NCAA wants BKC game on Bin Laden's corpse carrier

[KJIM]

Not sure how I feel about this. Gut reaction is that the federal government shouldn't have anything to do with college hoops, but I guess that's not exactly realistic.

(Apologies if DB - I searched for "Vinson" and looked back a bit.)

http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/06/21/navy.carrier.ncaa.game/index.html

"The Carl Vinson has played key roles in the fight against terrorism almost since day one. The ship launched the first wave of air attacks on al Qaeda and Taliban targets in Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 and most recently it was the ship from which Osama bin Laden was buried at sea.

"Now the Carl Vinson is on track to make sports history, as the first ever carrier to host an NCAA basketball game."

Talks under way for a Veterans Day game.

 

[HanSenSE]

It's not without precedent to hold big sporting events at a military base. ESPN did a special edition of "Friday Night Fights" from Camp Lejeune last Veterans' Day. And, technically, every game on campus for Army, Navy and Air Force falls into the same category.

It's a unique setting, for sure, and a chance for the WWL to wave the flag. Wonder if they could put the court over where bin Laden's body was before they fed him to the fishes?

 

[FreddiePatek]

I don't think this is exactly news. ... It was announced back in January that UNC and Michigan State were going to play on a carrier to be named.

 

[YankeeFan]

It's a unique setting, for sure, and a chance for the WWL to wave the flag.

They should feature a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in the opening.

 

[Baron Scicluna]

A free boat trip? Wouldn't that be an NCAA violation?

 

[holy bull]

Exploitative on so many levels, the head swims.

Love the name of the promoter: Morale Entertainment

 

[Freelance Hack]

If you're going to do this, why not at least make it a doubleheader and let the Naval Academy play against someone?

 

[wicked]

I'm guessing the promoter's profit margin when playing one game -- no tickets sold, relying on the TV rights fee -- is tight enough. The added expenses (security clearances, security checkpoints, etc.) and logistics of a second game with a non-marquee team would probably make it infeasible.

 

[DanOregon]

COOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLLLDDDDDDDDD BLLLLLLLOOOOOOOODDDDDEDDDD!!!!

Really - I think the deal was set up ahead of the bin Laden thing and I figure the Vinson was scheduled to be in port at the time so really not a big deal.

 

[Boomer7]

I'd have thought that the gimmick of playing games in wacky places (Hockey in baseball parks! WNBA at Radio City! Tennis on a Dubai tower rooftop!) might have run its course by now, but no dice.

 

[Mystery Meat II]

Dunno what the big deal is. Giants and Jets played on top of Jimmy Hoffa for years.

 

[PCLoadLetter]

It's a unique setting, for sure, and a chance for the WWL to wave the flag.

They should feature a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in the opening.

Or at least selections from the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

[Bamadog]

I like the idea. It'll be a treat for the carrier crew and be an excellent visual backdrop for the action. I love the NHL playing outdoors. Great idea for a league that needs great ideas.

 

[bigpern23]

I know those ****ers are big, but will the carrier really not move AT ALL during the game?

 

[Bubbler]

If they're going to be exploitative, why not use Osama's head as the basketball too?

This is unseemly on a lot of levels.

 

[Bamadog]

I know those ****ers are big, but will the carrier really not move AT ALL during the game?

Docked in a port, no it won't. At least not perceptibly. Ever been on a supercarrier? That thing is H-U-G-E. The elevators that lift the planes to the flight deck are awesome and fast. My Dad couldn't get over how cool they were and made sure we took a few extra rides between the hangar and flight decks.

 

[bigpern23]

I know those ****ers are big, but will the carrier really not move AT ALL during the game?

Docked in a port, no it won't. At least not perceptibly. Ever been on a supercarrier? That thing is H-U-G-E. The elevators that lift the planes to the flight deck are awesome and fast. My Dad couldn't get over how cool they were and made sure we took a few extra rides between the hangar and flight decks.

When I was 6 or so I went on one with my cub scouts pack, but other than the sheer size of it, I don't remember that much about it.

 

[holy bull]

If I'm covering this game, I'm using every tasteless war and terrorism reference at my disposal.

"He stole the ball and threw it down like it was Obama's carcass in the ocean."

"It was a blowout reminiscent of Shock and Awe."

 

[DanOregon]

I'd love it if they played it on the deck, but I figure it will be done down below to take the wind out of the equation.

 

[dixiehack]

It's a unique setting, for sure, and a chance for the WWL to wave the flag.

They should feature a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in the opening.

Or at least selections from the Pledge of Allegiance.

From an animatronic Pat Tillman.