Report: Canton among bidders for Stagg Bowl

Detroit and Canton are among the cities vying to host the Division III national championship game, aka the Stagg Bowl, beginning in 2018, according to a prominent college football podcast.

Imagine Mount Union or John Carroll playing for a Division III national championship in Canton.

It could happen as soon as 2018.

According to D3football. com’s “Around the Nation” podcast, three cities have submitted bids to host the Stagg Bowl, also known as the Division III football national championship game.

Canton, Detroit and Delaware, Ohio — home of Ohio Wesleyan University — have placed bids, according to Pat Coleman, host of the D3football.com podcast.

Salem, Va., has been the host city of the Stagg Bowl every season since 1993. That’s the year Mount Union won its first D-III national championship in football. Since then, the Purple Raiders have won 11 more Stagg Bowls, and played in 19 total.

If the game were played in Canton, it would a short drive to the Stagg Bowl for Mount.

“I love the city of Salem,” said Purple Raiders coach Vince Kehres, who said he’s heard of Canton’s bid to get the Stagg Bowl. “Those people there do a great job with the game. But all of this is out of my control, and I’m not really thinking about it.”

Coleman also said on the podcast, Detroit’s bid includes hosting the D-II and D-III national championship games at Ford Field.

“Whatever happens, I’m sure it will be the best thing for Division III,” said Kehres.

Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, formerly known as Fawcett Stadium, is under construction, but is expected to be ready in August.

The 23,000-set stadium is adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.