20,000 people...

[Herdstruck]

are expected to come into Huntington throughout the week and into the weekend...and we've already had a shootout and a bear killed.

Good plan guys!!!

Seriously though...is the city able to even host/have such an influx of mostly out of staters? Or does the city need to focus on sufficiently rooming them still?

The Joan's traffic today...was awful...which is good, because that means more economy...there's some events going on in Pullman and somehow a bear came by and eventually was killed.

If Huntington can keep up major events like this...this could be a routine thing, with economics growing due to the increased business...what do you all think?

 

[FluffyZuppy]

What?

 

[TheGreenhouseEffect]

Party on Whayne!
Party on Garth!

"what a terrible thing it is to lose one's mind or not to even have a mind"
- ex Presidental Candidate Dan Quayle

 

[Herd Fever]

shootings happen everyday in America

 

[MUonium]

 

[marshallmark]

This is not our first rodeo with this - there are rooms reserved a year ago from Clendenin to Ashland, and housing is not a problem. It would be difficult for any small to medium size town to be able to handle 15k visitors all at once, but remember a lot of those people will be driving in for a game then returning to hotel rooms in Ashland, Charleston, Teays Valley, etc. - spreading out the effect.

The game sites are extremely well organized with plenty of parking, and soccer-loving volunteers make everything go smoothly. One of the reasons US Soccer likes having the tournament here is that we can host most of the games at one site - the Barboursville Soccer Complex. Other games will be held at the Kennedy Center and at Marshall's stadium, but the vast majority are in that one location. When my daughter's team played in Region 1, Buffalo (NY) hosted, and we had to drive to Niagara Falls State Park (about 45 minute drive) to play games. Not optimal.

 

[Kazzman]

I attended the tournament Saturday & Sunday, with my youngest daughter being a member of the Kanawha Valley based U-15 girls team which made it through to the Tuesday semis, along with three (3) other West Virginia teams. From my viewpoint, the tournament was run very smoothly, the volunteers were extremely helpful, especially in regards to assisting the elderly long distances to the correct fields. IMO, Huntington & Marshall came out smelling like a rose due to the great hospitality extended to the thousands of out-of-staters who attended and whose children are potential students.

Further, its a shame that this beautiful & expansive complex is only being used sparingly ever so often when the State wins the rights to host this tournament. It would seem logical to begin an annual classic similar to some of the other big tournaments such as the Warrior Classic held each year in Dayton, OH, in late May wherein a huge number of teams in each age group (gold, red, white) are invited to play. In this most recent 2015 Warrior Classic, there were approximately sixty-five (65) separate age classifications, so you can only imagine the total number of teams entered and the total number of individuals (moms, dads, brothers & sisters of players) who passed thru and spent dollars in the Dayton surrounding area. Just a thought.

 

[marshallmark]

Totally agree. The facility is used for Open Cup - the state "rec" championship that hosts thousands of players/families from around the state, and (usually) the preliminaries to the Region 1 tournament; however, its woefully underused, in my opinion. Huntington used to host a U-14 and under tournament in the fall and we've talked about resurrecting it (in WV, high school players can't play 'travel' soccer in the fall), but so far that idea hasn't materialized. I'm just guessing, but look for something in 2017 after the Region 1 tournament contract is over.

 

[herdit44]

Totally agree. The facility is used for Open Cup - the state "rec" championship that hosts thousands of players/families from around the state, and (usually) the preliminaries to the Region 1 tournament; however, its woefully underused, in my opinion. Huntington used to host a U-14 and under tournament in the fall and we've talked about resurrecting it (in WV, high school players can't play 'travel' soccer in the fall), but so far that idea hasn't materialized. I'm just guessing, but look for something in 2017 after the Region 1 tournament contract is over.

why can't they play travel soccer? high schoolers can play aau basketball, legion baseball, asa softball, etc...

 

[marshallmark]

Not during the season - per SSAC rules. No sanctioned sport participant can participate in any other organized activity in that sport. The SSAC even added cheerleading to that list a few years ago.

Kentucky allows it, by the way.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

why can't they play travel soccer? high schoolers can play aau basketball, legion baseball, asa softball, etc...

Travel soccer clubs do play in the Open Cup. My daughters U15 team played in it against 4 other club teams from WV. They had club divisions for most age groups along with All Star and Rec League divisions.
That said, Huntington should host an early May tournament there. Travel tournaments are huge draws. We played in Cincy (twice), Louisville, Marietta and the Open Cup - this spring. Lots of dollars spent. The Warrior Classic is a huge tournament that draws many of the better teams in the Midwest. We played in it last year. In our last game last year - we played a Club Team from Cincinnati United. They were hard core - they actually broadcast their games. LOL!

I am shocked the newly formed WVFC doesn't host a tournament. They seem to have the connections via Marshall and locally to pull it off.

 

[marshallmark]

Open Cup is in the spring. No restrictions once the player's high school season is over (usually late October or early November). My daughter's travel team used to get back together in mid-November, and then travel to a tournament in December (usually Disney in Orlando)

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

Open Cup is in the spring. No restrictions once the player's high school season is over (usually late October or early November). My daughter's travel team used to get back together in mid-November, and then travel to a tournament in December (usually Disney in Orlando)

Correct, I misread that he was alluding to fall ball. They practice and play soccer year round in FL. I was there for a meeting in January and the high school soccer season was in full swing. No wonder FL are so highly sought after.

 

[marshallmark]

And you're right about travel tournaments - they are huge business for the communities that host them. We played Warrior Cup several times - Dayton/Wright Patterson is a great location for the games. Greensboro, Cincy, Lexington, Louisville, C'bus all have huge tournaments. One of the best we ever attended was in Hickory - great fields, and NC soccer is as good as it gets.

 

[ggmike1992]

We came up this weekend, too. Had to stay in Ashland Friday and Saturday but the crowds thinned out by Sunday and we were able to get a room at HGB/I-64. I didn't think the traffic/restaurant situation was any different from my other visits. Even if it was, it's still a hundred times better than Tallahassee.

 

[GeauxHerd]

When I played High School Soccer (1996-99), We had Spring travel soccer with various tournaments around the state and League play, High School season in the fall, then in Winter we played Indoor soccer tournaments. My legs and knees feel it today so go easy on your kids (Just an FYI)

 

[Kazzman]

Not during the season - per SSAC rules. No sanctioned sport participant can participate in any other organized activity in that sport. The SSAC even added cheerleading to that list a few years ago.

Kentucky allows it, by the way.

Never really understood the rationale behind our SSAC banning players from participating in travel soccer during the HS soccer season. Less than half the players on most WV HS teams participate in travel soccer; the girls/boys playing travel soccer primarily do so on weekends or on holiday weekends which usually don't impact or conflict with HS soccer schedules. In WV, you really end up playing only about 20-25 games in any HS soccer season (if you're lucky). With regard to the better or premier players who play travel, the more they play and the better competition they go up against, the better they get. Seems like an archaic rule.

 

[kyherd]

And you're right about travel tournaments - they are huge business for the communities that host them. We played Warrior Cup several times - Dayton/Wright Patterson is a great location for the games. Greensboro, Cincy, Lexington, Louisville, C'bus all have huge tournaments. One of the best we ever attended was in Hickory - great fields, and NC soccer is as good as it gets.

For those of you that have been to the bigger tournies, is the grass at Bville suitable for high level of play.

Hotels still major drawback.

 

[Kazzman]

For those of you that have been to the bigger tournies, is the grass at Bville suitable for high level of play.

Hotels still major drawback.

I was there on Sunday afternoon and all the fields were in great shape, despite the heavy amount of rain. As far as hotels, there seem to be a significant number of hotels within 20-25 miles of Barboursville.

 

[goherd73]

1500 stayed in the dorms on campus. Great publicity for Marshall.

 

[Herdstruck]

1500 stayed in the dorms on campus. Great publicity for Marshall.

I noticed that as well...
Also, several had Marshall pamphlets in their hands...as though they had gone through a tour or something. Even better that Marshall is reaching out to people...and considering the amount of states involved, even better.

A solid showing by the city it seems (didn't seem that way at first) and hopefully they can take their success and continue to expand it further in the future.

Hows the former Radisson hotel holding up? Hopefully whoever owns it has renovated it lately? Last I saw, it was a dump.

 

[Herdmeister]

I noticed that as well...
Also, several had Marshall pamphlets in their hands...as though they had gone through a tour or something. Even better that Marshall is reaching out to people...and considering the amount of states involved, even better.

A solid showing by the city it seems (didn't seem that way at first) and hopefully they can take their success and continue to expand it further in the future.

Hows the former Radisson hotel holding up? Hopefully whoever owns it has renovated it lately? Last I saw, it was a dump.

I assume that Marshall Reynolds still owns it. I have seen no evidence that there have been renovations.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

For those of you that have been to the bigger tournies, is the grass at Bville suitable for high level of play.

Hotels still major drawback.

The B'ville fields are getting better. They are just as nice as some we have played on. Prolly the best HS field in the area would be either Ashland Paul Blazer or Lawrence Co. HS (Louisa). Both are Bermuda grass fields. Hurricane's field is pretty nice as well.

We played in the Louisville Cup this past April and that complex was outstanding. Its only used 3 times a year and the fields are excellent.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

I noticed that as well...
Also, several had Marshall pamphlets in their hands...as though they had gone through a tour or something. Even better that Marshall is reaching out to people...and considering the amount of states involved, even better.

A solid showing by the city it seems (didn't seem that way at first) and hopefully they can take their success and continue to expand it further in the future.

Hows the former Radisson hotel holding up? Hopefully whoever owns it has renovated it lately? Last I saw, it was a dump.

The tourney was great for the city and area. There were tons of players and families on campus this weekend. Every one I spoke with was enjoying the city and MU. MU and the area really put our best foot forward. Many commented on how nice the area was and how nice the people were.
WOW! Who'd of thunk it - Huntington was getting compliments from out of towners. Some posters may not think that is true. LOL!

 

[Herdstruck]

The tourney was great for the city and area. There were tons of players and families on campus this weekend. Every one I spoke with was enjoying the city and MU. MU and the area really put our best foot forward. Many commented on how nice the area was and how nice the people were.
WOW! Who'd of thunk it - Huntington was getting compliments from out of towners. Some posters may not think that is true. LOL!

I just hope Huntington does something about the slumlords...I know a few who are just so bad they need to die and do the city a favor.
Aesthetics would do wonders for everyone.

 

[ggmike1992]

I just hope Huntington does something about the slumlords...I know a few who are just so bad they need to die and do the city a favor.
Aesthetics would do wonders for everyone.

I saw a crane over by the projects on HGB this past weekend. My realtor told me they were being relocated and developed for professionals close to the hospital. Anybody know about that?

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

I just hope Huntington does something about the slumlords...I know a few who are just so bad they need to die and do the city a favor.
Aesthetics would do wonders for everyone.

Funny you mentions slums - I was in an area of Cincy two weeks ago I had never been in. I was shocked at how nasty and rundown it was. I would not want to be in that area late at night. The only thing I know is that it was on the west side of the city.

 

[Herdstruck]

Funny you mentions slums - I was in an area of Cincy two weeks ago I had never been in. I was shocked at how nasty and rundown it was. I would not want to be in that area late at night. The only thing I know is that it was on the west side of the city.

You should see some of Huntington...several buildings, in downtown and surrounding areas, are so run down, they have plywood windows...it's sad. The worst part is if they were properly maintained, the ENTIRE CITY would look a thousand times better.

I heard they are putting in a grocery store in the vacant area where the projects were. I hope not. They could do so much more with the space.
I've said condo living above business and retail space...it'd be a nice view with the hospital.
Too much to ask and makes too much sense. Hell, our city it allowing drug users clean needles now, instead of fighting the goddamn suppliers at the source.

Now...to get rid of ACF, get a baseball field and build some riverfront real estate.

 

[Herdmeister]

Now...to get rid of ACF, get a baseball field and build some riverfront real estate.[/QUOTE]
Ive read that ACF is hiring and maybe re-starting. As much as I want a baseball facility, a rejuvenated ACF would be much better for Huntington.

 

[Herdstruck]

Now...to get rid of ACF, get a baseball field and build some riverfront real estate.

Ive read that ACF is hiring and maybe re-starting. As much as I want a baseball facility, a rejuvenated ACF would be much better for Huntington.[/QUOTE]


If they do, they need to seriously fix up the place...it looks like crap.

 

[MStap]

[/QUOTE]
Ive read that ACF is hiring and maybe re-starting. As much as I want a baseball facility, a rejuvenated ACF would be much better for Huntington.[/QUOTE]

I actually heard this as well from a pretty reliable source. Apparently with the increase demand for Canadian oil by the gulf refineries coupled with hassles of building pipelines rail is the preferred method so ACF business is picking up. I hope it is true.