g-mann17

It apparently went over very well with the students.Buchtelite ArticleI'm sure a new arena thread will be started again after this too... "He even let on that he spoke with basketball head coach Keith Dambrot about a new arena."

Try www.uakron.edu/development

Well if there is one person that can speak volumes on the benefits of going to the UofA over OSU it's him.

I know he'll be here next week...can't say for sure this weekend tho. Anyone know? Sadly I fear the worst.He was scheduled for the 18th and he was coming to meet the staff and players. I know Boals made a lot of it possible, but I'm also sure that the NCAA appearance and the MAC Championship also made a bit of an impression. I would suspect he will be here.

Now, here is a question I have often wondered. Why is it when a coach leaves to another school he's allowed to talk to players who have made commitments to his former school?Isn't that tampering and shouldn't the NCAA have a rule about that?Now I know Coach Boals isn't going to do anything shady like that (as much as OSU officials would want him to) but I've noticed a lot of player's transferring to where their coach is hired. I think if the NCAA was all about the student athlete, then they would have rule that you can't try to to have contact with former recruits and players.It just proves it's a big boys club. You want a recruit that is going to a mid-major, hire the coach that is recruiting him.

It would be funny seeing a kangaroo chilling on the sideline like thisROO BALLS

Yeah I always wondered where our live mascot was, stupid PETA ruining it for everyone.

You should have called this "Don't Feed the Bears"

There are all sorts of odd traditions out there. For example - I know that K.e.n.t. football recruits wear skirts and lipstick on signing day.And their basketball recruits wear orange jumpsuits on signing day.

Yes! We were driving East on Exchange from Main street yesterday and you could see the stadium from THERE! The thing is HUGE!!!Yeah I noticed that same view myself. You can see it when you are going down 77 North as well.One of the most impressive views I have seen is from the intersection of Brittain Rd and Newton (near Seiberling Elementary). You can see the whole project from that spot. Also there are some nice views from the Akron Zoo.

Stadium Tour Slide Show

I went. I haven't had time to really sit down and do any kind of reporting.Two big take aways, Manley Waller can hit. Secondly, Nadir Brown is going to be a hell of a receiver. He was probably the brightest spot of the scrimmage.

The assigned seats were your seats from the Rubber Bowl, or should be. The letter details the fact that there will two open houses so that Priority Reserved and Reserved season ticket holders can select there location in May or June.General Admission and Family apparently will not be taking part in the seat selection process. (Though that could be a misunderstanding, I am just assuming since there is no mention of that in the letter.)

I actually believe that USD is an FCS team and that Mack thought that the NCAA would allow it to count. They went through the MAC to push for waivers and were denied. It wasn't the MAC trying to screw us. It was that an FBS rule couldn't be bypassed as anticipated by our athletic department.

I would have to agree with that, because there is probably a general monetary incentive involved for being done and passing inspections by certain dates.

Actually the largest factor of a capital investment project such as the arena is the net present value of the investment combined with the profitability index (comparison of net present value in reation to anticipated revenue streams or ROI). The comparison you make with MTSU is attendance now of a building that is 36 years old. That really wouldn't be a very good comparison. You would need to look at attendance during the first 5 years of operation and compare whether the investment was covered and profitable. Also you look at it from soley an attendance stand point. Truthfully speaking revenue streams are generated from attendance, leasing, concessions, and tax. Revenue streams for the project mentioned would also include secondary streams such as hospitality taxes (hotel stays) and sales tax generated from people dining in the area or shopping pre-game. Not to mention that the bottom line for revenue for any university is increased enrollment. If you don't believe that improved facilities make an impact on enrollment, then you haven't been paying attention to the University for the last 10 years.You keep looking at solely a University of Akron arena. The majority of people on here look at a joint investment to offset costs and maximize revenue streams. You see lack of attendance as a hinderance, I see lack of attendance as a sign. The product is quality, has been for a while, the truth is no one (other than hardcore fans) wants to go to a high school gym and be uncomfortable for 2 hours. When people make a decision to go out they want the biggest bang for their buck. They want convenient concessions and restroom access, they want the option to go out to eat before hand so they don't have to drop 30 dollars on 2 hot dogs and a coke. The JAR is accessible by one parking lot and a nice parking deck. There are no pedestrian stops (ie stores or restaurants) along the way to make a bitter cold December/January walk worth it for people who aren't hardcore fans.

Because someone was short-sighted and f*cked up.Because the state never wanted The University of Akron to be a "big school" and we had a bunch of yes men board members who cowtowed to the state when told they wouldn't get any extra cash to build what they wanted.

I did what I could to restrict it to players that are not currently injured. So no Allen, Martin, Bain, or Torrence.

For me, it's Nadir Brown.6'5 205 he is in the 4.5's in his 40 time. He has been a practice favorite so far and I think of all the young receivers (freshmen/sophomore) he has amazing potential.

I made my own factor. Based on Stroh Arena (BGSU proposed facility) and some comparisons with Value City and Wolstein Center.Stroh will be built in the near future at a cost of $57.6 million. It's an 8000 seat arena. Hence $7200.It seemed accurate since Value City arena was built in 1998(give or take) at a cost of $115 Million. It is a 19000 seat arena ($6060/seat). Wolstein was built in the mid to late 80's for a cost of 55 million holds 13000 ($4230/seat).I figured my $7200 would be a pretty good estimate based on modern construction costs and inflation. (and item costing $4230 in 1987 would cost $7625 as of 2007.)Brilliant! Doing that simple and seemingly obvious formulation never crossed my mind! I did find one mistake in your numbers though. According to BGSU's website, the Stroh Center is a 5,000 seat arena, not an 8,000 seat facility. Thus, that would push the Stroh Center figure to $11,520 per seat. I must say that the suits at BGSU do clearly understand the exponential values of having a first class arena. Here is a quote from the BGSU website:"First impressions mean a lot - and the Stroh Center will be a great first impression of BGSU for many people," Christopher said. "From campus tours, concerts or games, nearly 500,000 people will use the arena each year. The Stroh Center will provide a terrific front porch for Bowling Green." Fortunately, this truth is not lost on our leaders. The Info is proof positive of that!You are correct, I should have said Stroh Arena will cost 36 million and seat 5000. (still $7200/seat).Stroh Arena

I made my own factor. Based on Stroh Arena (BGSU proposed facility) and some comparisons with Value City and Wolstein Center.Stroh will be built in the near future at a cost of $57.6 million. It's an 8000 seat arena. Hence $7200.It seemed accurate since Value City arena was built in 1998(give or take) at a cost of $115 Million. It is a 19000 seat arena ($6060/seat). Wolstein was built in the mid to late 80's for a cost of 55 million holds 13000 ($4230/seat).I figured my $7200 would be a pretty good estimate based on modern construction costs and inflation. (and item costing $4230 in 1987 would cost $7625 as of 2007.)

I don't see razing the JAR as a solution. The building is still viable and we have smaller indoor sports (rifle, volleyball, etc.) that could use it, as well as the fact that it holds the athletics offices.Here is what you really have to look at. It will cost 15-20 million to structurally upgrade the JAR. Max expansion would be 8000. This would only be seating area. No improvements that would bring in major ticket prices (i.e. Info Loges/club seating)A brand new 8000 seat Arena with athletics offices, concession areas, state of the art equipment, proper sightlines, concessions and luxury seating is going to cost about 57.6 million (assuming a $7200 per seat cost estimate). Plus an additional cost in tearing down the JAR and leasing space to play while construction occurs. (And this is where the bad PR will come from, "University tears down 26 year old multi-million dollar facility for something bigger" people will see that as wastefull). All to be footed by the University. In comparison using the same math, a 12000 seat arena would cost 86.4 million. It could be split between the city, county and university. 28.8 million per entity. You have the ability to sell season tickets for multiple sports as well as licensing loge for the University and non University events seperately (or jointly for far more than just University events). You also get to keep the JAR so the University isn't footing the operation bill for the new facility when Volleyball plays or when Women's basketball is in the MAC portion of the schedule. This would help both sides in recruiting (men's and women's BB) because now it's "look at our arena, this is solely for women's basketball we don't have to split time with the men at all".Those are rough cost estimates for the options we have. A downtown arena is 13 million more (for the University) and would probably be able to be paid off much faster than a brand new University only arena. The expansion creates a crisis of which sports get bumped while construction is underway.

All of the HS are being rebuilt or renovated. Right now they are trying to find out how many high schools will actually exist (between 4-6). It's all based on state size requirement in order to get the money the state owes the district for the school rebuild program.Central is to be maintained as the transition building until they know how many schools are needed and the project is complete. APS won't be selling that building anytime in the near future (no sooner than 8 years if ever)

You underestimate the power of "new-ness". The first game could have been against the cheerleaders and it would sell out because the stadium is new. It will be "the place to be". Second the Ohio State game won't have any more impact than any other OSU game. The same waiting list of people will get the OSU allotment, Toledo will have their's and then the rest will go to OSU faithful and only 74000 people can fill Cleveland Browns Stadium. Which is about 28000 less than normally go to their games. It's actually less of an Impact than regular home game. The problem with attendance has been apathy. Nobody wants to go and watch a team that may or may not win when the atmoshphere and view is depressing. It makes you feel even worse if you lose. There is a a good buzz going into the season around the potential of the team, you have great buzz coming from The Info. Attendance should be the least of anyone's worries. Now if we are 3-5 going into the last stretch with no chance of getting into the MAC championship game, then yes people will use weather as an excuse and not show up for the Temple and EMU games. But on the other hand if we are 5-3 or 6-2 the place will be packed the entire season.To add one more quick note...I would rather have a 90% chance of a win coming in than Wyoming (who most people in the area could not care less about). Winning brings creates fans. Mount Union plays a bunch of nobodies every year until they get in the playoffs (and still plays only about 2 teams that anyone from the area ever heard of) and they have a following, because they win. Build it and they will come, win and they will stay.

We can't compete in the MAC and you want this program to be the doormat for the CUSA? Marshall dominated the MAC and went to the CUSA and have gone 4-8, 3-9, 5-7, and 4-7. What do you think is going to happen to Akron?People need to realize what Akron is, people are out here thinking we can compete with Penn St and the Big Ten and we should be in CUSA.....we need to compete in the MAC before we think about competing with good programs.And you need to realize that we do compete in the MAC. We were 8 points away from being 8-4 this year. We nearly beat the Big East Champions, we made Syracuse look like rightfully like the bottom of FBS. If you keep thinking small time and letting the fact that a couple things don't go your way in a given year, you are always going to be small time. Futility is not a team that has been D-1 for all of 20 years and has recently garnered enough respect to be able to recruit talent get 10's of millions of dollars in donations to fund facility improvements and been to a bowl game in the last 4 years. No futility is being a D-1 football program for the entirity of existance and having your most notable season being in 1972.Marshall was failing as they left the MAC and hell UCF went 0-12 they just won a C-USA tile last year or the year before. So the "can't compete" argument is pretty useless. Cincinnati won a C-USA title once (2002) and they just went to the Orange Bowl.