cms133@uakron.edu Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 That's the scenario some hope for. Not me. I want the program to get their money too. I JUST WANT A DAMN TICKET!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 You're talking MINOR LEAGUE HOCKEY. That's like going to an Aero's game and complaining they don't outdraw the Yankees. The Monsters (and Aeros) rank high in the league in attendance and are profitable. You have to understand expenses of minor league vs. major league. Wooster has a Junior A team that makes a profit with a couple hundred fans. It's all about the bottom line. I'm not complaining about anyything. The question is, can we afford to put something like this into a large arena? When it takes so much to switch back and forth from basketball to hockey? We're in an area that has failed repeatedly to make hockey work. This goes all the way back to the 70s when we couldn't even keep the NHL Crusaders. I'd love to see those profitability figures of some of those teams you mention. But, that still probably doesn't answer the question of the feasibility of putting small hockey crowds intio a large, brand new arena, and making it work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spin Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 The question is, can we afford to put something like this into a large arena? When it takes so much to switch back and forth from basketball to hockey? We're in an area that has failed repeatedly to make hockey work. This goes all the way back to the 70s when we couldn't even keep the NHL Crusaders. Be fair. The Crusaders were a WHA team, that drew well, but got booted by the incoming NHL Cleveland Barons #2 (the former California Golden Seals). Cleveland Barons #2 were given two years to succeed, with a bad roster and worse results. The Gunds merged the franchise with Minnesota (the last franchise in the big four sports to fold). The Gunds later got it back as the, get this, the San Jose Sharks. In other words it took the franchise 15 years to move 42 miles... Sidenote. Anyone else remember Gilles Melloche? The Lumberjacks drew well, until moving to the Q. I already went over why they (and Barons #3) could not exist there. And now we have the Monsters, doing well. We have the Wooster Oilers doing well. We have the Zips doing well. Sorry, a blind statement that "hockey doesn't work here" does not convince me. I'd love to see those profitability figures of some of those teams you mention. If the simple fact that the franchise has made it work in agricultural Wooster, Ohio for six years during a depression (sorry, recession) doesn't prove profitability, nothing will. But, that still probably doesn't answer the question of the feasibility of putting small hockey crowds intio a large, brand new arena, and making it work. So people who will never go to a game are worried about empty seats in a 4-6,000 seat (for full floor events) arena. I give up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 We're way far apart on the proposed capacity for this speculative Akron arena. Most recently mentioned number in this thread is 4-6k. Earlier, someone mentioned 12-15k. KD is on record as saying that 6-8k would be about right to grow the Zips basketball program. Maybe we can all at least reach some kind of consensus range that would work in Akron. I'll throw out a starter, and let's see if we can at least agree on a range. I'd say that 6k is the absolute rock bottom minimum for a JAR upgrade, as the JAR already seats 5.5k, sells out the occasional game already and has absolutely no room for growth if the Zips get even a little bit better and more popular than they are now. I'd say that 10k is the absolute max for a city the size of Akron, and that might be a little generous. So 6-10k strikes me as the target range for an Akron arena. Is everyone OK with eliminating anything lower or higher? Anyone think the range should be limited even more, i.e. 7-9k, etc.? Is KD's 6-8k estimate an insider's view that reflects knowledge he may have of the actual range being considered? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spin Posted January 21, 2012 Report Share Posted January 21, 2012 We're way far apart on the proposed capacity for this speculative Akron arena. Most recently mentioned number in this thread is 4-6k. Earlier, someone mentioned 12-15k. KD is on record as saying that 6-8k would be about right to grow the Zips basketball program. That's the figure I was going by. 6-8k for basketball, 4-6 k for full floor events (hockey, soccer, football, lacrosse). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted January 22, 2012 Report Share Posted January 22, 2012 If you're watching STO following the Zips game, check out what Loyala has done to their Gentile Arena. They converted it from a 4,500- seat "gym" to what you now see. If UA could do that to the JAR I'd be willing to listen - even though I still don't like the location of the JAR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Looks like I'm the only person keeping this thread on life support, but if you want to check out one of KD's favorite arenas, turn to STO where BGSU is at Eastern Michigan. KD loves the EMU Convocation Center. 8,000-seat (all chair-back) basketball facility. Btw, EMU has a 7-footer in their starting lineup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Convo at Ypsi is real nice, but not all chairback. I believe most of the 2nd level is bench seating. I'm attending McGuirk arena for the first time. The remodeling is amazing at CMU. 5300 is small, but 80% is chairback. No hanging scoreboard, but rather a widescreen hd monitor on one end of the court. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spin Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Looks like I'm the only person keeping this thread on life support I actually thought about this thread while at the hockey game Friday night. Is that sad or what? A W E S O M E short-handed goal to win in the final minutes of the game, BTW, one of my favorite Zips moments of the school year!!! I hope that video makes YouTube. Best case scenario would be separate basketball arena and smaller rink on campus. Hoops fans get all that they want, and the students get a facility that will actually be open to them for fitness/recreation. A multi-purpose facility, on campus or downtown, would not be open for public skates, rec and intramural indoor soccer, football, and lacrosse (to name four examples). The hockey crowds, while drawfing most other sports, would fit in better with a facility bigger than Center Ice, but 6,000 seats may be a bit much. Think "atmosphere", as several basketball fans have brought up. 600-1000 would work better in that regard IMO. Could the JAR be reconfigured to a full-floor rec facility, sacrificing some or all lower level seats? How to pay for it all. We've seen several facilties paid for by alumni. The last two athletic projects we're done had multiple naming rights sponsors, and an increase in sponsorship because of the better facilities. The rec facilities are paid for in part by facilities fees on main campus students. I wonder what the cost savings of a multi-purpose facility compared to separate basketball arena/large rink combo would be... Oh well, I can dream. That's how big things get done. Second best scenario is an on-campus basketball arena and city owned downtown multipurpose arena. This would help revitalize downtown Akron, benefitting the community and the university. Not necessarily all of the alumni. Would the downtown public arena be open for rec purposes? Maybe, but for everybody, not just students. That would be very crowded, and cost money students might not have. Third best, an on-campus multi-purpose facility. Probably not open for student use. But better than nothing. Or, we could just concentrate on basketball, ignore the recreational facilities (and a very nice student recruitment tool) we could have, and the potential revenue-producing sport that draws multiple numbers of paying fans compared to sports like softball (which has great facilities and less than 1/4 the spectators). All just my opinion... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottditzen Posted January 29, 2012 Report Share Posted January 29, 2012 Looks like I'm the only person keeping this thread on life support, but if you want to check out one of KD's favorite arenas, turn to STO where BGSU is at Eastern Michigan. KD loves the EMU Convocation Center. 8,000-seat (all chair-back) basketball facility. Btw, EMU has a 7-footer in their starting lineup. Agree that place looked really really nice yesterday...was surprised! It manages to have good intimacy and a big time look to it. I was daydreaming just how loud we Zips fans could be in a place like that. Good for EMU. Now if they only got their cool "Hurons" name back I could respect them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xu9697 Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Tressel to UA might be more about BASKETBALL than football (but good for both and ALL of UA)! http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/02/ji...o_universi.html AKRON, Ohio -- Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel will take on the role of fundraiser as vice president of strategic engagement at the University of Akron, he told student leaders this morning. Tressel met with 28 leaders at the student union at 8 a.m. to talk about his new job. The position is a new one at the university. His first goal will be to raise money for a new basketball arena, he told the students. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Tressel to UA might be more about BASKETBALL than football (but good for both and ALL of UA)! http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/02/ji...o_universi.html AKRON, Ohio -- Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel will take on the role of fundraiser as vice president of strategic engagement at the University of Akron, he told student leaders this morning. Tressel met with 28 leaders at the student union at 8 a.m. to talk about his new job. The position is a new one at the university. His first goal will be to raise money for a new basketball arena, he told the students. SWEEEEEEET!!! (What an extraordinarily articulate response.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GalleyBoy Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Tressel to UA might be more about BASKETBALL than football (but good for both and ALL of UA)! http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/02/ji...o_universi.html AKRON, Ohio -- Former Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel will take on the role of fundraiser as vice president of strategic engagement at the University of Akron, he told student leaders this morning. Tressel met with 28 leaders at the student union at 8 a.m. to talk about his new job. The position is a new one at the university. His first goal will be to raise money for a new basketball arena, he told the students. Please make it quick Jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave in Green Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hope Tressel shows up to say a few words to the fans at Saturday's game like Bowden did. He can get an idea of what we're currently dealing with at the JAR and see how much enthusiasm is generated by talking about a new facility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Z Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 His first goal will be to raise money for a new basketball arena, he told the students.That's a good job for him. Dr P did a nice job of fitting a guys strengths with a need of the university. Glorified car salesman. Nobody has more sheep in this area than JT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZachTheZip Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 Hope Tressel shows up to say a few words to the fans at Saturday's game like Bowden did. He can get an idea of what we're currently dealing with at the JAR and see how much enthusiasm is generated by talking about a new facility. I don't think he's starting the job until May. Still, it would be nice to see him at the JAR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Kangaroo Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 I don't think he's starting the job until May. Still, it would be nice to see him at the JAR. I saw him in the Tommy Evan Lounge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skip-zip Posted February 2, 2012 Report Share Posted February 2, 2012 I don't think he's starting the job until May. Still, it would be nice to see him at the JAR. Please. Continue to keep him away from the athletic facilities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 Please. Continue to keep him away from the athletic facilities. Heck no. Make a press release. Send email to alumni. Make him shake hands at the JAR Saturday. CREATE A SELL OUT CROWD! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akzipper Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 I think him having a goal to raise money for the new arena might mean the City of Akron is not involved. Just a thought since I honestly don't believe money would be an issue with a joint venture such as that. Also, I wouldn't be surprised if he donated some of his own money to name a club or press level of the new facility. With Ted Curtis, VP of facilites stating he wanted the Jar to be converted to a practice facility and Tressel raising money it looks to be moving in a very positive direction! I know a lot have voiced their opinions on the right way to build. Basketball only, UA only, small, big, on campus, downtown, whatever. I think we just need to look at what UA has done as far as facilities in the past decade. Infocision, First Energy, Stile, Student Union, Rec Center, etc. Everything has been state of the art and first class all the way. I have a lot of confidence they will get an Arena plan together, make it great, and do whats best for UA. My only request. Get it done and it has to be BIG TIME! We are better than the MAC and it's time to show the nation that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zestycoyote Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 I shall preface this post with my source. He's currently a graduate student in the athletic department. I've worked professionally with him covering university news (sports and academic) for over a year now. The athletic department hired an outside firm to compare costs/benefits of renovating the JAR versus building a new arena. They expect results from the firm within the next month. Additionally, I've heard the case would have to be compelling in order to renovate. With the addition of Tressel to UA, a donor has supposedly stepped forward with $20 million toward a new arena. Also, the athletic department is looking even more than before toward a new arena with the money attracting possibilities Tressel creates. And finally, some speculation. My source and I talked back and forth a little bit thinking of places for a new arena. The current location of Central Hower HS is what we came up with. But who knows Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootforRoo44 Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 The athletic department hired an outside firm to compare costs/benefits of renovating the JAR versus building a new arena. They expect results from the firm within the next month. Additionally, I've heard the case would have to be compelling in order to renovate. With the addition of Tressel to UA, a donor has supposedly stepped forward with $20 million toward a new arena. Also, the athletic department is looking even more than before toward a new arena with the money attracting possibilities Tressel creates. This is GREAT news, thanks for sharing! Things are looking good Also, if any of you still need proof that Hockey can succeed at UA, come tonight to the game against Cincinnati. Starts at 9:05 pm and the address is at the bottom of the link in my sig. Also, if you come, come early and have a beer and/or hot dog on me. We will be tailgating in the lot right next to the arena and have a keg and hundreds of hot dogs donated for the tailgate. facebook event Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue & Gold Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 With the addition of Tressel to UA, a donor has supposedly stepped forward with $20 million toward a new arena. Also, the athletic department is looking even more than before toward a new arena with the money attracting possibilities Tressel creates. If this is true, then Jim Tressel has already made quite a ROI for UA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RowdyZip Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 If this is true, then Jim Tressel has already made quite a ROI for UA.This all sounds great, but wouldn't a $20 million donation be all over the news? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g-mann17 Posted February 3, 2012 Report Share Posted February 3, 2012 This all sounds great, but wouldn't a $20 million donation be all over the news? Gary Taylor's contribution wasn't news until he and the University wanted it to be news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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