I know this was a hot topic in South Bend. Rumors were flying everywhere and news reports even said the event may be postponed for one year!

Did they make any announcements during the Big Show?

I know everyone is very curious, especially if they need to make travel arrangements for a new location.

No announcement was made at Big Show, and I have heard several rumors from Vegas to Kansas City to even keeping it at Notre Dame.... I guess we won't be sure for a while.

Why are they going to move it for one year?

Notre Dame is doing construction on the Joyce Center and the only time they can do it is in the summer when the college kids won't be needing it... Meaning they will be ripping up the floor and everything and it won't be done in time for us.

Right now, I've heard that it will be somewhere in Oklahoma! If the move it form Notre Dame- so many less people will be able to come. It was perfectly central so everyone would come. They don't even know when. Postponing it would be AWEFUL!!!!

I think it would cause too much controversy if they chose to wait til the next year because then what would be the point in having the miss majorette of your state or region? I think if they're going to move it they should have it on the east coast because there are more twirlers on the east.

It would be nice to keep the contest centrally located. We heard: Vegas or keep it in South Bend and use St. Mary's gym and some high schools - which would be a scheduling nightmare.

I just want to say that I am very disappointed that no announcement or decision has been made. With a competition of this size and magnitude, you would think that plans would have to be made AT LEAST a year out to find an appropriate and viable location. We all knew last year that Notre Dame was not an option for 2009, and the speculation began. I would like to know ASAP so that appropriate plans can be made regarding our possible participation. For some people it may take additional money to be earned and/or saved if driving is not an option for 2009. I am from the west coast and would love to see it in Vegas, but I know for many others this trip would be $$$$ and the time to start planning is now. So someone needs to get on the ball or
"pass the baton" to another who can get the job done.

Be careful what you wish for as Vegas would mean the really big bucks! I have heard there are three options and one is not having it at all! another rumor is that descions will be made in September.

I was stunned that no announcement was made at the Big Show. It was just a "See you at AYOP in '09." C'mon, when you organize a huge event like that, the work begins the very next day. Someone HAS to know something already. I spoke to a lot of the vendors in the hotels last week, and some were very angry that nothing has been announced.

We heard two different rumors. One we heard that seems like a good option is that they are considering the University of Tennessee (still fairly central to a lot of the country). The other is the one that has been floating around about using various gyms in the area. We also heard if they do that, they may scale down the contest for next year. I personally would rather see them move it then try to navigate the nightmare of going from gym to gym in South Bend. I can't even imagine how they would schedule something like that. I would also hate to see them scale down the contest. No matter where it is, whether it's South Bend, or Vegas, or Oklahoma, someone, somewhere has to travel farther than someone else. I think for one year, people would be willing to travel elsewhere.

I heard a final decision would be made in September. However what they might do is put on the lower level pageant, teams and open individual events in venues around Norte Dame and hold the Miss Maj of America and the big one in Vegas. If that is the case, I'll only be going to one or they other.
I was also concerbed that I paid for my three children and did not get a program and was left scrambling all week. Did anyone else notice a lack of organization this year?

I heard that they will still have AYOP at Notre Dame next year and that the construction won't involve the field house/arena. The hotel I was staying at said a big team already booked their spots for next year because that is what they heard......but who knows i guess??

I do not think they would have the lower pageants in one state and the Miss Majorette in another, especially Vegas. I am sure they would know that less people would attend if it was that way. One rumor was moving up the dates but that would be hard too. If they are based out of WI I am surprised they would not look in that area.

Hopefully they will make a decision soon so people can plan. Also the hotels & restraurants would love it to stay there. I am sure they are not happy losing all of the revenue.

A local TV station did a story on AYOP and the local economy while we were there last week. Here's the link: www.wndu.com . . .

The field house and arena are scheduled to begin an extensive renovation following the end of this years basketball season, and is not expected to be completed until right before the next basketball season. This was in the South Bend Tribune this week.

I honestly don't think any businesses in South Bend/Roseland/Mishawaka know what is going on, and I don't know why the people in charge of AYOP are being so secretive about their plans.

If it was in vegas, what venue would they use? what are the options?

I overheard this in the monogram room. Someone asked the powers that be about next year and they told them they may not want to make reservations for next year just yet. Don will be sitting down with the University in September to see what they can work out. Apparently final funding for the renovations is not yet in place and until the school knows what happens how can he plan anything. I would welcome a change and any extra money spent on travel may be saved with hotel expenses. I know what we paid for our rooms this year and they are ever increasing for rooms that are not of the quality that they should be for the price. If we change locations maybe there would be better rates and more choices of places to stay. We are paying football weekend rates for the rooms and we are there for 1 week!!

I'm sure Don would love to have it continue at ND, but he has to be realistic to the whims of the university. He may also call it quits since he is in his 70s with no clear successor as of yet. I'm sure AYOP will continue somewhere next year. Why not have it on the West Coast closer to the time USTA Nationals are in Arizona. People could do both equally well if the dates and timing was right. 1 week could be AYOP, the next could be Nationals, save money for everyone if it was at the same venue or close proximity.

Having it around the same area/time as USTA would probably not be easy to do either. Alot of people can't take off 2 weeks at their jobs and pay for that amount in hotel costs. It also may be too taxing for the younger twirlers.
Just my opinion.
We will have to see what they say in September. I am sure as soon as they know the word will be out. Hard as it is, we have to wait. I am sure they do not want to make too many changes if they do not have to.

I'm pretty sure no announcement was made at the Big Show because the plans are still in the negotiation process. I know the South Bend/Mishawaka area doesn't want to lose the revenue from AYOP so will try nearly anything to make sure that AYOP is not moved from that area. I'm pretty sure it's been over 30 years that AYOP has been at Notre Dame, so all options--whatever they are--must be considered tediously. I understand about the financial preparation for nationals, but why not fund raise or set money aside until there is a concrete location?

Just an FYI The price of hotels during football games vary. I tried to book the same hotel we stay in each year for a football game last year. We pay 165.00 a night for that room during AYOP (I thought way too high for the quality), they wanted 625.00 a night for the football game weekend. South Bend knows how to make their money on hotel rooms.

The busineses in the area want to make a profit, so they adjust prices to what the market will bear. It is disgusting that some of the hotels have the nerve to charge premium prices but, if people are willing to pay they will take it. They do not care why we are there, they just want the hotel full.
Perhaps the business owners will put pressure on ND to adjust the construction schedule around AYOP, rather than AYOP adjust it's schedule. Time will tell. You know the old adage: Money Talks!
Regardless of where Ayop is held next year, let's be grateful the event is being held at all!

There were so many rumors spinning around last week.
Some I heard again on here - others just talk in the stands.

I know that if they try to break it up and have an olympic style village of venues I won't be going and my kids wont either.
They can't even keep the schedules set and organized in one venue - never mind multiple places. And imagine the crazyness of having mulitple children spread out between several venues.
NUTS....

I'd love a change - I love how AAU has different locations and they rotate around and you know about it AHEAD of time. Not just months ahead but years. Anyway....would hope that Don and the powers that be have it figured out by the 1st of the new year.

I just hope you all remember that no matter where they choose east coast or west coast someone has to travel far. for the past 5 years we have flown over half way across the country to attend and enjoy ayop. Between Airfare (tofar to drive) hotels food entry car rental its about a 3,000 dollar trip just to be there the week but we wouldnt miss it so if they decide a more west coast venue please dont pass up trying a new spot and the adventure of travel haha. but with that said i do hope for the sake of your big teams that do all the props its closer for you. We cant even do a show twirl with props we cant get them on the airplane. AYOP 2009 will be great no matter where it is!!!!!