Villanova And Delaware Game At PPL Park Is A "Test Case For... The Future"
by Scott Kessler on Jul 31, 2011 5:33 AM EDT
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PrintNovember 19 might prove to be more than just the jumping off point for annual rivalry games at PPL Park between Villanova and Delaware.
According to the Delaware Online, Villanova is looking at the game as a possible jumping off point for their possible conference move.
Villanova coach Andy Talley called the Nov. 19 game against Delaware at PPL Park in Chester a "test case for us for the future," regarding a potential move to the Big East with the Philadelphia Union's Major League Soccer stadium as its home field.
Philadelphia Union CEO Nick Sakiewicz hinted, back on June 23, toward Villanova coming back after their game against Delaware.
"We are honored to be building a long term relationship with such a world class university," Sakiewicz told PhiladelphiaUnion.com, "and are very excited about our partnership and the future."
Vocal fans of the Union were outraged when the news originally broke about the potential partnership over fears stemming from the documented effects of football on soccer fields. Neither the Union nor Villanova have publicly addressed those concerns.
Even if PPL Park expands to the 30,000 seats it was designed to hold and Villanova was to move into the Big East with the Chester stadium as their home, the Philadelphia school would still have the smallest stadium in the conference.
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I found it interesting
…that the SoB’s (of which I am one) facebook news feed said “Vote with You Wallet” with this link. As if a game after the MLS season is over is such an egregious mistake that the county (who helped build the stadium) and the team (who could use some $ to sign players) should be penalized.
Not to get all Norma Rae here, but that same group consistently asks for members to buy locally in Chester for tailgates and support Chester related charities or youth programs. Considering the stadium employs a large percentage of Chester residents, wouldn’t that ideal expand to supporting those folks who need the jobs provided at the stadium?
I don’t want to seem snippy, but all of this angst over the quality of grass(!) when there are so many more social and economic drivers for additional events seems petty.
I think people just really don't want to see this.
The assumption a lot of people, myself included, are making is that — at some point — this partnership is going to expand. I don’t think people have any problem with the idea of one or two annual rivalry games after MLS season. It’s when you start talking about having regular games during the latter stages of the MLS regular season, and potentially the playoffs, that gets people a little worried. Yes, it would bring more people to Chester and bring additional opportunities to PPL Park gameday employees, but if doing so ultimately damages and devalues the Union, is it worth it? People who go to a Union game or watch a Union game on TV for the first time may well look at all of those football lines and decide that this team isn’t really on par with the Phillies, Eagles, Flyers and Sixers as a “top-tier” sports team, and decide not to watch again on TV or not to buy tickets to future matches. And that’s obviously no good.
Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog
But a college season is 12 games
Half home and half away. The Big East also plays alot of weird Tues/Wed/Thurs games. Just make sure that the Union are away when the Cats are at home and vice versa.
A chewed up and painted pitch doesn’t grow back in a few days’ time.
Contributor at The Brotherly Game, SBN's Philadelphia Union blog
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