Word has leaked out about the possibility that the FCIAC championship game between New Canaan and Darien may be moved to Boyle Stadium Thanksgiving morning. I learned about this yesterday morning and spoke both to New Canaan’s athletic director, Jay Egan, and coach, Lou Marinelli, and all I can tell you is as of right now no decision has been made.
Egan understandably has tried to keep the possibility out of the press for fear that there could be a lot of talk about moving the game and then nothing happens. He is trying to limit any confusion. But a lot of people have been inquiring about the situation so here is a thumbnail sketch.
Tickets went on sale Thursday at the two schools and 3,500 were sold in two days. Egan said the school can reasonably handle around 4,000 people. So the possibility was raised about moving the game to Boyle Stadium, which can hold about 6,000-7,000.
The decision is New Canaan’s call and right now the people involved are torn about what to do. The Rams don’t want to give up the home-field advantage. They also played six straight games on the road before hosting Wilton a week ago yesterday.
On the other hand, there is something to be said about getting the chance to play before what would be one of the biggest crowds for an FCIAC game in recent memory.
Two other variables: Egan is concerned about the problem of a huge traffic nightmare becoming exacerbated by people without tickets taking up parking spaces and then being unable to get into a sold-out game. And the playing surface at Boyle is the first-generation turf that is as hard as a rock.
Marinelli said yesterday he really was conflicted about what to do. He said he planned on talking to his players today to get their input.
What is the right answer? I don’t think there is one. New Canaan cannot be faulted for not wanting to sacrifice a home game. There is also the allure of the huge crowd and the New Canaan people wanting to make tickets available to everyone.
All I can tell you with any certainty is a decision will be made by early afternoon tomorrow. Stamford and Westhill will be playing their holiday game at Boyle the night before.
Check back and we will have updates as they become available.
