My View/Your View: Let's Keep the Football State Finals in Indy

A few columns ago, I mentioned that everyone has a right to their own opinion when talking about high school sports. I should know ... because ... in my 45 years in the newspaper business, well, I doubt there were many sportswriters more opinionated than me. So to carry that thought a bit further, I want to share my opinion on the Indiana High School Athletic Association and the recent "lack of facilities'' issue. I've already expressed my concern about moving the girls basketball State Finals out of Indianapolis for the 2009-10 season. So now, please tell me that the IHSAA and the Capital Improvement Board (CIB) will work out a deal to keep the football state finals at Lucas Oil Stadium. Seriously, I cannot imagine both events, which by the way enjoyed record attendance figures in the 2008-09 school year, being played at Indiana University, Purdue or Ball State. We tried venues outside of Indy before, and I think most will agree that such a move was not a good one, especially when the boys basketball State Finals were played in Bloomington. The main point I'm trying to make is that tradition is important, that events of such magnitude belong in downtown Indianapolis. For that matter, I think ALL major state championships, if possible, should be held in Indianapolis. With all of the restaurants and hotels and bars bringing folks to Indianapolis makes for great events and it just makes sense. Personally, I even think the girls and boys Hall of Fame Basketball Classic, which each season is played on back-to-back days in New Castle, home of the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame, should be played in Indianapolis at Conseco Fieldhouse. Again, that's just me, you know. I would hope that the IHSAA, which I'll go on record saying I believe clearly dropped the ball in terms of planning for the girls basketball State Finals, will get an early jump on things and work on future scheduling. As far as the football state finals goes, it belongs in Lucas Stadium just like it did in the Hoosier Dome and RCA Dome for many years. I just think this is one time where, though faced with money issues that could cost the IHSAA much more, the IHSAA owes it to its loyal high school fans to make it happen. Again, it makes no sense to move on if the venue is available. We cannot put a price on everything we do, can we? So, no excuses, please; just make it happen. I've been involved in high school sports for many, many years, so I'd like to think I know a little something about what I'm talking about. If not as a long-time journalist, then just as a concerned fan. I just think tradition means something. And I think it's time we all pay tribute to our tradition and proud sports heritage, as well as to the importance it provides and the meaning it carries for our athletes and fans in general. And it's time our governing body of high school sports takes a stand. A positive stand. One that can make us all feel good and will hopefully appease the CIB. I believe that Blake Ress, IHSAA commissioner, wants to see it happen. Actually, I know he wants to see it happen. Let's hope the CIB wants it to happen, too. OK, Mr. Ress, make it happen. No excuses, please; just make it happen. That means you, too, CIB. Mark Morrow is an online columnist for VYPE High School Sports Magazine, Central Indiana. He can be reached at mediamarko@sbcglobal.net or by leaving a comment.