I would look at UB instead of Ralph Wilson...rather have 20k in a 30k stadium than 20k in a 75k stadium. Plus UB is about 20 mins closer than Ralph WIlson.
The big thing Wilson probably has going for it is general availability. I assume Syracuse could use it pretty much any Saturday that they wanted. For UB, there will be a bunch of dates where UB is scheduled to play at home that are a no go.
As a CNY resident, if we can't play a home game at the Dome, I would want it scheduled at the following venues, in order of preference...
1) Alliance Bank Stadium (whatever the stadium is called where the Chiefs play)
It is close, it is easy to get to, there is tons of parking, tailgating would be great and the venue should be available pretty much anytime SU needs to.
The downside is that temporary bleachers would need to be built, maybe an outfield fence would need to be moved to get capacity up to to the 25K range (capacity there is currently 11,410K). If all the home games could be played there, I think the cost could be justified. I believe we could reasonably expect a full crowd for every game, it would be the least imposition on the fans that attend the most games, and I think there is value having all the games in the same facility, so there is an option for season ticket holders to be assigned the same seats for season tickets during that season.
The facility is owned by the county, so Miner can't freak out and wreck things. Joanie is a friend of the university and I think she will do what she can to cooperate. Maybe the stadium will get some permanent upgrades as a result of this, for power, private boxes, a new press box, etc.
If that isn't practical, and it is possible to get the capacity for Schoellkopf to 25K, I would see if it is possible to work it out with Cornell to schedule all the home games there. Google maps says the drive from Syracuse is about 1 hour 10 minutes.
If that isn't practical, I would see if it is possible to work it out with UB to schedule all the home games there. Google maps says the drive from Syracuse is about 2 hours 10 minutes.
If that isn't practical, I would see if it is possible to work it out with UB to schedule all the home games there. Google maps says the drive from Syracuse is about 2 hours 10 minutes.
If that isn't practical, I would see if it is possible to work it out with the Bills to schedule all the home games there. Google maps says the drive from Syracuse is about 2 hours 20 minutes. Two big positives: the tailgating would be great and I think it would be possible to get the venue for all the home games.
If that isn't practical, I would see if it is possible to work it out with Army to schedule all the home games at Michie Stadium (capacity 38K). Google maps says the drive from Syracuse is about 3 hours 10 minutes.
If it isn't possible/practical to standardize all home games at one venue, I would try and schedule the games at the venues already named, trying to keep the games scheduled as close to Syracuse as possible.
I enjoyed the bowl games at Yankee Stadium but it is a horrible place to watch a football game. There are no good seats anywhere in the stadium for football. Add in the lack of availability of the stadium for much of the football season and it isn't very attractive for me.
That being said, MetLife is way too big. The crowd we would get there for a generic game would be lost there. The Rent is also 4 hours away but it is The Rent. Makes no sense to rent The Rent.
So if we have to schedule a game 4 hours away, it would be better at Yankee Stadium.
