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Topic: Official Travel Thread: Bahamas Bowl
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Ted Thompson
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Posted: 11/26/2017 9:05 PM

Use this thread to talk about anything travel-related (Bobcat Bash, ticket info, hotels, places to eat/drink). 

Bahamas Bowl Website

Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium

Ninth bowl appearance for the Bobcats under head coach Frank Solich

ATHENS, Ohio – After compiling an 8-4 regular season record, the Ohio football team (8-4, 5-3 MAC) will be taking its brand of football international as the Bobcats have accepted an invitation to the 2017 Bahamas Bowl and will be matched up against Conference USA opponent Alabama-Birmingham (8-4, 6-2 CUSA).

The Bahamas Bowl will be played at 12:30 p.m. ET Dec. 22 in Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in Nassau, Bahamas and broadcast live on ESPN. The Atlantis Paradise Island resort serves as the host site for all the bowl activities and fans interested in traveling to the Bahamas should visit www.bahamasbowl.com and www.atlantisbahamas.com for more information.  Tickets for the event should be purchased from the Ohio ticket office either at the Convocation Center ticket office, on-line at www.OhioBobcats.com or by phone by calling 800-575-2287.  All tickets are $50 for the game.

This marks the ninth bowl appearance for the Bobcats under head coach Frank Solich and Ohio has been bowl-eligible for nine straight seasons.

"We are excited to accept an invitation to the 2017 Bahamas Bowl. It's a location that our players, staff and fans are excited about," said Solich. "We are looking forward to a great game against a talented UAB team."

 "We are honored and excited about being invited to the Bahamas Bowl.  It is a fantastic location and event for our team and fans," said Ohio Director of Athletics Jim Schaus. "All of the past MAC schools who have attended rave about their experience."

The Bahamas Bowl was enhanced after ESPN Events added the game to an impressive stable of events in May 2015. And, with ESPN on board, the bowl week always provides student-athletes, conference partners, alumni, fans and sponsors a first-class international bowl experience.

A large part of the Bahamas Bowl's success is the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Using the local slogan "Football, Family and Fun", Bahamians of all ages come out to Robinson National Stadium to experience gameday the way it is done in at college stadiums in the U.S.  The world-class Atlantis Paradise Island Resort will host both teams and will be a one of a kind experience for the student-athletes, coaches and fans. 

 

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Tim Burke
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Posted: 11/26/2017 10:24 PM
FWIW, we discovered that the Atlantis is a Marriott resort but that you either can't use Marriott points to book a stay there or you have to call and do it over the phone. Will resolve this tomorrow (we are not going to stay there, I don't think, because we are not exactly resort people anyway)
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Athens
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Posted: 11/26/2017 11:56 PM
The Atlantis has multiple hotels. The Beach Tower is the most affordable at 237.60. The teams I doubt are staying in those. They are probably in the Royal Towers which are 383.80 a night but no guarantee on that either. Its not going to be like it is with basketball when you'll be nestled in a six story hotel with the team.
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2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
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2025 17-10 defeat of WVU @ Peden in front of 26,740
ou79
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Posted: 11/27/2017 8:22 AM
The stadium where the game is played seats FIFTEEN THOUSAND (15,000).
Deciduous Forest Cat
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Posted: 11/27/2017 10:52 AM
Ok, have at it making fun of me for not knowing, but at least do me the service of answering my question first...

Is a passport needed for the Bahamas?
Ted Thompson
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Posted: 11/27/2017 11:00 AM
Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:expand_more
Ok, have at it making fun of me for not knowing, but at least do me the service of answering my question first...

Is a passport needed for the Bahamas?
Yes

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ytownbobcat
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Posted: 11/27/2017 12:01 PM
I was able to book the the official bowl hotel using Marriott points. Still not totally finished and on line with reservation as I write this post. I have Marriott and Starwood points and they take both if you have linked your points.

I have been on the phone for 1 hour and 18 minutes!!!

Cancellation has to be within 49 days so it is in effect non-cancellable. The cancellation is not payable in points. It is payable in CASH.

Shuttle to hotel from airport roundtrip is 33.00
Last Edited: 11/27/2017 12:27:18 PM by ytownbobcat
OhioStunter
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Posted: 11/27/2017 12:20 PM
Ted Thompson wrote:expand_more
Ok, have at it making fun of me for not knowing, but at least do me the service of answering my question first...

Is a passport needed for the Bahamas?
Yes
I wonder how/if this affects players. I didn't have my passport in college and I wonder how many of the players do. I thought you had to wait 30 days to get a passport, but maybe there's a quicker option and the government of the Bahamas helps expedite? I'd hate for either team to be missing players because of passport issues.
ytownbobcat
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Posted: 11/27/2017 12:23 PM
MAC requires every roster player on every team have valid passports.

It is done. Date for compliance was a month or so ago.
Alan Swank
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Posted: 11/27/2017 12:25 PM
OhioStunter wrote:expand_more
Ok, have at it making fun of me for not knowing, but at least do me the service of answering my question first...

Is a passport needed for the Bahamas?
Yes
I wonder how/if this affects players. I didn't have my passport in college and I wonder how many of the players do. I thought you had to wait 30 days to get a passport, but maybe there's a quicker option and the government of the Bahamas helps expedite? I'd hate for either team to be missing players because of passport issues.
From a previous poster, it's my understanding that all personnel associated with the team who would need to make a trip to the Bahamas, get a passport at the beginning of the season. This would be a bigger issue with the band. That said, none of the teams that have played in this bowl in the past have brought a full band. This is a very expensive bowl to attend. Equipment alone will cost a mint - no driving the truck to this stadium.
bobcat695
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Posted: 11/27/2017 12:34 PM
ytownbobcat wrote:expand_more
I was able to book the the official bowl hotel using Marriott points. Still not totally finished and on line with reservation as I write this post. I have Marriott and Starwood points and they take both if you have linked your points.

I have been on the phone for 1 hour and 18 minutes!!!

Cancellation has to be within 49 days so it is in effect non-cancellable. The cancellation is not payable in points. It is payable in CASH.
I took the family to Atlantis last October for a week. Prepare to be disappointed, especially considering what you get for the cost. It is my least favorite vacation ever. Nassau is pretty rough. I felt safe on Paradise island, but don't stray away from the main tourist areas.
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The Optimist
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Posted: 11/27/2017 1:23 PM
bobcat695 wrote:expand_more
Nassau is pretty rough. I felt safe on Paradise island, but don't stray away from the main tourist areas.

I was really looking forward to getting stabbed in Detroit. Getting stabbed in Nassau is a nice consolation.
I've seen crazier things happen.
ou79
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Posted: 11/27/2017 3:11 PM
Not stating this definitively, but there is a very good chance the entire band may not go to the bowl. If it goes, it will be a scaled down version.
ytownbobcat
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Posted: 11/27/2017 3:24 PM
Bobcat 695,
I have family that felt like the resort was expensive and geared towards younger children.

But give me a bunch of Bobcats past and present, a Bobcat Bash, temps in the 80's and a football game, and I can fill my 2 1/2 days in the Bahamas.
Alan Swank
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Posted: 11/27/2017 5:42 PM
Better get your seats early. Just kidding of course.

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/11/29/1266...

This article does a good job of summing up how the system works. The last four paragraphs about the MAC paints a good picture of what our expenses will be this year assuming tradition holds from the MAC office.

http://www.espn.com/espn/wire/_/section/ncf/id/14303179
Last Edited: 11/27/2017 5:56:32 PM by Alan Swank
OhioStunter
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Posted: 11/27/2017 6:24 PM
Thanks for the ESPN article, Alan. Let's just prepare now for the Vedder backlash on the money spent for this bowl game. Apparently, Western Michigan spent $5,000 per person on the trip to the Bahamas Bowl based on that article...
Bobcat110
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Posted: 11/29/2017 2:18 PM
The 110 has been allocated 80 spots for the trip. Members are selected based on seniority. All 3rd year members and up should have passports due to their France trip in 2016.
OhioStunter
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Posted: 11/29/2017 3:14 PM
Bobcat110 wrote:expand_more
The 110 has been allocated 80 spots for the trip. Members are selected based on seniority. All 3rd year members and up should have passports due to their France trip in 2016.
This is good to hear. I'm sure there are some who didn't make the cut who are disappointed, but hey, seniority rules.
Bobcat-7.0
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Posted: 11/29/2017 10:01 PM
Unless you are taking a cruise ship. Then all you need is a drivers license and BC.
boydhallbobcat
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Posted: 11/30/2017 10:13 AM
Is the school paying for the 80 members or is it paid by donors? I thought if the school was paying for 80, they may be able to raise more through donors to go.
Alan Swank
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Posted: 11/30/2017 10:38 AM
boydhallbobcat wrote:expand_more
Is the school paying for the 80 members or is it paid by donors? I thought if the school was paying for 80, they may be able to raise more through donors to go.

The trip to NY relied on a ton of donor support. Tough to go back to the well this soon.
bobcat695
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Posted: 11/30/2017 11:44 AM
Bobcat-7.0 wrote:expand_more
Unless you are taking a cruise ship. Then all you need is a drivers license and BC.
Actually, the law is the exact opposite. If you're flying, you need a passport.
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spongeBOB CATpants
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Posted: 11/30/2017 1:04 PM
ytownbobcat wrote:expand_more
MAC requires every roster player on every team have valid passports.

It is done. Date for compliance was a month or so ago.
Is this requirement just for football? I played baseball at OU and have never had a passport.
UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 12/1/2017 10:46 AM
bobcat695 wrote:expand_more
Unless you are taking a cruise ship. Then all you need is a drivers license and BC.
Actually, the law is the exact opposite. If you're flying, you need a passport.
Isn't that what was said? If you take a cruise ship, you need a driver's license and birth certificate? But if you're flying, you need a passport (to get back into the the U.S.)

I noticed some tweets mentioning Carnival cruises from Florida that dock in Nassau the day of the game at 10 a.m. and leave at 6 p.m., almost perfect timing to see the game, maybe with an hour or two extra after to enjoy other things.
Ted Thompson
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Posted: 12/1/2017 12:13 PM

Bobcat Bash Info

Join your fellow OHIO alumni and friends as we Stand Up and Cheer in paradise! OHIO Football will battle UAB in Nassau and we want to overwhelm the Blazers with Bobcat green and white. Prior to the game, the OHIO Alumni Association will be hosting a Bobcat Bash, beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m. (2 1/2 hours prior to kickoff). Registration to the Bobcat Bash includes an all-you-can-eat buffet and two drink tickets redeemable for alcoholic beverages. The cost is $20 for attendees ages 13 and older, $10 for children ages 5-12, and free for children ages 4 and under.

Please note that the Bahamas Bowl representatives have not yet provided our specific location for the Bobcat Bash. We will be within walking distance of Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Check this page regularly for updates, and those that register will receive a confirmation email once all details are finalized.

Game Tickets

Tickets to the game are not sold through the OHIO Alumni Association. Please consider contacting the OHIO Athletic Department (1-800-575-2287), or purchasing online.

Travel Arrangments

The OHIO Alumni Association will not be offering travel packages to the Bahamas. We encourage you to visit the Bahamas Bowl webpage to explore travel options. Hotels will fill up quickly so do not delay! Keep in mind that folks traveling from the United States to the Bahamas are required to show a valid US passport.

Questions

For questions related to this event, please contact Ryan Boyd, Assistant Director of External Relations, at (740) 593-4305 or [email protected].

Register: https://secure3.convio.net/ohio/site/Ticketing;jsessionid=00000000.app362b?view=Tickets&id=102603&NONCE_TOKEN=05AC5B394CDBCFBC28146A9B6ADBE482

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