I wonder who is paying for this game match up considering both teams have to travel to Michigan?
Paramus Catholic-St. Frances will cover own expenses to play at Michigan Stadium | MLive.com
Paramus Catholic-St. Frances will cover own expenses to play at Michigan Stadium
By Nick Baumgardner |
nbaumgardner@mlive.com
NEWARK, N.J. -- When Paramus Catholic High School takes on St. Frances Academy (Maryland) on Sept. 2 at Michigan Stadium, the respective high schools will be covering the expenditures and keeping the gate money.
Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh said Thursday that the Paramus-St. Frances game at Michigan Stadium was not his idea. He was made aware of it, of course, but he says the contest was not something he suggested or lobbied for.
"I haven't been involved in that," Harbaugh said. "There's (also) a group in Michigan that's setting up multiple games as I understand it, I don't know how many.
"(But) it's not my idea. I can't take credit for that one."
Paramus Catholic president Jim Vail said that either one or both of the high schools will cover the costs that come with renting Michigan Stadium for the game, and the schools will then keep whatever money the game generates as a result.
He wasn't sure quite yet if it will be a Paramus home game on paper or a shared home game, but he was clear that Michigan will have no financial involvement in the event.
He estimated that the total cost will come in somewhere between $12,000-$14,000.
"Are we going to pay all the rent and keep all the gate or split the expenses and the (gate), we'll still have to work that out," Vail said. "One or both of the high schools will be paying the expenses and keeping or sharing the gate.
"I don't have (the exact rental cost) in front of me, I saw a proposal that was itemized and such, and we'll probably not use everything that was offered but I think it'll be somewhere between $12-14,000."
Paramus has played at college venues before, as Vail explained that the school has had high school games at Rutgers in the past.
He said the idea to play a game in Michigan was one that was brought up some time ago, but wasn't finalized until this year because of where the dates fell.
"(An event like this) came up a long time ago and initially, I didn't think it was a great idea because I wouldn't do this if we had to miss school," Vail added. "But as it evolved, and it landed on Labor Day weekend, you don't miss school. So, for us Jersey folks, Labor Day and Memorial Day weekend are kind of sacred to spend at The Shore. But if the kids and their families want to spend their weekend at the Detroit airport and the hotel and do this and pay for it, it's fine with me because we're not missing any school time.
"Since the families are paying and we don't miss any school if that's what (the football team) wants to do (then I'm good with it)."
ESPN reported earlier this week that NCAA rules will prohibit Michigan's coaching staff from attending the high school game Sept. 2.
However, players involved in the game will be allowed to make unofficial visits to campus the following day when the Wolverines open their 2016 season at home against Hawaii.
The 2016-17 NCAA recruiting calendar will begin its evaluation period on Sept. 1.
Players are permitted to make official (paid for by the college) and unofficial (paid for by the prospect) visits to campuses during evaluation periods.
Michigan Stadium will also play host to 14 different high schools for a "Battle at the Big House" from Aug. 25-27.
Harbaugh said those games were not his idea, either.
