MOC site question

[Mike Boyle]

I’m continuing a question from a different thread…

Quick background and a poll…

Plainfield is a good site, yet parking is atrocious with many having to park on the streets, getting ticketed without knowing why, traffic snarls, etc; etc; etc…

Is there a better site for the MOC’s?

Being that there are many conflicts, cost being one…

Is Plainfield the best site, or there other options?
Any ideas???

[Joe Lanzalotto]

I’m continuing a question from a different thread…

Quick background and a poll…

Plainfield is a good site, yet parking is atrocious with many having to park on the streets, getting ticketed without knowing why, traffic snarls, etc; etc; etc…

Is there a better site for the MOC’s?

Being that there are many conflicts, cost being one…

Is Plainfield the best site, or there other options?
Any ideas???

I would hope that there are other options, simply due to the location, meaning not only the difficulty of getting in there, but also the distance for the south Jersey schools. I thought South Brunswick was a great alternative, being further south and just off the Turnpkike, 1 and 295 (and being in my home town) except for one HUGE thing - the 6 lane track. (figures they would build a new high school at a cost of $42.5 million and put in a six laner). That makes the meet way too long. I would look for something else in that area, but I do not sense that the NJSIAA is looking to do that.

[ajd2run]

I would hope that there are other options, simply due to the location, meaning not only the difficulty of getting in there, but also the distance for the south Jersey schools. I thought South Brunswick was a great alternative, being further south and just off the Turnpkike, 1 and 295 (and being in my home town) except for one HUGE thing - the 6 lane track. (figures they would build a new high school at a cost of $42.5 million and put in a six laner). That makes the meet way too long. I would look for something else in that area, but I do not sense that the NJSIAA is looking to do that.

aside from the location issues... frank jost field (south plainfield) is a great place... the facility is surrounded by lots of trees, which helps block the wind and the track itself is probably one of the better ones in the state, although plainfield (hub stine) is a nice one too...

[Joe Lanzalotto]

aside from the location issues... frank jost field (south plainfield) is a great place... the facility is surrounded by lots of trees, which helps block the wind and the track itself is probably one of the better ones in the state, although plainfield (hub stine) is a nice one too...

I don't think it is that great. The long jump and other field events are in inconvient locations for viewing. One of the things I liked about South Brunsiwck was the long jump on the infield and the shot and disc right behind the main stands so you just had to turn around to keep an eye on things.

[xc92]

[QUOTE= South Brunswick was a great alternative, being further south and just off the Turnpkike, 1 and 295 (and being in my home town) except for one HUGE thing - the 6 lane track. (figures they would build a new high school at a cost of $42.5 million and put in a six laner). That makes the meet way too long. [/QUOTE]

I thought South Brunswick was a terrific venue. The field event areas were excellent and I'll live with a 6 lane track. It didn't hold up meet much at all. Plus parking was excellent.

[bergenxctcoach]

While it might have been great for those of you watching the jumping, the runway was not long enough. Athletes were also running through right into the start/finish area with officials yelling at them.

A related complaint is having an open pit at SMOC. The wait between attempts was way too long and athletes couldn't afford not to get in line and wait, with the threat of the pit being closed. The alternatives are flights or having a longer open pit - especially with wild cards! The athletes have 45 min. at States with fewer athletes jumping (average of 17 girls TJ- only 8 in B!) and only an hour (which was extended) at SMOC, for 34 jumpers. Let's see if this situation is addressed.

[Joe Lanzalotto]

I thought South Brunswick was a terrific venue. The field event areas were excellent and I'll live with a 6 lane track. It didn't hold up meet much at all. Plus parking was excellent.

A six lane really does add time to the meet. Think about a race run in lanes, say the 200. Say there are 40 contestants, some of the eligibles having dropped out. On an eight lane track, 5 heats, on a six lane track 7 heats. Even for the races not run in lanes, like the 3200, you simply cannot fit as many runners in the sections, altough I have seen some stampedes in recent years.

When you add all that up it can easily add an hour to a meet that already finshes pretty late.

[colonials]

How about Rutgers? It is our state university, and centrally located (relatively speaking). Most other states have their state meet at a major college, not a high school. Plenty of parking, and although I haven't been there in a while, I think the facilities are good (they do host Big East sometimes)

Also, the 6-lane issue at SB is not that big a deal, the straight has 9 lanes so the 100s and HHs could theoretically run a little quicker. The 400s this year seemed to be missing a lot due to scratches so I don't think it's a major problem. 200s run quickly. The big problem is the runway, they need two and the location of the one they have isn't great.

[Joe Lanzalotto]

How about Rutgers? It is our state university, and centrally located (relatively speaking). Most other states have their state meet at a major college, not a high school. Plenty of parking, and although I haven't been there in a while, I think the facilities are good (they do host Big East sometimes)

Also, the 6-lane issue at SB is not that big a deal, the straight has 9 lanes so the 100s and HHs could theoretically run a little quicker. The 400s this year seemed to be missing a lot due to scratches so I don't think it's a major problem. 200s run quickly. The big problem is the runway, they need two and the location of the one they have isn't great.

Rutgers idea is a good one. I do recall the 6 lane setup being cited as a reason for returning to South Plainfiled after their track was resurfaced.

[ACXC]

A great site would be Stockton College. 4 major parking lots, great 8 lane track, surrounded by trees, tons of seating, great venues for throws (college cages and all-weather run way for the Jav). 2 LJ/TJ runways located opposite side of finish line. 2 HJ pits. Miles of wooded trails for warm-up runs. This is a track only stadium (lacross is played on the infield).
The only draw back is its location (just off exit 48 of GSP), but I spoke with HC Preston and he (& AD Larry James) indicated that the school has expressed a willingness to hold the state meet or MOC @ their facilities (school is out...dorms available). It's the politics that has to be overcome

[78Champ]

The only draw back is its location (just off exit 48 of GSP),

You mean GSP exit 44, don't you?

I agree. Facility would be ideal, other than fact that it is not centrally located.

JW

[colonials]

I like the Stockton idea except for the location. The facility is great although getting into it would be a pain, similar to Egg Harbor where you would have a long back-up once you get on campus.

How was Notre Dame for groups? It is 8 lanes, right? Did they have enough parking? I'm guessing not.

[Mike Boyle]

ND is only good for smaller-scale meets; major problems with parking...
friday the students were trying to leave school as teams were ariving and on saturday it seemed as though that they had graduation or something else going on...
school has to make better scheduling next year...

[Reuben Frank]

Danser has told me that the reason they haven't considered a college - Rutgers, Stockton, whtaever - to host one of the championships meets is that it's impossible to find people to do things like set up and move hurdles, run a concession stand, bring results to the media tent, etc. At a high school, you have a built-in group of volunteers in the school's freshmen or athletes not competing that day and a booster club to make burgers and stuff. At a college, you don't have any of that.

[colonials]

Danser has told me that the reason they haven't considered a college - Rutgers, Stockton, whtaever - to host one of the championships meets is that it's impossible to find people to do things like set up and move hurdles, run a concession stand, bring results to the media tent, etc. At a high school, you have a built-in group of volunteers in the school's freshmen or athletes not competing that day and a booster club to make burgers and stuff. At a college, you don't have any of that.
Good point, but they could have a local HS or high schools be the "host school." (Like Manhattan was the host of the NCAA regionals, even though it wasn't at their school). It might not be perfect, but if most other states can do it, I'm sure they could find a solution.

[Decaf]

there are a few things that could be changed for that meet. egg harbor is a tough place for anyone outside of south jersey. driving down there on a friday in may/june is tough.
also, the 3200 should be on friday and each group should run at the same general time. saturday afternoon in june is tough for a 3200.

[jersey_guy]

A great site would be Stockton College It's the politics that has to be overcome

You would also have to overcome the fact that something like 70% of New Jersey's population lives on this side of Driscoll Bridge and that going down to Exit Negative 26 off GSP twice in a week is not a very convenient idea.

[Paul Schwartz]

As is typical with our alleged state university, anything that requires effort on their part goes awasting unless it's for their standout football program :D
There is absolutely no excuse not to have the SMOC and the state groups meet at Rutgers.
If they need more stands, they should rent them and bring them in
If they need helpers there should be no problem hiring them or getting local high schools to provide them.

How come 70-90% of state meets in this country are held at college sites but NJ doesn't? It's because Rutgers thinks it's an Ivy school unless they see an advantage in an issue calling itself a state school
Acting Gov. Codey and all the other politicians who take the NJSIAA to task (sometimes correctly) should tell Rutgers that they have a responsibility to reasonably provide accomodations so that as many state tournaments and championships can be held there or perhaps some of their public funding should be withheld.

Taxpayers in NJ paid for their stadium renovation which destroyed a pretty good track facility and we have nothing to show for it.

BTW since the above will never happen, what about moving SMOC to the following Saturday? (same day as state baseball finals) Then location is not as important as it is for a midweek meet.

Paul

[Joe Lanzalotto]

You would also have to overcome the fact that something like 70% of New Jersey's population lives on this side of Driscoll Bridge and that going down to Exit Negative 26 off GSP twice in a week is not a very convenient idea.

People who go out in the sun actually like parts of South Jersey. That's where the SHORE is. You've heard of that, right?:D

[jersey_guy]

People who go out in the sun actually like parts of South Jersey. That's where the SHORE is. You've heard of that, right?:D

Personally I prefer tanning by Barbour Pond at Garret.

[Joe Lanzalotto]

Personally I prefer tanning by Barbour Pond at Garret.

Another one afraid to get a tan at Vanny!

[Reuben Frank]

i haven't been to Garrett Mountain since I was a sophomore at Teaneck, but I do remember wiping out in a huge puddle during a monsoon at the NNJIL meet just before we turned left at what I guess is Barbour Pond? is that around 2 miles? it's been a while ...
I also remember coming up the hill before the finish and some guy, seeing the "T" on my singlet, yelling, "Let's go, Tenafly!!," and I just yelled back, "It's TEANECK." why would I do that during a race?