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Confirmation on Salem hosting C1-4 football championships

mikesalem

mikesalem

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Confirmation on Salem hosting C1-4 for football championships

VHSL Football State Championships

SEMIFINALS | December 6, 2026, at local sites (I assume this is meant to be 12/5?)

CLASS 3/4 FINALS | December 11, 2026, at Salem City Stadium
CLASS 1/2 FINALS | December 12, 2026, at Salem City Stadium
CLASS 5/6 FINALS | December 12, 2026, at James Madison University

Times haven't been determined yet.
 
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numb3rs2

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A chance for Salem to achieve what eluded them in 1991 but definitely a long shot this year.
 
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Hales Bottom

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mikesalem said:
Confirmation on Salem hosting C1-4 for football championships

VHSL Football State Championships

SEMIFINALS | December 6, 2026, at local sites (I assume this is meant to be 12/5?)

CLASS 3/4 FINALS | December 11, 2026, at Salem City Stadium
CLASS 1/2 FINALS | December 12, 2026, at Salem City Stadium
CLASS 5/6 FINALS | December 12, 2026, at James Madison University

Times haven't been determined yet.
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Good news and now official. This was coming from a mile away. Don't be shocked (5 and 6) if you are also in Salem by 2028. That was the discussion back in Dec to see how 4 classes work out in Salem for 2 years and if it's smooth, the talk about 5 and 6 coming there may be a real thing. Hard to say.
 
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SFUWO 21

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Hales Bottom said:
Good news and now official. This was coming from a mile away. Don't be shocked (5 and 6) if you are also in Salem by 2028. That was the discussion back in Dec to see how 4 classes work out in Salem for 2 years and if it's smooth, the talk about 5 and 6 coming there may be a real thing. Hard to say.
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I'm really confident that that is the plan. No need to play in large stadiums that appears empty with 10,000 or less people in them. This would also place all the championships at one location so we can watch all of them. The atmosphere has been great with C1 and C2 championship games every yr. It can only get better with the larger classifications.
 
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edwinanderson2nd

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SFUWO 21 said:
I'm really confident that that is the plan. No need to play in large stadiums that appears empty with 10,000 or less people in them. This would also place all the championships at one location so we can watch all of them. The atmosphere has been great with C1 and C2 championship games every yr. It can only get better with the larger classifications.
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Well a lot people in central part of VA aren’t very happy about this change. Making fans have to drive 3+ hrs to watch their team isn’t gonna have the outcome I think VHSL is looking for.
 
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Lorkie12

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edwinanderson2nd said:
Well a lot people in central part of VA aren’t very happy about this change. Making fans have to drive 3+ hrs to watch their team isn’t gonna have the outcome I think VHSL is looking for.
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Same with two NOVA teams playing for a class 6A championship at ODU. On top of that, NOVA has essentially gotten screwed every year with the “being too far” logic. The argument works both ways. Your not going to please everyone
 
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mikesalem

mikesalem

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Lorkie12 said:
Same with two NOVA teams playing for a class 6A championship at ODU. On top of that, NOVA has essentially gotten screwed every year with the “being too far” logic. The argument works both ways. Your not going to please everyone
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It happens once a year for 12 teams. In the overall scheme of things it's really not a huge encumbrance. The best teams were going to win regardless.
 
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CRF4Dan

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Lorkie12 said:
Same with two NOVA teams playing for a class 6A championship at ODU. On top of that, NOVA has essentially gotten screwed every year with the “being too far” logic. The argument works both ways. Your not going to please everyone
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I believe the true diehards will travel without question but you're not going to get the casual, curious fans.

I remember talking to Loren Johnson (head coach at Highland Springs) who recalled going to the Division 6 State Final at City Stadium in Richmond back in 1999 b/w CD Hylton & Varina. If the games are held more centrally located or in areas more populous I think you have a better chance of snagging more casual fans who just want to see a game no matter who is playing. You're not gonna get casual fans driving 3 hours away.
 
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Lorkie12

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CRF4Dan said:
I believe the true diehards will travel without question but you're not going to get the casual, curious fans.

I remember talking to Loren Johnson (head coach at Highland Springs) who recalled going to the Division 6 State Final at City Stadium in Richmond back in 1999 b/w CD Hylton & Varina. If the games are held more centrally located or in areas more populous I think you have a better chance of snagging more casual fans who just want to see a game no matter who is playing. You're not gonna get casual fans driving 3 hours away.
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I agree with that to an extent. However, one could make the argument that looking at VA football as a whole compared to other states isn’t really that big or popular to cater to a casual fan so regardless it will be more alumni/ student/ parents or as you said diehards outweighing the casual more often than not. I will say for class 4, 5&6A, Richmond would be an ideal location. Close to an even drive between Hampton roads and Fairfax area. If I wanted to be right, I’d say have it at ODU ( 1. I went to Oscar smith so it’s close and 2. I saw a historically good Freedom team win 6A basically in my own backyard since it’s close lol) but to get it right I would say Richmond is indeed the best option for everyone as a whole.
 
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CrushBlock

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Roanoke valley has a lot of fans that come out from what I’ve seen. Not a reason to have it there. But does fill out stadiums a little more unless it’s crazy cold like 2024.
 
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SFUWO 21

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edwinanderson2nd said:
Well a lot people in central part of VA aren’t very happy about this change. Making fans have to drive 3+ hrs to watch their team isn’t gonna have the outcome I think VHSL is looking for.
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So you won't drive 3 hrs to watch your team play for a state championship but a lot of parents drive 3+ hr for travel ball. Yep makes since. Salem traveled to W&M 2 yrs in a row and then all the way to Lake Taylor. We still went with no problem
 
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SFUWO 21

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CRF4Dan said:
I believe the true diehards will travel without question but you're not going to get the casual, curious fans.

I remember talking to Loren Johnson (head coach at Highland Springs) who recalled going to the Division 6 State Final at City Stadium in Richmond back in 1999 b/w CD Hylton & Varina. If the games are held more centrally located or in areas more populous I think you have a better chance of snagging more casual fans who just want to see a game no matter who is playing. You're not gonna get casual fans driving 3 hours away.
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I can almost guarantee the casual fans will show up at Salem for C5 and C6. The stadium will be full for all games
 
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Virginia HS Football Fan

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SFUWO 21 said:
I can almost guarantee the casual fans will show up at Salem for C5 and C6. The stadium will be full for all games
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Would love for them to do Friday for C1, C2, C3 at Noon, 3:45, 7:30 and Saturday for C4, C5, C6 at Noon, 3:45, 7:30. And then alternate years with the lower classes being on Saturday and the higher classes being on Friday.

Charge $20 a day per ticket, go in and out as much as you want, and enjoy the games. Allow chair backs and even lawn/folding chairs for those who want to sit along the hill. They aren't bright enough to realize that they would have some people that would do this.

Fans should even be allowed to bring their own food and drinks and it can be just a big celebration of football.

The VHSL is just too stuffy and get in their own way. They could and should make their marquee event an attraction. Meanwhile, they come off as just doing the bare minimum.
 
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longtimerhsfan25

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I am just now catching up to this news. Salem has always been convenient for me personally for the Class 1 and 2 finals,. And I guess I have no opinion one way or another on Class 3 and 4. But if they ever move Classes 5 and 6 there, I have to say that would seem illogical, for the simple reason that 90% of the teams in those classifications are either Richmond and points east or up in the NoVA area. So it would make more sense to hold those two games somewhere in those areas.
 
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SFUWO 21

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longtimerhsfan25 said:
I am just now catching up to this news. Salem has always been convenient for me personally for the Class 1 and 2 finals,. And I guess I have no opinion one way or another on Class 3 and 4. But if they ever move Classes 5 and 6 there, I have to say that would seem illogical, for the simple reason that 90% of the teams in those classifications are either Richmond and points east or up in the NoVA area. So it would make more sense to hold those two games somewhere in those areas.
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I agree with the travel issues for teams East of Richmond. NOVA teams have been coming to Salem for several yrs now.
Oscar Smith would be effected the most because they are always in the mix.
Teams like Highland Springs don't have to travel far to Salem. No different than teams in the Roanoke Valley traveling to Richmond.
I used the example of 3 title games Salem played. Two of them were at W&M and another one at Lake Taylor. Yes they were long drives but then again it was for a state title.
Only a select few teams would be coming every yr. Other teams would be once a decade.
They casual fans would be effected because they will not travel. Then again the casual fans in western VA will.
 
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Virginia HS Football Fan

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SFUWO 21 said:
I agree with the travel issues for teams East of Richmond. NOVA teams have been coming to Salem for several yrs now.
Oscar Smith would be effected the most because they are always in the mix.
Teams like Highland Springs don't have to travel far to Salem. No different than teams in the Roanoke Valley traveling to Richmond.
I used the example of 3 title games Salem played. Two of them were at W&M and another one at Lake Taylor. Yes they were long drives but then again it was for a state title.
Only a select few teams would be coming every yr. Other teams would be once a decade.
They casual fans would be effected because they will not travel. Then again the casual fans in western VA will.
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If people love the sport enough, they will do what it takes to come to games. Unfortunately, there is a lot of agnosticism around the state when it comes to a lot of things. Like a shoulder shrug and “Who cares?” attitude.

We’ve even seen it on this board even going back to the prior incarnation of it where people were complaining at driving even under an hour for a district game and couple of hours for a regional game.

And yet, this is supposed to be the place for diehards.
 
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Lorkie12

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Virginia HS Football Fan said:
If people love the sport enough, they will do what it takes to come to games. Unfortunately, there is a lot of agnosticism around the state when it comes to a lot of things. Like a shoulder shrug and “Who cares?” attitude.

We’ve even seen it on this board even going back to the prior incarnation of it where people were complaining at driving even under an hour for a district game and couple of hours for a regional game.

And yet, this is supposed to be the place for diehards.
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To go a cut deeper on your point, when they had the old classifications A,AA,AAA (the best teams had to actually play each other in the playoffs there weren’t as many complaints about travel because the best teams in each region of the state had to play each other. Now 2-8 teams traveling 2 hrs to play a regional game to get their heads kicked in. So essentially back then it was more competition and cut down on travel. Now, less merit, more chaos
 
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Virginia HS Football Fan

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Lorkie12 said:
To go a cut deeper on your point, when they had the old classifications A,AA,AAA (the best teams had to actually play each other in the playoffs there weren’t as many complaints about travel because the best teams in each region of the state had to play each other. Now 2-8 teams traveling 2 hrs to play a regional game to get their heads kicked in. So essentially back then it was more competition and cut down on travel. Now, less merit, more chaos
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And it just sucks to see some of those teams have nine fans in the stands at a playoff game. I remember growing up and when there was a playoff game, that was must see and must attend. Now, it's no longer treated as the case.
 
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CountyBoyGeneral

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People are gonna complain regardless. Driving an extra hour doesn’t bother me, the 5 o’clock kickoff after the 12:30 game does. Make the logistics better and the casual fans like myself will support.
 
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Hales Bottom

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Money talks and everything else walks. They don't care bout fan convenience or inconvenience or any of that. They care about those greenbacks.
 
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Lorkie12

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CountyBoyGeneral said:
People are gonna complain regardless. Driving an extra hour doesn’t bother me, the 5 o’clock kickoff after the 12:30 game does. Make the logistics better and the casual fans like myself will support.
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I think they should start @4 like it was a few times. I get waiting a little though since staff needs to clear the sideline and teams swapping out gear in locker rooms, time to warm up etc..
 
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Virginia HS Football Fan

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Lorkie12 said:
I think they should start @4 like it was a few times. I get waiting a little though since staff needs to clear the sideline and teams swapping out gear in locker rooms, time to warm up etc..
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You can do 11/3/7 both days then. Four hours in between games.

Or maybe the VHSL needs to find places that have a minimum of four team locker rooms and two practice fields for warmups. That way when the first game is done, those locker rooms can be cleaned out after the players leave and during the early part of the second game to allow the team from the third game to move in.
 
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SFUWO 21

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Virginia HS Football Fan said:
You can do 11/3/7 both days then. Four hours in between games.

Or maybe the VHSL needs to find places that have a minimum of four team locker rooms and two practice fields for warmups. That way when the first game is done, those locker rooms can be cleaned out after the players leave and during the early part of the second game to allow the team from the third game to move in.
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The problem is the fans of the teams that played the previous game is trying to leave. Most of them are not staying for the next game. Then the stadium crew needs some time to clean the trash left behind. Crazy how much trash is left at football games.
I've worked a bunch of state games in the past. It does suck to sit around and wait for the next game to start.
 
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Virginia HS Football Fan

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SFUWO 21 said:
The problem is the fans of the teams that played the previous game is trying to leave. Most of them are not staying for the next game. Then the stadium crew needs some time to clean the trash left behind. Crazy how much trash is left at football games.
I've worked a bunch of state games in the past. It does suck to sit around and wait for the next game to start.
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5.5 hours though as per the norm the last couple of years has been awful.

Maybe the City needs to hire a cleaning service to go through the stands and around the hillside and in the areas where there are bins to take care of the cleaning issue.

Then again, it’s a bare minimum effort put on by the host sites and the VHSL so I do not see this happening.

Maybe they can reallocate some of the funds away from the gestapo “security” of RMC Events and puttowards cleaning.
 
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Uh1966uhpickupsticks

Uh1966uhpickupsticks

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It’s literally two days out of the year. You can’t make everyone happy. Everybody Richmond and over in that area is going to fuss about coming this site. Everybody from the Roanoke area further south West Virginia fusses about coming all the way over to Richmond area. It is what it is. One thing for sure, those kids would travel to alaska to play for a state title!!!
 
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CountyBoyGeneral

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Uh1966uhpickupsticks said:
It’s literally two days out of the year. You can’t make everyone happy. Everybody Richmond and over in that area is going to fuss about coming this site. Everybody from the Roanoke area further south West Virginia fusses about coming all the way over to Richmond area. It is what it is. One thing for sure, those kids would travel to alaska to play for a state title!!!
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I live in Richmond. Would much much rather drive to Salem than to Norfolk… & twice on Sunday’s. Salem should host all 6 championships.
 
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SFUWO 21

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Uh1966uhpickupsticks said:
It’s literally two days out of the year. You can’t make everyone happy. Everybody Richmond and over in that area is going to fuss about coming this site. Everybody from the Roanoke area further south West Virginia fusses about coming all the way over to Richmond area. It is what it is. One thing for sure, those kids would travel to alaska to play for a state title!!!
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💯
 
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No. 1 fan

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CountyBoyGeneral said:
I live in Richmond. Would much much rather drive to Salem than to Norfolk… & twice on Sunday’s. Salem should host all 6 championships.
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Negative! The larger population areas are not in the Salem region. Division 5 and 6 should stay in the Hampton Roads, Richmond and NOVA areas. Division 3 and 4 could be rotated between Salem and the big 3 population areas. This is about money 💰 and the VHSL would lose big time if Salem hosted all championships. They tried that with basketball in Liberty university and the VHSL lost its behind.
 
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CountyBoyGeneral

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No. 1 fan said:
Negative! The larger population areas are not in the Salem region. Division 5 and 6 should stay in the Hampton Roads, Richmond and NOVA areas. Division 3 and 4 could be rotated between Salem and the big 3 population areas. This is about money 💰 and the VHSL would lose big time if Salem hosted all championships. They tried that with basketball in Liberty university and the VHSL lost its behind.
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I don’t disagree with you. The VHSL is all about the almighty dollar. If I had a say I’d keep C1, C2, and C3 in Salem and C4, C5 and C6 in Richmond. A great chunk of your teams will be centrally located to both cities.
 
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m-squared2

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One thing everyone, especially the VHSL needs to think about is the NFHS Network. The farther you make people have to drive to see a game the more attractive staying home and watching online becomes.

I agree it's not cost effective to play in big stadiums with crowds that don't half fill it. We'll see how big the crowds are for Class 3 and 4 in Salem when most of the schools are a long ways away. It doesn't hurt to try and see what happens.

My preference is for the state championships to be played in Richmond - play the state championships in the state capital. The problem with that is where.
 
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Virginia HS Football Fan

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m-squared2 said:
One thing everyone, especially the VHSL needs to think about is the NFHS Network. The farther you make people have to drive to see a game the more attractive staying home and watching online becomes.

I agree it's not cost effective to play in big stadiums with crowds that don't half fill it. We'll see how big the crowds are for Class 3 and 4 in Salem when most of the schools are a long ways away. It doesn't hurt to try and see what happens.

My preference is for the state championships to be played in Richmond - play the state championships in the state capital. The problem with that is where.
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They really need to explore making a deal with a legit media rights holder who will put time and care into multi-camera, professional broadcasts for the state title games. In their hunt for the almighty dollar, they should be able to make money from these rights fees. NFHS is just bare minimum (a theme in my thread) using old 2006 technology and production values.

I doubt the VHSL even has anyone on their staff who knows how to negotiate these types of deals. We know their internal counsel have not been very effective in recent decades so it would behoove me to think that they have someone who can negotiate a TV deal with a sports network (former Bally/FanDuel properties, Victory+, FloSports, etc.).

Agree with the Richmond point. Too bad UofR Stadium is a crumbling dump and UofR doesn’t make Robins Stadium available. The league could have all the teams come there, play the games over two days in one stadium or one day in both stadiums, put in a nice welcome dinner on the night before for the teams with speeches by former VHSL Greats, and just make it a big deal and very important.

Nowadays, they have minimal staff who have actual, proper event management trying to run the show (if any) in a haphazard way, very little in terms of food and beverage options, laziness when it comes to just rotating sponsor ads on the video boards (where applicable) and are just trying to get through what they treat as an inconvenience.

Either do your marquee event properly, or heck…maybe it’s time to separate athletics from activities so that the manpower and governance is optimal despite other states not having issues with combining those two entities under one umbrella.
 
WP02alum

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Is Virginia State’s stadium just not an option for a Richmond-area venue? University of Richmond isn’t interested. They don’t recruit VA students. Their targets are in NJ, so hosting this does nothing for them.

I know it doesn’t make sense geographically, but I love the little stadium at Randolph-Macon. Feel like it would be a decent venue for Class 1 or 2 fan capacity. But the geography makes it a non-starter.
 
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No. 1 fan

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m-squared2 said:
One thing everyone, especially the VHSL needs to think about is the NFHS Network. The farther you make people have to drive to see a game the more attractive staying home and watching online becomes.

I agree it's not cost effective to play in big stadiums with crowds that don't half fill it. We'll see how big the crowds are for Class 3 and 4 in Salem when most of the schools are a long ways away. It doesn't hurt to try and see what happens.

My preference is for the state championships to be played in Richmond - play the state championships in the state capital. The problem with that is where.
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That is so true. I have been going to football games for 30 years and live in the Hampton Roads area. I will drive to Richmond and NOVA but the Salem area is about a 5+ hour drive. I would rather watch online and save money and time.
 
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CountyBoyGeneral

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WP02alum said:
Is Virginia State’s stadium just not an option for a Richmond-area venue? University of Richmond isn’t interested. They don’t recruit VA students. Their targets are in NJ, so hosting this does nothing for them.

I know it doesn’t make sense geographically, but I love the little stadium at Randolph-Macon. Feel like it would be a decent venue for Class 1 or 2 fan capacity. But the geography makes it a non-starter.
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No disrespect at all, wouldn’t want to sit at VSU for a game. I like Union’s stadium 200000x better.
 
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Lorkie12

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No. 1 fan said:
That is so true. I have been going to football games for 30 years and live in the Hampton Roads area. I will drive to Richmond and NOVA but the Salem area is about a 5+ hour drive. I would rather watch online and save money and time.
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Salem isn’t quite that far.. little over 4 hrs from Chesapeake where I am down the road from Oscar Smith and a little over 3 from Richmond and Fairfax. We’re lucky it’s not at VA Tech where it used to be. That’s a legit 5-5 1/2 hrs.
 
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