I finally got to my first game at Toscano last night and figured I’d post here to perpetuate the disappointment. I basically share similar opinions to most of you that have posted about it above. I thought that it was a nice facility but that can be attributed to how new it is. It really is a nice building. I’m sure the athletes experience far more benefits than what meets the eyes of the average fan.
It’s just very underwhelming. I didn’t walk through the doors there and think “this is where a national championship team plays.” It just didn’t have that feel to it. It felt small, like it was doing Hockey East a disservice. Being from Sault Ste Marie, my wife’s first comment when we entered the game was “this place is smaller than where the Greyhounds play…much smaller.” Not saying that comparing NCAA to major junior is apples to apples, but there are several NCAA facilities that outshine major junior, several of which play in Hockey East.
Maybe it was because of UNH’s efforts, but the intimate “atmosphere” that was promised by UConn brass did not deliver. Yes it was intimate, but the fans were non existent, including the students. People just sat and watched. That will hopefully change with higher team production.
I can’t comment on concessions cause my wife and I ate dinner before we got there so neither of us got anything, but they seemed relatively generic, as you’d expect in your average arena.
Overall, it felt sparkly new and clean, but what’s that going to be like in 5 years from now? This building would be a very nice arena in the USHL, but not Hockey East. I will definitely go back to support the program, and the drive to storrs is easier than it is to Hartford for me. At least the team has an arena that’s out of Hartford and better than Freitas.
Coach talks about some improvements that are needed @ the 19:15 mark:The question here is what happens next?. It seems like UConn is content with having their heads buried in sand and say everything is wonderful,
Coach talks about some improvements that are needed @ the 19:15 mark:
The 4th. However, every game I watch, the broadcasters and guests rave about the facility. On television the rink looks beautiful. The kids on the team and the coaching staff seem to love it. They say it is a first rate facility. I would tend to believe the players and staff. I get the impression that it is just the “boneyarders” nature to complain about everything. I suspect that is the case.What dimension are you living in?
You’re completely off base and wrong here about Bonyard comments Regarding this topic. The rave reviews you’re hearing are company line marketing propaganda. Seriously have you actually seen a game at Suctano? The fan experience is subpar and unfortunately the arena/barn piece doesn’t have an atmosphere due to design flaws and too many empty seats.The 4th. However, every game I watch, the broadcasters and guests rave about the facility. On television the rink looks beautiful. The kids on the team and the coaching staff seem to love it. They say it is a first rate facility. I would tend to believe the players and staff. I get the impression that it is just the “boneyarders” nature to complain about everything. I suspect that is the case.
I have been to 5 or six games at Toscano. I think it is a great place to watch a game. I find much of the criticism to be ill founded.You’re completely off base and wrong here about Bonyard comments Regarding this topic. The rave reviews you’re hearing are company line marketing propaganda. Seriously have you actually seen a game at Suctano? The fan experience is subpar and unfortunately the arena/barn piece doesn’t have an atmosphere due to design flaws and too many empty seats.
The rink doesn’t look good on TV either, The swaths of empty seats given the small size of a “sold out” arena don’t help, but the tall shower stall white paneling behind the benches are ridiculous, and even the painted lines are faded like they mixed in Vanilla Dairy Bar ice creami have been to a Han in with the water. When someone on the near side leaves the rink the block the camera because they are positioned too low.
Rather than reiterate comments from people who are required to be careful with their words, go to a game in person and then give us your impressions. We’d be curious to hear them.
That’s a fair opinion, at least in terms of just watching a game. There are a few seats in the arena that are actually ok. However, what was your impression of the atmosphere in the arena?I have been to 5 or six games at Toscano. I think it is a great place to watch a game. I find much of the criticism to be ill founded.
It would appear that people are doing that. Unfortunately, they have season tickets that go unused.If you don’t like Toscano stop going. Easy as that.
It has very little to do with the inside dynamics of the building.It would appear that people are doing that. Unfortunately, they have season tickets that go unused.
True, but some of the design choices exacerbate the problem.It has very little to do with the inside dynamics of the building.
Oh, I agree. But what is it? Laziness? If you aren’t going to use them, don’t buy them. The seats next to me have been empty since the first game.It has very little to do with the inside dynamics of the building.
If they won consistently we would watch them on a frozen pond...It has very little to do with the inside dynamics of the building.
I'm inclined to think that they're doing it to support the team. Still, I wish there was a better mechanism to donate them back to the school on a game by game basis.Oh, I agree. But what is it? Laziness? If you aren’t going to use them, don’t buy them. The seats next to me have been empty since the first game.
Convenience.Oh, I agree. But what is it? Laziness? If you aren’t going to use them, don’t buy them. The seats next to me have been empty since the first game.
Do the tables behind the boards @ XL bother you as much? Serious question - no snark intended.However, the tall table lounge is a farce!
If they won consistently we would watch them on a frozen pond...
However, the tall table lounge is a farce!
XL is a better venue for the fans and program.Winning consistently is helpful, especially winning those big games, but the promise of a small venue was that it was going to be sold out each game and the interpretation of that to many of us was that the place would be packed and rocking. Poor and overthought design choices and the lackluster effort of fans and Season ticket holders who just don’t show have sucked the life out of a place that could have been great despite being undersized.
UConn built A terrific facility for its players. They don’t need reconstruction or improvements there. But they will need to focus on the fan experience and figure out how to being.
I wonder what the mix of games will be at the XL next season. I’m hoping for at least 6.
Do the tables behind the boards @ XL bother you as much? Serious question - no snark intended.
Nicely put. Not only are those arenas larger, they’re twice as large. Agganis being nearly three times the size of Toscano (6,300 but expandable to 7,200)(It is a very fair question because I know I am capable of dead horse abuse...)
I don't care for the tall tables at XLC, but they don't really diminish seating quality or capacity. I think they are stupid, but tolerable at XLC. (You're there to watch a hockey game - not to have a business meeting with your banker or CPA or to flirt with your would-be wife or husband!) At Toscano, they gouged out about what could have been additional 125 + or - very good seats behind the net. Many purists prefer a behind the net perspective anyways. Importantly, when you are dealing with a 2691 capacity at Toscano; every seat is important. We don't have that problem at XLC since the lower tier holds about 7,000 or 8,000. You can fit such a dubious attraction in the current confines of XLC w/o much difficulty.
Further, if you've been to some other similar sized (or larger) arenas - they don't waste the space on a tall table lounge where you can comfortably sit maybe 25 fans. (beyond that you have have sight line problems.) Please check out any of the following arenas in HE, AH or the ECAC - QU, Sacred Heart (Matire Family Arena - capacity 3600, built in the same time frame as Toscano for $70m also!), Harvard, UNH, BC, BU, Cornell, UVM etc. Simply put, there would be a more good seating available without the unneeded novelty of such an add-on. Please note that all of the arenas I've mentioned have, in varying amounts, larger capacities than Toscano.
Why was having a Schneider Arena so tough?