In a battle between two Midwest sports powers, Indianapolis topped Chicago in the two cities' bids to play host the Big Ten football title game, the league announced Sunday.
The conference's Council of Presidents/Chancellors voted unanimously to place the championship game at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium -- over Chicago's Soldier Field -- for a four-year period beginning in 2012. The home of the Indianpolis Colts already had been named to play host to the inuagural Big Ten title game Dec. 3.
Commissioner Jim Delany said weather was a factor in the final decision. Lucas Oil Stadium has a retractable roof, and Soldier Field doesn't.
However, Chicago's United Center will again play host to the Big Ten men's basketball tournament, alternating with Conseco Fieldhouse for a four-year stretch starting in the 2012-13 season. The women's basketball tournament also will alternate between Indianapolis and Chicago during the same period, but the event will be at Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill., when it's Chicago's turn.
MYRON P. MEDCALF
