Perles hopes for Spartan presence at Motor City Bowl
George Perles
If former MSU football head coach George Perles could have his way, MSU’s football team would have been chosen to play in the Motor City Bowl the day it became bowl eligible.
But it’s not that easy.
Since defeating Penn State and securing a seventh win, a whirlwind of speculation has surrounded the football team as to which holiday bowl game will host the Spartans. The Dec. 26 Motor City Bowl, of which Perles is the CEO, is a top contender.
The Motor City Bowl, in its 11th year, typically features a Mid-American Conference (this year, most likely Central Michigan or Miami (Ohio)) and a Big Ten team each postseason squaring off at Ford Field in Detroit.
And with Perles’ legacy as a coach, player and trustee at MSU and his position as CEO of the Motor City Bowl, his first choice would be to have the Green and White run out of the tunnel in Detroit.
“We’d love to have Michigan State,” Perles, said. “That’d be our first choice. But that’s not our call right now. We have to wait to see what happens. We’re just happy to have a Big Ten team.”
Preventing the Motor City Bowl officials from taking the Spartans are bowls that have higher priority in choosing teams to participate. Since MSU finished the season with an identical record to Indiana and Purdue, the three teams are competing for spots in the Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. and the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
The Champs Sports Bowl picks ahead of the Insight Bowl, which picks ahead of the Motor City Bowl. Perles expects to announce the teams in the next couple of weeks.
“I go to work when I go to bowl games,” MSU football head coach Mark Dantonio said. “I don’t have a preference. I’m thrilled we can go, and go as a representative of the Big Ten to one of those bowls. It’ll be a great experience for us wherever we go.”
More than 10 years ago, Perles and former MSU Sports Information Director Ken Hoffman had the idea to start the game.
“The motive was to bring a bowl game to Detroit,” Perles said.
“Our financial impact on the city over the last four years has been $144 million. That’s one of our motives — to bring business to Detroit and the state of Michigan.”
While the game was originally at the Pontiac Silverdome, Perles and Hoffman were more than happy to accept a change to Ford Field when it opened in 2002.
“We would have it either way,” Perles said.
“Now, at Ford Field, it’s a tremendous facility, and it really has helped. We’re pretty fortunate that after the games started they built a new stadium. It’s been a big positive.”
MSU has never played in the Motor City Bowl. The Spartans’ last bowl appearance was a 17-3 loss to Nebraska in the 2003 Alamo Bowl.
“Regardless of where we go, it’s important to go to a bowl game and get an extra month to spend with those seniors,” junior quarterback Brian Hoyer said. “I’d play in the ‘Spartan Bowl’ at Spartan Stadium just to know we’re playing that 13th game.”
Published on Sunday, November 25, 2007
Comments
SC
11/26/07 @ 7:32am
How much more $ does he think he can get out of MSU? Does he think we’ll tailgate outside the stadium ( we will)? And how much does he pull down as CEO of the bowl? A cool 500K a year? More if he gets MSU on the ticket, I bet.
PW
11/26/07 @ 8:13am
There has got to be some conflict of interest here. If MSU went to the Motor City Bowl, there obviously would be monetary gain to the university. How can Perles justify his roll as the CEO of the bowl and trustee of the university as he pursues the Spartans for the bowl? Seems to me he has the same hand in two pockets.
2xsparty
11/26/07 @ 8:42am
Lets see… Detroit vs. Orlando or Detroit vs. Tempe. Where would you want to reward the Sparty’s with a trip to? George doesn’t care about rewarding the Sparty’s for anything, as long as he gets it all. He’s always been that way. As previously mentioned, this has to be a HUGE conflict of interest. Potential matchup for Detroit… CMU vs. MSU. Complete with 25 degree tailgate weather. You’ve got to be kidding!!
FanOfJehuu
11/26/07 @ 9:07am
Personally, I think the Motor City Bowl would be great for the Spartans for two reasons: (1) the atmosphere at Ford Field will be AWESOME (think of how loud Spartan Stadium can be and multiply it by ten due to Ford Field being an indoor stadium); and (2) it will provide us, the fans, a reward for supporting the TERRIBLE Spartan teams of the past by allowing us to attend a bowl game close to home. I, for one, cannot financially afford to travel to Arizona or Florida this year (due to the economy) but would love to see the beloved Spartans play one more time this season. Come on Perles, do the smart thing and lobby for MSU!! Call in every favor you have!!
Ted Nugent
11/26/07 @ 9:43am
Motor City bowl in Detroit (90miles away) is not much of a treat/reward for the players. but i suppose it is better than nothing.
J-money
11/26/07 @ 11:03am
Why would anyone think that having MSU play in the Motor City would generate revenue for the Michigan? If CMU and MSU play each other, thats two in-state teams folks. How many out of state people will really travel to see two in-state teams play? If anything, all the money people will give to national companies NOT based in Michigan on things such as gas, beer, food and lodging will far outweigh any financial benefit of having two in-state schools playing in the Motor City Bowl. The best thing for the Bowl is two out of state teams, brining all of their fans with their money into our state.
TRUE SPARTY
11/26/07 @ 11:11am
You people are all nuts, you have watched too many conspiracy films. First of all, George Perles has zero pull in the athletic department at MSU. Second, as the CEO of a bowl, it is his job to get the best suited and most popular teams to the game. Why would you rather see central take on ball state or some other chump school??? Does anyone seea conflict of interest when boise state plays in the idaho potato bowl at their home staduim 3 plus years in a row??? I commend Mr. Perles and wish him and the motror city bowl the best of Luck even if we don’t get the spartys which looks like a longshot from here. (MSU will go to the huighest bidder that picks them first, can you believe it??? they want money too)
Donna
11/26/07 @ 11:18am
Having a bowl game the day after Christmas will really limit the atmosphere and enjoyment of a “bowl trip” for many fans, who may just decide to stay home. Perles’ comment about revenue relates to games with an out-of-state team, so MSU wouldn’t provide the same since most fans will sleep in their own beds and eat food from their fridge, not provide income for the state. Send MSU to a good game, not the motor city bowl.
Ford
11/26/07 @ 11:48am
MSU should be thrilled to play in the Motor City Bowl after the mid-season collapse, especially considering 10 teams in the league are bowl eligible. I would rather Indiana play, but that’s because I’d love to see Indiana in a bowl after so many years.
Cheer up, MSU fans. It could be worse.
SteveL
11/26/07 @ 9:47pm
After a 3 year drought in bowl appearances I would forego being able to watch MSU in the Insight Bowl (being on the NFL network) rather than have them play in the MCB. The players have earned a trip to warmer climes for their bowl game rather then a bus trip to the Motor City. And if the bowl situation doesn’t get better as to when a team knows and where their bowl is, you aren’t going to get fan support like you would if the decisions were made sooner then 3 weks before the game. And what is all these championship games this weekend? Is the Big Ten missing out on something similar??
Tom
11/27/07 @ 11:58am
Just wanted to voice my agreement with FanOfJehuu’s comments above. I’m an MSU student and I can’t afford to travel to Tempe or Orlando to watch the Spartans, but I’m certainly willing to drive 4 hours (I’m an out-of-state student) to Detroit to watch the MCB.