As someone from Nebraska who has never been to Conn., can someone tell me the difference between Gampel and the XL Center and why we seem to hate the XL Center?
Everyone doesn’t hate the XL center or at least the idea of the XL center which apparently is in bad need of renovation. I’ave been gone for 12 years so
I still call it the Hartford Civic Center.
Actually Hartford ( XL) is very centrally located while Gampel is on campus in Storrs in the Northeast Corner of the state. It’s an old Aggie school in a rural setting.
I lived in Western Connecticut and much preferred Hartford especially for weekday games. Parking was also easy and Hardford is located at the intersection of I 91& I95.
Some fans think we give away homecourt advantage playing in Hartford and it may be true but it’s importance is exaggerated.
When the XL is full to capacity and UConn is playing well the place literally rocks from the deafening noise. Some of our greatest wins ever were in that place.
Gampel is a great place to watch a game from and far more intimate but not as accessible.
UConn is Connecticut’s team and fans will drive miles but although a Nebraskan my scoff at the relatively short distance think of driving anywhere in Connecticut a city driving.
