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Why not Chattanooga??

  • Okay, so there are recruiting celebrations scheduled on Feb 7th in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville. I am guessing these locations have been picked bc of population as well as depth of possible recruits. With that said, why the hell have CBJ and staff chosen to forgo a stop or an event planned in Chattanooga??

    Arguments for: Chattanooga is closing in very quickly on Knoxville on population count and pop growth is off the charts in comparison to any other city in the state of Tennessee...PERIOD!
    -Chattanooga,in the last 3-10 years has been named to multiple major publications lists as; The
    "Smartest" city in America(based on tech advancements)...(EPB using a 100% fiber optic network
    as its backbone...only one in America)
    -One of the most affordable places to live in America.
    -One of the top cities for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike due to the total face-lift of the
    Riverfront Walkway along side with the development of the Southside Art,music and culinary
    explosion.
    -Also, with the opening of at least FIVE new very large high schools of which at least one has already
    won a state championship in the first two years of opening. This alone is a huge sign of growth.
    -Chattanooga area teams play 80-85% in at least two or more state football
    championship contests most years...granted some years there are more and some less.
    -Chattanooga was the home of arguably one of the two most famous UT players ever with
    R.White(and the other one"P.M.") has two homes here. As well as MULTIPLE pro players and UT
    standouts.
    ---I could go on and on...but Chatt. is one of the most beautiful most cultural diverse cities in the
    Southeast...PERIOD. One sign is that a very famous German company decided to make
    Chattanooga their US Headquarters after many years of studying the potential growth both culturally
    as well as in tech and population...You may have heard of them... VOLKSWAGEN, and they are
    just the tip of the iceberg folks.
    In conclusion, Chattanooga deserves what ever the other three bigs deserve or "get" to have in those cities. Oh yeah I almost forgot...Chattanooga actually has the University of Tennessee Medical Center as a part of one of the best teaching hospitals in America. No matter how lackluster the football program has been, out of all these cities chosen(aside from K-Town), Chattanooga has the only other UT system University...which BTW is growing second fastest to MTSU. We have over one million people within a 50 mile radius of Chatt. So there is ZERO reason we shouldnt be included in whatever Mem, Nash and K-Town get.

    This post was edited by utpj on 2/1/2013 at 1:14 PM

    signature image signature image signature image

    P.J. Bibby

    utpj ●

  • As a fellow Chattanoogan, I approve this message.

    There are many signatures in the world....this one is mine!

    Phlip

  • utpj said...

    Okay, so there are recruiting celebrations scheduled on Feb 7th in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville. I am guessing these locations have been picked bc of population as well as depth of possible recruits. With that said, why the hell have CBJ and staff chosen to forgo a stop or an event planned in Chattanooga??

    Arguments for: Chattanooga is closing in very quickly on Knoxville on population count and pop growth is off the charts in comparison to any other city in the state of Tennessee...PERIOD!
    -Chattanooga,in the last 3-10 years has been named to multiple major publications lists as; The
    "Smartest" city in America(based on tech advancements)...(EPB using a 100% fiber optic network
    as its backbone...only one in America)
    -One of the most affordable places to live in America.
    -One of the top cities for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike due to the total face-lift of the
    Riverfront Walkway along side with the development of the Southside Art,music and culinary
    explosion.
    -Also, with the opening of at least FIVE new very large high schools of which at least one has already
    won a state championship in the first two years of opening. This alone is a huge sign of growth.
    -Chattanooga area teams play 80-85% in at least two or more state football
    championship contests most years...granted some years there are more and some less.
    -Chattanooga was the home of arguably the one of the two most famous UT players ever with R.White
    as well as MULTIPLE pro players and UT standouts.
    ---I could go on and on...but Chatt. is one of the most beautiful most cultural diverse cities in the
    Southeast...PERIOD. One sign is that a very famous German company decided to make
    Chattanooga their US Headquarters after many years of studying the potential growth both culturally
    as well as in tech and population...You may have heard of them... VOLKSWAGEN, and they are
    just the tip of the iceberg folks.
    In conclusion, Chattanooga deserves what ever the other three bigs deserve or "get" to have in those cities. Oh yeah I almost forgot...Chattanooga actually has the University of Tennessee Medical Center as a part of one of the best teaching hospitals in America. No matter how lackluster the football program has been, out of all these cities chosen(aside from K-Town), Chattanooga has the only other UT system University...which BTW is growing second fastest to MTSU. We have over one million people within a 50 mile radius of Chatt. So there is ZERO reason we shouldnt be included in whatever Mem, Nash and K-Town get.

    As you said, Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville are the three largest cities in the state, and Knoxville pretty much has to get one. Memphis and Nashville are no-brainers for the other stops, and that's no knock on Chattanooga. It probably has to do with the time involved in making those stops, as much as anything. I don't think UT would have time for more than three events like that in one day.

    Plus, If you throw in Chattanooga, then the Tri-Cities would want a stop. Then, Clarksville would feel left out if it didn't get one. Then, Murfreesboro would want one. You have to stop somewhere.

    This post has been edited 4 times, most recently by Ryan Callahan on 2/1/2013 at 1:14 PM

    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan ●

  • They are all on the same day- I fourth stop might be too much.

    signature image signature image signature image

    OrangeVol79

  • Ryan Callahan said...

    As you said, Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville are the three largest cities in the state, and Knoxville pretty much has to get one. Memphis and Nashville are no-brainers for the other stops, and that's no knock on Chattanooga. It probably has to do with the time involved in making those stops, as much as anything. I don't think UT would have time for more than three events like that in one day.

    Plus, If you throw in Chattanooga, then the Tri-Cities would want a stop. Then, Clarksville would feel left out if it didn't get one. Then, Murfreesboro would want one. You have to stop somewhere.

    I get that Ryan but Chattanooga is on pace to overtake K-Town within the next 4-10 years in population.
    We are right smack in the middle of Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham and K-Town. So we have a geographical advantage that NO other city can come close to.
    Also, Tri-Cities can be included in K-Town celebration, Clarksville w Memphis and Murf. w Nashville. Where do the 550,000 ppl in and around Chattanooga go?? BW3's. There is nothing and that is total BS with the shear population we have. I GUARANTEE Ryan that Chattanooga is more dedicated ORANGE BLOOD city than Nash and Mem.

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    P.J. Bibby

    utpj ●

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  • utpj said...

    I get that Ryan but Chattanooga is on pace to overtake K-Town within the next 4-10 years in population. We are right smack in the middle of Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham and K-Town. So we have a geographical advantage that NO other city can come close to. Also, Tri-Cities can be included in K-Town celebration, Clarksville w Memphis and Murf. w Nashville. Where do the 550,000 ppl in and around Chattanooga go?? BW3's. There is nothing and that is total BS with the shear population we have. I GUARANTEE Ryan that Chattanooga is more dedicated ORANGE BLOOD city than Nash and Mem.

    Again, I really don't think there's any chance Tennessee wouldn't hold a post-signing-day recruiting celebration in Knoxville. Even the past couple of years, when UT hasn't traveled across the state for recruiting celebrations in Memphis and Nashville, the Vols have held one in Knoxville. A very large percentage of UT's fan base happens to be within a short drive of Knoxville, so I don't think Chattanooga's continued growth is going to cause Chattanooga to supplant Knoxville as a destination for an event like this.

    Second, Nashville and Memphis are hugely important to UT all the time, and especially now that the program has fallen on hard times in recent years. The Vols' administration and new coaching staff understand that they need to have a major presence in Memphis and Nashville to remain more visible in those cities than they've been in recent years, for both recruiting purposes and for the sake of unifying and building the fan base. As you said, Chattanooga is a more dedicated "orange-blooded" city than Nashville or Memphis. Still, there are lots of UT fans in Nashville and Memphis, simply because those cities are so big, and UT has to fight to build an even bigger following in those cities.

    Also, Clarksville with Memphis? Clarksville is 45 minutes from Nashville and more than three hours from Memphis.

    This post was edited by Ryan Callahan on 2/1/2013 at 2:03 PM

    Staff writer for govols247 — http://www.twitter.com/RyanCallahan247 — rcallahan@247sports.com

    Ryan Callahan ●

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    VolBaller33

  • Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville cover East, West and Middle TN and are the three most populated areas. It's a no brainer to me.

    dogassnat

  • Why not Chattanooga? Because UT wants to hold a celebration in each region of the state -- East, Middle and West. If Chattanooga residents want to attend the celebration, they're an hour and a half from Knoxville. There's no doubt Chattanooga is a loyal and useful city for the Vols, but I think you're reading a bit much into UT's decision not to hold a celebration there.

    WesVols

  • utpj said...

    I get that Ryan but Chattanooga is on pace to overtake K-Town within the next 4-10 years in population.
    We are right smack in the middle of Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham and K-Town. So we have a geographical advantage that NO other city can come close to.
    Also, Tri-Cities can be included in K-Town celebration, Clarksville w Memphis and Murf. w Nashville. Where do the 550,000 ppl in and around Chattanooga go?? BW3's. There is nothing and that is total BS with the shear population we have. I GUARANTEE Ryan that Chattanooga is more dedicated ORANGE BLOOD city than Nash and Mem.

    Actually its the same from the tricities as it is from Chattanooga to Knoxville.

    But I see your point, and I would suggest voicing your concern to UT. Chattanooga is a great town.

    wataugavol ●

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    P.J. Bibby

    utpj ●

  • WesVols said...

    Why not Chattanooga? Because UT wants to hold a celebration in each region of the state -- East, Middle and West. If Chattanooga residents want to attend the celebration, they're an hour and a half from Knoxville. There's no doubt Chattanooga is a loyal and useful city for the Vols, but I think you're reading a bit much into UT's decision not to hold a celebration there.

    Guess what... we are an hour and a half from Nashville too and Atlanta and Birmingham. The last two mentioned are and should be one sole reason to include Chattanooga because we have Vol fans in both of those Large cities who may come to Chatt. but not want to go to Knox or nash.

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    P.J. Bibby

    utpj ●

  • Phlip said...

    As a fellow Chattanoogan, I approve this message.

    Same here.

    Puddin Gooden ●

  • WesVols said...

    Why not Chattanooga? Because UT wants to hold a celebration in each region of the state -- East, Middle and West. If Chattanooga residents want to attend the celebration, they're an hour and a half from Knoxville. There's no doubt Chattanooga is a loyal and useful city for the Vols, but I think you're reading a bit much into UT's decision not to hold a celebration there.

    I concur with WesVols...

    While I would support a Chattanooga stop for all the reasons cited (and I really really like Chattanooga!) I suspect the city selection is to incorporate the three grand divisions of the state: east, middle, and west. Those three cities make the most sense in that regard, and none of them could be omitted in lieu of Chattanooga.

    Tri-cities could make equal arguments due to its proximity to VA and the Carolinas, etc.

    Maybe they could have some other "celebratory" visits to the "secondary" towns at a later date? (wait....isn't that sort of what the Big Orange Caravan is for?) confused

    TNRacedoc ●

  • utpj said...

    Guess what... we are an hour and a half from Nashville too and Atlanta and Birmingham. The last two mentioned are and should be one sole reason to include Chattanooga because we have Vol fans in both of those Large cities who may come to Chatt. but not want to go to Knox or nash.

    They have to stop somewhere. As draining as signing day is, three stops around the state are plenty. Chattanooga, Atlanta, Birmingham and others get visits from the Vol Caravan later in the Spring.

    Again, I don't think anyone here is insulting Chattanooga, and I certainly don't think UT is. But the fact that Chattanooga is affordable and one of the top cities for outdoor enthusiasts hardly has any bearing on UT's decision on where to hold an event for UT fans, especially when time and budget are limited.

    WesVols

  • TNRacedoc said...

    I concur with WesVols...

    While I would support a Chattanooga stop for all the reasons cited (and I really really like Chattanooga!) I suspect the city selection is to incorporate the three grand divisions of the state: east, middle, and west. Those three cities make the most sense in that regard, and none of them could be omitted in lieu of Chattanooga.

    Tri-cities could make equal arguments due to its proximity to VA and the Carolinas, etc.

    Maybe they could have some other "celebratory" visits to the "secondary" towns at a later date? (wait....isn't that sort of what the Big Orange Caravan is for?) confused

    I agree with the visiting of East, Middle and West and I get it...I really do. But like you mentioned about the Tri-Cities being close to Va. and NC and I mentioned the proximity of Chatt. to ATL and B-Ham...both are important but I would just guess that the population areas are more dense around the Chatt. area. They are both kind of geographic areas in there own right.

    And Ryan, I would never want to or think Chatt should take anyone's spot...Just be added bc of unique geographic areas. I also agree that since Chatt is so ORANGE that it makes sense to push harder where we have more competition from big time programs. But, you cant just disregard Chattown man and there has been zero mention

    signature image signature image signature image

    P.J. Bibby

    utpj ●

  • WesVols said...

    They have to stop somewhere. As draining as signing day is, three stops around the state are plenty. Chattanooga, Atlanta, Birmingham and others get visits from the Vol Caravan later in the Spring.

    Again, I don't think anyone here is insulting Chattanooga, and I certainly don't think UT is. But the fact that Chattanooga is affordable and one of the top cities for outdoor enthusiasts hardly has any bearing on UT's decision on where to hold an event for UT fans, especially when time and budget are limited.

    WesVols, I was just mentioning these ancillary facts about Chattanooga to make a point we are no slouch as a quality city and hell...if the Germans make a home here can't the UT just make a stop.

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    P.J. Bibby

    utpj ●

  • utpj said...

    Okay, so there are recruiting celebrations scheduled on Feb 7th in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville. I am guessing these locations have been picked bc of population as well as depth of possible recruits. With that said, why the hell have CBJ and staff chosen to forgo a stop or an event planned in Chattanooga??

    Arguments for: Chattanooga is closing in very quickly on Knoxville on population count and pop growth is off the charts in comparison to any other city in the state of Tennessee...PERIOD!
    -Chattanooga,in the last 3-10 years has been named to multiple major publications lists as; The
    "Smartest" city in America(based on tech advancements)...(EPB using a 100% fiber optic network
    as its backbone...only one in America)
    -One of the most affordable places to live in America.
    -One of the top cities for outdoor enthusiasts and families alike due to the total face-lift of the
    Riverfront Walkway along side with the development of the Southside Art,music and culinary
    explosion.
    -Also, with the opening of at least FIVE new very large high schools of which at least one has already
    won a state championship in the first two years of opening. This alone is a huge sign of growth.
    -Chattanooga area teams play 80-85% in at least two or more state football
    championship contests most years...granted some years there are more and some less.
    -Chattanooga was the home of arguably one of the two most famous UT players ever with
    R.White(and the other one"P.M.") has two homes here. As well as MULTIPLE pro players and UT
    standouts.
    ---I could go on and on...but Chatt. is one of the most beautiful most cultural diverse cities in the
    Southeast...PERIOD. One sign is that a very famous German company decided to make
    Chattanooga their US Headquarters after many years of studying the potential growth both culturally
    as well as in tech and population...You may have heard of them... VOLKSWAGEN, and they are
    just the tip of the iceberg folks.
    In conclusion, Chattanooga deserves what ever the other three bigs deserve or "get" to have in those cities. Oh yeah I almost forgot...Chattanooga actually has the University of Tennessee Medical Center as a part of one of the best teaching hospitals in America. No matter how lackluster the football program has been, out of all these cities chosen(aside from K-Town), Chattanooga has the only other UT system University...which BTW is growing second fastest to MTSU. We have over one million people within a 50 mile radius of Chatt. So there is ZERO reason we shouldnt be included in whatever Mem, Nash and K-Town get.

    Thanks for making me homesick. +1

    muskogeeVol ●

  • Chattanoogans stand strong rockon

    TheDannyHawkins

  • Also wondering why I get 2 down votes for calling someone a smarta**...who was being a s Smarta** just to be one... He had zero to say on the subject and just wanted to make someone feel like an ass for trying to support their city????? I thought that that those on this board were a bit more intellectual than all the other boards and that's why I pay for it.
    Will be blocking all jacka*** who are only here to confront and be non productive smarta***.

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    P.J. Bibby

    utpj ●

  • As someone born and raised in Chattanooga, I have to agree with the OP, but only to a point. From a scheduling and logistical perspective, there's no way to fit four separate events into one day. The only way adding Chattanooga to the mix works is if you spread the events out over two days. You could set up a schedule with Memphis/Nashville on one day, and Chattanooga/Knoxville on the second, or even Memphis/Nashville/Chattanooga on one day, with Knoxville on its own day for the big celebration. That would also allow the flexibility to add the Tricities to the mix at some point.

    When Chattanooga over takes Knoxville for the 3rd largest city in Tennessee (Chattanooga was only about 11k behind Knoxville in the 2010 census), then you might see UT splitting these celebrations into two days and fitting Chattanooga into the schedule. But as long as everything is held on the same day, there's just no room to squeeze in a Chattanooga stop.

    This post was edited by tntoak on 2/1/2013 at 2:59 PM

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    tntoak

  • tntoak said...

    As someone born and raised in Chattanooga, I have to agree with the OP, but only to a point. From a scheduling and logistical perspective, there's no way to fit four seperate events into one day. The only way adding Chattanooga to the mix is if you spread the events out over two days. You could set up a schedule with Memphis/Nashville on one day, and Chattanooga/Knoxville on the second, or even Memphis/Nashville/Chattanooga on one day, with Knoxville on its own day for the big celebration. That would also allow the flexibility to add the Tricities to the mix at some point.

    When Chattanooga over takes Knoxville for the 3rd largest city in Tennessee (Chattannoga was only about 11k behind Knoxville in the 2010 census), then you might see UT splitting these celebrations into two days and fitting Chattanooga into the schedule. But as long as everything is held on the same day, there's just no room to squeeze in a Chattanooga stop.

    Great post +1. I think you summed it up very nicely and have a good suggestion for the two day celebration.

    dogassnat

  • tntoak said...

    As someone born and raised in Chattanooga, I have to agree with the OP, but only to a point. From a scheduling and logistical perspective, there's no way to fit four seperate events into one day. The only way adding Chattanooga to the mix is if you spread the events out over two days. You could set up a schedule with Memphis/Nashville on one day, and Chattanooga/Knoxville on the second, or even Memphis/Nashville/Chattanooga on one day, with Knoxville on its own day for the big celebration. That would also allow the flexibility to add the Tricities to the mix at some point.

    When Chattanooga over takes Knoxville for the 3rd largest city in Tennessee (Chattannoga was only about 11k behind Knoxville in the 2010 census), then you might see UT splitting these celebrations into two days and fitting Chattanooga into the schedule. But as long as everything is held on the same day, there's just no room to squeeze in a Chattanooga stop.

    Great points Toak!! That is something I hadn't thought of and is a superb idea...even adding the Tri-Cities eventually. It would be really difficult to not come to Chattanooga once our pop is third largest.

    signature image signature image signature image

    P.J. Bibby

    utpj ●

  • Hey... whoever is giving me downvotes. Thank you so much. I am so glad you care about me to try and make me a better poster. I am all choked up man cry
    I have officially encountered my first true jerk on here...too bad

    This post was edited by utpj on 2/1/2013 at 3:05 PM

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    P.J. Bibby

    utpj ●

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