Fraggle145
5/18/2007, 10:19 AM
Sorry if this has already been posted, didnt see it on the 1st page.
http://newsok.com/article/3054630
Sooner fans can hold onto their seats
John Helsley
The Oklahoman
Tunnel talk played as a posturing sideshow to the 2006 Red River Rivalry.
Turns out now, it was just that: talk.
Longhorns fans deserved a shot at sitting in the south end zone of the Cotton Bowl, site of the famed tunnel that feeds teams onto the classic stadium's playing field so said Texas officials during negotiations for continuing the series with OU in Dallas.
But after making seating arrangements a key issue in a deal to keep the game in the Cotton Bowl through 2010 since expanded through 2015 Texas officials now say they're staying put, maintaining a hold on the north half of the Cotton Bowl.
"The contract allows the home team to pick, and we're leaving it the way it was, Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds told the Dallas Morning News on Monday.
Texas is the home team for 2007.
Dodds offered a much different take last October, when the future site of the series hung in the balance and the perceived edge enjoyed by Sooners fans over the tunnel became a bargaining point.
And he seemed to represent Longhorns fans.
"The tunnel is so historic, Kevin Hickson, a Texas fan from Brownsville told The Oklahoman just before last year's kickoff. "Such a big tradition. We'd like a chance to enjoy it.
Or not. Dodds noted three factors behind maintaining a status quo that has seen OU fans occupy the south end annually for decades.
Improved "security around the tunnel; view of the Cotton Bowl's new giant video board over the tunnel; and band seating that may accommodate the school's band in the south end, Dodds told the Morning News.
The option shifts to the Sooners for 2008. Might OU reconsider its stance to see how the 'Horns half lives?
"We understand that Texas has made its decision for 2007, and it is unlikely we would change the seating for 2008, OU spokesman Kenny Mossman said.
DMN edition (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/051507dnspocottonbowl.3155f75.html) pretty much the same, with more Hook 'em slant
By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
AUSTIN Even though Texas won the right to sit over the tunnel at the Cotton Bowl for its annual showdown with Oklahoma, Longhorns athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Monday UT will continue to sit in the end zone opposite the tunnel.
"The contract allows the home team to pick, and we're leaving it the way it was," said Dodds, referring to the game's unique seating in which fans from each team are split down the 50-yard-line.
Texas is the home team for this year's Red River Rivalry and figured to take advantage of its newly acquired right to sit over the tunnel, where Oklahoma fans have sat for years.
Dodds said Monday there are three reasons why Texas is staying put: 1) improved "security" around the tunnel; 2) the ability to see a giant replay screen that sits over the tunnel; and 3) band seating.
For the past few years, portable screens have been used to cover the tunnel and block fans from seeing when the teams are in the tunnel. This has limited disruptive behavior towards the players from the stands. The fans sitting over the tunnel also have their backs to the giant replay screen in the Cotton Bowl.
Dodds said the Texas band is so big the school might have had to bring a reduced band because the tunnel eats into some choice seating.
The Sooners' long tradition of sitting over the Cotton Bowl tunnel was once considered a big mental advantage. OU fans could yell directly at UT players, and over the years, the occasional cup of beer or other debris was dumped on players' heads. UT officials voiced their displeasure.
Texas argued for and secured the right for the home team to choose where it sits when the two teams agreed to a five-year extension * through 2010 * before last season. The two schools have since agreed to another extension, keeping the game at the Cotton Bowl through 2015.
OU spokesman Kenny Mossman confirmed on Monday that Texas has notified the Sooners about its desire to continue sitting in the end zone opposite the tunnel. The home school has to inform the other of its decision in the spring for ticket printing purposes.
OU officials know sitting over the tunnel is still a big deal to their fans. During contract negotiations in 2006, they agreed to switch sides just to move talks along so the game would stay in Dallas.
"We didn't have to agree to anything," OU athletic director Joe Castiglione told The News last October. "Let's make it loud and clear to everybody, there are always choices."
http://newsok.com/article/3054630
Sooner fans can hold onto their seats
John Helsley
The Oklahoman
Tunnel talk played as a posturing sideshow to the 2006 Red River Rivalry.
Turns out now, it was just that: talk.
Longhorns fans deserved a shot at sitting in the south end zone of the Cotton Bowl, site of the famed tunnel that feeds teams onto the classic stadium's playing field so said Texas officials during negotiations for continuing the series with OU in Dallas.
But after making seating arrangements a key issue in a deal to keep the game in the Cotton Bowl through 2010 since expanded through 2015 Texas officials now say they're staying put, maintaining a hold on the north half of the Cotton Bowl.
"The contract allows the home team to pick, and we're leaving it the way it was, Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds told the Dallas Morning News on Monday.
Texas is the home team for 2007.
Dodds offered a much different take last October, when the future site of the series hung in the balance and the perceived edge enjoyed by Sooners fans over the tunnel became a bargaining point.
And he seemed to represent Longhorns fans.
"The tunnel is so historic, Kevin Hickson, a Texas fan from Brownsville told The Oklahoman just before last year's kickoff. "Such a big tradition. We'd like a chance to enjoy it.
Or not. Dodds noted three factors behind maintaining a status quo that has seen OU fans occupy the south end annually for decades.
Improved "security around the tunnel; view of the Cotton Bowl's new giant video board over the tunnel; and band seating that may accommodate the school's band in the south end, Dodds told the Morning News.
The option shifts to the Sooners for 2008. Might OU reconsider its stance to see how the 'Horns half lives?
"We understand that Texas has made its decision for 2007, and it is unlikely we would change the seating for 2008, OU spokesman Kenny Mossman said.
DMN edition (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/051507dnspocottonbowl.3155f75.html) pretty much the same, with more Hook 'em slant
By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]
AUSTIN Even though Texas won the right to sit over the tunnel at the Cotton Bowl for its annual showdown with Oklahoma, Longhorns athletic director DeLoss Dodds said Monday UT will continue to sit in the end zone opposite the tunnel.
"The contract allows the home team to pick, and we're leaving it the way it was," said Dodds, referring to the game's unique seating in which fans from each team are split down the 50-yard-line.
Texas is the home team for this year's Red River Rivalry and figured to take advantage of its newly acquired right to sit over the tunnel, where Oklahoma fans have sat for years.
Dodds said Monday there are three reasons why Texas is staying put: 1) improved "security" around the tunnel; 2) the ability to see a giant replay screen that sits over the tunnel; and 3) band seating.
For the past few years, portable screens have been used to cover the tunnel and block fans from seeing when the teams are in the tunnel. This has limited disruptive behavior towards the players from the stands. The fans sitting over the tunnel also have their backs to the giant replay screen in the Cotton Bowl.
Dodds said the Texas band is so big the school might have had to bring a reduced band because the tunnel eats into some choice seating.
The Sooners' long tradition of sitting over the Cotton Bowl tunnel was once considered a big mental advantage. OU fans could yell directly at UT players, and over the years, the occasional cup of beer or other debris was dumped on players' heads. UT officials voiced their displeasure.
Texas argued for and secured the right for the home team to choose where it sits when the two teams agreed to a five-year extension * through 2010 * before last season. The two schools have since agreed to another extension, keeping the game at the Cotton Bowl through 2015.
OU spokesman Kenny Mossman confirmed on Monday that Texas has notified the Sooners about its desire to continue sitting in the end zone opposite the tunnel. The home school has to inform the other of its decision in the spring for ticket printing purposes.
OU officials know sitting over the tunnel is still a big deal to their fans. During contract negotiations in 2006, they agreed to switch sides just to move talks along so the game would stay in Dallas.
"We didn't have to agree to anything," OU athletic director Joe Castiglione told The News last October. "Let's make it loud and clear to everybody, there are always choices."