On the barnstorming idea

I would love to see the Quakes strike a deal with Santa Clara U where they would pay a similar amount that SJSU used to charge -- and Santa Clara would put that money into Buck Shaw improvements. Don't know if it's workable... but it sure would be fun to see the Quakes play in a small but first-class stadium.

 

I don't see Kezar happening since the Vics play there. And Bay Meadows is out automatically since after this fall it won't exist anymore.

 

BOO.

Barnstorming is a terrible idea unless the team is incredible and a ton of money will be poured into promotion.




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Does anyone know what Bay Meadows will become after it is torn down, because that seems like it could be an area where a stadium could be built.

 

It's slated to become what all open land in the Bay Area becomes... a housing development.

But it would have made a nice stadium site with access to 3 freeways and the east bay via the San Mateo Bridge.

 

It's just conjecture. We don't know yet. I'm sure Lew Wolff isn't an advocate of the barnstorming idea.

 

-PAL could work with some decent temporary stands. Anyone who thought Spartan was in the ghetto will shit their pants, though.
-Kezar is nice and there are fans up there, but I don't know how the coexistence with the Vics will stand.
-Stanford Stadium is the obvious choice for big games.
-AT&T would be awkward and expensive.
-That stadium at Cal looks like a Serie C Brazilian facility.
-Bay Meadows...what?
-Buck Shaw would be like PAL but in a nicer area (not to me but other people).
-UCDavis has a nice facility but it's way the hell up there and I think they play on plastic which is stupid with that heat. The only plus is that I'd get to use the stadium which took forever to get built and I never once saw as a student there for four years.

I guess Stanford and Buck Shaw are the obvious choices, but that's not a very big footprint. It'd be nice to share the wealth a bit more. Also, neither of those are actually in SJ, which may be a little odd considering they'll be jumping around.

 

Didn't Alioto say as much. He said 2-3 venues. I think this barnstorming comment in SI was taken out of context or blow out of proportion.

 

True, but both have great transit access and Buck Shaw is a good kick from the new stadium site at FMC. Makes it an obvious choice.

 

That's why this will never happen. Not to worry, Alioto has said it won't be more than 3 venues. So the moving around will be limited.

 

Actually, you will probably shit your pants because the place only has one bathroom.

PAL will never work. There is only one way in and out of there and parking is limited.

 

My guess is that none of the smaller venues will be considered because of inadequate parking and facilities.

There could be a game at Kezar, but, I doubt it. Look for a combination of Stanford, Oakland Colisseum (or whatever they call the place) and maybe a game or two in Davis.

It is unfortunate that Spartan is out of the picture, since it really was the most logical (and best) temporary venue.

 

I'd like to not drive 120 miles to see a game, so I'm all for games at UC Davis. Otherwise, it's all the same to me.

Isn't it great to actually worry about where games are instead of whether we're getting a team?

 

Yeah, but Spartan also has some bad vibes associated with it. Both from SJSU turning us down earlier this year, and the fact it has lost not one but two versions of the SJE.

 

I can see Stanfurd and Kezar working well. The Vics have to travel, so there will be some open dates at Kezar, especially if the Vics fold. (I really, really hope not!! Live on Victory!!!)

I could also see the Quakes play at one of the high schools in San Jose. Where does San Jose High play? Independence High in East San Jose has a 10k seat stadium. But it's a football stadium. I don't know how highly crowned it is. I think there's a track around it too, so that might not be good. Unless they expand the field onto the track for four or five games.

PAL sounds good too. I know it's small, but if they could bring in some bleachers why not?

Still, I hope that we are talking about three or four games at Kezar, three or four at PAL or elsewhere in San Jose (what about the soccer facility in Morgan Hill?), and the majority of matches at Stanfurd.

GO QUAKES!!!!!!!!
GO UC SANTA CRUZ!!!!!!

- Mark

 

Bad vibes? I'll take bad vibes over all the real problems that will be encountered at some of the other venues that have been suggested.

And remember, Spartan was a difficult place for opponents to play in.

But, I guess it is all a moot point now.

 

If more than about 2000 people showed up at PAL, the parking lot would be full, and it's only accessible from one direction via a 2-lane residential street in what is not San Jose's most attractive neighborhood.

 

True it is moot. But also remember any advantage we may have had left with our old team. The new guys would be at just as big a disadvantage as the visitors.

 

UC Davis would be a great option to host some games. Since my girlfriend goes to school there and use to live down the street from the stadium in the dorms, I have seen it and it looks great. It will open this coming fall and many people are excited. There will be less people from the Bay Area there, but fans from Davis and the Sacramento area will surely attend in huge numbers. Besides, the Earthquakes want to be the team of Northern California. What better way to promote and give other fans an opportunity to see them in their own area than this?

 

in order of priority


1. Spartan Stadium (they can play a couple games there, why not. easy money for SJSU and wont be too much of a heckle for them. That and the fact that it was their old home and it would be cool to see the stadium painted blue again.)
2. McAfee Coliseum (Home of the Oakland A's, Lew Wolff's team. Also, seating arrangements and parking will be both plentiful and convenient, as well as location since its not too far from San Jose and still surrounded by mass population. Ticket sales would be a hit there.)
3. Stanford Stadium (you guys saw the Chelsea/Club America Game. THAT PLACE WAS PACKED. Now get the quakes on the field against a team like the Galaxy or Dynamo and that place will be rocking as well.)



but other than that, the only other place that would make logical sense is AT&T Park. The rest of the options are just bogus due to location, seating, and parking abilities.

 

When I attended UDC, Santa Clara was the best-represented California county at the school. Maybe that's worth something.