UABinBHM

How big is the band at USF?

I believe that's the one off of the Elton B. Stephens Expressway (ie, Highway 31). It basically sits on/near Red Mtn. on the Oxmoor Valley side. Downtown Birmingham sits on the other side in what's known as Jones Valley. The Embassy Suites are not far from 5 Points at all... to Legion Field, the best thing would be to take Highway 31 up to I-20/59 and then over to Arkadelphia Rd. exit. Basically, you're also about 10-15min away from Legion Field. Very good choice on the hotel, however. You won't be looking over Birmingham, but you'll be looking over Homwood and Mountain Brook (one of the richest areas in the country)... beautiful homes in Mtn. Brook if you get a chance to drive around there. You'll also like this hotel if you like steak. That's where Birmingham's Ruth's Chris Steakhouse is located... in the lobby of the Embassy Suites.

Another thing... for those who arent as restrained by budget as others... The Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort & Spa... once again, located a little ways outside the city (15min or so) and in a somewhat isolated area. Only a year or so old. As the name suggests, it has a big spa and resort feel, so again, if you have wives or girlfriends that like to be pampered, this might be the place. Also, you might love this place if you like to golf. Birmingham is nationally recognized for its golf venues and this is like next to none other. The golf course at Ross Bridge is the 2nd-longest green in the world. Some pictures: The website: http://www.rossbridgeresort.com/index.cfm

The DoubleTree used to be a Radisson.

Very nice... only recently built. Very nice and probably reasonably priced. It's basically connected/surrounded by UAB hospital, so it's not exactly going to be big in terms of nightlife or fun places to see.... however, it is only a few blocks away from 5 Points South. For the question about Sheraton, it's closer to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex if you're familiar with that. Legion Field is on the west side of downtown... but probably only about a 5-10min drive over from the hotel. Sheraton is definitely the closest, nice hotel. Sheraton is also just off of 20th Street which runs north and south through downtown Birmingham. There is a bus service that runs through downtown called DART. It used to be free, but now may be about a quarter or something to ride. It would be able to take you anywhere along the length of 20th Street for sure and even over around the UAB Campus. One of the main entrances into 5 Points South is 20th Street, so the DART would work perfectly fine for that... it would obviously take a bit longer on the DART with stops along the way. If you were in your car, just come straight down 20th Street towards the south. There are redlights all along the way, but they're usually pretty well synchronized, so it's quite a short drive. Another non-brand hotel that you may want to look into is the Pickwick Hotel. It's an older building, but generally gets pretty good reviews. It sits right virtually in the heart of 5 Points. As far as cab fairs, I'm afraid I can't really give you any price ranges. As a local I've pretty much only driven myself. Here are a few of the bigger names for cabs in Birmingham, however. • American Cab • Award Cab Company • Birmingham Cab Company • Hill Cab Company • Yellow Cab You may be able to find out more about them online.

Unless it's the team hotel for ECU, I have two recommendations for you guys. - Wynfrey Hotel (large hotel attached to the Riverchase Galleria... one of the nation's largest malls). Only downfall is this is in Hoover, so it's about a 15-20min drive from Legion Field. Those of you with wives or girlfriends would really love this location for all the shopping. - DoubleTree Birmingham... another large hotel in downtown. Actually it's near the UAB Campus and 5 Points South (main nightlife spot). Both of these places may not be all that cheap, but they're very nice hotels and near "the action" depending on whether "the action" to you means bars/clubs or whether it means shopping/hanging out.

ECU fans usually travel very well for their bowl games. There will be a bunch of them I'm sure no matter the distance.

I doubt Rice is in Birmingham, but don't overlook them. Yes, we all have made jokes at the expense of Rice over the years, but they're MUCH improved. Their recruiting has really taken off once they entered CUSA and they've really, really improved. The name might not get your blood pumping, but they'll definitely be a challenge. Again, having said that, I would expect it to be ECU... not Rice.

And another thing I noticed for those of you USF basketball fans... the UAB-USF game in Birmingham is on Dec. 27th. That's only 4 days after the bowl game if you played in Birmingham... only thing, however, is that would mean staying in Birmingham over Christmas so that will likely eliminate that possibility for most of you. Just throwing it out there, though.

Probably will be ECU then since Birmingham is most likely the closest of the CUSA-affiliated bowls.

I think it seems fairly likely you all will go to Birmingham. I believe Birmingham is probably closer for most of your fans, but not positive. How many folks do yall think you'd bring? Alot of people are thinking USM will be the CUSA representative for the Papa John's Bowl so they'll probably travel pretty well if it is indeed USM that is selected.