OT - Get Ready For UNC vs. Michigan State On An Aircraft Carrier
Hadn't seen this posted before, but since it's at least tangentially related I figured it was worth sharing. I think this takes the whole gimmick game location to the extreme, but hey, I admit that it's a game that I would tune into see that normally I wouldn't.
The pertinent part:
The first college basketball game not held on land appears to be closer to reality.
Asked about the long-rumored idea of Michigan State playing a game on the deck of a docked aircraft carrier, athletic director Mark Hollis told the Lansing State Journal Thursday morning that "an announcement is forthcoming." Hollis confirmed earlier this year that he'd like to face North Carolina and stage the game on Nov. 11, 2011, which is Veteran's Day.
November 18th, 2010 at 4:30 PM ^
My guess would be a decommed museum ship. Probably not one that's sitting around waiting, they're not in good shape at all. But they're talking about Jacksonville in the article; I don't know of any museum ships in Jax and there aren't any carriers based there right now. Maybe they'll move an in-service carrier down there for the game?
November 18th, 2010 at 5:35 PM ^
I thought that they were putting a bigger focus on Southcom and homeporting 1 to Mayport, diversifying in case something were to happen to Norfolk.
In any case, It also doesn't have to be a CVN either right? You can fit a basketball court on a LHD or LHA, and I'm sure most of America would just see the Harriers and conclude "Aircraft Carrier".
November 18th, 2010 at 6:13 PM ^
They are, but you know how those things go. I don't think any homeport shift would be done by next season. Maybe it would, but the Navy is a bureaucracy controlled by a bureaucracy controlled by Congress. So. The article really only mentioned Jax as the site they were talking about last time, so who knows.
True enough about the amphibs. It'd be annoying to hear them referred to as "carriers" though.
November 18th, 2010 at 4:32 PM ^
Let's 1 Up state and play a football game on the moon...Zoltan can come back and reclaim his throne...can you imagine...infinity yard punts
November 18th, 2010 at 4:33 PM ^
...playing basketball on the forward elevator of USS MONTEREY during WWII.
November 18th, 2010 at 4:34 PM ^
So who can we agree to play the night before on ESPN because we certainly can't stand letting our in-state rival take all the spotlight??
November 18th, 2010 at 4:37 PM ^
GOD I hate Izzo. There is nothing wrong with what he is doing, but there is just something about him that makes me hate him. He is so smug and everything always goes so well for him and yadda yadda. I am an Izzo hater. I will admit that. I long for the day that the news comes out that he sold children who were kidnapped in Indonesia. Yea, I said it. I openly root for his eventual failure. I never claimed to be a good person.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:08 PM ^
Harsh, dude. I'd agree that Izzo has sometimes looked like an attention whore, but you could do a lot worse. Just look at their other major revenue sport. :) I think Izzo was an underappreciated coach for a few years. Compare that to the unconditional praise that square-jawed Family Values Dantonio got almost right away.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:48 PM ^
Or this:
November 19th, 2010 at 12:29 AM ^
in a long time. That's so full of win, it's ridiculous.
What's also ridiculous is the guy who packed an admiral costume and a blow-up dolphin.
November 19th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^
I think the admiral costume is a John Paul Jones costume that belongs to the ship. I'm sure the blow-up dolphin does not.
November 18th, 2010 at 4:48 PM ^
... but will get a ton of press and they'll get the lame "patriotic" halo affect -- though I doubt this has anything to do with true patriotism. Maybe if they donate all the proceed to vets associations.
Anyway, lame, but probably net good for MSU, so doubly lame.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:00 PM ^
MSU miniaturizes the football team and takes on East Bumfuck on the uneven terrain of Mark Dantonio's tortured brow.
They really be pullin' some of this shit outta they a**.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:09 PM ^
MSU's AD looks like a complete yokel compared to Brandon. You could drop Hollis behind the counter in the Vermontville Feed 'n Seed store and he'd be right at home.
November 18th, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^
And yet look at the athletic department he oversees and the attention he gets for MSU. Not too shabby.
November 18th, 2010 at 9:23 PM ^
He didn't act like a yokel when he stole WJR from Martin (another Martin fiasco). And without Hollis' idea for the Cold War, there wouldn't be a Big Chill.
November 19th, 2010 at 1:59 PM ^
I don't think he was the MSU AD when either of those things happened.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:34 PM ^
Hopefully it will be on the U.S.S. Oriskany.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:54 PM ^
This game was actually in the works since 2004. I guess the plans are finally coming together for it. There is a little insignia on the Breslin courts that says 11/11/11. It's something that def. can't hurt either program or university. It'll be nationally televised, get a lot of attention from recruits, and should carry more ratings than an average college bball game in mid November. Win-Win for both programs IMO.
November 18th, 2010 at 5:55 PM ^
I just feel sorry for the vast amount of people that will miss it because they'll be at a wedding on 11/11/11.
November 18th, 2010 at 6:35 PM ^
Oh how I wish Izzo would have scooted on to the Cavaliers. Sooooo tired of Sparty and the BB beatings. Let's get back to football speak shall we.
November 18th, 2010 at 6:37 PM ^
The game between UNC and Sparty will take place on the U.S.S. Dantonio:
November 18th, 2010 at 6:53 PM ^
I just hope Lex Luger shows up at halftime to bodyslam Dantonio's massive ego for the USA!
November 18th, 2010 at 7:01 PM ^
Unless they play whilst sailing the open seas off the coast of Yemen, I'm not impressed
November 18th, 2010 at 9:05 PM ^
... will be coordinated with the Sparty Football team here:
November 18th, 2010 at 9:43 PM ^
Next msu is going to try and get a b-ball game on the moon!
With a new article about the event, which seems to be actually happening: