Get this. The four semifinalists in the Division I boys private-school state high-school basketball tournament in Virginia are from Northern Virginia.
Yet, those teams have to travel some two hours away to Virginia State University in Colonial Heights, and on always heavily-congested and accident-prone Route 95 no less, to play in the final four tonight, then possibly in the championship tilt Saturday, March 5. Makes no sense.
When such situations occur, there should be an option included in the tournament agreement to change and move the site of the semifinals and championship games from that far-away venue to much closer where those four teams are located. Have a site prearranged just in case.
With the four Northern Virginia teams – Bishop O’Connell, Episcopal, Paul VI Catholic and St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes – playing in Colonial Heights, few spectators, other than parents and family, will make that trip to watch the games. Certainly very few students will attend.
If the games were played here, however, the crowds would be significant, with likely many students on hand.
The same situation has occurred in other state-tournament sports, yet the venues aren’t changed.
If a change of venue was permitted, in that case, the organizers and sponsors at the original tournament site would be able to keep a significant percentage of any money from concessions and attendance.
Again, that seems to make so much sense, and so many would be able to see the games. It’s silly not to make that change.
– Dave Facinoli
dfacinoli@sungazette.net