New article: XL Center vs Gampel

[CTBasketball]

I wrote this last summer.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Two points.

First, one of the reasons Gampel has a better 'reputation' than the XL is where the student section is. XL has a few floor seats and the pep band with everyone else up on the 3rd deck. Gampel has the entire section behind the visitor's hoop filled with students. It's an easy fix; but the loss of money will keep the XL from making any changes.

Second, expanding Gampel will be difficult and costly. There are classrooms under the floors and stands and the pool is under part of the south stands. Not an engineer; but, I would not be surprised if building a new arena would be cheaper. Very unlikely that UConn can afford 2 arenas, thus a dual purpose area, while not idea, is likely more feasible.

 

[Waquoit]

Hartford's problems are Hartford's problem.

Playing games in Hartford isn't about doing a solid for Hartford, it's about doing what's best for the program.

 

[Palatine]

We've only managed 4 NC playing the way we currently do.

 

[CL82]

Playing games in Hartford isn't about doing a solid for Hartford, it's about doing what's best for the program.

It's a little of both and should be. The tricky part is in weighting those two interest when the don't align.

I'd love to see gross and net figures at both Gampel and the XL. I suspect that the XL needs to be about 3/4 full for games there to be profitable.