No XL Center Next Year?

[HuskyHawk]

Coming from Mass, Storrs is much closer for me, but they tend to have the weeknight games there and weekend games at XL. Would like to see that switched. Also, the capacity @ Gampel is and always was too low. I was at every game the season it opened, and it could have been 5k larger at least.

 

[CTFIRERETIRED]

If this is true,then I am all for it. Why does anyone want to go to Hartford? They rape you on parking, Hartford is not what it use to be. Site lines at the XL Center stink, and it's a long journey for the students. It's time to concentrate the fan base in Storrs, where it belongs. Yes, it will be a chore for the people in the Hartford area, but the HOME for Uconn basketball is in Storrs, not Hartford. Same could be said for football,but that is a totally different story. Maybe eventually Gampel capacity can be expanded, and it will become the home court advantage that places like The Dean Dome, and Cameron Indoor are. Yeah, I am all for this idea, although like some of the posters here, I think it's a pipe dream.

 

[CTFIRERETIRED]

games should be played on campus. The state screwed UConn when it built Gampel at 8,000+ and only was expanded when it was realized it was to small of a venue. It should have been 12,000+ when it was first built but the state had to protect the XL center. For game day experience the Gampel wins hands down.

Politics is why football is off campus and that teh Gampel was built to small.

Uconnbill, you are so right on; Re: Gampel capacity. The state could not and would not let the Civic Center become irrelevant, for fear of Hartford becoming irrelevant, years ago, and Rentschler is the same mistake being made a generation later, and how is Hartford doing? Do you really have to ask? Bill, if memory serves me, Mansfield wanted NO PART of a stadium in the bucolic countryside of their town, so it ended up on the deserted runway of Pratt and Whitney, in East Hartford. I do hope that Uconn does finally see that Hartford has all the enjoyments as root canal. Cut the cord, it's time that Storrs is the REAL AND ONLY HOME FOR UCONN BASKETBALL.

 

[CTFIRERETIRED]

No offense, but the player's opinions don't matter. Without games being played where the population lies, the revenue streams dry up. You want to try and raise money for a practice facility at the same time you cut 2/3rds of the fanbase off from the games? That idea lies somewhere between Quikster and New Coke.

This is the dumbest ongoing Boneyard conversation. Be glad they didn't build the football stadium on campus, it would have killed the program before it ever got off the ground. Yeah, let's build a remote stadium in the poorest part of the state and cut ourselves off from the money and athletes in Fairfield County.

If you are going to try and claim that the XL center holds the program back recruiting wise.... all you have to do is ignore 3 national championships, 4 final fours and two decades of excellence. Other than that - sure, the Civic Center holds them back.

Whaler11, If the Civic Center/XL Center is so great.......................Then Why did the Whalers Leave?

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I had a partial season ticket package for the games in Hartford for years but gave them up after the 2007-2008 season when it reached the point where there were more games that I had to give up the tickets to (7:00 pm weekday starts) than there were that I could make (weekend games or later tipoffs).

I would have no problem if all games were in Storrs (and would try to again get season tickets) if the state improved the means of getting there from other parts of the state (another main thoroughfare, parallel to 84 but a few miles south would work). There are many major men's basketball programs in somewhat remote areas who always pack the house. These schools however have a means to get there well beyond what we have in eastern Ct.

The one benefit of games in Hartford is that allows the bulk of the state an opportunity to see the team live. The problem here is that the team has been used for decades as means to subsidize Hartford's economy and those who believe the athletic programs owe the state (and Hartford's economy) joined with those who live in and around Mansfield who believe that a pastoral, nineteenth century environment needs to be preserved has kept our beautiful campus as isolated as it has been over the years.

I wish that the politicians in this state would take a look at schools like Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin. They could then realize what this school could become and how it could be beneficial to the state as a whole if the school were to become a true, great national university.

 

[whaler11]

Whaler11, If the Civic Center/XL Center is so great.......................Then Why did the Whalers Leave?

Who said the XL Center is great. The population is in Hartford and west and south of Hartford. It's not all that complicated. If you are looking to extract money from people, it's pretty safe to say that you want said people to have access to your product.

 

[RIHusky13]

I had a partial season ticket package for the games in Hartford for years but gave them up after the 2007-2008 season when it reached the point where there were more games that I had to give up the tickets to (7:00 pm weekday starts) than there were that I could make (weekend games or later tipoffs).

I would have no problem if all games were in Storrs (and would try to again get season tickets) if the state improved the means of getting there from other parts of the state (another main thoroughfare, parallel to 84 but a few miles south would work). There are many major men's basketball programs in somewhat remote areas who always pack the house. These schools however have a means to get there well beyond what we have in eastern Ct.

The one benefit of games in Hartford is that allows the bulk of the state an opportunity to see the team live. The problem here is that the team has been used for decades as means to subsidize Hartford's economy and those who believe the athletic programs owe the state (and Hartford's economy) joined with those who live in and around Mansfield who believe that a pastoral, nineteenth century environment needs to be preserved has kept our beautiful campus as isolated as it has been over the years.

I wish that the politicians in this state would take a look at schools like Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin. They could then realize what this school could become and how it could be beneficial to the state as a whole if the school were to become a true, great national university.

Totally agree with this. The state could definitely make it much easier and more efficient to in/out of Storrs, and that would certainly strengthen the argument for hosting more games at Gampel.

But a lot of fans from other schools in big states would look at this thread and laugh at us complaining about the driving times. Those states have fans driving to their school's campus for every game. And many of those campuses are in just as obscure locations as Storrs (Bloomington, IN, Morgantown, WV...etc.). Maybe some of those fans are complaining about the same stuff we are but I'd doubt it. It seems many program's fans embrace going to the campus and creating that home court advantage whereas a lot of people on this board are willing to abandon the team because of the extra 30 minute drive.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

RI,

You are correct that fans of many programs would laugh at us for complaining about driving time but in part they would be laughing because they wouldn't understand that the state has done nothing to ease access to the school.

 

[whaler11]

Totally agree with this. The state could definitely make it much easier and more efficient to in/out of Storrs, and that would certainly strengthen the argument for hosting more games at Gampel.

But a lot of fans from other schools in big states would look at this thread and laugh at us complaining about the driving times. Those states have fans driving to their school's campus for every game. And many of those campuses are in just as obscure locations as Storrs (Bloomington, IN, Morgantown, WV...etc.). Maybe some of those fans are complaining about the same stuff we are but I'd doubt it. It seems many program's fans embrace going to the campus and creating that home court advantage whereas a lot of people on this board are willing to abandon the team because of the extra 30 minute drive.

Yeah and people live in RVs and drive 8 hours each way to Nebraska games. I probably shouldn't need to point this out, but our fans aren't quite that hardy. BTW, no one goes to West Virginia basketball games, pictures of their empty arena were on Twitter almost every game.

Do people not see the irony in this argument? It's tough on the students who have all the free time in the world to ride a bus to Hartford, but adults who don't have time are supposed to drive to Storrs.

While we're at it - let's decrease the revenue because there are 5,000 fewer seats and thousands of people who donate to keep their priority points for the XL package. Let's build a practice facility with private money while pissing off thousands of long time donators.

Cameron is a funny one. Yeah, their atmosphere is so great that they couldn't sell student tickets this season and for most games were releasing student tickets to the public. Don't let reality get in the way of your arguments though.

 

[whaler11]

RI,

You are correct that fans of many programs would laugh at us for complaining about driving time but in part they would be laughing because they wouldn't understand that the state has done nothing to ease access to the school.

Villanova. MLK day last year. Halfway though the first half after sitting for an hour in traffic, I finally threw in the towel and just went to Bidwell.

 

[swami7774]

I want white-outs for every home game at Gampel. It's about time we had a home-court advantage befitting a big-name program.

Good luck getting the older alumni to go along with that.

 

[cohenzone]

I knew Connecticut was anti-business but trying to rip off the state university is brazen even by Democratic standards.

You can't resist. Take it to the cesspool where it belongs.

 

[uconnell]

Good luck getting the older alumni to go along with that.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________AAccording to some elderly former season ticket holders, the reason they stopped coming to games at Gample is they had to park at the lower garage, which meant they had to walk up the hill. Getting rid of the shuttle buses was foolish.

 

[Robertelamin]

If this is true,then I am all for it. Why does anyone want to go to Hartford? They rape you on parking, Hartford is not what it use to be. Site lines at the XL Center stink, and it's a long journey for the students. It's time to concentrate the fan base in Storrs, where it belongs. Yes, it will be a chore for the people in the Hartford area, but the HOME for Uconn basketball is in Storrs, not Hartford. Same could be said for football,but that is a totally different story. Maybe eventually Gampel capacity can be expanded, and it will become the home court advantage that places like The Dean Dome, and Cameron Indoor are. Yeah, I am all for this idea, although like some of the posters here, I think it's a pipe dream.

I'm glad to hear people still pay for parking because that means they are not parking in my free area.

 

[uconnbill]

I had a partial season ticket package for the games in Hartford for years but gave them up after the 2007-2008 season when it reached the point where there were more games that I had to give up the tickets to (7:00 pm weekday starts) than there were that I could make (weekend games or later tipoffs).

I would have no problem if all games were in Storrs (and would try to again get season tickets) if the state improved the means of getting there from other parts of the state (another main thoroughfare, parallel to 84 but a few miles south would work). There are many major men's basketball programs in somewhat remote areas who always pack the house. These schools however have a means to get there well beyond what we have in eastern Ct.

The one benefit of games in Hartford is that allows the bulk of the state an opportunity to see the team live. The problem here is that the team has been used for decades as means to subsidize Hartford's economy and those who believe the athletic programs owe the state (and Hartford's economy) joined with those who live in and around Mansfield who believe that a pastoral, nineteenth century environment needs to be preserved has kept our beautiful campus as isolated as it has been over the years.

I wish that the politicians in this state would take a look at schools like Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan and Wisconsin. They could then realize what this school could become and how it could be beneficial to the state as a whole if the school were to become a true, great national university.

I agree with the infrastructure needs improvement around Storrs and they need to bring back the shuttle buses. The state is so narrow minded when it comes to making progress like this.

 

[Robertelamin]

Big Gov't UConnbill.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

As much as I love Gampel more than XL, they need to continue to have games there.

UConn overall has a pretty awful fan base and I think they would be best served to have half of their games closer to the majority of their fan bases population.

In any event, I'll be getting season tickets again regardless because it's about 45-50 minutes from New London to XL or Gampel for me. Only difference is getting hit up for parking in Hartford.

Side note: the garages in Hatford that close 1 hour after the game, is there anyway to change that? I mean, you can't even get food after a game without getting your car stuck in the garage (happened to a buddy's Dad). I mean, isn't half the point of the state having the XL Center to drive Hartford's downtown economy? I park in the street lots now for weekends, but the garage is a lot more convenient from where I'm coming from.

 

[phillionaire]

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________AAccording to some elderly former season ticket holders, the reason they stopped coming to games at Gample is they had to park at the lower garage, which meant they had to walk up the hill. Getting rid of the shuttle buses was foolish.

that's gotta be a joke

 

[Waquoit]

It's always seeing Waq in the Get Off My Lawn role because he's the 1% who hates Storrs and wishes every game was in Hartford.

"What pray tell is the "game day experience" at a Gampel game? Visiting the Co-op? Hartford is 10 times better."

This is a farce. Where do I even begin.

Start somewhere. Otherwise the adage, "if you can't beat someone on the facts, get personal" comes in to play.

 

[uconnbill]

Big Gov't UConnbill.

Infrastructure for a university that is a need. The road coming into Storrs is in need or repair and expansion.

not everything is political in my book, but I guess it is in yours.

 

[uconnbill]

As much as I love Gampel more than XL, they need to continue to have games there.

UConn overall has a pretty awful fan base and I think they would be best served to have half of their games closer to the majority of their fan bases population.

In any event, I'll be getting season tickets again regardless because it's about 45-50 minutes from New London to XL or Gampel for me. Only difference is getting hit up for parking in Hartford.

Side note: the garages in Hatford that close 1 hour after the game, is there anyway to change that? I mean, you can't even get food after a game without getting your car stuck in the garage (happened to a buddy's Dad). I mean, isn't half the point of the state having the XL Center to drive Hartford's downtown economy? I park in the street lots now for weekends, but the garage is a lot more convenient from where I'm coming from.

I never said they shouldn't use the XL center but do think the on campus atmosphere is better in most cases

 

[ConnHuskBask]

I never said they shouldn't use the XL center but do think the on campus atmosphere is better in most cases

Wasn't really directing my post at anyone specifically. Just throwing in my $.02.

Agree with Gampel being better atmosphere most of the time, too.

 

[zls44]

Start somewhere. Otherwise the adage, "if you can't beat someone on the facts, get personal" comes in to play.

WTF is the experience in Hartford? Ye Olde Morgan Street Garage?

 

[RS9999X]

I support moving the XL to East Hartford. Share parking with The Rent.

UConn will be an important part of an XL rebuild or refurb. As soon as the economy gets better or when Malloy runs in 2014 it will be an issue

 

[UCHuskies08]

I prefer XL Center games..... because I live in Rocky Hill.

Also, if you pay for parking in Hartford, you're doing it wrong.

 

[NHUConnfan]

I support moving the XL to East Hartford. Share parking with The Rent.

UConn will be an important part of an XL rebuild or refurb. As soon as the economy gets better or when Malloy runs in 2014 it will be an issue

Queue the spaceship to teleport the XL center to East Hartford!

 

[Ts5034]

Villanova. MLK day last year. Halfway though the first half after sitting for an hour in traffic, I finally threw in the towel and just went to Bidwell.

Yes, that was BAD! When i finally got to my seat there was only 2 minutes left in the first half. I think the reason for the ridiculous amount of traffic that day is because it was move-in day for the spring semester. Other then that ive never had any issues getting on campus and parking for a game.

 

[uconndoit]

For those that say a small arena will be a negative, Duke does pretty well playing at Camren (spelling?).

Nope - you spelled dook wrong.

 

[Waquoit]

WTF is the experience in Hartford? Ye Olde Morgan Street Garage?

Try again. The issue on the floor is: "For game day experience the Gampel wins hands down."

I enjoy being in a larger building where I also watched Bird and Gretzky. I like the far more comfortable seats, the better lighting. I like the area where we meet at halftime with others. I like not having the oppressive yellow jackets micromanaging your every step. Yes, I like having beer available at the game. I like going to City Steam or Vaughns or the Tavern or McKinnons before and/or after the game. I like the easy in/easy out parking and driving situation. Gampel games it's maybe Huskies before, game, leave. Once a year during a big national game the student section brings their A game and that's fun. Otherwise...meh. What's superior about that?

Support your side of the debate.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Try again. The issue on the floor is: "For game day experience the Gampel wins hands down."

I enjoy being in a larger building where I also watched Bird and Gretzky. I like the far more comfortable seats, the better lighting. I like the area where we meet at halftime with others. I like not having the oppressive yellow jackets micromanaging your every step. Yes, I like having beer available at the game. I like going to City Steam or Vaughns or the Tavern or McKinnons before and/or after the game. I like the easy in/easy out parking and driving situation. Gampel games it's maybe Huskies before, game, leave. Once a year during a big national game the student section brings their A game and that's fun. Otherwise...meh. What's superior about that?

Support your side of the debate.

I'm closer to Storrs, so it is easier, but all of this is true. The challenge remains in part because Storrs just doesn't have enough food/bar options among other things. Went to the NCAA soccer game this year (they lost) and a crowd waited outside Ted's for 40 minutes before it finally opened. Huskies was closed. The other place in the newer plaza east of Frats, closed. This is freaking Saturday at noon. Nothing is even open? Come on.

The reality is the Mansfield and Tolland have been growing and adding population. If the state was smart, it would try to encourage office parks near campus. Get more people living in and around Storrs. More shops, more restuarants, movie theaters etc. Then you've got the makings of a real college town. I loved my 4 years in Storrs, but it has almost no appeal as a destination for any non-student.

Spent 3 years in Lawrence, KS for Law School. Fantastic college town. Working people from KC drive the hour west without hesitation, leaving work early and heading to the many restaurants and bars before the game. So they have no problem selling out 16,000+ for every home game.