The Wiz of Odds is conducting a comprehensive study of bowl game expense reports. All of the data collected — expense reports for 56 teams and bowl surveys for 40 teams — are being posted on the site. Here is the latest installment. For an overview of the project, click here.
The Capital One Bowl, held in Orlando, is operated as a nonprofit by Florida Citrus Sports Events, Inc. The game's origin dates to 1947 when it was known as the Tangerine Bowl. It has undergone several name changes since 1983, with Capital One being added to the title in 2001.
2011 participants: Michigan State and Alabama.
Michigan State expenses: The school reported 1,877 absorbed tickets at a cost of $150,900 and total expenses of $1.62 million. Michigan State was one of the few schools to include bonuses [did not specify who received the bonuses] totaling $328,736 on its report. Download Michigan State Expenses
Survey: Athletic director Mark Hollis, whose team absorbed a 49-7 pounding, answered either "satisfied" or "very satisfied" to every question but one — his overall impression of the bowl. For that, he answered "excellent (exceeded expectations)."
"Communication with bowl staff was excellent," Hollis wrote. "Questions were answered quickly and the few problems or requests we made were dealt with in a timely manner. New field in stadium was outstanding."
Hollis' satisfaction with the field came after bowl officials were embarrassed by mud bowl conditions in the 2010 game between Penn State and Louisiana State. Download Michigan State Survey
Alabama expenses: The Crimson Tide reported 2,062 absorbed tickets totaling $167,220. Total expenses were an off-the-chart $2.91 million, but a closer inspection reveals that the school included bonuses [did not specify who received the bonuses] of $1.1 million on the report. Alabama's travel party of 815 was high among the 56 reports obtained by The Wiz of Odds. Administrative costs of $263,194 were higher than norm. The school reported an expense allowance of only $113,600 from the Southeastern Conference. An Alabama official later told The Wiz of Odds that the allowance was $1.2 million. Download Alabama Expenses
Survey: (This section updated.) Athletic director Mal Moore was not a fan of the team's practice facility at Orlando's Dr. Phillips High.
"The condition of the game site field and locker room was excellent, however the practice site field and locker room need improvement," he wrote.
Matt Repchak, assistant director of communications for Florida Citrus Sports, told The Wiz of Odds on Thursday that Florida Citrus paid for improvements to the practice facility and that Alabama, which was recruiting defensive back Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix and running back Demetrius Hart from Dr. Phillips, did not incur any expenses. The players signed with the school in February.
Moore praised the work of the bowl throughout, but when asked what areas needed improvement, he reiterated, "Practice field as well as practice site locker room." Download Alabama Survey
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