Jacobs - UConn Teams Need A Better Home In Hartford

[DarthGrumpy]

That's rediculous. An 8-10k seat arena? This is a venue that serves the whole Hartford/Springfield market. What would an 8k seat arena do for the region? AHL hockey? That's about it. There are 3 small arenas within reasonable distance and the extra seats in the middle of our market (30th largest in the US) actually would put the venue shoulders above the competition. Also I don't care that you "know the NHL isn't coming back" but the good thing about that is what you think doesn't matter.
Also Buffalo is a much smaller market than Hartford/Spring/NewHaven

For AHL purposes, Hartford and Springfield are two separate markets with the MassMutual Center holding 7,300 for hoops and 6,900 for hockey with the Springfield Falcons and a NBA D-league calling that place home. Also have to remember that the Mullins Center (9,500 basketball, 8,400 hockey) is not that far away either.

 

[FartMan69]

For AHL purposes, Hartford and Springfield are two separate markets with the MassMutual Center holding 7,300 for hoops and 6,900 for hockey with the Springfield Falcons and a NBA D-league calling that place home. Also have to remember that the Mullins Center (9,500 basketball, 8,400 hockey) is not that far away either.

That proves my point. Why add another 8-10k seat arena in the mix? A 17k seat arena puts itself above those and can compete for conference tourneys, ncaa regionals, frozen fours, big time conventions etc. This isn't about the AHL clearly nobody cares about that or they wouldnt be attracting crowds less than 2k. I know a new arena scares the Gampel only crowd but UConns never leaving Hartford, might as well have a new full size building.

 

[Jerry1714]

Be careful what you wish for Hartford haters. UConn without Hartford is the A-10.

Good, we get rid of games in Hartford and play in a better conference, where do I sign up?

 

[whaler11]

Stopping basketball games in Hartford is suicide for the program.

Other than that - great idea.

 

[CTBasketball]

Stopping basketball games in Hartford is suicide for the program.

Other than that - great idea.

Why do you say this?

 

[whaler11]

Why do you say this?

Because it cuts them off from the majority of the state. It cuts them off from the business community. It gives thousands of people no reason to donate to the athletic department.

Gampel is tough for anyone with a job who lives west or south of Hartford. You can completely write off Fairfield County - it's 4+ hours round trip on a weekday from anywhere west of Bridgeport.

The whole schedule at gampel would be $1,000 for a pair of seats - and with an AAC schedule good luck selling that when there might be 4-5 games a year that have any demand.

The atmosphere is better at Gampel but unless you live near campus literally every other thing is better in Hartford. Access, parking, concessions, options before and after the game, beer and wine.

Sports attendance is dropping for a number of reasons. The last thing you want to do is give people reasons not to attend. Moving to Gampel full time gives a lot of people reasons not to attend.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

If there was to be a new XL built and UConn remained as a key tenant, what are the chances that UConn would do something to improve the game time environment - more student seating with better locations and more frequent and cheap or free transportation between Storrs and Hartford?

 

[FartMan69]

I think people need to stop beating the "all games at Gampel" drum because it's not going to happen. We have a unique program that caters to our unique fan base and games in central CT are vital. So as much as it hurts 90% of you to say it i think we should get behind the revitalization of Hartford especially a new arena because the basketball games aren't going anywhere.

 

[Gurleyman]

Good, we get rid of games in Hartford and play in a better conference, where do I sign up?

The A-10? I know the AAC blows chunks, but seeing UConn playing NYC road games in Rose Hill Gymnasium instead of MSG would be the point where I realize the dream of big time sports is over.

 

[nyhusky89]

I love that UConn has a 10k seat arena in the middle of its campus that has a tremendous atmosphere and provides a true home game advantage and from a basketball perspective in undoubtedly the best place to play and win games, but are forced to be a political tool and play half their games 30 minutes from campus or the program will fold.

 

[zls44]

Because it cuts them off from the majority of the state. It cuts them off from the business community. It gives thousands of people no reason to donate to the athletic department.

Sweet when did Storrs move behind the Iron Curtain? It's 25 miles!!!!!! I say this as someone who lives in Western CT- since I'm going to attend as many games as I can, I would rather make the longer drive for the FAR better experience than the shorter drive that is more convenient for myself but worse for the students/atmosphere.

If it gives "thousands of people no reason to donate to the athletic department", then those aren't the people whose opinions I respect enough to beg for their money. I know its simplistic and not how the world works especially with life in the American, but it's how I feel.

TL/DR: those people need to grow the duck_k up and get over themselves.

Tomorrow, a fellow alum and I have a great day planned of attending both the MBB and MIH games and I'd be lying if a small part of me isn't really sad that NEITHER is occurring on campus. Who are we? Are we a university? Or Hartford's bitch?

 

[David 76]

If there was to be a new XL built and UConn remained as a key tenant, what are the chances that UConn would do something to improve the game time environment - more student seating with better locations and more frequent and cheap or free transportation between Storrs and Hartford?

I would love it but it will be all about the money They will go for luxury boxes and corporate seats,

 

[whaler11]

Sweet when did Storrs move behind the Iron Curtain? It's 25 miles!!!!!! I say this as someone who lives in Western CT- since I'm going to attend as many games as I can, I would rather make the longer drive for the FAR better experience than the shorter drive that is more convenient for myself but worse for the students/atmosphere.

If it gives "thousands of people no reason to donate to the athletic department", then those aren't the people whose opinions I respect enough to beg for their money. I know its simplistic and not how the world works especially with life in the American, but it's how I feel.

TL/DR: those people need to grow the duck_k up and get over themselves.

Tomorrow, a fellow alum and I have a great day planned of attending both the MBB and MIH games and I'd be lying if a small part of me isn't really sad that NEITHER is occurring on campus. Who are we? Are we a university? Or Hartford's bitch?

It's got nothing to do with being Hartford's bitch.

It's got everything to do with being pragmatic.

Maybe the one who needs to get over themself is you? That your personal preference doesn't matter to them?

I know it doesn't fit into some people's worldview - but UConn is selling a product. There are some people that are only going to buy that product in Hartford. If you don't want to respect the opinion of those people it's fine. Thankfully the university hasn't made that mistake.

 

[Waquoit]

Tomorrow, a fellow alum and I have a great day planned of attending both the MBB and MIH games and I'd be lying if a small part of me isn't really sad that NEITHER is occurring on campus.

A small part of you is a "little bit sad." That is so sweet. Maybe you guys could talk it out during the ride.

 

[Husky25]

Whaler has some whacked out views, but in this case he is 100% correct. A new (or heavily refurbished) Civic Center does not happen without UConn.

It's quite romantic to say a university's sports programs belong to the students, but the State's flagship university belongs to the State. Without a major league franchise within 100 miles, the state is going to leverage its assets.

Consider also that a new building would have a different atmosphere than the current set up a be a desirable destination rather than detestable.

And retrofitting Rentschler? Please, just stop.

 

[Waquoit]

It's quite romantic to say a university's sports programs belong to the students, but the State's flagship university belongs to the State.

Let's clarify something. College sports is for alumni, not students. It's always been so.

 

[whaler11]

Let's clarify something. College sports is for alumni, not students. It's always been so.

College sports like anything else is for whomever is willing to pay for it.

 

[Gampeltiles]

Not a bad idea but I am not sure that the foundation/footings are strong enough to support the weight of a dome. They would likely have to build new if they went this route.

It would cost an ungodly sum of money to dome the Rent, if it's even possible. They would have to start anew and that is not going to happen.

 

[Gampeltiles]

Let's clarify something. College sports is for alumni, not students. It's always been so.

That's a bit much. I don't hate Duke as much as I used to so use them as an example. Their home court seating caters big time to the students & as far as I can tell the alumni embrace that.

 

[whaler11]

Based on how things work at the XL Center I'm starting to wonder if zero attendance isn't a goal.

I'd love to understand the logic of why women can't bring bags to the game.

Jam up the entries and then send them back to their cars if they don't fit into a tiny box.

 

[David 76]

You really don't understand why?

 

[8893]

Thanks, Alex!

That's the end I'm on, so I'll have to check it out.

***

even Two Roads (like at Webster Arena) would be great, especially their Lil' Heaven Session IPA, which is pretty much the perfect beer for the occasion, being lower in ABV.

Happy to report that Two Roads Lil' Heaven Session IPA is on tap at the sports bar. And it is tasty.

With that, and Facey flashing in the middle repeatedly today, I'm beginning to think someone is listening to me.

 

[Hoophound]

Happy to report that Two Roads Lil' Heaven Session IPA is on tap at the sports bar. And it is tasty. With that, and Facey flashing in the middle repeatedly today, I'm beginning to think someone is listening to me.

I saw a Bud sign saying $6 domestic drafts. I ordered a Two Roads and it was $9. I told the bartender that Two Roads is a domestic and he shrugged his shoulders and said "I know, right?", but he refused to honor the $6 price. I am never going to the XL again.

 

[8893]

I saw a Bud sign saying $6 domestic drafts. I ordered a Two Roads and it was $9. I told the bartender that Two Roads is a domestic and he shrugged his shoulders and said "I know, right?", but he refused to honor the $6 price. I am never going to the XL again.

I saw the same sign and expected to pay $9 nonetheless; I think it said "premium" or something like that. In any event, I knew what they meant by "domestic," and I knew Two Roads wasn't it. I was happy to be able to buy it and even tipped a buck. Pretty sure that was a pint, and $9 at a concert or sporting event is a probably even low by today's standards.

 

[alexd]

I saw the same sign and expected to pay $9 nonetheless; I think it said "premium" or something like that. In any event, I knew what they meant by "domestic," and I knew Two Roads wasn't it. I was happy to be able to buy it and even tipped a buck. Pretty sure that was a pint, and $9 at a concert or sporting event is a probably even low by today's standards.

I haven't seen any $6 beers of any kind at the XL in a decade or more...There was really a $6 drafts sign??? Then again, it IS Bud.

 

[Waquoit]

Pretty sure that was a pint, and $9 at a concert or sporting event is a probably even low by today's standards.

The worst is Yankee Stadium. $9.75. They could charge $9 and vendor gets to keep the single. Or even $9.50, but they have to go full greed.

 

[Waquoit]

I haven't seen any $6 beers of any kind at the XL in a decade or more...There was really a $6 drafts sign??? Then again, it IS Bud.

Wolf Pack on Friday. $2.00 domestics until the 2nd period.

 

[8893]

I haven't seen any $6 beers of any kind at the XL in a decade or more...There was really a $6 drafts sign??? Then again, it IS Bud.

I only glanced at it, but I think it said $6 domestic, $9 premium.

 

[Hoophound]

I saw the same sign and expected to pay $9 nonetheless; I think it said "premium" or something like that. In any event, I knew what they meant by "domestic," and I knew Two Roads wasn't it. I was happy to be able to buy it and even tipped a buck. Pretty sure that was a pint, and $9 at a concert or sporting event is a probably even low by today's standards.

Are you just f'in with me or did you think my post was serious?

 

[uconnfan68]

Sweet when did Storrs move behind the Iron Curtain? It's 25 miles!!!!!! I say this as someone who lives in Western CT- since I'm going to attend as many games as I can, I would rather make the longer drive for the FAR better experience than the shorter drive that is more convenient for myself but worse for the students/atmosphere.

If it gives "thousands of people no reason to donate to the athletic department", then those aren't the people whose opinions I respect enough to beg for their money. I know its simplistic and not how the world works especially with life in the American, but it's how I feel.

TL/DR: those people need to grow the duck_k up and get over themselves.

Tomorrow, a fellow alum and I have a great day planned of attending both the MBB and MIH games and I'd be lying if a small part of me isn't really sad that NEITHER is occurring on campus. Who are we? Are we a university? Or Hartford's bitch?

Yeah, its only 25 miles, but look at them... highway to a single lane road to a congested campus with lousy parking and traffic flow. Do it right, put the dome on Rentschler. ;^)