E. Washington Bridgeport Attendance?

[John]

Has it ever been asked and answered as to why not schedule all of the D-1 in-state schools as the "cupcakes" (dislike the term)?

This way, local opposing fanbases could make the trip to Hartford (or Bridgeport) for the big-time, big-city experience (Nutmeg version), which would probaby up the attendance.

Central, Fairfield, Hartford, Sacred Heart, Southern, Quinnipiac and Yale -- did I leave anyone out -- could be rotated. There doesn't seem to be that much difference between them and Maine, Eastern Washington, etc.

Probably it would be better for the overall CT economy, and something that the flagship university could contribute back to its home state.

More than anything, I'm looking for what's wrong with the idea. That way I can let go of the idea whenever I wonder why there's a game against a distant visitor like Eastern Washington. Or is their 'Xmas in New England' visit the equivalent of a trip to Maui?

the odd thing is that there's never great attendance from opposing local fans.

 

[John]

The XL Center is not a mess. It draws more for the cupcake games than Gampel does. Did you go to the Detroit game? Neither did anyone else, the place was empty. It's nice that the Bpt game is almost a sell-out, drawing about the same as the Maine game. Your plan is to alienate the core group of fans that actually buy season tickets and go to games. That's not a good plan.

Not so much a mess, but it is very long in the tooth. I've been noticing that even the periodic paint/spruce-ups are no longer able to hide how antiquated the place is feeling. Crappy concourses, horrendous bathrooms, etc.

 

[husky91]

XL as a facility is a dump, 2nd rate would be ok. Narrow concourses, far distances for a small place, terrible acoustics, etc. downtown is nice, good enough bars, very good restaurants, easy in-out.

In order to break even compared to Gampel, UConn must sell generally 2000 extra tickets to cover the $50k rent (assuming an average ticket cost of $25 per. That means they need to average 12,167 at the XL Center. Otherwise the program is better off to hold all games on campus, where the school benefits from parking.

Both venues have their draw backs and it is true that the XL Center has better concession options. But the sightlines stink and it is a dated, 2nd rate facility. You can't even call it antiquated, because that implies some level of character. Fenway Park it is not.

 

[uconnbill]

The XL Center is not a mess. It draws more for the cupcake games than Gampel does. Did you go to the Detroit game? Neither did anyone else, the place was empty. It's nice that the Bpt game is almost a sell-out, drawing about the same as the Maine game. Your plan is to alienate the core group of fans that actually buy season tickets and go to games. That's not a good plan.

I'm sorry but the XL center is horrible and that is being nice about it. Less games at the XL is a positive imho and adding one more a year to Bridgeport is a good way to reach out to Fairfield county.

 

[HuskyJJ]

Dumb question, but is E. Washington from Washington State, or Washington DC?

 

[Waquoit]

The bottom line seems to be that the "fans" that don't go to games frequently (or at all) want them moved out of Hartford while season ticket buyers who put their money where their mouth is are good with the status quo. Be careful what you wish for.

 

[pepband99]

BTW - egg on face of those who howled at the Bridgeport ticket prices. If we sell this out, were we supposed to leave money on the table?

 

[DaveHuskiesFan]

Dumb question, but is E. Washington from Washington State, or Washington DC?

Washington, CT. Just the eastern part of the town in Litchfield County.

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

Dumb question, but is E. Washington from Washington State, or Washington DC?

Washington state.

I smile imagining the answers after someone somewhere asks whether East Carolina is North Carolin or South Carolina

 

[John]

Washington, CT. Just the eastern part of the town in Litchfield County.

 

[UConnDad]

BTW - egg on face of those who howled at the Bridgeport ticket prices. If we sell this out, were we supposed to leave money on the table?

This game will be a sellout and for a crap team. Many fans down this way jump at the chance to see our teams close by. I havve XL season tix and gone to Gampel MSG & Brooklyn this year to see the boys but having a game down here is great. Bought tix for both games at the arena skipping the crazy ticketmaster charges. $9.50 per ticket extra. Saved almost $60.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Dumb question, but is E. Washington from Washington State, or Washington DC?

It's Colin Cowherd's alma mater. It's in Washington St but almost in Idaho. Their traditional rival once was Idaho.