Championship Weekend in Indianapolis

The first Big Ten Football Championship set a high bar that will be tough to reach. However the folks in Indianapolis are eager to top this performance. The game on the field matched the level of hospitality by the locals. It was an outstanding weekend for fans of football and those of the Big Ten as their game took center stage.

In the massive Indiana Convention Center the conference held Fan Fest in association with the game at nearby Lucas Oil Stadium. On display was a over sized replica of the trophy Michigan State and Wisconsin were fighting for. Many took the opportunity to get their picture with it as it rotated behind ropes.

It was a corporate sponsor heaven. Dr. Pepper had a major presence as it does at many of the conference championship games. Samples were being distributed by an army of interns.

 

And on the exhibition field Dr. Pepper set up large cans for fans to throw football through. The night before couches were brought in for the Award Gala. Student-athletes from all conference schools who won awards were paired with the individuals those awards were named after. Clark and Butkus were among the notable athletes as the different player of the year awards were handed out.

 Sports Illustrated also played major role in the fan interaction area. Fans were allowed to test out the football knowledge and compete against fans from other teams to see who knew more. The Heisman display has travelled across the country in 2011.

 Bowl reps were frequently found promoting their games and local area. Representatives of the Insight, Fiesta, Orange and Rose were those making themselves available during their time in Indianapolis. But then there were those who walked around wearing orange jackets with ironed on patches as seen above from Ray Gilmore of Iowa City.

Wisconsin Red and Michigan State Green were the dominant colors trolling through the streets this Christmas season. The Indiana Convention Center also hosted pre-game alumni and fan parties for both the Spartans and the Badgers.

 And Indianapolis rolled out the red carpets for the VIPs. A pregame party for those representing the different conference schools was found above the Fan Fest entrance with outstanding food, dessert and drinks. Another opportunity for bowl reps to promote their destinations and school administrators to explain why their school is the only option to those same bowl reps.

The home to the Big Ten Championship through 2015 is Lucas Oil Stadium. It will also be the home to NFL's Super Bowl and Combine in 2012.

 The Big Ten Network is also owned by Fox Corporation. The Big Ten Football Championship was found on Fox as part of the agreement. Gus Johnson and Charles Davis had the call, but former Minnesota football coach, Tim Brewster was on the sideline. In one of Brewster's final game as head coach of the Gophers, he and Wisconsin Head Coach, Bret Bielema had a verbal disagreement at mid-field. But at the Championship game the two spent time with Brewster remaining on the Michigan State sidelines, reporting from there.

A thing of the past is for the Big Ten Championship to be secured on a team's home field. Now trophies will be presented at Indianapolis at the conclusion of the game. Here Wisconsin accepts their trophy and invitation to the Rose Bowl

NFL Network at the NFL Combine

The NFL Combine has always been noteworthy, but the attention that surrounds it has never been greater, and much of that is in due to the NFL Network's constant live coverage. Who would think that watching college kids run the 40 yd dash in nothing but tights would garner such an audience, but for those football fans who are looking for anything to get them from the Super Bowl to the draft can't get enough of this yearly event.

And the set up for the network is more than just a couple of cameras. Along with the multiple lenses focusing on the network talent, there are many cameras sharing the field with that of the NFL Video Directors trying to get every move, stumble, drill and catch among all of the participants over five days. The set up should be detailed as it becomes the network's studio for close to a week. Located on the lower level of Lucas Oil Stadium, the stage overlooks the playing field and platforms, monitors, white boards as well as lights constantly focus on Rich Eisen and his former football analysts.

Lucas Oil Stadium

Beginning with this upcoming season, the Big Ten Conference will stage their own championship game in Indianapolis. It will be their first and it is a result of the added 12th team with Nebraska. During the recent Big Ten Video Meetings, the coordinators were allowed to take a tour of Indy's newest facility that also hosts the NFL's Colts.

 

 There are many unknowns for the conference as they get into the championship game business. Indianapolis has been a great host for the Big Ten as the city has hosted the conference's basketball tournaments for both the men and women. And not only has Indianapolis been the host for its conference tournaments, but it has also had the opportunity to host the NCAA basketball championships.

While the conference is still working on many of the details, one of the teams will use the host Colts locker room. It is among the nicest in the NFL, and is only used for the season home games by the team. The other locker room is just as nice, but not as flashy giving teams more than ample space to dress and meet. The Colts locker room has a separate team meeting room adjacent to its locker room, an addition not found in many current stadiums. (And no, we did not find out which locker belonged to Peyton, Dallas or Angerer).

Space is not an issue in Lucas Oil Stadium. This is the home team's training room, and is the size of many day to day training facilities. The advantage of utilizing the Colts game day facility is the proximity to the playing field. Built in mind with a 12 minute half time, it was important to give the Colts as much time as possible during the break.

Set up for the NFL combine, this convention area located underneath the end zone bleachers is used as a staging area for concerts as well as meeting space adjacent to the Indy Convention Center. When Lucas Oil is transformed into an arena for concerts, this area houses the artist's tour bus providing quick access to the stage.

This is one of two booths where the Hawkeye Radio Network will broadcast the game from. This is the visiting radio booth, which sits adjacent to the visiting coaches booth and video platform. There is no level higher in Lucas Oil and it is on this level that also is the home to the print media.

Although there are no night games in the Big Ten after October 31st, the championship game may appear on the Fox Network in prime time. Also slated for Fox on Championship Saturday are the Conference USA and Pac 12 title games.

The Road Ends Here

If youd've been watching the National Basketball Semi-Finals you've seen the slogan which is associated with the Final Four, "The Road Ends Here." It will end for both teams Monday night. Duke or hometown favorite, Butler will leave Lucas Oil Stadium as a National Champion. There will be many comparisons for this match-up. "David vs Goliath" will be one as well as the local favorite of comparing Butler to Hickory in the 80's classic, "Hoosiers." Compare it however you want, but this will be a match-up of two teams who are playing some good basketball. One with a coach who has played on this stage numerous times in Mike Kaczyszewski. But Butler is the "little engine that could." Champion of the Horizon League, the Bulldogs enter the championship for the first time and will represent all "mid-majors" as they take ont he storied Duke program.

This isn't necessarily the two teams CBS was looking for. Duke is always a good sell for television ratings, but Butler brings little prominence to the table. Although there is a good back story to the Bulldogs, CBS risks losing an audience if the game is sluggish, or one-sided to the Blue Devils early on.