Evidently the current recession is driving groups known for fun-lovin’, rollicking, good times – groups like the NCAA suits from Kansas – away from convention staples like New York, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Miami. So, where is the new sweet spot of out-of-town partying? Prince George’s County, Maryland, that's where.That’s right the NCAA is conducting its annual convention at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center (not pictured right) located on the Maryland shore of the Potomac River in the shadow of the beloved Woodrow Wilson Bridge. You know, just a rock’s throw from Betty Blume Park. Hey, times are tough, and those NCAA rule enforcers can have fun just about anywhere.
When they aren’t whooping it up in the D.C. suburbs, the D1 Legislative Council is scheduled to vote this week on an ACC proposal to sharply reduce the time underclassmen have to decide whether to remain in the NBA draft. As it now stands, players have two months after the Final Four to assess their NBA status and some ACC coaches are saying that is too long. You know the drill, after the Final Four, non-seniors declare for the draft and then spend two months deciding what to do. During this period, coaches are in limbo about whether or not to recruit replacements.
That familiar scenario could change as soon as 2010 if the Brothers Williams (Roy and Gary) and Mike Krzydrbnv8ski get their way. "If you give somebody forever to make a decision, they are going to take forever," Williams (Roy) said. "It leaves your program in limbo. It leaves your current players in limbo."
"For a two-month period, guys who may not be in your program become your priority," Krzyhfbmqp3ski said. "And the guys who are still in the program don't get any attention."
Florida State Coach Leonard Hamilton recently said "too many kids are putting their names into the draft and taking their names out. Their names shouldn't be in there in the first place. You have so many kids making poor decisions, it is obvious some of these kids are getting poor advice." Some players, including Maryland’s Greivis Vasquez, believe 10 days would be too short a time to make such a significant decision. They feel it would be more difficult to get good advice or base their decisions on feedback from critical May workouts with NBA teams. However his coach says that players who spend the spring working out for NBA teams are often “too far gone” academically to return.
(All photos are actual places in P.G. County, MD)
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The NCAA's decision to hold their event at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ECONOMY! The decision to hold the event there was made more than 2 years ago, when the current economic woes weren't even a glimmer in our eyes. The Gaylord National Resort is a WORLD-CLASS convention resort that competes right alongside some of the best convention hotels in Vegas, Orlando and Chicago. It is winning praise from top meeting and event planners around the country. Also, the NCAA has a long-standing relationship with the Gaylord Hotels brand, having held many past NCAA events at their other convention hotels in Dallas, Nashville and Orlando. That's why they chose to come to the Maryland location. Nothing more, nothing less. You are trying to make something out of nothing. Get over it. Prince George's County, Maryland has a WORLD-CLASS convention hotel that is attracting major names and major conventions. As a matter of fact, Harley-Davidson is revealing their 2010 models (like the Detroit Auto Show) there the week after NCAA leaves.
ReplyDeleteHave you been to the Gaylord? It's a really swanky place and something like three inaugural balls were held there this year. Nothing to turn up your nose at!
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