posted September 4, 2007
What in the world is up with Baylor? Are they really going to inflict a
traffic jam on Signal Mountain Boulevard for the sake of having, on their campus, the game between McCallie and Baylor?
This is a storied Chattanooga rivalry, which has grown beyond the confines of either campus. Disregard the negative impact on Finley, the Southside, and the previously mentioned traffic jam on Signal Mountain Boulevard. How about your own students and alums? There is no way that you can accommodate them on campus.
Are you perhaps a little worried about the public spectacle of a 55-gallon drum of blue whoop a-- being poured on you by the Blue Tornado in front of thousands more spectators, including your own alums? Looks like it to me...
Go Blue!
Bobby Davenport '77
tralman@comcast.net
* * *
Why do you need to question our choice of playing the Baylor-McCallie game at our home field when we are the home team?
It is Baylor spirit to want to play the game in front of our own crowd and watch the players walk through the Tiger Walk.
Baylor and McCallie are the students' and faculties' schools and should have first priority to tickets. I would rather watch the game sitting on the hill with friends at Heywood than sit on the bleachers at Finley.
The atmosphere at a Baylor home game is like none other for a Red Raider fan.
Go Big Red!
Matthew Oellerich
Baylor eighth grader
matthew_oellerich@yahoo.com
* * *
If I'm not mistaken, I think it is the home team's prerogative as to whether to play the game on campus or not. Baylor has made the decision to play the game at home and in their stadium.
I am quite certain there is no trepidation to play the blue team at anyplace and anytime. That being said, Baylor is not in the business of catering to the wants and needs of that other school. When it is their year to host the game, they may put it wherever they want for all I care.
I have absolutely zero doubt that Baylor will show up. My advice to Baylor's opponent is suck it up and deal.
If you all want to demolish your stadium and turn it into a parking lot so you can play more games at Finley, be my guest. However, quit your whining if Baylor chooses to opt for a bit of tradition and move the game back to Heywood Stadium. I fear, however, that that would be asking too much of the blue boys. They do excel at whining.
Go Big Red!
Mike Patty '99
Chattanooga
* * *
Mr. Davenport makes a sensible argument. I've been told that McCallie will be allotted a mere 2,500 tickets. A "chosen" 6,000 will attend a game which drew over 13,000 last year. To deny participation of that many fans (of both teams) is a rather hefty injustice just so a few can enjoy a certain "feeling."
Maybe the thinking is that home field advantage might prevent McCallie from making it...what is it...10 straight? It'll take more than nostalgia, warm feelings and familiar surroundings to accomplish that.
In fact, I hope banners are hoisted declaring the obvious: "Baylor - The Finley Chickens." Thanks, Baylor, for denying the other 7,000 their tickets to the game. Not to mention the handshake deal with Frank Burke to host this game at Finley.
I have no dog in this fight, but I'll certainly be pulling for Blue on this night.
Gary Wood
* * *
I agree that having the games alternate between each school's campus every year is more exciting. I enjoyed this weekend as a student. Riding in the caravan with your car painted and packed with friends and flags hanging out the windows was great. I remember the '96 game involving the dramatic last-minute comeback by McCallie at Baylor. Winning is great and winning at your rival's home stadium makes the victory a little sweeter.
I would much rather have the games played at Spears and Heywood, but the fact is that both schools have elevated their programs. The teams are now playing top competition from other Southeastern states and sending far more players to elite Division 1 programs. Every year both are among the top teams in the city, private school ranks and state as a whole. This has led to an increase in alumni support and drawing of alumni at games. Their dollars go to support these schools and their respective programs.
I feel sorry for alumni of both schools who will not be able to watch this great rivalry with family and classmates. As much as I was raised to dislike "that school across the river," alumni of both schools deserve the right to see this game live and in person (comfortably).
Both schools are built on a rich tradition of academics, athletic success and developing leaders in this community and across the globe. These are the traditions that make both schools what they are and attract many prospective students on a continual basis. If 13,000+ every year for this game (high school) doesn't say something positive to your administration or a prospective student about the support and character of both institutions, then that person needs to re-evaluate themselves.
I understand it has been nine years straight of losing. In my time at McCallie my class only won once in six years. If you add the loss in '98 that would be one win in seven years. We were not the better team, but at least we acted with a little integrity the next year and so on. Why not admit we have had the better team these last nine years rather than say that our use of Finley or the fact that we have more fans show up has given us the advantage needed to win?
McCallie was founded by two sons of a local Presbyterian minister, Rev. T.H. McCallie. Those sons graduated from your institution. It was their father who rented out his house at McCallie and Lindsay Street to Dr. Roy Baylor for your school to operate. I would think, with the rivalry aside, there would be some mutual respect.
James C. Ayers '97
Honor-Truth-Duty
* * *
Oh, poor misguided Bobby,
While we respect your thoughtful opinion and misguided advocacy, we all know there is no one at McCallie that can lift a 55 gallon drum of "whoop a--." Perhaps we can invite our traffic riddled friends in Red Bank to come assist you and your colleagues in lifting such a drum lest your hand embroidered silk blue tornado ascots get soiled in the imminent (and possibly life threatening) spill.
Besides, as both alums and a community, we of the Baylor ilk like the atmosphere of breathtaking views offered by our historic campus; while the distinction between the vistas offered by the Brainerd Tunnel and the Southside offers little more metaphoric distinction in beauty than that of a Krystal burger and a White Castle.
Trey Maxwell '85
Kennesaw, Ga.
* * *
Baylor should be applauded at what they are trying to do. They are trying to bring some of the tradition back into the cross town rivalry. I am not just stating so because I am a Baylor Alum. Had McCallie taken the initiative I would rise to my feet and applaud them as well.
Baylor and McCallie traditionally had taken place on the campuses of the schools and kickoff was at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon not on a Friday night. It is was what distinguished that game from all the other games that take place in the Chattanooga area.
Yes it is true that Haywood Stadium and Spears Stadium do not have the capacity of Finley, and yes it is crowded and parking can be difficult but you know what, that is what was part of the Baylor/McCallie weekend. There was nothing better than that sunny Saturday afternoon to look across the field and the stands on your opponent's side was just a sea of people, mirroring the crowd of the stands you were in. You knew you were about to watch something special. That aspect of the game was removed when it was relocated to Finley.
The move to Finley also affected the Alumni in a negative way. Baylor/McCallie has traditionally been Alumni weekend for both schools. Alumni would enjoy coming to the game to visit old classmates and to watch the game at their respective school. They would be able to for a moment remember the fond memories of going to the game with their classmates when they attended with Baylor or McCallie, not to come into town, have to fight to pay to park or find a spot at best at the Finley facility.
I understand the logistics of having the game take place at Finley, but it won't be Baylor/McCallie as long as it is there. If you can't deal with it being crowded then I recommend you not attend, for the second year in a row the game will be televised. And let’s not forget one more thing and that is the game is between the Baylor and McCallie Schools, not the Baylor and McCallie/GPS schools. Now, if we can only get the game back on Saturday at 2:30.
Ian B. Queen '99
Chattanooga
* * *
I agree with Bobby - gimme a break!
Of course Baylor is scared. They have tried everything, hiring college presidents, all pro/hall of fame coaches/administrators and now trying to limit attendance for the McCallie faithful for some perceived home field advantage under some guise of high school tradition. What's next, Nick Saban going to Baylor (chump change for the Big Red).
I'm looking forward to a great weekend - my 40th reunion year, McCallie beating the "red' out of Baylor again and the next day my Vols beating the "red" out of the Dawgs.
Go Blue and Big Orange.
Buck Schimpf '67
Chattanooga
* * *
With such a jewel located in the Southside of Chattanooga, Finley Stadium, it makes no sense that Baylor is throwing what is an outright temper-tantrum in insisting on the football game being played in Heywood stadium. This is one of the premier sporting events that takes place annually in Chattanooga; therefore, why not allow every interest party an opportunity to attend.
This defeats the chance that eventually when the series is less lop-sided, maybe Finley stadium could be filled in its entirety. No to mention it helps the local economy, restaurants in the Southside, and Frank Burke's impossible job of managing Finley Stadium.
This is my first five year reunion year. And I hope that my classmates traveling from across the country will have the opportunity to attend the football game. The Baylor administration needs to return to reality. They must enjoy sitting in traffic.
Knox Campbell
* * *
Bobby, Buck and Knox:
I'll bet you each a case of "whine" Baylor wins on Oct. 5.
Go Big Red!
Philip Whitaker, Baylor '79
* * *
Let me start this by saying, what’s going on here? I have to admit that when I received the little card in the mail about Baylor Alumni Weekend, I was appalled that we wouldn't be playing McCallie on that particular weekend. My wife, not being a Baylor grad, thought I was nuts for even being concerned. What fun is playing Pope John Paul II on Alumni Weekend? Where will all the Red B's and Blue M's side-by-side be? Thursday night sign painting on campus. The Spirit Palm for crying out loud. Alumni Weekend is the Baylor/McCallie game and the Baylor/McCallie game is Alumni Weekend.
Regarding the location of the game, I hate that it was held at Finley from the beginning, albeit necessary to accommodate the sheer number of fans. Why don't these two schools take some of the $20K+ (day students) tuition money and build stadiums that will accommodate the "Big Game?" I understand that certain priorities are in play here and that these schools are about education before sports and that's the way it should be, but does tradition carry any weight anymore?
Bottom line I believe that it's absurd that we won't be playing McCallie on Alumni Weekend and I think playing McCallie at a facility that's entirely too small is just a bad idea. I am sad and irritated at the state of many things at Baylor these days, but I am still a fan and a graduate. I hope that common sense will prevail by the time I'm rich and could actually afford to send my three kids to Baylor.
Andy Barber
Baylor, Class of 1992
shortgeek5555@gmail.com
* * *
Setting aside a famed rivalry that has found its way to this response (of recent alumnae and current students), this decision by Baylor is indeed ludicrous. Despite the opportunity of choice by the school, the rivalry itself has grown beyond the two, and instead has involved a whole community, in addition to years' worth of alums who flock back each year to Chattanooga for this event. Last year, 13,000 people came to Finley to celebrate a rivalry and an excellent game between excellent schools. This year, it's not happening.
In addition to giving McCallie a mere 2,500 tickets... GPS, the affiliated sister school, is left behind here. We have been affiliated with McCallie since 1906, and to be given no tickets whatsoever is not only ridiculous but a minor blow to the association of both schools.
Maria Stratienko
GPS Class of '10
* * *
Ah, Baylor-McCallie weekend. The crisp fall air on painted faces, the roar of the crowd, hanging out with your friends in the bleachers. And finally, game over, the last air horn blown, smelling the exhaust fumes in the line of cars leaving the host school's campus and sitting in traffic on McCallie Avenue or Signal Mountain Boulevard for a couple of hours.
As fond as my memories of this game are, I would be delighted to attend the meetup of these storied rivals at Finley Stadium. Fourteen years after graduation, driving my car onto campus, hoofing it from a faraway parking spot and crushing myself onto bleachers built decades ago just doesn't hold the same appeal as it did when I was a student.
Finley Stadium is an oft-underused jewel in downtown Chattanooga. Why not take advantage of its scenic setting and stands that can hold more than five times the number of fans as either Spears Stadium or Heywood Stadium? It's neutral ground, too, equidistant between McCallie and Baylor, and the lack of home team advantage, in my book, would make for a better game. Isn't that the rationale behind the Super Bowl?
If tradition were really a concern, I suspect that allowing alumni from both schools to celebrate their reunion weekends as planned over the weekend of the big game would engender more goodwill than holding the game on the Baylor campus.
But what do I know? I'm just a GPS girl, "left out in the cold," as Bill Cherry so aptly noted in the article that prompted these responses. I wouldn't be able to go anyway.
Lela Moore
GPS, Class of 1994
* * *
What a ridiculous thought for these two schools to build monster stadiums when the city has the perfect venue in Finley Stadium. A venue I might add that could benefit from the revenue of hosting this event.
Where is Baylor's sense of community? Not to mention, Finley's new state-of-the-art playing surface.
At Finley, the players from both schools would have an opportunity to play on a first-rate surface. Isn't that what both of these schools profess to be about - expanding their students' horizons?
Kemper Harr
Kempharr@floordaily.net
* * *
After reading about the Baylor/McCallie game being switched to Baylor (obviously, I must have not had much to do since I elected to read it at all), I can't help but wonder how the other schools in the Chattanooga area react to the situation.
Realistically, who cares about those schools except a bunch of traditionally rich kids/parents who for some unknown reason feel compelled to spend a fortune for a high school education, only so their kid can go to Chattanooga State or UTC. Wow, what a waste of money. Must have something to do with a "perceived" prestige, or status symbol.
Every day I read something about those two schools, and it irks me to no end. Can a public school recruit athletes like they do? Not a chance. It's no wonder that the vast majority of schools in this area will not play them, since it's not even close to a level playing field.
With the money they have, it's a disgrace they don't win a state championship in virtually every sport. Speaking of a state football championship, seems like the public schools have to play like six games to win the state? Division II has to play two, maybe three? Wonder why?
If both schools want to whine about not playing home games at home, which is where they should be played anyway, then why don't they use some of that abundance of cash they seem to have floating around and build new stadiums on their own campus?
M. Keebler
m.keebler@comcast.net
* * *
And we can't figure out why the Shiites and the Sunnis can't get along in Iraq?
It's a game, guys, a football game. Grow up and find something worth fighting for.
Racie Miller
Signal Mountain
raciemom5@netzero.net
* * *
Good grief, Ms. Miller. Give me a break.
Growing up on Signal Mountain and having graduated from Red Bank, I knew fall was here when the annual Baylor/McCallie football game was to be played. The anticipation is huge, and it's so evident that these students and graduates are so very passionate about their school/alma mater. It's been a long tradition ever since I can remember, and it's a fun weekend for all involved - win or lose.
It's innocent fun. Must we always have to think about the Sunnis and Shiites? Can't we just sit back, relax, enjoy a hot cup of cocoa and watch a little bit of history in the making?
The competitiveness has begun. Fall is in the air, and the game is about to be played. The excitement builds and will erupt at kick-off with huge roars from cheering fans....how bad is that?
Katherine C. Ingram
Atlanta
* * *
If McCallie truly feels aggrieved, they have recourse. They can suspend the series again, like they did between 1941 and 1971, when they were tired of being drummed every year by the Red Raiders.
Go Big Red,
Alex Chilton, Baylor School class of 1991
Chattanooga
alexchilton73@gmail.com
* * *
If you choose not to care then why bother respond? In the words of Colin Cowherd, if you do you better have your facts straight. Any school, public or private, who has the financial resources will bring students from other schools and other counties to their respective programs. Every school has those types of people. It goes on everywhere. If you don't think schools like Dalton, Maryville, Murfreesboro Riverdale and other public school powerhouse seek kids outside their communities for various sports then you must be that naive. Private schools may have more finances at their disposal, but it's all the same.
I would have played sports wherever I went. My parents wanted a better education, but also a better surrounding for their children. They didn't want us surrounded by a lot of the other problems that exist at a much higher percentage- pregnancies, drug rates, gangs, and other negative influences. Public schools in this county are not what they were when my parents were that age in the 50s and 60s. East Ridge (mother) and City (father) were good schools with respect to academics and surroundings when my parents were students there. It wasn't the same when I was at East Ridge before I left and from talking to my stepsister who spent the past four years there things haven't changed.
I'm not blaming that completely on the school but rather the county school system. If you don't pay and respect teachers and administrators in the way they deserve you're not going to get 100% from them. That's why people look for better jobs (especially over state lines). If you don't allocate an appropriate amount of money to the county school system then you're cutting students short who are there to learn. If you don't take accountability for your child's actions because you don't care how they live their life then most likely those individuals will influence other kids in a negative way. What parent would want their kid in that environment?
Those kids who are sought after must be able to handle the academics to get in, do well academically and obey the rules while they are there or they don't stay. If that wasn't a priority then there would most likely be more state championships. Those that didn't do well academically or violated the honor code were dismissed. There is a reason for that. It only takes one to bring down a few. The majority of people I knew from public school didn't go to college and don't have a job that supports very well. I'm not saying money is the only measuring stick, but no one likes to be "strapped for cash" and financial security is the leading cause for divorce in this country. These kids got pregnant or got someone pregnant, abuse(d) drugs, overdosed or died, dropped out, have no job or are in jail. I thank God and my parents that they did the right thing and worked very hard to send me to McCallie because I really don't know where I would be.
When a book that I read in the 8th grade is what seniors in the public schools are reading there is a problem. Colleges take academic standards of a high school into consideration. Some may not and that says something to a degree about that college. If you want to go to a good school you better take this into consideration along with your grades. Good schools with name recognition also tend to stick out more on a resume. Like McCallie and Baylor, good colleges and high schools with name recognition also provide good networks for jobs and increase the chance of landing a job. Oh, for your information, UTC has the top Business School in the state.
These schools prepare you rigorously so that when you get to college you are well prepared academically and more mature to handle responsibilities because you have had more thrust upon you at a younger age. What a waste of money. To quote my mother, "That money is actually an investment." I'm not saying someone from a public school has no chance to succeed, I know many who have, but to increase your chances of getting a job and get the best tools to improve your abilities in order to perform well is a good thing. That's why top high school football players go to Southern Cal- better players (increases your stats) + better coaches (improves your skills) = consistent success + T.V. coverage (name recognition based on success) = better chance of getting drafted or drafted early= JOB.
Playing against good players and good teams makes you better because it opens your eyes and requires you to work harder to get to that same level and it prepares you come playoff time. Maybe you're already good and just want to claim you are the best of the best. Then you need to prove that, whether you win or lose in the end. The coaches in this town and other parts of the state who want that for their kids and their schools will. Robert Aikens started scheduling Baylor when he was at Boyd. He took over a struggling Ringgold program and played Tucker, a Georgia powerhouse, to kick off the year. Tyner and McCallie have been playing football almost every year. Ringgold and Baylor have wrestling matches against each other almost every year.
There was a time when McCallie football wasn't that good and it was much longer than the past nine years of success. Like other schools kids were being sought after. We were still getting whipped by Red Bank and Soddy and so on. Those schools were putting out more talent than we were. We didn't stop playing them on account of that. Private schools seek other students, especially boarding, who qualify academically otherwise their schools don't grow. If they happen to be good at a sport so what, that's not the priority there. There's not athletic scholarships being offered, some pay full tuition, not all qualify for financial aid, many do well academically and many leave. Kid's who play sports will play regardless of where they go. They're providing a better opportunity for some and for others they are not. It depends on your priorities.
The bottom line is these coaches don't come out and make excuses. They show up and play because they aren't scared and they're teaching their kids principles. If you haven't learned already there isn't a single system in this country or any other that is purely utopian. Some people are given the short end of the stick. They don't have all the advantages. Been there and done it. If you want something in life or you're not happy with your current situation you get up, face the situation and do something to change it, you don't make excuses.
James C. Ayers '97
* * *
I am an eighth grade McCallie student who has never missed a Baylor- McCallie football game in my entire lifetime. Unfortunately I will be missing this one. I am on the bottom of the ticket chain for this year's game.
I would like to ask if there is a Baylor parent, Alumni, or student who would willingly offer me a ticket. I will pay them back at full cost and would really appreciate it if they would help keep my streak, of not missing a Baylor-McCallie football games, alive.
Alex Kent
McCallie Eighth Grade Student
alexkent@mccallie.org
* * *
Dear Ms. Miller, To imply that the good natured, if at times overly feisty, rivalry between McCallie and Baylor is even remotely similar to the blood feud between some Shite and Sunni Muslims is utterly preposterous.
While our boys die in Iraq, you compare a hometown football rivalry to the carnage that has taken thousands of young American lives.
You Mrs. Miller are a complete idiot and obviously totally confused. Need I say more?
Gene Abrams
Jasper, Tn.
genab12@yahoo.com
* * *
Ms. Miller,
What in the world does a high school football game in Chattanooga have to do with the war in Iraq, the Shiites, or the Sunnis?
David D. Cole
Martinsville, Va.
Daviddcole@va.net
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