Dave Benedict on future of XL Center

[UconnU]

If the XL center is operational in 10 years I will be shocked.

 

[TheChamps990411]

What is that a 45 minute drive? CT. people are spoiled.

I use a power wheelchair and have metal rods in my spine so a 45 min drive is very strenuous on me.

 

[zls44]

For those whose point is that Gampel doesn't have beer...that means you fix the problem and make it possible to sell beer there. The solution isn't playing games off campus!

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I can confirm that Allen Field House is primarily bleacher seats, with just about enough space for half of a human butt in 2020. It shakes quite a lot, and mostly, nobody in the upper half sits down during play. Result is that it's amazingly loud and a great place to see a game.

I walked around Michigan Stadium once on a business trip to Ann Arbor in the Spring and wondered how on earth they get 100K+ fans into that bowl. Then I got tickets to a game a few years later (v Purdue). Fought my way through traffic, parked on a golf course about 3 miles away and put back a few beers with a friend, and then stood armpit to armpit with fans to my left and right, my chin on the person's head in front of me and the chin of the guy behind me on my head, and had my answer. It was still fun.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I am a big proponent of UConn in Hartford for games. That's the essence of what the Big East is -- city basketball. That was the theory. That college hoops can be a big city sport. That is different than what other conferences like the ACC do. They take place in college towns. This is why MSG is so awesome for the Big East tournament. Big CIty basketball.

I have been to 100s of games in my career. Gampel is insane when you want the college atmosphere and students. I love the XL sold out though. Rare atmosphere.

I think we are trying to be too like the ACC when we push gampel for everything. UConn isn't an ACC school and we should stop trying to be so focused on getting a Cameron Crazie atmosphere. UConn is more like Kentucky, Indiana, Louisville. Most of our fanbase didn't go to school there. There is a place for huge event-like games, and that is XL, IMHO. Kentucky plays off-campus. I know it is close, but Rupp Arena is an awesome venue downtown Lexington. Louisville isn't playing in Freedom Hall anymore. These aren't college arenas.

Just to clarify, first, UConn is not a small, urban catholic college like Providence, Seton Hall, St. John's, Xavier, etc. UConn is a State Flagship university and most of those peer schools are not in urban locations. Each has unique needs and that is why the 'old' Big East failed and likely why UConn is not the best fit for this 'new' Big East over the long-term, though it is a better short-term home than the American.

Second, yes, Kentucky and Louisville play at city-owned (though one can argue that each respective University owns its city, just look at the deal U Louisville created for itself with the Yum center the shaft that the city got in return) while Indiana has its own arena. But, its 27 miles from Babbridge Library to the XL Center while its 2.2 miles from the Young Library to Rupp Arena in Lexington (Kentucky) and 2.2 miles from Ekstrom Library to the Yum Center in Louisville. That's 'on-campus' for all intent.

As for the AD, I agree with him. There are folks in Hartford who believe one of UConn's key missiosn is to say Hartford, whether it be keeping the XL afloat or getting more folks on the street of downtown Hartford (UConn Hartford campus). That is not the University's mission and pulls focus and money away from what UConn should really be working on.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I've heard it said people in the Northeast don't support their universities financially as much as other regions support theirs for a couple reasons:
-Pro sports in the region draw a lot of attention and money;
-Taxes are high and should take care of everything, so why donate to the university.

It would be interesting to see a chart of donation levels prior to Big East membership, and whether there were rises and falls in donations with the rise of the basketball and football teams, the move to the AAC and then the move back to the Big East.

And in most cases, private Universities like Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, Yale, etc. had a 100 or so year head-start on the public flagship universities in the Northeast, including about 50 years of football.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

What you are stating is a Connecticut/Northeast thing. It's what I have stated many times on here, CT. people are spoiled when it comes to driving. It's a product of being in the Northeast where everything is close by. In the Midwest and South driving a few hours is no big deal, in CT. some people make a half hour drive sound like a major inconvenience. People in CT. talk about Storrs being in the middle of nowhere, sure it's rural but there are levels to this. Much of the rest of the country would consider it crazy to say Storrs is in the middle of nowhere when it's surrounded by millions of people.

I agree on that point. I have family in Minneapolis who don't skip a beat when they decide to drive 6 1/2 hours to Chicago for a 3-day weekend, a friend from Detroit who drives 5 hours each way to Indianapolis in 24 hours for his daughter's swim meet, and friend who drives his family from Denver to Jackson Hole, an 8 hour drive, a few items each winter because its their favorite place to ski.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Don't know. New pool in the rec center?

I post the graphic about once every six months, but if you read the master plan, that's where it originated.

I know. I don't believe the new Rec pool has a diving well nor spectator seating.

 

[Husky25]

I agree on that point. I have family in Minneapolis who don't skip a beat when they decide to drive 6 1/2 hours to Chicago for a 3-day weekend, a friend from Detroit who drives 5 hours each way to Indianapolis in 24 hours for his daughter's swim meet, and friend who drives his family from Denver to Jackson Hole, an 8 hour drive, a few items each winter because its their favorite place to ski.

If you're staying at the destination for a few days or more, a six hour drive is worth it. When my wife's brother worked at the Pentagon, we thought nothing of the drive to D.C. for a 3 day weekend. and when they moved to Pittsburgh, we turn the 9 hour drive into an adventure for our kids over the Thanksgiving holiday (not this year, but still...).

The issue becomes being in the car for longer than the event they are attending. I can understand it up to a point. It's the wanting of cake and eating it too that creases me.

 

[Dogdeacon]

nope it’s not wrong. Storrs, despite its rural surroundings, is centrally located smack dab in the most densely populated part of the country. And if you’d bother to read my argument here, it’s based on the fact that I do not believe the fan base is lazier than those fan bases, just that one particular fan

You do not understand densely populated if you honestly think that. Turns out, 1, 5, 10, 20M population density super important for a given area, access to highways key as well.

What are income per capita, population density, or rents in Storrs vs say Boston or Manhattan which you seemingly include together in your densely populated area definition.

 

[Guapo]

And in most cases, private Universities like Harvard, Brown, Dartmouth, Yale, etc. had a 100 or so year head-start on the public flagship universities in the Northeast, including about 50 years of football.

that’s a good point that I didn’t consider.

UConn was founded in 1881 and didnt become “UConn” till 1940ish

In comparison other big public schools like UGA, UNC and UVA were all founded in the 18th century

 

[Adios]

that’s a good point that I didn’t consider.

UConn was founded in 1881 and didnt become “UConn” till 1940ish

In comparison other big public schools like UGA, UNC and UVA were all founded in the 18th century

Duh.

 

[Ha Who]

Just to clarify, first, UConn is not a small, urban catholic college like Providence, Seton Hall, St. John's, Xavier, etc. UConn is a State Flagship university and most of those peer schools are not in urban locations. Each has unique needs and that is why the 'old' Big East failed and likely why UConn is not the best fit for this 'new' Big East over the long-term, though it is a better short-term home than the American.

Second, yes, Kentucky and Louisville play at city-owned (though one can argue that each respective University owns its city, just look at the deal U Louisville created for itself with the Yum center the shaft that the city got in return) while Indiana has its own arena. But, its 27 miles from Babbridge Library to the XL Center while its 2.2 miles from the Young Library to Rupp Arena in Lexington (Kentucky) and 2.2 miles from Ekstrom Library to the Yum Center in Louisville. That's 'on-campus' for all intent.

As for the AD, I agree with him. There are folks in Hartford who believe one of UConn's key missiosn is to say Hartford, whether it be keeping the XL afloat or getting more folks on the street of downtown Hartford (UConn Hartford campus). That is not the University's mission and pulls focus and money away from what UConn should really be working on.

The downtown campus was an example of idiocy to save the city. Perhaps 18 and 19 year olds can eat out a little. Legally they can not take in the nightlife what was the purpose? When I walk I see a few kids at the campus. I guess the Starbucks in the bookstore is booming. At least get a McDonald’s with their dollar coffee at Front Street.

 

[gtcam]

The AD made the obvious point that UConn's best interests may not be aligned with what is best for Hartford. I expect the Hartford politicians will be in an uproar by the morning.

Nah - they are looking for political crap to happen at the XL as a platform for the Hartford mayor to climb political steps

 

[Waquoit]

Nah - they are looking for political crap to happen at the XL as a platform for the Hartford mayor to climb political steps

Do you really believe what you write?

 

[Adios]

Do you really believe what you write?

This board is an alternate dimension.

 

[Chief00]

I think if you want to make the XL Center work the first step is to eliminate the CRDA non value added middlemen from the picture. That quasi public agency supplies jobs and sub contracts to former political hacks but little of anything resembling a professional service that an arms length entity could deliver. However, the card they hold is their connections with our political leaders - so UConn would effectively be held hostage to any state funding for the XL without CRDA.

 

[freescooter]

Chief
Somebody I’d going to have to own/run the place if it continues to operate. The City of Hartford owned it for its first 20 years or so. Now CRDA. No private company want it because arenas in midsize cities are very difficult to run in the black. CRDA is kind of like the NCAA. If you didn’t have it you would need something just like it.

 

[CL82]

Chief
Somebody I’d going to have to own/run the place if it continues to operate. The City of Hartford owned it for its first 20 years or so. Now CRDA. No private company want it because arenas in midsize cities are very difficult to run in the black. CRDA is kind of like the NCAA. If you didn’t have it you would need something just like it.

The difference is, of course, that the NCAA makes money. The XL is losing millions every year even though it is subsidized by the state directly and indirectly through the UConn leases. The CDRA isn’t good at what it does.

 

[freescooter]

The difference is, of course, that the NCAA makes money. The XL is losing millions every year even though it is subsidized by the state directly and indirectly through the UConn leases. The CDRA isn’t good at what it does.

Yeah, maybe but that is a different argument. What do you propose to run an arena that is outdated and in need of hundreds of millions in upgrades? Not really upgrades in many cases, more replacements for equipment and components that have reached poor exceeded their useful lives and modernization to make it attractive to new/modern users. And that is publicly owned btw? Add going on a year with zero activity thus effectively zero income. It is easy to bitch about CRDA but pretty difficult to think of how to replace it.

It is kind of like the NCAA if it’s main source of income was revenues from Division 3 cross country championships rather than The D1 basketball tourney.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Yeah, maybe but that is a different argument. What do you propose to run an arena that is outdated and in need of hundreds of millions in upgrades? Not really upgrades in many cases, more replacements for equipment and components that have reached poor exceeded their useful lives and modernization to make it attractive to new/modern users. And that is publicly owned btw? Add going on a year with zero activity thus effectively zero income. It is easy to bitch about CRDA but pretty difficult to think of how to replace it.

It is kind of like the NCAA if it’s main source of income was revenues from Division 3 cross country championships rather than The D1 basketball tourney.

I'd raze it and build something new. You hit the nail on the head that the "public", meaning CT residents and arena users, are going to have to spend money on it. I'd rather it be on something newer than on something delapidated.

 

[freescooter]

Just to clarify, first, UConn is not a small, urban catholic college like Providence, Seton Hall, St. John's, Xavier, etc. UConn is a State Flagship university and most of those peer schools are not in urban locations. Each has unique needs and that is why the 'old' Big East failed and likely why UConn is not the best fit for this 'new' Big East over the long-term, though it is a better short-term home than the American.

Second, yes, Kentucky and Louisville play at city-owned (though one can argue that each respective University owns its city, just look at the deal U Louisville created for itself with the Yum center the shaft that the city got in return) while Indiana has its own arena. But, its 27 miles from Babbridge Library to the XL Center while its 2.2 miles from the Young Library to Rupp Arena in Lexington (Kentucky) and 2.2 miles from Ekstrom Library to the Yum Center in Louisville. That's 'on-campus' for all intent.

As for the AD, I agree with him. There are folks in Hartford who believe one of UConn's key missiosn is to say Hartford, whether it be keeping the XL afloat or getting more folks on the street of downtown Hartford (UConn Hartford campus). That is not the University's mission and pulls focus and money away from what UConn should really be working on.

I agree with most of this and fundamentally it is what undergirds my dislike of the decision to rejoin the Big East. UConn might or might not be like an ACC. School, though I would argue that it is pretty Similar to NC State, Maryland ( I know they aren’t in the ACC anymore but where for many years), Pitt, Florida State. And in many ways we are closer in philosophy to UNC, Virginia and the rest. I dont know if John Silver has ever been to Storrs (joking John) but it isn’t Big City for sure. And that gets to the point. If you look for UConn’s peer institutions it is not the Big East. Those are largely urban, Catholic mid sized schools with modest graduate programs. Georgetown is 5he lone exception I think. UConn is a major flagship university which focuses on research and graduate studies. It has a medical school, a law school, several other professional graduate schools as well as significantly, major Doctoral programs. As a result the university has a significantly different worldview from the St Johns and Providences of the world.

This distinction is also why the Trinity is better than UConn argument is pretty silly. Trinity is a small liberal arts college that does its job very well. As do the rest of the NESCAC and other similar schools. UCONN and other major national universities have a different function. Education is part but so is research. And UConn offers a much wider range of educational opportunities that Trinity. How many engineers, or nurses or teachers graduate from Trinity each year? Undergraduate education is one function of a major national university, but arguably not even the most important. It is what most people think of but research and professional education are really the prime targets.

 

[CL82]

What do you propose to run an arena that is outdated and in need of hundreds of millions in upgrades?

 

[gampelcrazies]

 

[Minicoop69]

WOW!!!

 

[FatHank]

The Whalers leaving Harford was the beginning of the end for the Civic Center/XL Center. It was a sad and short-sited decision by people that did not understand what professional Hockey does for a city.

Brass Bonanza Silenced: The Demise of the Hartford Whalers - The Hockey Writers Hockey History Latest News, Analysis & More

Why did the Hartford Whalers leave the NHL, and why are they never coming back? THW looks back at the franchise's untimely demise.

thehockeywriters.com

I had many a good memory as a kid at Whalers games. In fact, I should go look for whalers tee right now.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Why don't they go to Gampel then? I went to a game there last year when the team was playing great and the place was half empty. So was the student section.

Was it vsTemple on a Wednesday at 9 pm? That may be why

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I do not mind the extra drive time out to Gampel for one second. I prefer Gampel 99% of the time, but with that said, I don't hate the XL. One solution that kind of meets in the middle is to just have less games in Hartford. Play all the games during winter break at the XL Center like you already do, and maybe two conference games per year. That would be about 6-7 games in Hartford instead of the 10 or 11 like it is now.

I like this idea. It also helps make XL games more of an “event” so to speak which UConn fans love to show out for (MSG, Fenway, Yankee Stadium,etc)

 

[Waquoit]

Was it vsTemple on a Wednesday at 9 pm? That may be why

Or versus USF on a Sunday afternoon with no FB.

 

[husky8273]

13 years later, the redevelopment plan still being debated