I don't know anything about the trip or even if there will be one. But the game is on the 26th. The pre-game activities are on the 25th and the morning of the 26th. And with costs, leaving the day before may be the only option.

I'm sure FAU Athletics will make the right decision for all parities involved. They are well aware it will be Christmas, but they have to do what's best for the department as well.

They were able to pull off getting us into a bowl game, so I have faith in them!

And this may may be why the "FAU trip" would leave Dec. 25 or 26. But again, speculation. I don't know of they are planning a trip.
2008 BOWL WEEK EVENTS

The Motor City Bowl will host the following special events exclusively for participating teams and official parties:


Motor City Bowl VIP Reception and Dinner at Henry Ford Museum (December 23rd)

"America's Greaterst History Attraction" - A list of representatives from State Government, Wayne County and the City of Detroit will join Official Travel Party members and Motor City Bowl Sponsors for an elegant reception with dinner served. Select officials and the two Head Coaches highlight a brief program followed by a Motown Review for your evening entertainment. An Official Travel Party group of up to 40 will be guests of the Motor City Bowl. Additional tickets are $100.00. 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.    (Business attire)(No children – 21 minimum)


Players Night Out at GameWorks (December 23rd)

The entire team will be the guest of GameWorks, located Auburn Hills from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  Food and beverages will be available while each team engages in the thrills, exhilarating attractions, adrenaline-pumping activities, and heart-stopping fun that is GameWorks.  In addition to players from both teams, all travel party members and their families may attend to this event. (Warm-ups or Casual Attire – Includes dinner)

Kickoff Luncheon at the Atheneum Hotel Ballroom (December 24th) 

AXA Advisors is the host sponsor, and the two Head Coaches will share the spotlight at the Atheneum Hotel in Detroit’s Greektown entertainment district. Guests include representatives of General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford, among an expected crowd of over 400. Team members and official travel party members are invited to attend as guests of the bowl. A grand luncheon is served at 12:15 (arrive at Noon) and the teams will depart by 1:30 p.m. A team and travel party group of up to 150 will be guests of the Motor City Bowl. Additional tickets are $30.00.  (Business attire, Teams in warm-ups)

Holiday Dinner at Shula’s Steakhouse (Optional – December 25th)

The Motor City Bowl set up your reservation for a holiday meal worthy of the occasion at the renowned Shula’s Steakhouse located at the Troy Marriott Hotel. The team and travel party will enjoy a sumptuous meal set among the memorabilia of Don Shula’s glory days with the championship Miami Dolphins football team.

Holiday at the Movies (December 25th)

Today players will have the chance to sit back after dinner and enjoy an evening movie.  Movie selection (a new Christmas release) and show times TBD. A group of up to 125 will be the guests of the Motor City Bowl.


Official Pep Rally (December 26th 2-5:00 pm) Atheneum Hotel Ballroom

Alumni, fans and VIP's from both schools will join in this unique event featuring coaches, team bands, cheerleaders, ESPN talent, live band & DJ.  It's a sure way to get the juices flowing.  General public welcome - $5 cover includes snacks and a cash bar.  Come show your spirit—– It’s Football Friday in downtown Detroit.

This is from the Motor City Bowl web site.

If they want people to show up they need to get bus packages that cost 100 bucks a person for 4 people in a room up in Detroit, 21 hour drive leaving Christmas evening and returning the day after the game (27).

Absolutely no one will go if it leaves before Christmas.

SeminOWL2006 said

If they want people to show up they need to get bus packages that cost 100 bucks a person for 4 people in a room up in Detroit, 21 hour drive leaving Christmas evening and returning the day after the game (27).

Absolutely no one will go if it leaves before Christmas.

While I understand what you're saying…. I think it's unreasonable to think that (a) people would want to do that trip and (b) that $100 is all that people would have to pay out of pocket.

Plus… let's through in some other variables on a trip like that:
(a) Because of the length of the trip, unless the Dept. of Transportation has changed their rules since I was planning these types of things, the bus would be required to stop and let the driver sleep, which adds the cost of hotel for 50+ people and leaving a day earlier now. Or, I think you could get multiple bus drivers… but that's less people that go on the trip… thus driving up the cost per person.
(b) The weather is unpredictable and we found that out when the plane and student bus were late to New Orleans last year. Hoping for a perfect, 21-hour drive with no snow, rain, sleet, etc. to Detroit in the dead of winter is very wishful thinking.

Look…. people can go back and forth on this all day long. I completely understand that the trip needs to be cheap and work around a very popular holiday (Christmas). But please step back and take an honest look at the logistics and cost of planning this trip…. it's not an easy thing to do AT ALL. And if nothing else, take it for what it's worth, I use to do this for FAU students and it's not easy. Maybe OWLUMNI can shed some light since he helped plan the Texas trip…

While the reality is that everyone has different needs, and desire different arrangements… I agree that the athletic department will have to do what is most reasonable for the program. This is not to insult the fan base…strictly to do what makes the most sense.. As smitty said, the weather in DEC is unpredictable.. and that alone is reason enough to abandon the 21 hr plus drive…i used to do it after fall semester occasionally! Its no fun…plus he is right about the fatigue factor. This is a great time in FAU's young, yet accomplished football history and  I am sure that the university will do what makes the most sense!


GO OWLS!

do you guys think there will def be a trip no matter when it leaves

owlcountry40 said

do you guys think there will def be a trip no matter when it leaves

No one knows at this point. Again, I don't work for the school… but the school didn't find out about this much sooner than the fans did.

So one place I wouldn't want to be today is the second floor of the Oxley. The phones, e-mails and other communication machines must have smoke coming out of them for going in overdrive.

The department is probably figuring out which players are going… how many tickets they are getting, what the prices are, etc….. and most importantly, they are finding a way to get up there, a place to stay, etc.

So it might be early next week until everything gets ironed out. FAU is at the mercy of the Motor City Bowl and other officials who actually put the game on.

I have trust that as soon as FAU knows what's going on, they'll put the wheels in motion to try and plan a trip. But I would hope FAU puts something together.

Smitty,i know you arent on the inside…but for those of us who are already in the area and want to attend the game, but be in our section…do you think they'll release those type of tickets for alum?

Thanks man..cant wait to see ya there!

FAUALUM2005 said

Smitty,i know you arent on the inside…but for those of us who are already in the area and want to attend the game, but be in our section…do you think they'll release those type of tickets for alum?

Thanks man..cant wait to see ya there!

Absolutely. I wouldn't see a situation where FAU wouldn't be alloted enough tickets to sell to FAU fans.

If it's anything like the New Orleans Bowl, they'll give FAU a few thousand tickets to sell through their ticket office.

If I were you, I would wait to see if FAU Alumni comes out with a package deal for bus transportation to the game from the team hotel and back, tailgate and ticket all-in-one.

Are they staying at the Atheneum?    Ford Field is a five minute walk from there! I know what everyone is thinking…SAFETY…but the area around Ford Field and Comerica Park isnt that bad and is the same as any city..just gotta be vigilant..Also that area is Greektown which has a casino as well as great places to eat!

MGM Casino and Motor City Casino are near by! They have shuttles from all hotels. I hope that everyone enjoys Detroit because it has a bad rep (some of which is deserved)..but for the most part, people enjoy their time in the city during these events… examples.. Super Bowl XL…March Madness…World Series..past MCB's….etc