Here is a good one for a slow news day, “Where should the University of Maryland be located”? This is to be taken in the context of location for the sports teams. Mainly football and basketball.
For those that ask, “what is wrong with College Park?” the answer is nothing. The issue has been that since it is in the middle of a sports metroplex, the Terps get 2nd (3rd, 4th and sometimes 5th) billing on the local marquee.
Counting the major headliners in the area, Redskins, Ravens, Capitals, Wizards, Orioles, Nationals, Gtown, and if you believe the Washington Post UVa, PSU and VT, it is hard to be the main draw.
There are not that many major metro area successes for college ball. Especially football. The U and USC are two. I am hard pressed to think of another. Lets try listing cities and see if any big-time football programs come to mind. New York, nope. Chicago, yes (Notre Dame) but they are not even in state. Dallas, no. Denver, U of Colorado and that is over an hour away. Boston, BC but they have the same problems as the Terps. Minneapolis, the Gophers – not too much to discuss there.
So let me close by asking, two questions. First, do you think that the Football team would benefit if it was the only game in town? If so, the second question is where would you put the team?
Here is a short list, but please add your own:
(a) Hagerstown
(b) Salisbury
(c) Frostburg
Let me know what you think.
For personal reasons, I wish the UMD was located closer to Baltimore. Unfortunately, the Terps are perceived as a Washington team, and get less coverage in the media here.
Nerdwin
i think Rockville because Rockville is the third biggest city in Maryland and it Dosen't have a sports team