With such a distant destination and the proximity to Christmas, the Motor City Bowl in Detroit may not attract some University of Memphis fans.
The Tigers received word Sunday they would be playing the Akron Zips at Ford Field on Dec. 26.
Student Government Association President Omari White said the date and time of the bowl were a few of the things that prevented the group from setting up an official trip to Michigan.
"We tossed the idea back and forth, but the late notice and being the day after Christmas prevented us (from having a trip)," he said. "Plus the fact that it is 12 hours to Detroit makes travel tough."
Kick off us set for 3 p.m., which would require many travelers to leave Christmas night for the game.
Ekene Iwueke, a biology major, said he would probably stay home and watch the game because it is so close to the holidays.
"But if someone provided a bus or some kind of travel, I'd be more interested and I think other people would be, too," he said.
The Tiger Scholarship Fund is organizing hotel information and tickets for U of M fans. Tickets go on sale today, and while there won't be a chartered flight for fans due to cost, there will be organized events in Detroit.
Steve Stroud, the assistant athletic director for annual giving, said hotels should be readily available and that information will be provided soon. While the Tigers were kept in the dark about where exactly they would be bowling, the athletic department had plans.
"We already had some preliminary plans for various cities, and the hotel rates will probably be around $109 as of now," Stroud said.
He added that while no planned travel will be available, students are encouraged to come to the game and take part in some of the activities.
"There will definitely be a pep rally, and we might even do something the day before the game," Stroud said.
Jonathan Callegari, a senior exercise and sports science major, said no matter which of his favorite teams were playing in a city as far as Detroit, he still would not be interested.
"Even if they had a bus or plane or something, I just wouldn't want to travel that far," he said.
As of yesterday afternoon, prices on Amtrak were $111 for a 16-hour ride to Detroit and then $142 for the return trip. Roundtrip airfare ranged from about $340 to $380.
Another factor that might deter some fans? The Tiger basketball team takes on nationally ranked Gonzaga on Dec. 27 at the FedExForum, meaning many fans would have to hurry back after the Motor City Bowl.
