Home games at Mohegan Sun? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Home games at Mohegan Sun?

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MBB; 2 games in Bridgeport, 1 game at the Sun
WBB; 1 game in Bridgeport, 2 games at the Sun
 
I sort of get why they are doing this but I have some concerns.

With the new conference is this really time to start alienating the current (what's left of it) donor fan base in pursuit of a new donor fans with an inferior product. (I only define inferior product by the level of our conference compeitition).

I've been going to games since I was born (I least that is what I have been told). it has developed into a ritual with a group of friends, and that spread into football. I donate, my friends dontate no questions asked. But.....

A lot of us are in a position in our lives with family and career that a game in Bridgeport or Uncasville is just too out of reach on a weeknight. A game in Bridgeport even on a weekend will be questionable.

They will have to take a lot more thand 2 or three games to develope a fan base and create donors in those areas, and if they start taking them away from me I will start to question how much I am donating. I hope these new fans will make up the difference.

It might be selfish thinking on my part changing the routine that I have gotten used to, I only hope it works out for tthe University.
 
I am getting increasingly angry at New Haven's lack of a venue at which we could play.
 
beerfan said:
I sort of get why they are doing this but I have some concerns.

With the new conference is this really time to start alienating the current (what's left of it) donor fan base in pursuit of a new donor fans with an inferior product. (I only define inferior product by the level of our conference compeitition).

I've been going to games since I was born (I least that is what I have been told). it has developed into a ritual with a group of friends, and that spread into football. I donate, my friends dontate no questions asked. But.....

A lot of us are in a position in our lives with family and career that a game in Bridgeport or Uncasville is just too out of reach on a weeknight. A game in Bridgeport even on a weekend will be questionable.

They will have to take a lot more thand 2 or three games to develope a fan base and create donors in those areas, and if they start taking them away from me I will start to question how much I am donating. I hope these new fans will make up the difference.

It might be selfish thinking on my part changing the routine that I have gotten used to, I only hope it works out for tthe University.
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I don't think the plan is to alienate the current donor fan base. There will be some drop off and there will be some gain. Right or wrong, the calculation must be that the gain will be greater than the loss. I'm an alumnus, donor and attending fan for almost thirty years now. If anything, I'd be more likely to see a game at Bridgeport instead of Hartford (or Storrs, which I'll only do on a weekend these days). Selfishly for me, Bridgeport is an easy drive, and an even easier train ride from New Haven--there is a covered walkway from the Bridgeport train stop to the Arena. I've seen a few concerts and other events there and I like the venue.

I would (and do) go to any of them on a weekend, but on a weeknight Bridgeport is the most convenient for me.
 
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3) But most of all it addresses HFD's demands that the university start getting involved in the public's eye. The critical thing will be to not let the ball drop. They must make sure the games are run in a manner that the vast majority of people will want to see them again in that venue. They need to go "all in" with the planning and arrangements. And by vast majority I don't mean Boneyarders, but the casual fan.[/quote]


I raised my brow at this for two reasons....

1) i agree w HFD on this despite some of his other crazy ideas
2) where the hell is HFD? did his drunk ass pass out for good?
 
Ts5034 said:
I have a feeling its almost certain that the women will play a regular season game at Mohegan this season. Since they will have their conference tournament there anyway, its a good way for Mohegan have a trial run with UConn playing. Mohegan is about the same distance from me as Gampel so the drive isnt a factor. Although im all for the idea of the men playing at Mohegan because that will just be another excuse for me to go there and hit the tables and some dinner at the Buffet or Bobby's Burgers, I wouldnt be surprised if it didnt work out for all the reasons mentioned before. I just cant see the men playing a game at harbor yard.

Last year there was some controversy about the attendance at the XL. Im sure people making the decisions will point out that last season was unique with no post season so the fan interest may have dropped a bit. Now that we have a potential final four contender, I could see us averaging 14-15,000 per game. Mohegan and Bridgeport do not hold over 10,000. Its hard because I could see both sides to the argument.
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Are you taking bets on an average of 14k at XL? There is no way in hell they sniff that number in Hartford.

Playing one game in Bridgeport and at casino is a no brainer. If it doesn't work out long term who cares. It's one regular season game each to see the viability.
 
This isn't even a bad thing for season ticket holder at Gampel or XL if they move a mediocre game. If they move an attractive opponent then it's debatable, but if it's some of the cannon fodder you don't have to pay full price for some low major snooze fest.
 
8893 said:
I don't think the plan is to alienate the current donor fan base. There will be some drop off and there will be some gain. Right or wrong, the calculation must be that the gain will be greater than the loss. I'm an alumnus, donor and attending fan for almost thirty years now. If anything, I'd be more likely to see a game at Bridgeport instead of Hartford (or Storrs, which I'll only do on a weekend these days). Selfishly for me, Bridgeport is an easy drive, and an even easier train ride from New Haven--there is a covered walkway from the Bridgeport train stop to the Arena. I've seen a few concerts and other events there and I like the venue.

I would (and do) go to any of them on a weekend, but on a weeknight Bridgeport is the most convenient for me.
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I get it but the problem with Bridgeport for me at least is it is just a destination for the game. There is no walking distance places to hang out before or after the game which is the only reason it would benefit Bridgeport. If I go there I will drive in, go to game, and drive out. Perhaps it is better that I don't go and leave the seat for a potential new rich donor.
 
beerfan said:
If I go there (BPT) I will drive in, go to game, and drive out.
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You wish. I've had only one experience with that place, Neil Young last December. It was a total cluster getting in and out of there. It's faster getting in and out of The Rent. I'm sure it's not as bad with familiarity, even so I'm hoping if they play there it's on a weekend afternoon.
 
Waquoit said:
You wish. I've had only one experience with that place, Neil Young last December. It was a total cluster getting in and out of there. It's faster getting in and out of The Rent. I'm sure it's not as bad with familiarity, even so I'm hoping if they play there it's on a weekend afternoon.
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Take the train. The station connects directly to the venue.
 
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Waquoit said:
You wish. I've had only one experience with that place, Neil Young last December. It was a total cluster getting in and out of there. It's faster getting in and out of The Rent. I'm sure it's not as bad with familiarity, even so I'm hoping if they play there it's on a weekend afternoon.
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The traffic was definitely screwed up that night. I've been there about half a dozen times and that was the only time I had an issue; I think there must have been a road closure. We saw that the traffic wasn't moving, so we politely asked the cop at the end of the ramp if we could take a right instead. He let us and we parked a few blocks away at some large retail area, walking from there faster than we could have driven. I was just there this past Friday for another concert and we parked in the Arena lot for free, and it was easy in and out--but you have to remember that out means taking three lefts once you exit in order to get back on 95N.

Now that I see how easy the train is, I'm definitely going to take advantage of that.

Beerfan makes a good point about nothing being within walking distance. That is an issue; but Gampel games are in and out, too, and we don't have a problem using that as an excuse to pre and/or post-game at any number of our favorite haunts in Middletown, Coventry, Willimantic, etc. en route. To that end, let me suggest Two Roads Brewery in Stratford, which is easy on, easy off the highway a few miles up the road. They only serve beer, but they allow you to bring in your own food, or you can order it from a variety of local businesses or food trucks and have it delivered. Given your handle and your history, I think you, Alex and your krewe would dig it for a change.
 
Quite a bit of complaining, but how many would they move? 2 or 3 max? Why not make it a day trip to the casino. You can easily spend the day hanging out at the Casino, getting a good dinner, and watching a basketball game. Have young kids? Go visit Mystic. I mean, I get the expanding the brand idea for going to somewhere like Bridgeport, but if I were in any other part of the state, I'd prefer to make it a day at the casino, than go down to Bridgeport, go to a game, and immediately go home for fear of my life.
 
rman726 said:
I'd prefer to make it a day at the casino.
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For some people, like me, that is not a draw. I'd prefer Bridgeport. I'd go to either, depending on who and when, but it's the casino that's more likely to be an in-and-out experience for me.

I'm guessing some people would do both; some would do neither; and some would one or or the other. Which is why, if they are going to experiment, it probably makes sense to try both.

The "fear of my life" stuff makes for good drama, but imo it applies equally in Hartford as it would in Bridgeport, Stamford, New Haven or Waterbury. Or New York for that matter. That is the nature of cities. Bridgeport is no gem, but when your comparison is Hartford I don't think there is a lot of high ground there.
 
Waquoit said:
Let's try one and see how it goes.
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Max case Waqi. There would be no more than 3 games each taken from the XL schedule. I think the girls would do well at the Sun... and 2 games for the guys to better develop and include the AD fanbase in that part of the state. But yeah, one step at a time with this.
 
I think Bridgeport would go all out if they drew a UConn game. Afterall its the State University. With that said; traffic, entertainment and activities would need to be stepped up in order to ensure visitors/fans a great time. In fact they could even draw LI with the ferry and certainly NYC (including Westchester County) via Metro North.

The Webster Arena has given Bpt new life, and I really believe they would go the extra mile for UConn. The city ain't what it should be but also ain't what it used to be. For some reason, I really think that this is more of UConn's way to help the struggling southern end of the state (i.e. Bridgeport) as opposed to it being a profit maker or even a recruiting bonus. Call it goodwill if you like.
 
Kitaman said:
I think Bridgeport would go all out if they drew a UConn game. Afterall its the State University. With that said; traffic, entertainment and activities would need to be stepped up in order to ensure visitors/fans a great time. In fact they could even draw LI with the ferry and certainly NYC (including Westchester County) via Metro North.

The Webster Arena has given Bpt new life, and I really believe they would go the extra mile for UConn. The city ain't what it should be but also ain't what it used to be. For some reason, I really think that this is more of UConn's way to help the struggling southern end of the state (i.e. Bridgeport) as opposed to it being a profit maker or even a recruiting bonus. Call it goodwill if you like.
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I like the positivity, but I think that's a bit optimistic, both in terms of Bridgeport's ability to step up its game, and in terms of UConn's motives.

The Arena is nice, but it's lipstick on a pig. There are some decent places in Bridgeport and it is better than it was a decade or more ago, but it is not a draw in and of itself and likely never will be again. But you could say the same about every CT city imo.

No way is UConn doing this out of the goodness of anyone's heart. It has to be viewed as a net positive economically or it doesn't get done.
 
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does anyone know of anything interesting to do in downtown BPT..?
 
DOZE860 said:
does anyone know of anything interesting to do in downtown BPT..?
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PT Barnum Museum. That's about all there is in Bridgeport. Hartford and New Haven blow Bridgeport out of the water.

The towns west of Bridgeport have some fine dining and historical sites.
 
Not sure how it is now but Hartford looked like Greenwich compared to Bridgeport in the late 90's. I had the unfortunate job of visiting both for work. I'm going to assume the recession and the lack of enthusiasm for Bridgeport among people on this board indicate that nothing has changed.

I find it interesting that Providence had a renaissance under the corrupt Buddy Cianci but when Hartford and Bridgeport undertook similar projects, their mayors ended up in jail. Maybe people need to accept that sometimes the good old boy network is needed to get things done. Granted, it may come with the loss of money and even lives, but at least things keep moving. Something needs to be built and operating for anyone to make any money, even the bad guys.
 
UConn should be able to schedule 1-2 games against a NY metro area school for Bridgeport like Iona, Fairleigh Dickenson, Fordham, St Francis, Manhattan, Columbia...
 
Kitaman said:
I think Bridgeport would go all out if they drew a UConn game. Afterall its the State University. With that said; traffic, entertainment and activities would need to be stepped up in order to ensure visitors/fans a great time. In fact they could even draw LI with the ferry and certainly NYC (including Westchester County) via Metro North.

The Webster Arena has given Bpt new life, and I really believe they would go the extra mile for UConn. The city ain't what it should be but also ain't what it used to be. For some reason, I really think that this is more of UConn's way to help the struggling southern end of the state (i.e. Bridgeport) as opposed to it being a profit maker or even a recruiting bonus. Call it goodwill if you like.
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This is already proceeding:

http://bldsteelpointe.com/

And this may also change things in Bridgeport:

http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Tribal-upheaval-could-create-new-casinos-4673442.php
 
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Duncan Idaho said:
UConn should be able to schedule 1-2 games against a NY metro area school for Bridgeport like Iona, Fairleigh Dickenson, Fordham, St Francis, Manhattan, Columbia...
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Why?
 
Waquoit said:
Why?
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If they are cupcake games we'd be scheduling anyway, seems to be worth a try imo to play in CT venue that might generate more interest within a market in which we have potential to gain.
 
8893 said:
If they are cupcake games we'd be scheduling anyway, seems to be worth a try imo to play in CT venue that might generate more interest within a market in which we have potential to gain.
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That makes sense. My knee jerk reaction had me thinking that the suggestion was about making it easier for the visitors to attend.
 
Waquoit said:
That makes sense. My knee jerk reaction had me thinking that the suggestion was about making it easier for the visitors to attend.
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I think that was part of the thinking, but more so probably that they are opponents with which that population may have better familiarity and therefore more motivation to see the game. I don't think any fan/supporter/alumni of any of them could seriously consider themselves a rival of UConn, but if they have even an attenuated connection and therefore at least a mild rooting interest in one of these cupcake teams from an otherwise good school, they might see it as an opportunity to take the family to a game; contrast that with the collective groan of the XL faithful when they have to pay for these games in order to buy season tickets. I have tons of friends from the area who attended good schools with lesser basketball teams. Almost without exception, they are all remarkably diehard Husky fans even though they did not attend UConn. But if we play their team, they are good sports about it and get into it even more--always hopeful for the epic upset, but always impressed with the (usually) obviously superior program we have. And their kids tend to become pretty big UConn fans once they see us play. Win/win imo if we can move a couple games per season to take better advantage of that dynamic. IIRC, friends recall seeing UConn playing some games at the New Haven Coliseum after the Civic Center roof collapsed. That was a little before my time; did that happen?

hthusky74 said:
How about Stony Brook or a mid-major like Rutgers?
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Stony Brook would be a great game to have there.
 
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