Arena Update

[akronad]

[RootforRoo44]

Lets all take a step back here and remember that this is only speculation. I always trust Hilltopper on these things, and he may be mostly right with this info, but lets not assume that this is a 100% done deal by any means. Heck, they may just want us to think this to rile us up so a still undersized 5,000 seat arena seems like a good thing

Either way, it's not like they've announced anything yet, and I really do find it hard to believe that they could be THAT stupid.

[lance99]

I don't see how anybody can justify not working with the city/county/whoever to get something done. I know there are sentiments to having it on campus, but if the university can't think big enough to make it happen, lets do it downtown, which isn't as bad as even the people who are dead-set on it being on-campus make it out to be.

You might not have a choice. This was also a topic of discussion last year. The University is on it's own on this one. The City does not have the funds yet.

I will agree 1,000,000% even the though of a 3800 seat arena is a joke. it has to be at least 5-6k

I even find it sickening what the AD said in the Beacon article about keeping the now 5,500 seats. You will be fine if you lose 500 seats for seatbacks

[RowdyZip]

The options I like are a 5k all chair back facility or a 6-8k with about 20% bleacher/GA seating. The latter helps you continue to build the program with area youth groups and the like by donating freebies. If its all chair back, I don't see us needing more than about 5,000-5,500. Realistically we only reach those numbers twice a year, and that's with the aid of the opponent's fans. Without a conference upgrade or some epic NCAA tournament success, anything more is overkill.

[Wally B]

To state the obvious.... wouldn't it be cheaper to renovate the JAR than build an arena... wait i meant "gym" that small? Hell at that point you just put some retractable chairbacks in the student rec center. Come to think of it, didn't Memorial seat about 2500-3000? Wow this is playing out like a greek opera I've seen before.

Take the money and gut the jar. Make the lower seats into a "bowl. Create a proper student section behind the benches. Move the bleachers forward to create an upper concourse under them, and make those seats either chairbacks or more comfortable. Much cheaper, would probably increase capacity to 6000+. Then place the old bleachers and a couple port-a-pots on the roof for Flash fans when they play at the JAR.

[GoZips]

. . .

The final nail is the Wistercill coffin will be his proud press conference boasting of his shiny new 3,800 seat arena...with 2 loges and a beer keg in the corner.

. . .

Tom Wistrcill says this 3,800 seat arena is someone's pipe dream. No such consideration exists. The AD assured me this

morning that such a number has never been mentioned in any meeting he was part of. The real seating capacity being

discussed is 7,000 to 7,500.

Since nearly getting run out of town on a rail for the Rob Ianello screw up, Wistrcill has steadily improved his performance

as Athletic Director. The Ianello affair nearly killed his career. Tom has learned from that experience and it shows.

He assured me that there is NO thirty-eight hundred seat arena in the Zips plans.

I cannot but wonder if this isn't more of the work of the forces opposed to Keith Dambrot. Tom Wistrcill is a Dambrot supporter.

[LZIp]

Tom Wistrcill says this 3,800 seat arena is someone's pipe dream. No such consideration exists. The AD assured me this

morning that such a number has never been mentioned in any meeting he was part of. The real seating capacity being

discussed is 7,000 to 7,500.

Since nearly getting run out of town on a rail for the Rob Ianello screw up, Wistrcill has steadily improved his performance

as Athletic Director. The Ianello affair nearly killed his career. Tom has learned from that experience and it shows.

He assured me that there is NO thirty-eight hundred seat arena in the Zips plans.

I cannot but wonder if this isn't more of the work of the forces opposed to Keith Dambrot. Tom Wistrcill is a Dambrot supporter.

Unfortunately it has if you ask many Zip fans.

[Dave in Green]

I know for a fact that Hilltopper has good sources. I also know that some of the sources are second or third hand. When things get passed along, even by reliable people, details get inadvertently changed. Some of those who pass it on use different words with slightly different meanings. Considering that, I would suggest that all of this be taken with a grain of salt. While it makes perfectly logical sense to get three very preliminary bids on three different size facilities, I'm not sure that I buy into the concept that a version that's smaller than the JAR is the leading candidate with the committee studying the project. It's going to require some vision to properly estimate what kind of crowds the Zips will be drawing several years from now, which is the earliest a new arena could be constructed. How many students are projected at UA several years from now? How much priority will be put on growing the basketball program? Is there a plan to join a stronger conference where larger facilities would be a requirement? If it's a multi-use facility, does it make sense to have a seating capacity so close in size to E.J. Thomas Hall (seating capacity 3,000)? Any new arena has to fit with UA's master plan and not just be plucked out of thin air.

[akzipper]

Tom Wistrcill says this 3,800 seat arena is someone's pipe dream. No such consideration exists. The AD assured me this

morning that such a number has never been mentioned in any meeting he was part of. The real seating capacity being

discussed is 7,000 to 7,500.

Since nearly getting run out of town on a rail for the Rob Ianello screw up, Wistrcill has steadily improved his performance

as Athletic Director. The Ianello affair nearly killed his career. Tom has learned from that experience and it shows.

He assured me that there is NO thirty-eight hundred seat arena in the Zips plans.

I cannot but wonder if this isn't more of the work of the forces opposed to Keith Dambrot. Tom Wistrcill is a Dambrot supporter.

Well hopefully you are correct. I think the 7,500 range is perfectly acceptable especially when hearing 3000 mentioned. Would be one of the top-5 arenas in the MAC size-wise. I've always supported TW, except for the Ianello hiring. His legacy at UA to me rests on the future. The arena, conference realignment, Bowden, keeping Dambrot and the new soccer coach.

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but I really like Northern Kentucky's arena. Build for $64 million and seats 9,400.

It has a great combination of chairbacks and bleachers, "big-time" feel, and most importantly suites close to the action. The bleachers located at the left would be a great place for the Rowdies.

[Dr Z]

Currently there is zero funding in place for any arena.

A year ago, according to Pat Galbincea of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Tressel's first action is to "raise money for a new basketball arena."

[GoZips]

Well hopefully you are correct. I think the 7,500 range is perfectly acceptable especially when hearing 3000 mentioned. Would be one of the top-5 arenas in the MAC size-wise. I've always supported TW, except for the Ianello hiring. His legacy at UA to me rests on the future. The arena, conference realignment, Bowden, keeping Dambrot and the new soccer coach.

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but I really like Northern Kentucky's arena. Build for $64 million and seats 9,400.

It has a great combination of chairbacks and bleachers, "big-time" feel, and most importantly suites close to the action. The bleachers located at the left would be a great place for the Rowdies.

The only thing NKU's arena needs is a loft to put the atrocious band the Zips suffer with.

[Hilltopper]

After reading GoZips post, I'm glad to hear that Wistricill is looking out for the best interests of the athletic department in this process. Personally, I hope they go with the bigger arena that would seat around 7000. If we ever expect to keep KD as our coach, a 3800 seat space won't do it.

[g-mann17]

I still like the NKU arena. No way would we do 3800, I think that number has very likely been misinterpreted.

Probably something like this...

Option one 7000-7500 - 64 million

Option two 3800 in addition (meaning 10,800-11,300) an additional 44 million ($108 million)

Option three changing JAR to all chairbacks and renovations to cut corners (Likely in the same 44-64 million area but only nets 1000 extra seats). Somebody probably heard 3800 and cutting corners and put two and two together.

As far as money is concerned let's not forget UPA also plays a major role in this, and yes FirstEnergy just gave Haslam $102 million for naming rights but there is always Gojo, Goodyear, Firestone, First Merit, and several Cleveland companies and Flying J (Haslam now owes the Akron area a favor).

[Zipgrad01]

I still like the NKU arena. No way would we do 3800, I think that number has very likely been misinterpreted.

Probably something like this...

Option one 7000-7500 - 64 million

Option two 3800 in addition (meaning 10,800-11,300) an additional 44 million ($108 million)

Option three changing JAR to all chairbacks and renovations to cut corners (Likely in the same 44-64 million area but only nets 1000 extra seats). Somebody probably heard 3800 and cutting corners and put two and two together.

As far as money is concerned let's not forget UPA also plays a major role in this, and yes FirstEnergy just gave Haslam $102 million for naming rights but there is always Gojo, Goodyear, Firestone, First Merit, and several Cleveland companies and Flying J (Haslam now owes the Akron area a favor).

Very interesting one with the Flying J.....we should really be hammering on that one. It would definitely endear Haslem to the Akron area.

[Dr Z]

Very interesting one with the Flying J.....we should really be hammering on that one. It would definitely endear Haslem to the Akron area.

That would create a nice cross promotion with Browns fans. Call Banner, he seems to be making all of Haslam's decisions for him. 'Flying Z Arena'? I would still rather have it be 'The LBJA' though. Sexier for future recruits.

[akzipper]

I still like the NKU arena. No way would we do 3800, I think that number has very likely been misinterpreted.

Probably something like this...

Option one 7000-7500 - 64 million

Option two 3800 in addition (meaning 10,800-11,300) an additional 44 million ($108 million)

Option three changing JAR to all chairbacks and renovations to cut corners (Likely in the same 44-64 million area but only nets 1000 extra seats). Somebody probably heard 3800 and cutting corners and put two and two together.

As far as money is concerned let's not forget UPA also plays a major role in this, and yes FirstEnergy just gave Haslam $102 million for naming rights but there is always Gojo, Goodyear, Firestone, First Merit, and several Cleveland companies and Flying J (Haslam now owes the Akron area a favor).

Hopefully it was some sort of misunderstanding like this. Cutting corners is what got us stuck with the JAR to begin with. If they can't build it right this time, there's no reason to waste anyone's time. The $102 million is over 17 years, so it ends up being $6 million a year. Also, FirstEnergy hold the naming rights to 3 other stadiums, including UA's soccer field. It's tough to guess which companies would be interested. I will say that we can rule out Lebron James.

[GP1]

Ok...then we should build a 2,000 seat arena (just to be safe).

Coastal Carolina beat Clemson this year...so I guess they really should have built a 13,000 seat arena?

The truth is - there is no use in building a 3,800 seat arena just so you can say you sell out every game. 90% of college basketball arenas have empty seats.

The final nail is the Wistercill coffin will be his proud press conference boasting of his shiny new 3,800 seat arena...with 2 loges and a beer keg in the corner.

A 3,300 seat arena is fine for Coastal Carolina, who typically draws 1,000 fans off the beach or out of Hooters. The Zips average over 3k/game. They sell out for Can't @ 5,600. If we build a 3,800 seat Division 1 arena, those games against Malone and John Carroll would soon become Conference games.

Yurachek isn't the only ex-UA AD building a new arena. Towson's opens soon. 5,200k capacity.

I was in a hurry to get out the door this morning. Let me be more clear. I didn't say build a 3,800 seat arena or a 2,000 seat arena. All this talk of a 10,000 seat arena is foolish. A 7,500 seat arena is good enough and probably almost too big. The size of the arena doesn't matter. The quality of the product on the court matters...just ask Duke. How did Duke ever become and stay a national power playing in a high school gym? If one is searching for excellence in the basketball program, maybe the size of the arena isn't as big of an issue as one would like to believe. Maybe, just maybe, players and coaches matter more.

I don't have a problem with empty seats. I have a problem with a sea of empty seats and that is what will happen if a 10,000 arena is built.

Any new arena built needs to be built with idea that we will have a greater home court advantage with a mid sized, full looking arena than a 10,000 seat arena with half the seats empty.

Lastly, using the fact that we draw 3K+ on average for home games isn't a fact that inspires confidence in me for future attendance. 3K is a horrible number and I would try to stay away from using that number as one that should inspire a fans confidence in the future. One can only blame marketing and the benches in the JAR for so long. At some point, there is something else wrong. When that number exceeds 4,500, I'll be impressed.

[zen]

If one is searching for excellence in the basketball program, maybe the size of the arena isn't as big of an issue as one would like to believe. Maybe, just maybe, players and coaches matter more.

Perhaps it's apples vs oranges, but I, for one, learned my lesson about putting too much faith in the effect of new facilities. I thought the info combined with the stile fieldhouse was going to equate to recruiting advantages as well as increased fan attendance.

I'm not saying that the info should have been smaller, but I'm just saying that having a glittery new pad isn't the answer, specially if it's more than half empty.

[GP1]

If they can't build it right this time, there's no reason to waste anyone's time. The $102 million is over 17 years, so it ends up being $6 million a year.

No reason to waste time and money? Don't tell an athletic director that.

Actually, if UofA had to take out a loan for the $102 million, it would be a lot more than $6 million a year over the 17 years. It doesn't matter though. Just ask any athletic director. Money grows on trees for them and just throw more money on top of student fees. Hell, there is enough money out there to make any resume look good.

[RootforRoo44]

Well hopefully you are correct. I think the 7,500 range is perfectly acceptable especially when hearing 3000 mentioned. Would be one of the top-5 arenas in the MAC size-wise. I've always supported TW, except for the Ianello hiring. His legacy at UA to me rests on the future. The arena, conference realignment, Bowden, keeping Dambrot and the new soccer coach.

I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but I really like Northern Kentucky's arena. Build for $64 million and seats 9,400.

It has a great combination of chairbacks and bleachers, "big-time" feel, and most importantly suites close to the action. The bleachers located at the left would be a great place for the Rowdies.

Good Lord that is a beautiful arena.

[GP1]

Good Lord that is a beautiful arena.

It sure is. And on game day, it will look mostly like it does in that picture.

[RootforRoo44]

It sure is. And on game day, it will look mostly like it does in that picture.

Maybe there, but move it 250 miles north and you'd probably find it 80% full most evenings.

[akzipper]

No reason to waste time and money? Don't tell an athletic director that.

Actually, if UofA had to take out a loan for the $102 million, it would be a lot more than $6 million a year over the 17 years. It doesn't matter though. Just ask any athletic director. Money grows on trees for them and just throw more money on top of student fees. Hell, there is enough money out there to make any resume look good.

The $102 million is what FirstEnergy paid for the naming rights for Browns Stadium and the lease is over a 17 year period. I wasn't suggesting that UA build an arena costing that much, nor saying a company would pay UA that much. That's not realistic for us. I expect if an arena is ever build it will cost less than the $60 million Infocision.

[MDZip]

I wonder if they have investigated the possibility of having a privately run arena like George Mason has? Ever since the Coliseum was leveled there isn't any particular large indoor venue in the area, George Mason was built and run by a private firm (the same one that built the Verizon Center in DC) for $16 million in 1985 (alleged to be around $34.6 million in 2013 dollars). It seats 10,000 and is used for a large number of events. Maybe something like that should be looked into. HOK Sports (a pretty reputable firm) designed it and I have been in it and it seems like a perfectly reasonable place for someone like the Zips. The University would rent it but that's a lot cheaper than owning one. If making it seem like a cavern is a problem, the upper deck could probably be curtained off but if a private firm was to build and run it, I'm sure they wouldn't want to go any less than 10,000 seats.

Here is a picture I took after the women's game with GMU in December:

[GP1]

I wonder if they have investigated the possibility of having a privately run arena like George Mason has? Ever since the Coliseum was leveled there isn't any particular large indoor venue in the area, George Mason was built and run by a private firm (the same one that built the Verizon Center in DC) for $16 million in 1985 (alleged to be around $34.6 million in 2013 dollars). It seats 10,000 and is used for a large number of events. Maybe something like that should be looked into. HOK Sports (a pretty reputable firm) designed it and I have been in it and it seems like a perfectly reasonable place for someone like the Zips. The University would rent it but that's a lot cheaper than owning one. If making it seem like a cavern is a problem, the upper deck could probably be curtained off but if a private firm was to build and run it, I'm sure they wouldn't want to go any less than 10,000 seats.

Good post. I heard a story last night on the Charlotte news that the Panthers are looking into selling BofA Stadium to the City of Charlotte just to get out from having to maintain the stadium. In exchange for the City of Charlotte pouring millions of taxpayers dollars into the stadium for renovation (they were interviewing a woman on the streets of Charlotte who looked like wino and she explained the importance of the stadium to the City of Charlotte...it was one of the more laughable things I have ever seen on local news. Who needs Comedy Central when you can watch the local news?), the Panthers would sign a long term lease to remain in the City.