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In 1979 the Miami Hurricanes football team covered such vast distances that it only seemed appropriate they would end their season in Tokyo. After a year of traveling almost 28,000 miles it became duly noted among the University of MIami staff that this atrocity of a schedule would no longer fly.
Times are changing, however, and the idea of football overseas gaining more traction.
Example: 2014 Season opener: Penn State vs. UCF Knights, in Ireland.
Why? Because the idea of attracting the global media's attention to a school haunted by the horrendous allegations surrounding the Sandusky trial will only pan out well for the school's, the NCAA's, and College Football's notoriety.
My perspective: I'd rather catch the game in Orlando check out Universal Studios, and stagger my way down City Walk.
Let's not use this as the linchpin in college football's globalization - a concept which has the potential to be a highly effective economic tool.
Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott announced a while back his plan for the conference's global initiatives. Scott's statements may appear bold when he's quoted saying "I think we will have football [in China] at some stage." But that dream is not so distant for the Pac-12. They provide a premier location for doing so and they've invested plenty of time and finances into getting their brand known in the Asian market. Read more HERE and HERE.
Pac-12 in China may be feasible, but we're not the Pac-12, or Nike for that matter.
We are the Atlantic Coast Conference. So where does our global initiative sit? New York.
While commissioner Larry Scott eyes Asia for the Pac-12, ACC commissioner John Swofford sets his sights on the Big Apple.
Listen, I'm all in favor of the ACC in New York. Hell, I'm excited for Canes in NYC - it's a major market with plenty of growth in a city where Hurricane fans are well represented to begin with. ALSO, it's not Europe.
The day Miami fans begin complaining about a schedule that doesn't feature a trip to the ‘old country' is the day I retire from all forms of social media.
My bias is clearly from viewing the NFL's disgusting approach to games overseas. I'm all for futbol-football, but those chants don't play out well with the Fox robots gyrating around the screen. I also found it hilarious when I watched Bears vs Patriots in London and the majority of fans were wearing jerseys pertaining to other teams in the NFL.
College perspective: Meh, I don't like it.
1- They're student-athletes with nothing more to gain other than a short trip to another country while the higher-ups wallets fatten, thus fueling the argument of pay-for-play.
2- It's college.
The students/alumni/fans generate the excitement, pageantry, and rivalry that make this game so enjoyable to watch. Taking games from them essentially drives out the emotion for many people.
They'll enjoy the game fine from their couch but they won't be drunk before noon tailgating like they should be.
3- Games overseas are said to be for the economic benefit but if football was going to take Europe by storm it would've happened years ago. *Cough* NFL Europe *cough*.
While basketball and many other sports enjoy the flirtation of the Asian market, I can't see football gaining any headway.
Basketball, tennis, volleyball, soccer, etc... Good for Asia. Football? It just doesn't exhibit the overseas growth and captivate global interest as well as the other sports.
4- I love Miami fans in every country but the numbers and perceived growth for playing overseas games wouldn't seem to represent any sense of a major global transformation or impact for the University itself.
With a revolving door of teams playing and the relatively small number of games to be played across the pond each year, the exposure would seem minute for Miami.
5- It's the University of Miami.
With the city already serving as a multicultural beacon and the school's academic prestige weighing heavily in the minds of each student seeking a top notch education, our global initiative is already set in place.
"Every year, approximately 3,000 international students (undergraduate and graduate) and scholars (professors and researchers) from 115 countries representing every region of the world study, teach, and conduct research at the University of Miami." - University of Miami
|
Percentage of Undergraduate International Students (as of 2010) |
Alabama |
2.6 |
Harvard |
10.0 |
Miami |
13.0 |
Penn State |
5.8 |
Southern California |
8.4 |
Texas |
4.7 |
We can hold our own, no games in Ireland necessary.
The poll and comments section is open for your opinions Hurricane fans.
Would you wish to see Miami and the Atlantic Coast Conference pursue a global initiative similar to our Pac-12 counterparts or are you accepting of our push into New York? Could a game overseas be beneficial for Miami? Or are you content to keep the troops home?