The Arena

[GP1]

I think we all know that JAR isn't the best place to watch a game, but given our inability to fill it and fill a new football stadium, it's all we are going to have for a while. The state probably can't afford one right now and we shouldn't get in bed with the Mayor. Private money?...InfoCision and Summa are in the football stadium...Goodyear would be hesitant because they keep a close relationship with the Mayor and wouldn't want to hurt that relationship if they help UofA with an arena and not the City. The question is then, how to make it nice (which we have talked about a lot) and how to bring in extra money with anything they do to it (which we never talk about because sports fans think money falls out of the sky) with limited funding?

More comfortable seats at the risk of losing capacity...done. We always talk about that. We're not filling the place anyhow.

How do they generate more money? College sports aren't about the number of people as much as the amount of money generated (it should be anyhow). Ticket sales are extremely important, but a school has to sell big ticket items in addition. Luxury suites are designed to do that. Where to put them is the real question?...

Suspend the baskets from the ceiling and get rid of the seats behind the baskets. That's easy to do. Whatever junk is located in the rooms under the upper seating area behind the baskets gets moved somewhere. If that means portable concession stands for each game, then do it...the food is crap anyhow so they would be doing fans a favor by making it difficult for them to buy some. Make the Tommy Evans lounge an area to go buy food....Let's not kid ourselves, it's not that great of a lounge anyhow and people wouldn't have to go to the first floor to get food if they so dare to do so.

I don't know how many suites could be put behind each basket, but I would guess a max. of three with seating, right on the floor, for 10 ea. Sort of like Pitt has with their arena. With the baskets relocated, it would create a better view for those seats and open the area up. Gouge the owners for food and beer like they do at big stadiums. Make Akron basketball a place at least six companies a game want to take clients/visitors. Sell the suites as a package deal with current football suite owners.

ZW is right. They need to do something for the basketball program beyond making a playroom for the players. They can't affort a new arena, so they have to do something on the cheap. I believe they could get good bang for the buck out of this...we will call this a "building" project, because something actually is completed when finished. The space is there, it is just a matter of how to use it. How many other MAC schools can claim floor level luxury suites in their arena? Let's work with what we have.

[Big Zip]

Currently the University is waiting on three proposals for. The JAR....three different price points and what can be done to the JAR to make it better. I have to imagine there will be some interesting configurations.

[Dr Z]

I hope Mr Bowden can help the basketball progrum by building a good football progrum. I liked his start on Thursday night.

[akzipper]

Don't drop another dime on the JAR. Sorry, but we deserve a new Arena. If they can build new facilities for football and soccer, there's no reason they couldn't for basketball. Something that seats at least 8k but more preferably something around 10k range. Recruits don't and will not get excited about the JAR. Unless we are content with being mediocre in the MAC forever, then fine...

That is what BG has done. Do you think a school that builds the Stroh Center wants to be a force in college basketball. Heck no! they built a glorified high school gym...

There's no problem working with the city to get it done. They need the arena as much as we do, and would be a win-win for everyone.

[Zip_ME87]

Don't drop another dime on the JAR. Sorry, but we deserve a new Arena. If they can build new facilities for football and soccer, there's no reason they couldn't for basketball. Something that seats at least 8k but more preferably something around 10k range. Recruits don't and will not get excited about the JAR.

There's no problem working with the city to get it done. They need the arena as much as we do, and would be a win-win for everyone.

+1 Why are we being so "cheap" with basketball. It's time to correct the mistake that was made in the 1980's and replace the JAR. I don't understand why anyone would be against going in with the city and getting an arena downtown if it could be done. Campus has already expanded into downtown and more student housing continues to be built there. The basketball Zips deserve a real arena, with all chair backs, that holds about 10k. Don't waste any more money on the JAR.

[Blue & Gold]

Don't drop another dime on the JAR. Sorry, but we deserve a new Arena. If they can build new facilities for football and soccer, there's no reason they couldn't for basketball. Something that seats at least 8k but more preferably something around 10k range. Recruits don't and will not get excited about the JAR.

There's no problem working with the city to get it done. They need the arena as much as we do, and would be a win-win for everyone.

+1 Why are we being so "cheap" with basketball. It's time to correct the mistake that was made in the 1980's and replace the JAR. I don't understand why anyone would be against going in with the city and getting an arena downtown if it could be done. Campus has already expanded into downtown and more student housing continues to be built there. The basketball Zips deserve a real arena, with all chair backs, that holds about 10k. Don't waste any more money on the JAR.

The main problem, as I understand it, is that the city wants an ice arena whereas the U wants a basketball arena. Ice arenas are much more multi-purpose, but, I don't care what anyone says on this one, IMO leave much to be desired for viewing basketball.

That's the pickle. Personally, I'd be happy with either scenario & can see the advantages/disadvantages of both. What I don't want to see is a renovated JAR as the permanent solution. Unless the architects think entirely outside of the box and blow us away with their creative vision, I think a renovated JAR is an almost complete waste of money. Even if they'd renovate the JAR so extensively that it'd be unrecognizable to even Zip Watcher, I don't like the JAR's location.

[ZachTheZip]

Here's my plan:

1. Build a new arena. Design it with men's basketball games in mind. If the city wants it to host an ice rink and are willing to take up a significant portion of the cost, then that's fine. I love watching games at the Q and don't at all feel like the design takes away from the atmosphere. In fact, it feels less like a high school gym and more big-time (which can help attract some recruits), something the JAR will never be able to shake due to its architectural limitations.

2. The JAR will now be focused on hosting WBB, volleyball, and indoor concerts. First, replace all the seating. The "home" side will get new, more comfortable, chairbacks. The other side and the north side (upper and lower, both), and the lower south side) will get plastic lumber bleachers, much more comfortable and durable than the current seats, and something the nicer high school gyms already have that we don't. Also, on all sides, the railing will be eliminated and the track made narrower into a simple walkway to get to and from seats.

3. The upper south side will be eliminated completely. In its place will be a two-level luxury suite area that will extend to where the railing currently is. The first level will have a continuous glass face and will be a small restaraunt area. The current Tommy Evans lounge will become its kitchen. The upper level will be actual luxury boxes for the high rollers and for celebrities to come to games without being mobbed by the GA crowd like they have to deal with now.

3. And now the cosmetic improvements. Replace the scoreboard with an HD one. Replace the orange stat boards with either a ribbon strip or the screens like the ones in front of the scorers table. Paint all the walls blue. Get a lighting system that you can turn on and off.

The seating arrangements would allow the students to sit behind the bench. It would be the only place they would be allowed to sit until that filled up. With the high rollers in the new luxury box, it opens seats up in the reserved section so the students aren't really kicking anybody out. The lower north section can be the athletes' family section. The band can finally realize their dream of taking over the entire lower south side. All of this would help the atmosphere tremendously by removing some of the boring people and consolidating the students. The capacity is lowered slightly, but not as much as you might think, while at the same time packing the crowd into a smaller space.

[plowerman78]

in terms of the student section I and KD would prefer to have it on the side. Similar to the OZONE, Oakland Zoo and IZONE (i could go on) it just simply makes for a better atmosphere and also its a better place to watch a game (compared to behind the basket.) Prolly would be on the other side of benches because there are some type of NCAA regulations on being behind the opposing teams bench. (yes i know OSU is behind the other teams bench dont ask me how.) Because of recent additions like the team lounges, i dont see a new building being built, but major renovations done to the JAR.

[ZachTheZip]

If we can't have it behind the bench, then you could simply switch which side the reserved section is on, or move the benches to the other side.

Also, I forgot to mention above that those renovations should be done regardless of whether a new arena gets built. They have to be done.

[akzipper]

If we can't have it behind the bench, then you could simply switch which side the reserved section is on, or move the benches to the other side.

Also, I forgot to mention above that those renovations should be done regardless of whether a new arena gets built. They have to be done.

I figured the renovations were to create a players lounge. If they are going to build a new arena, they would still need the JAR to practice and work out. Some big schools have a separate building for practicing and working out. Like he said, it had to be done eventually. Just like when we built Buchtel field and Stile fieldhouse. Did that mean we weren't getting a new stadium? No. Just more convenient that way...

Just search around the internet. You'll see a lot of great basketball practice facilities at bigger schools. I'd like to see a new arena and then the JAR converted to just a practice facility. As opposed to demolishing it like Memorial. Would also help bring more tournaments like Lebron's to campus.

[Zip_ME87]

in terms of the student section I and KD would prefer to have it on the side. Similar to the OZONE, Oakland Zoo and IZONE (i could go on) it just simply makes for a better atmosphere and also its a better place to watch a game (compared to behind the basket.) Prolly would be on the other side of benches because there are some type of NCAA regulations on being behind the opposing teams bench. (yes i know OSU is behind the other teams bench dont ask me how.)

I totally agree. Thanks to my friend, I sat 2 rows behind the students at WVU (across from the WVU bench) with Harry Huggins and his wife. The view and atmosphere (from a WVU perspective) were great. I personally see no issue with sitting behind our students as long as I have a good view. (I bring up Harry Huggins as an example that it's acceptable for a coach's brother to sit behind the students. I don't see any reason as a season ticket holder to not do the same. The biggest donors can still have the seats behind the benches.)

[skip-zip]

Whether anyone agrees or disagrees, there is a couple of options being looked at right now. One is a series of renovation options that reduce the seating capacity somewhat, and move the upper level seats forward, with a new VIP lounge that would look out towards the court. The alternative is to look towards a new arena if none of the options above are feasible.

But I still stick to my original assertions concerning the time frame, which are:

I still belive that a new arena, if that become the best alternative, could still possibly be as far as a decade away.

And I still believe that the only way to push the issue is to start packing the JAR.

[alexopats@yahoo.com]

I don't know where everyone thinks this money will come from. A new Arena AND renovating the JAR further? We can't even sell out a 5,000 seater. I think the JAR is only a few steps from being a great atmosphere, starting with the student section. Why are students stuck watching from afar while having only a small effect on the team? If students were courtside (like any other major NCAAM program) the team would have to feel more appreciated.

[skip-zip]

I don't know where everyone thinks this money will come from. A new Arena AND renovating the JAR further? We can't even sell out a 5,000 seater. I think the JAR is only a few steps from being a great atmosphere, starting with the student section. Why are students stuck watching from afar while having only a small effect on the team? If students were courtside (like any other major NCAAM program) the team would have to feel more appreciated.

I want to agree that the students should be on the side. The problem is that we only have so many seats available for the folks who donate money, and we have to give them these perks. Could a compromise be reached whereby we could move students into one or two of the end sections on the side? I hope. I'd like to see students in that section right behind the opposing bench. But, I think part of that is what we give to the opposing teams for family members.

[akzipper]

I don't know where everyone thinks this money will come from. A new Arena AND renovating the JAR further? We can't even sell out a 5,000 seater. I think the JAR is only a few steps from being a great atmosphere, starting with the student section. Why are students stuck watching from afar while having only a small effect on the team? If students were courtside (like any other major NCAAM program) the team would have to feel more appreciated.

Yeah I agree it is a few steps away from being a good arena.

Step 1: Tear it down

Step 2: Build a new one

So you're saying a university of over 30,000 and city of 200,000 doesn't need a nice arena? I don't buy that. Do you realize how many companies are located in NE Ohio that would put money forward to have their name on the building? and it isn't renovating the JAR at the same time, it's building a new arena and then converting the JAR to a practice facility in the future.

[jdurbinakron]

How about making a student section that starts at the floor and goes all the way up behind each of the two baskets. Just look at the VCU crowd. Not many people even sat in the Upper GA behind the baskets, so a large section could be placed on each side or at least of the two sides. We could also look to build on the JAR to make it a larger facility such as adding another level. I thought a remembered the architect had something in the plans to allow an expansion to be placed on the JAR.

[plowerman78]

wouldnt mind that either as u said similar to VCU, as long as we are together im fine with it.

[skip-zip]

I don't know where everyone thinks this money will come from. A new Arena AND renovating the JAR further? We can't even sell out a 5,000 seater. I think the JAR is only a few steps from being a great atmosphere, starting with the student section. Why are students stuck watching from afar while having only a small effect on the team? If students were courtside (like any other major NCAAM program) the team would have to feel more appreciated.

Yeah I agree it is a few steps away from being a good arena.

Step 1: Tear it down

Step 2: Build a new one

So you're saying a university of over 30,000 and city of 200,000 doesn't need a nice arena? I don't buy that. Do you realize how many companies are located in NE Ohio that would put money forward to have their name on the building? and it isn't renovating the JAR at the same time, it's building a new arena and then converting the JAR to a practice facility in the future.

This is the sad part of the story. These 30,000 students, and WELL OVER 200,000 residents (if you count the area) are not using the one we have.

We don't need to look much further than the last 2 years at the INFO to know that they are not going to show up just for the venue. They have to have an interest in what's taking place inside the arena. And that's not happening. The fans need to push the issue and start showing up.

[GP1]

+1 Why are we being so "cheap" with basketball. It's time to correct the mistake that was made in the 1980's and replace the JAR. I don't understand why anyone would be against going in with the city and getting an arena downtown if it could be done.

Reasons:

1. The taxpayers of Ohio won't want to pay for another empty arena.

2. We aren't filling our current arena

3. Our society is broke.

4. Don Plusquellic

5. Don Plusquellic

6. Don't let a scumbag like Don Plusquellic close enough to do any damage.

[g-mann17]

GP1,

New arena because...

1. 3 entities want the new Arena.

2. Mostly private investment

3. Display of economic recovery for a city looking for outside investment

[Blue & Gold]

1. 3 entities want the new Arena.

The city, the university, and... who?

[edit]: Let me answer my own question. Summit County?

[GP1]

1. 3 entities want the new Arena.

The city, the university, and... who?

[edit]: Let me answer my own question. Summit County?

If this is the case, there will be three different groups of government employees who want the arena. That worries me to no end. UofA should wait until they can do it on their own.

[Zip_ME87]

Reasons:

1. The taxpayers of Ohio won't want to pay for another empty arena.

2. We aren't filling our current arena

3. Our society is broke.

4. Don Plusquellic

5. Don Plusquellic

6. Don't let a scumbag like Don Plusquellic close enough to do any damage.

I disagree with using argument #2. Yes, it is true that we're not filling our current gym, but IMHO it's a self-fulfilling argument. We're not filling our current gym because it's a crappy place to watch basketball. The chairback seats are minimally acceptable, the wooden bleachers are uncomfortable, and the track is unacceptable. I hate sitting in the upper sections with people constantly walking in front of me doing whatever instead of being in their seats watching the basketball game. Also, the sight lines from Sections A, E, I, and M are atrocious, cutting off the view of the corner at the far end of the court on the same side as the seats.

We're never going to fill the JAR for any game other than Can't and possibly OU, and we'll never get a big name opponent to come to a gym that can only seat around 5500. The atmosphere for VCU was awesome, but it was still about 1500 under advertised capacity. We were very fortunate that our payback from a Bracketbuster game was delayed a year and that opponent made the final four in the off year.

It's time to replace the mistake called the JAR with an arena befitting UA and a city the size of Akron. An arena which includes an ice rink would be preferable IMHO, so that our club hockey team could play there and maybe become a full team someday. If Akron's King of basketball really gave a crap about his hometown, perhaps he could support fundraising for the arena. "LeBron James Arena" would be a nice legacy if he could significantly help to get it done.

[Dave in Green]

..... It's time to replace the mistake called the JAR with an arena befitting UA and a city the size of Akron. An arena which includes an ice rink would be preferable IMHO, so that our club hockey team could play there and maybe become a full team someday. .....

As previously discussed, an ice rink requires more floor space than a basketball court, leading to basketball seating being pushed further away from the court.

The optimum configuration for basketball viewing is to have seating that comes right down to the edge of the court, and at a steep angle so that you can see over the heads of fans seated in front of you.

In order for me to support a multipurpose arena with both a basketball court and an ice rink, I would need to see photos of a current basketball arena which includes an ice rink that is not compromised in a way to diminish the basketball experience by virtue of fans being further away from the court than they are at the JAR.

[g-mann17]

1. 3 entities want the new Arena.

The city, the university, and... who?

[edit]: Let me answer my own question. Summit County?

If this is the case, there will be three different groups of government employees who want the arena. That worries me to no end. UofA should wait until they can do it on their own.

University Park. A private group built on improving the area. But yes the county wants it also.