MEMPHIS — The news item a few days ago wasn't a headline grabber. But it was enough to give AutoZone Liberty Bowl executive director Steve Ehrhart heartburn.
The SEC hasn't officially announced its entire lineup of bowl contract renewals yet, but the Gator Bowl couldn't wait to tell the world that it has signed a four-year deal with the league. Beginning Jan. 1, 2011, the Gator Bowl, which has never had a contract with the SEC, will match the SEC vs. the Big Ten.
No, the Liberty Bowl isn't in danger of not re-upping with the SEC, though the league probably wants an increased per-team payout.
The problem is that the SEC is placing the Gator Bowl in front of the Liberty in the selection order. And to make matters worse, the league is reportedly sticking the Liberty behind the Music City Bowl (which has been in operation for a grand total of 12 years) in the selection order.
That would give the Liberty the eighth or ninth SEC team. And it could get worse if the Liberty is made an equal of, or placed behind, the ESPN-owned Papajohns.com Bowl that is played in that rustic Birmingham dump known as Legion Field.
It would almost assure that some years the Liberty Bowl may not have an SEC rep to play the Conference USA champ if the SEC doesn't have enough bowl-eligible teams.
Ehrhart doesn't want to say much about this, because he's trying to appease the SEC. But the way the SEC is viewing the Liberty Bowl is a lack of respect for the history of this game, the efficient and hospitable manner in which the bowl operates and what this game means to this city and its charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
The SEC is in love with cities that have modern NFL stadiums, like Nashville. And the league supposedly isn't thrilled having to play the Conference USA champion.
True, there's no denying that 45-year-old Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium doesn't have the modern amenities of the Coliseum, home of the Tennessee Titans. But improvements have been made, especially the locker-room areas, which had been a concern to the SEC.
As far as playing Conference USA is concerned, I'd rather see an SEC team playing a conference champion than another eighth- or ninth-place team from a BCS league.
It's not like the SEC has been killing C-USA teams in the Liberty. South Carolina beat Houston, 44-36, three years ago. Mississippi State scored late to edge Central Florida, 10-3, two years ago. And in the most recent game, Kentucky rallied to beat East Carolina, 25-19.
This is how the SEC needs to judge the Liberty Bowl: Did its teams enjoy their stay in Memphis? Were they treated well? Did they have fun at all the bowl events? Was it a good trip?
Back in May at the annual SEC spring business meetings, when I asked South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier and Kentucky coach Rich Brooks about their Liberty experiences, both gushed.
"My friends have gone to all my bowl games, including the Rose Bowl way back when, and they had more fun in Memphis than they had anywhere else," Brooks said.
Added Spurrier, "The Liberty Bowl was super, the most fun bowl we've had since I've been at South Carolina."
Doesn't that count for something? Doesn't it mean something to the SEC that the hundreds of bowl volunteers put their sweat and soul into the game every year to make sure the participating teams and the fans of those teams have a wonderful time?
And, before the SEC wants to toss the Liberty Bowl totally in the dumper, it might want to consider the national and worldwide annual exposure the bowl has given St. Jude.
The Music City Bowl can't match that. And neither can any other bowl.
So what the SEC has to decide before moving the Liberty Bowl to the bottom of the batting order is simple.
Do you judge a bowl on new facilities, a mountain of cash and an opponent from a big-boy league?
Or do you judge it on the magnanimous heart and enduring character of a bowl about to be played for the 51st time?
It's not a hard decision.
-- Ron Higgins: 901-529-2525
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 54
The_Greater_Pumpkin writes:
but the ribs are great! Just be carful if you go to Dodge's for chicken!
TommyJack writes:
Seems to me the more exposure to the SEC in Memphis, the better for us. Copping an attitude toward Memphis does nothing but damage to our recruiting there. Hey, I live in E.TN, but no sense in writing off W. TN year after year. Peace.
NashvillePreds writes:
Cashville baby.
Coach_Joe writes:
Sure the teams and coaches have a wonderful time while in Memphis. They have security all around them!
I work in Memphis a couple of times a year and could care less if I ever go back. The best thing Memphis has going for it is "The Blue Plate Diner".
golfballs03 writes:
You're right. At this point, an SEC team's season is essentially over, and playing the C-USA champion w something to prove is not a good match-up.
Regardless, even if they are close games, nobody cares! Nobody wants to watch, let alone actually travel to Memphis.
golfballs03 writes:
you're crazy. i'd rather watch a match-up between two bcs conferences then some team from c-usa. and if anyone were choosing to travel two one of these two bowls, who in their right mind would pick memphis over Jacksonville???
GreerVol22 writes:
somethng inherintly wrong with the Gator bowl being called the Gator bowl. Liberty has to step up their game to compete. Capitalism at its finest.
corrinebrown writes:
Memphis,home to "First 48 & Liberty Bowl"a deadly combination
corrinebrown writes:
Trust me Jacksonville IS south Ga. with a beach.
kkempf#226833 writes:
I was under the impression that the payout dictates the pecking order, as teams probably wouldn't see much of a point in getting picked higher if they don't gain anything from it.
BIG_ORANGE_BLEEDER writes:
I live in Memphis and it's an awesome place to celebrate and party! There is no disputing that. But it is really funny that they would ask for more WELFARE! "Capitalism"? They don't want that Not in Memphis!
dvols writes:
bone up fed ex and auto zone!!!!!!!!!!!! and st. jude is a great cause................
VolunteerLifer writes:
If the Liberty Bowl is all that Higgins says it is, then why would they even want a barely-bowl-eligible SEC team, or any barely-bowl eligible team? If the Liberty bowl is as great as Higgins says it is, then they should forego contracts and go on the open market and invite the teams that THEY want, and not confine themselves to previously contracted teams. If the SEC is doing the Liberty Bowl wrong, then the bowl and people like Higgins shouldn't be whining about it, they should put their money where their mouths are, fire the SEC, and invite the team that they most want.
Volunatic writes:
Does Higgins think that the Liberty Bowl should get to pick BEFORE the Gator Bowl?
Ridiculous. Gator Bowl is a New Years Day bowl.
woody45#537767 writes:
The best thing to ever come out of Memphis is I-40 eastbound. Some will argue I-55 southbound. Either way, Memphis is not where you want to be for a bowl game unless your game wear is body armor.
cincivol writes:
Hey thats my show!!! I always appreciate that they never lawyer up but say "you got me"!
The only way to stay the top conference in championships, revenue, and fans is to constantly evaluate your processes and commitments. I dont think anyone will congradulate Slive if we are no longer number one because of charity 5 to 10 years from now.
PMC2726 writes:
I live in Atlanta, but grew up in Memphis. I have several reactions to Huggy's article:
1.) Memphis is a great town, with a deep sports history. The problem, Mr. Huggins, is NOT with the SEC -- it's no secret that college football is about $$. The problem is with UM. The reason the Liberty Bowl keeps getting knocked down the rungs of bowl respect is b/c the stadium is falling down and UM won't build a new stadium. Throwing down new carpeting in the locker rooms and painting over the water stains in the ceiling is not a "renovation."
If UM would get it's act together and do something about the horrible state of the Liberty Bowl, it would get more respect, plain and simple. A city that is uninterested in keeping up with the times will be left behind.
Memphis dealt with this when the Oilers first came to Memphis -- a lot of folks there thought the team might stay. Hey, why not? It's a nice town. People are friendly. Great BBQ. St. Jude....all the reasons stated in Huggy's article. Are you kidding? The team specifically stated that the Liberty Bowl was a miserable place to play....and that was how long ago?
2.) Memphis is uninterested in making the Liberty Bowl more important. The Liberty Bowl has become a sad reminder that Memphis will always be a basketball town 1st. Why does Memphis get regionals in the NCAA BB tourney? A new FedEx Forum!
3.) Memphis fans have no right to complain about anything -- the last 5 years have been AMAZING for the Tigers (a small time program in a small time city, let's face it) in basketball under Calipari. Now that the pied-piper has led his rats to Kentucky, Memphis all of a sudden realizes that the Liberty Bowl has no respect. Nice......
As we all know, it's VERY difficult, even for the wealthiest of schools to consistently field a power house football and basketball program. The ones that can have one thing in common -- world class, state of the art facilities. Memphis is not interested in going there.
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
You are not in the real world. Sure, SEC exposure in memphis should be helpful - but not necessarily for UT. There are 4 or 5 SEC schools closer to memphis than UT and besides, we hear that a lot about UT being too far away. And no one is giving up on W.TN -I've lived in memphis and also in Jackson and I'm here to tell you that W.TN and memphis are WORLDS APART! And besides, if you have memphis kids that would rather hang around for a chance to be on the First 48 rather than leave for a SEC school, who wants them anyway????
sizeDD writes:
True, anythin that helps Vols recruit Memphis is a plus.
http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2009/o...
WestTennVol writes:
I hope we can all see why Bama can basically pick the recruits they want from Memphis given this kind of attitude, real smart guy. Two episodes of a TV show and suddenly there's no murder in Knoxville.
WestTennVol writes:
Oh and just so you know a large portion of UT's graduate schools, Medical/Dental/Pharmacy/Physical Therapy, are in Memphis so try not to forget about us.
Down_The_Field writes:
i've spent significant time in both cities and had a perment address in one and would take jax every day over memphis.
btw - i don't have to pack my glock in jax.
BlakeyWakey writes:
Why does everyone Hate memphis so bad?
utclassof1992 writes:
Memphis really had a chance to be what Nashville is today. In the 70s and 80s, Memphis was the big boy in this state, and then came WW Herenton. HE destroyed the city, and it is a bitter reminder now of what could have been.
NeylandWest writes:
Excellent point. If Fred Smith could get a chance to see his son playing there against Houston or ECU, I'm sure FedEx would pony up the nuggets.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Fill the stadium for your own games and then the "Bowl" figure heads will think different. The Stadium is old and needs major upgrades. The Liberty Bowl is a good drive from the downtown area. Memphis is a great place to visit. Fix up the stadium and fix the Memphis football "perception". Go Vols!
utclassof1992 writes:
1. The UT-Memphis basketball rivalry.
2. Memphis is a Tennessee city that sends most of its football recruits to Ole Miss, Miss.St., and Arkansas.
3. It is really a very dangerous place, kinda like Detroit, only smaller.
4. Highest crime rate in the state, by far. Over 45% of TDOC's inmates ae from Shelby County.
Hope that answers it.
NashvillePreds writes:
Music City bowl has consistently drawn 60,000+. Not bad for a 2nd tier bowl. If you want warmer weather...win more games.
BigVolD writes:
This is a sports site that discusses UT sports. Take the political banter to the appropriate forum or call a radio talk show. This is not the place.
utclassof1992 writes:
I work quite a bit with the Music City Bowl in a volunteer capacity, and I am a little biased, but Nashville does a really good job with the MCB. Nashville doesnt quite match Orlando, Jacksonville, and Phoenix as far as weather in January, but the hospitality is great, and the fans that come always have fun and rave about how well they were treated. I remember the Minnesota fans running around in shorts when it was 40 degrees at kickoff. They were joking about the warm spell for the game.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Go live there for a while. Watch Mayor Willie run the town in the ground. The evening news is downright depressing. A terrible Pro sports town. Orange Mound, Frazier(North Memphis). You have to lock your doors and set the alarm (all the time) even in nice areas. The customer service "overall" in Memphis is not good (gas stations, restaurants etc...). West Memphis Arkansas, North Mississippi make it TennArkassippi! The Liberty Bowl stadium is a dump(Not that UCLA's stadium is any better...). I am sure someone else can add a few more things....
utclassof1992 writes:
Granted, the old Liberty Bowl needs major work, but if you go to a game there, the configuration makes for great sightlines, no matter where you sit. It is a big "sombrero" and was built by the same people that built the old Tampa Stadium.
utclassof1992 writes:
You are correct about St. Jude. They work miracles every day with sick children. And they do it first class. Even with terminally ill children, they make sure their last days are filled with love and attention. St. Jude, and dont forget LeBonheur, are the bright spots of Memphis.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
Good point my friend! And accross from the big sombrero....MONS! P-Plus has since closed...that hurt Memphis (LOL) Go Vols!
utclassof1992 writes:
You are being too kind. Customer service is non-existent in all but the most expensive places. I had a bartender at the Memphis airport tell me in a very surly tone of voice to hurry up and finish my drink 45 minutes before closing time so she could clean up and get to Beale Street. I got told to "get it myself" when I asked for a salt shaker at an eatery in White Station.
tallfry writes:
Memphis has it's problems, but it is redeemed through great food, music and history. It is a great place to vacation. Get the wings or BBQ nachos at Central or the ribs at Rendezvous, and it's almost worth getting your car stolen. Not to mention great bars that serve beer at 5 am. I always have a blast in Memphis, and I've never been robbed. The lack of customer service is pretty amazing at times, but overall it is a good experience.
That said, Nashville should jump Memphis, being that IT'S AN NFL STADIUM. It is nice and new and huge, with parking and downtown right there. There is no comparison between the Liberty Bowl and LP Field. Birmingham, however, is another story. All of the problems of Memphis with no redeeming factors. Milo's? No thank you. And Legion field looks like a run-down HS stadium.
bluesandbarbq writes:
I would rather go to Memphis than Jacksonville. I love the Blues and bbq therefore I choose Memphis. And isn't Memphis in the state of Tennessee? Last time I looked on a map it was, unless those idiots from Georgia got their wish and had all of the southern boundary of TN moved North a bit so they could get our Tennessee River water.
Bloodrunzorange writes:
TennArkaSippi!
volboy81 writes:
MEMPHIS: The capital of Mississippi and the best thing Arkansas has to offer!
Digger writes:
The article failed to mention the average attendance for the Liberty Bowl compared to the Music City and Gator Bowls.
Fans have much more fun - and are much safer - in Nashville and Jacksonville than they have in Memphis.
gbeejr#1354500 writes:
What we can all see is you don't know what you are talking about. alabama can basically pick recruits from any city.....memphis included, and mine or anyone else's attitude has got nothing to do with alabama's recruiting success in memphis (but championships do). As for the two episodes from the First 48 you mention - that only covers the first week's programming. You'll see new episodes every week! Yes, I am a smart guy, clearly to smart for you.
volnation200973 writes:
Just to add a story to this. I was at the Ohio game a few weeks back and on my way to the Stadium, while walking on the strip, we pass by a vendor who is selling ribs. He is a healthy looking black man and he is advertising for his booth. His advertising pitch: " Get ribs just like they have in Memphis without the worry of getting shot." I thought I would have a heart attack laughing lol. Anyway to the topic at hand, I think the Liberty Bowl could be one of the finer second-tier bowls if the quality of opponent is greater. Face it, like some of you have said no one wants to see the 6th place SEC team play the C-USA champions. If they would pair maybe the SEC v. Big East, it would be a good draw. Also, if they want to make money make St. Jude the sponsor of it. The idea of a charitable bowl game is a great idea in my opinion. How you would split the money I don't know but it seems like it would make the bowl more attractive for teams and fans alike. GO VOLS!!!!
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
Guess it has nothing to do with the fact that memphis is the crime capital of the world. Only avg. about 250 homicides a yr. Tourists may not be totally safe, especially at the Liberty Bowl which is about 1/2 mile from Orange Mound (one of the highest crime areas in the city).
volfan_in_mississippi writes:
Come on Higgins. That area could not keep Liberty Land operating and could not keep the Mid-South Fair from leaving town. Why should the SEC treat it as something better than it is... a bottom level bowl game?
vscebail#247785 writes:
If Memphis wants respect then they need to improve security and earn it! The city is just not safe to be in. I lived there for three years, and I know what I'm talking about. I had two cars stolen plus a trailer and a 4-wheeler. Robberies, car-jacking's, drugs and gangs... you couldn't pay me to go back.
WestTennVol writes:
'clearly to [too?] smart for you' In your haste for rebuttal it appears your grammar suffers.
You also seem to be maligned by an overabundance of slanted television programming.
To think your kind of vicious attitude toward a poor per-capita city (if you in any way believe that poverty does not beget crime and thus more poverty then just stop reading and keep the blinders on) has no affect on a wide variety of topics from social image to football recruiting is just plain silly.
In Fulmer's heyday when Bama was awful and they were virtually locked out of Georgia/Florida the Tide was still able to hand pick all the top athletes from Memphis (although, admittedly, a few bucks in the hands of select high school coaches helped). Why? Well I'm glad you asked. It's of course more complicated than a forum reply to a bonehead can summate but the fact that so many of these kids and their families feel looked down upon by UT and many of their fans, (I hesitate to say many b/c its obviously just a few loud, obnoxious neanderthals playing the roll of the rotten apples) but that's just the perception. Why would they play for UT? It's 'far' (-ther than Bama) away and attitudes like your own exist, fairly rampantly. Please solidify my point by telling me that an army of forum trolls almost daily spamming hate on your home city and heritage has nothing to do with a recruit's decision. You really think the graduate assistants, boosters, fans, and beat writers of opposing teams don't catch wind of this trash? Come now you can't possibly be that ignorant! Don't argue this point with me because you can't do it with any sort of legitimacy, I'm here in the city that you and your kind loves to hate and you're not, so sorry.
-Love WTV
PS-Now go back to your hillbilly slurring campaign with your head held high.
WestTennVol writes:
Also, thanks for the laugh at your comparison between intelligence and the amount of 'First 48' you watch. Classic.
VOLbackfromKorea writes:
I'm a fan of all of these comments too. The one thing I will say is that Memphis State (as I will always call them) may be C-USA but Memphis is still a southern city surrounded by SEC country. Being from Memphis (not living there, military) I like the fact that the SEC plays in the bowl. It's not a top tier bowl. Of course it isn't. Back in the not so forgotten past it was the annual military bowl. It has been in place for years and deserves some respect. The other thing that really chaps my **** is that I am a huge VOL fan from way back and attended the school which contributed to my degree. The University of Tennessee is not only for folks from Knoxville or east TN. Last time I checked, Memphis is a major Tennessee city. I get tired of east tenneseans thinking that the school belongs to them and only them. A lot of the comments here validate my point. I'm from Memphis and I bleed ORANGE. Not easy when razorbacks, rebels and bammers surround you. If anyone has an issue with the Memphis thing they can find me in section Y9, row 51, seat 16 on Halloween when our VOLS whoop Spurrier and the gamecocks!!! GO VOLS!!!
cooper65#432178 writes:
I think you forgot UM or MSU BB under Gene Bartow and Dana Kirk. They even had an Elite 8 appearance under Larry Finch. It was not small time. In fact, UT men's BB does not compare favorably with UM BB. Go to Beale Street or the Cooper-Union area in Memphis. It makes KVille look like a ghost town.
I have been a Vol fan longer than at least 90% of people on this forum, but Memphis beats KTown hands down.
we3vols#281863 writes:
I agree totally. It has been PROVEN in COURT that Alabubba has the best Memphis Players that money can Buy..God! Bite This.....Go Vols!
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