How UConn really feels about the XL Center

[tcf15]

http://www.theday.com/article/20140609/SPORT01/306099950

I spoke to some folks in the UConn athletic department the other day to see if they were as touchy about this as I am. What I discovered was worse: ambivalence.

"Honestly," one veteran of the department said, "if the XL Center disappeared tomorrow and we had to play all our games on campus, everyone here would celebrate."

So I asked the person why, exactly, UConn plays in a building nobody likes.

"Intense political pressure," the person said, alluding to UConn's importance to keeping downtown businesses afloat.​

 

[amory]

I obviously prefer to see games at Gampel but the XL Center is fun too, especially for big games because there are so many more seats. The bars around the XL are a nice change of pace from what's available in Storrs as well.

Ultimately it's a small price to pay for the investment the state has made in our school.

 

[upstater]

"Intense political pressure."

Well, maybe, they might consider not charging UConn as much as they do for use of the facility.

 

[Waquoit]

Ultimately it's a small price to pay for the investment the state has made in our school.

That's the point getting lost. I keep going back to Herbst's op-ed piece when she first took over: "UConn is not arrogant" she declared. Yeah, right. UConn has to be careful. Back when Homer Babbage was in charge, UConn got a ton of state support. But after he left, there was a lot of UConn resentment that wasn't overcome by less charismatic presidents. Support declined in a hurry. UConn is getting everything they want from the state these days. I think they would be well served to STFU.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

For those of us who don't live in northeastern Connecticut (i.e., most of the population of Connecticut), the XL Center is much more conveniently located. It was rocking for the Memphis game. Obviously Gampel is great but the implication that there's no advantage whatsoever to playing UConn games in central Connecticut is flat-out wrong.

 

[intlzncster]

I obviously prefer to see games at Gampel but the XL Center is fun too, especially for big games because there are so many more seats. The bars around the XL are a nice change of pace from what's available in Storrs as well.

Ultimately it's a small price to pay for the investment the state has made in our school.

This is one thing that doesn't get enough traction from fans. It's worth it. That said, I would like to see some XL renovations though.

 

[Palatine]

If UConn stops connecting with the non-alumni fans, it's screwed. UConn has to be the state team to continue to generate the support it needs. If Alabama understands the importance of playing football off campus even when they have on campus facility, UConn should understand the importance of Hartford.

Just look a the reaction in Bridgeport this year. Does anyone really think that playing Eastern Washington at Gampel would have been a better decision.

 

[UConn9604]

If UConn stops connecting with the non-alumni fans, it's screwed. UConn has to be the state team to continue to generate the support it needs. If Alabama understands the importance of playing football off campus even when they have on campus facility, UConn should understand the importance of Hartford.

Just look a the reaction in Bridgeport this year. Does anyone really think that playing Eastern Washington at Gampel would have been a better decision.

Absolutely not, but I think it's a matter of degree. In most years, Hartford commands about 2/3 of the home schedule. That's not because UConn decided that this is a good idea for UConn, it's because the State decided that this is a good idea for UConn.

Is a 10/7 split the right model? I don't think so. Should we box out central Connecticut entirely from the process? Definitely not. The end result should probably be something that favors Storrs a little more, with semester break and weekend games in Hartford, and an occasional game in Bridgeport.

 

[PRHusky]

Whether it be because of Thanksgiving break, Winter break or Spring Break, UConn should only play in Hartford while school is out. That still allows for enough games to be played in Hartford, while expanding the number of games played in Gampel. Best compromise possible.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Would Storrs ever host a conference championship?

 

[intlzncster]

Absolutely not, but I think it's a matter of degree. In most years, Hartford commands about 2/3 of the home schedule. That's not because UConn decided that this is a good idea for UConn, it's because the State decided that this is a good idea for UConn.

Well, it is a State University.

 

[intlzncster]

Would Storrs ever host a conference championship?

Not enough seats (or facilities right next to the Arena: bars, restaurants, big time hotels) in comparison to XL.

 

[intlzncster]

Whether it be because of Thanksgiving break, Winter break or Spring Break, UConn should only play in Hartford while school is out. That still allows for enough games to be played in Hartford, while expanding the number of games played in Gampel. Best compromise possible.

Then it would have to be sure to schedule a number of marquee games on these breaks. Not always doable.

 

[Husky25]

Whether it be because of Thanksgiving break, Winter break or Spring Break, UConn should only play in Hartford while school is out. That still allows for enough games to be played in Hartford, while expanding the number of games played in Gampel. Best compromise possible.

IF UConn is playing during Spring Break, they are all neutral court games. Spring Break typically takes place during the post season.

 

[warbler1055]

Let's face it, I love Storrs, but it's really hard to get there from Madison. Hartford is easier to get to, but the XL really needs improvements

 

[Rocktheworld]

Not enough seats (or facilities right next to the Arena: bars, restaurants, big time hotels) in comparison to XL.

Not to mention there is next to nothing going on in or around Storrs. The new Center is nice but only for students and the tiny local population

Yeah that was basically a rhetorical question

 

[gampelcrazies]

Let's face it, I love Storrs, but it's really hard to get there from Madison. Hartford is easier to get to, but the XL really needs improvements

I live in Madison too and its hard getting to Storrs. Hartford defiantly needs to get a new arena

 

[Cheddie]

Hartford politicians dominated the state house in the early 90's. While being very supportive of UConn, they were also very protective of the city, and made sure that Gampel was built smaller than the Civic Center so there would be an incentive for the university to continue to play in Hartford.

 

[CL82]

If UConn stops connecting with the non-alumni fans, it's screwed. UConn has to be the state team to continue to generate the support it needs. If Alabama understands the importance of playing football off campus even when they have on campus facility, UConn should understand the importance of Hartford.

Just look a the reaction in Bridgeport this year. Does anyone really think that playing Eastern Washington at Gampel would have been a better decision.

I think the question is the mix. Play a game at Bridgeport, a game at Mohegan Sun, a handful at the XL and the rest at Gampel. (Lol, as I read that sentence, I couldn't help but think of The Producers.) Balancing the mix is tricky but I'd like to see more games at Storrs. Full disclosure: since I'm out of state, I'm not really the customer here.

 

[CL82]

Hartford politicians dominated the state house in the early 90's. While being very supportive of UConn, they were also very protective of the city, and made sure that Gampel was built smaller than the Civic Center so there would be an incentive for the university to continue to play in Hartford.

I thought it was the New Haven Coliseum that they were looking to protect. At the time, Hartford was still a pretty successful venue but the Coliseum was struggling.

 

[1husky]

The XL definitely needs an improvement (replacement?) but I have no problem with them having some games in Hartford. That said, all of these idiot CT politicians need to stop pretending they know what's best for UConn. Without a doubt, it is a factor in us not being in a real conference right now. Between Blumenthal and the fiasco with the 10 game ND series and now this, it is no surprise that the good ole boys who run conferences do not want to deal with a school that is hampered by the whims of some idiot state rep from Bozrah or wherever.

 

[GoUconn7961]

I rarely get to Gampel because it is a 2-hour drive one-way for me. So I see all the games in Hartford. It would be great if UCONN made it easier for the students to get to Hartford to fill their section. That's one of the pieces that could use some work. Yes - the XL needs some work, but at least (on game days) there are plenty of bars and restaurants to go to unlike being on campus. Remember, you can't even enjoy a beer at the game at Gampel.

 

[elduderino]

This is one thing that doesn't get enough traction from fans. It's worth it. That said, I would like to see some XL renovations though.

I'm out of state too, but I hate watching good money thrown after bad. I really don't like the idea putting any more money into the XL Center. The renovations cant cover the antiquated and poorly functioning design, which was barely acceptable in the '70s (Kling Stubbins also designed The Vet, and I don't think designs any stadiums any more), so I think it'd be trying to slap lipstick on a pig. A new indoor arena in Hartford is needed, hopefully designed by Populous or HKS or somebody else good. With any luck, it can be designed for a 50yr time horizon, with 20,000 seats, deliverable for under $400mm, to host NBA D, arena Football, indoor Lax, minor or NHL hockey and UCONN. As for how I like it now, it pretty much sucks. I've been to maybe 20 different indoor arenas around the country and the XL is near or at the bottom in terms of physical structure, atmosphere, and even proximity to other attractions. Even on TV, Id rather the game be somewhere else. Just my opinion.

 

[ktuck911]

Why doesn't Hartford try to bring in another pro-team? from a sport other than hockey this time... Wouldn't that make sense. Only question is who'd want to come and settle their Pro-Sports franchise in Hartford... At least maybe get an Arena league team... Something.... After going to the UCONN parade and getting a really good view of the area, it seems like that area is lively enough to entice a franchise or two to come to town...

 

[Husky25]

Why doesn't Hartford try to bring in another pro-team? from a sport other than hockey this time... Wouldn't that make sense. Only question is who'd want to come and settle their Pro-Sports franchise in Hartford... At least maybe get an Arena league team... Something.... After going to the UCONN parade and getting a really good view of the area, it seems like that area is lively enough to entice a franchise or two to come to town...

It's not.

Hartford is a commuter city. Drive in, park, work, drive out, with little revenue derived from supplemental or auxiliary services. It's not self-sustaining. There are about a dozen parking lots in the downtown area. I'm sure they all pay property tax and that's great, but where is the city (or state) going to generate more revenue? The taxes collected on a $10 per day parking fee or on the 10's of $1,000's of food purchased at a supermarket by the 100's of extra residents who live there (plus the property tax for the store itself, which is worth more than a parking lot)

I've worked in "The City" for an two extended periods about a decade apart. In the late 90's/early 00's, Hartford's work population was downtown in the Gold building, Travelers, Htfd Steam Boiler, City Place, and Constitution Plaza, among others. On Thursdays and Fridays, the population moved in masse at 5:00 to the Union Place end of downtown and Main Street was a ghost town. I returned to Hartford in 2012 to the same environment, only that the daytime work crowd had thinned out leading to less restaurant and bar patronage. The city pretty much relies on individual events (i.e. UConn Games), with the only difference between these event patrons and the work population is that the ones going to games (for example) may grab a beer or two before hand. They still drive in, park and drive out.

My wife and I took my son to the circus last month on Mothers' Day and Hartford was a ghost town. How do they fix it? 1) Attractions. Yes the baseball park is only meant for the minor leagues, but it is a start. 2) Middle income housing. 777 Main (the BOA tower) is a good start in this area and there are a couple of other outdated office buildings that are being converted to apartments as well. These apartments are best filled by recent college graduates who work or will work downtown. That is exactly who the Supers should be targeting. 3) There also need a full service supermarket in the downtown area (1st floor of 777 Main would be helpful). Not necessarily a Costco or Super Stop & Shop, but a run of the mill Stop & Shop, Shop Rite, or IGA would do.