No XL games until Fall 2021

[CL82]

Well I totally agree a majority of the games should be played in storrs but I have season tickets to XL - plus it is a lot closer fir me and way more convenient. Getting out of that parking garage in storrs is a nightmare and unless u wanna be elbow to elbow with 20 yr olds at teds waiting an hour to get a drink before and after the game, Hartford is much easier and roomier. By no means am I saying the atmosphere in Hartford is better than storrs, but you do have to have some games in Hartford- Just way more convenient for the rest of the state and for. people over 30. Now if you don’t care about the drive , the traffic, and the nonsense getting in and out of Campus and really no place to catch a drink without tons of people , then storrs is definitely better- In addition, an already dead Hartford wud reveive the nail in the coffin if they took uconn games away. you guys might laugh but the XL Center can get pretty loud when it wants to get crazy.

I think it is fine for a few big games scheduled when school is out of session. Other than that? Not so much. The problem is that it is hemorrhaging cash even with our supporting them. Without those games, it's over.

(Off the top of my head, I'm thinking three games men, 3 games woman, and 3 games hockey (after the rink is built, obviously). Can they get by on 9 games in total?

 

[uconngb]

From a financial standpoint when you take into account what UConn pays in rent vs what it gets with extra tickets I don’t see much. The arena is in piss poor shape. I gag when I am watching a game from the smell of the grease traps. The floor has condensation issues. The players unanimous hate it, coaches as well. We can always limit it to 1-3 games a year but half the games at XL needs to stop. We need to embrace Storrs. I never understood the argument that people won’t show up. People show up from all over to see penn state football in the middle of nowhere. If we are good, people will come. Especially in the Big East. We need to upgrade gampel, sure. It’s doable.

well said

 

[Kenny11]

I’ve been to XL more than Gampel, surprisingly. I grew up going to games at XL. I can’t imagine UConn Basketball without the XL Center. Although I prefer Gampel like most of you, is the Civic Center really that bad?

it obviously needs to be totally redone but it’s not as bad as people here make it sound. Gampel isn’t the best facility either. Some of the best times I’ve had have been at the xl center

 

[AD DB Burner]

The only time games should be played at XL going forward is when students are not on campus for winter break.

 

[JB75]

I think it is fine for a few big games scheduled when school is out of session. Other than that? Not so much. The problem is that it is hemorrhaging cash even with our supporting them. Without those games, it's over.

(Off the top of my head, I'm thinking three games men, 3 games woman, and 3 games hockey (after the rink is built, obviously). Can they get by on 9 games in total?

Need more than 3 men’s games. At least 5, hockey and women’s hoops not gonna cut it

 

[GemParty]

First year back in the Big East. Huge excitement. Major bummer.

 

[JB75]

First year back in the Big East. Huge excitement. Major bummer.

Yeah man. I hear ya. Was so looking forward to heading to games with the fellas this year and throwing some drinks back. Probably won’t ever get to see bouknight live ever again Crazy when u think about it. Maybe by the miracle of God he’ll stay for his junior season

 

[navery12]

Need more than 3 men’s games. At least 5, hockey and women’s hoops not gonna cut it

If that's the case then we can rightfully say goodbye to XL permanently

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

If we stop playing in Hartford maybe they’ll finally start turning Storrs into an actual college town with bars and restaurants. Only would’ve taken 140+ years

 

[Ozone21]

If we stop playing in Hartford maybe they’ll finally start turning Storrs into an actual college town with bars and restaurants. Only would’ve taken 140+ years

And Serve beer in Gampel. Just Saying!

 

[gampelcrazies]

And Serve beer in Gampel. Just Saying!

IMO UConn would have to renovate Gampel to sell beer

 

[HuskyHawk]

At the hockey rink on campus????


“Our teams love competing in downtown Hartford," UConn athletic director David Benedict said, "but the conditions brought about by COVID-19 have made that impractical. Our men’s hockey and basketball teams will compete in the Mark Edward Freitas Ice Forum and Gampel Pavilion respectively. We look forward to playing at the XL Center during the 2021-22 season.”

Sorry, I consider that a glorified barn. I know it is better than it was in my day, but does it even meet HE requirements?

 

[zls44]

We should have turned Gampel into the hockey barn and then built a new, on-campus hoops arena.

Rink wouldn't fit.

Sorry, I consider that a glorified barn. I know it is better than it was in my day, but does it even meet HE requirements?

It does...when no fans are allowed in.

 

[uconnric]

Games in Hartford are necessary. Much easier for much of the fan base to attend, especially from New Haven or Fairfield Counties. But if you’re not going to have fans in either arena, might as well play in Gampel this year.

 

[gtcam]

This could be interesting if the AD, Hurley and the Huskies decide they like having all games at Gampel.

ALL home games should be at Gampel
I would rather go to Mohegan than XL and I've had season tickets forever - the place (XL) is a pit

 

[bendm]

thank the good lord every day i dont live in Hartford anymore

 

[StllH8L8ner]

XL Center needs two things...a lot of gasoline and a match.

 

[Ts5034]

Kind of crazy to think this will be the first time in probably 20 years that I will not be attending any UConn games at the Civic/XL Center. This is one of those situations where as much as we think the XL is a dump, we are going to miss showing up to that place for UConn games this year. Who knows what's going to happen with fans being able to attend Gampel?, but If I cannot attend any games this season, that will really be a huge void this winter. I understand that its for everyones health and safety, I just hope we can get through this soon.

 

[Son of Robert]

I don't understand all the hating on having games at the XL Center. Granted you get more students when they play at Gampel, and I went to 5 or 6 games there too last year, but I like going to Hartford and the XL Center as well, and depending on the game the crowds are just as good, bigger even. As far as the facility being a s==thole or something, I just don't see it. Bunch of prima donnas on here.

 

[Ts5034]

ALL home games should be at Gampel
I would rather go to Mohegan than XL and I've had season tickets forever - the place (XL) is a pit

You would think Mohegan has probably lobbied UConn for at least one regular season basketball game per year, right? The Mohegan Sun Arena has taken a number of other events from Hartford, and you would think they have tried to get UConn basketball games there as well. I think that would be a good idea, and It would probably work out better than the Bridgeport experiment did.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

i'd rather go to bridgeport than xl

 

[gampelcrazies]

The Bridgeport experiment worked. UConn decided they wanted the gate instead

 

[Fatroony5]

Not surprising. Gampel definitely needs some upgrades and please, for the love of god, turn the lights on! But to me, Gampel is UConn, it’s college basketball at its finest. Every time you hear an announcer like McDonough or Bilas on a call at Gampel, they always talk about how more games need to be in that building. It’s just a different feel. I don’t mind XL, but I’ve always preferred Gampel, it’s such a great arena. Maybe I’m in the minority, but with us going back to the Big East, I want all (or most) home games at Gampel.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

You would think Mohegan has probably lobbied UConn for at least one regular season basketball game per year, right? The Mohegan Sun Arena has taken a number of other events from Hartford, and you would think they have tried to get UConn basketball games there as well. I think that would be a good idea, and It would probably work out better than the Bridgeport experiment did.

UConn is not interested in appealing to the wasteland of south eastern CT. Bridgeport games were to appease/gain the favor of donors/alumni in Fairfield County.

 

[CL82]

Need more than 3 men’s games. At least 5, hockey and women’s hoops not gonna cut it

Why?

 

[formerlurker]

Rink wouldn't fit.



It does...when no fans are allowed in.

I've done zero research, z but I'm pretty sure I know developers who would have made it fit.

 

[UConnDad]

I think it is fine for a few big games scheduled when school is out of session. Other than that? Not so much. The problem is that it is hemorrhaging cash even with our supporting them. Without those games, it's over.

(Off the top of my head, I'm thinking three games men, 3 games woman, and 3 games hockey (after the rink is built, obviously). Can they get by on 9 games in total?

If my XL season tix were only for a few big games that would be sweet!

 

[jdb50]

If there are no fans this year I am donating my season tx for Gampel money. We all need to do something to keep our programs afloat. It is better than paying for ESPN+ to watch AAC games. This appears to me to be a way to keep expenses down in uncertain budget times as far as Gampel only games. We will see what the future holds.

 

[jimva]

Uconn has always preferred games at Gampel over XL Center. They had no choice but to play at the XL center because of politics.
Hartford bars and Restaurants will be really hurt by this decision.

this is an irrelevant footnote among stupid decisions by city and state politicians over the past 30 years that have hurt Hartford bars and restaurants. Don’t pin this on UConn

 

[RF79]

I’m totally ok with UConn keeping my donation money. When I purchase my season tickets every year I understand that that money is apart of the package.