But the notion that you with "a short drive you can go anywhere" from Starkville is one of the more outrageous claims I have ever heard. We used to go to Boise every year, but don't do it as often anymore. To fly from here to Boise, I can fly from LAX or Orange County with a connection in SLC or Denver and be there in 3.5 hours. If I want to fly to Starkville, I have to fly to ATL and then get one of the biplanes that flies into your lovely airport with a stop in B'ham along the way.
Boise metro is about 550,000 folks and a is in the middle of great skiing, rafting, golfing, hiking country. Starkville is.... well, you're there so you know. For the record, the reason we used to go so often is because it is better than Orange County, too... so this isn't just a Starkville sucks thing, it's a Boise is very nice thing.
Again, Petersen seems to be yours and will be a great addition to the SEC, but please do not do the Starkville is greater than stuff. It just isn't true.