Stadium and an official from one of the schools said he is considering options other than playing in Mobile.
Since 1974, the Classic had been an Alabama State home game in Mobile, as the Hornets left the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery once a year for the larger Ladd-Peebles and a devoted alumni base.
Last year, organizers tried to convert the game into a true classic, featuring the same two teams every year.
To do so, they promised Southern $250,000 and Alabama State $225,000. Both schools are historically black colleges that play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Organizers asked the city of Mobile to increase its contribution to the game from $40,000 to $450,000.
The Mobile City Council gave the game $275,000.
Classic organizers were unable to meet the financial obligations they made to the schools, and city officials were disappointed in the low turnout for the game. On Tuesday, the City Council cut the game’s funding to $47,500 for this year.
By Dan Murtaugh
September 28, 2009, 6:00AM
full article@http://blog.al.com/live/2009/09/official_says_gulf_coast_class.html
Organizers say they could move the game out of Mobile this year.
MOBILE, Ala. -- Kickoff for the Gulf Coast Classic is less than two months away, but the game has no contract with Ladd-Peebles Stadium and an official from one of the schools said he is considering options other than playing in Mobile.
Since 1974, the Classic had been an Alabama State home game in Mobile, as the Hornets left the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery once a year for the larger Ladd-Peebles and a devoted alumni base.
Last year, organizers tried to convert the game into a true classic, featuring the same two teams every year.
To do so, they promised Southern $250,000 and Alabama State $225,000. Both schools are historically black colleges that play in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Organizers asked the city of Mobile to increase its contribution to the game from $40,000 to $450,000.
The Mobile City Council gave the game $275,000.
Classic organizers were unable to meet the financial obligations they made to the schools, and city officials were disappointed in the low turnout for the game. On Tuesday, the City Council cut the game’s funding to $47,500 for this year.