No XL games until Fall 2021

[zls44]

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

For what it'd cost, they're better off building a new place from scratch. It isn't a Yost/Williams Arena situation.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Has anyone actually heard from UConn about this today?

 

[John]

Has anyone actually heard from UConn about this today?

I never even got the survey about attending games - not sure how they picked the season ticket holders that'd get it.

 

[BPT2Storrs]

Does anyone in this thread actually follow the program or are they just using it to hate on Hartford and the state? UConn needs Hartford as much as Hartford needs it. AD Dave knows it and that's why he's saying it out loud.

Explain.

 

[Chin Diesel]

If you weren't at the XL for the Syracuse and Georgetown games in January of 1990 you may not appreciate how loud and exciting that arena can be. We went to all games in both arenas from the mid-80's on and even opening night against St. Johns at Gampel wasn't as loud and electric as those two games......and many others, because the sheer difference in the numbers of fans (double with Gampel at 8240 capacity) added to all the promise of a great season in progress.

Of course, we were on the rise, not languishing in a bad league with odd start times, but you could feel the anticipation during warmups and as you got closer to game time. Introduction of starting lineups didn't need the phony bell ringing and the recording telling us to "get ready to rumble". We already were.

The dilemma is too much of the HCC/XL is still the same as it was for those games 30 years ago. It's a known money pit and isn't efficient for basketball, hockey or concerts.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Does anyone in this thread actually follow the program or are they just using it to hate on Hartford and the state? UConn needs Hartford as much as Hartford needs it. AD Dave knows it and that's why he's saying it out loud.

When you say UConn needs Hartford, are you referring to the University's academic mission, athletics, or both? I don't think you will get much kickback suggesting UConn should have a presence for its programs in the capitol city. I think the pushback is on why does the athletics "need" to be in Hartford regularly.

 

[Vuce]

Just got the email update. Basically no new info. It said there will be a season ticket holder options communication in early November

 

[gampelcrazies]

The email UConn just sent was a whole lot of nothing.

Don't even know why they sent that

 

[CTMike]

The email UConn just sent was a whole lot of nothing.

Don't even know why they sent that

They had to say something after yesterday’s news, even if it just amounted to “stand by for more info”.

 

[Guapo]

Yes. The Red Sox, Duke etc are obviously held back by their small stadiums. If only the world had more Sox and Duke fans!

 

[gampelcrazies]

They had to say something after yesterday’s news, even if it just amounted to “stand by for more info”.

I get that but you have to send more info than that.

 

[Vuce]

I get that but you have to send more info than that.

Agree. As part of the news regarding no games at XL the other day why not just say more info for season ticket holders will be sent in early November? To send a specific message to us with literally no new information was kind of ridiculous. It was basically “hey we said you would need to wait to hear about options, well you will need to wait longer, bye”

 

[gampelcrazies]

Agree. As part of the news regarding no games at XL the other day why not just say more info for season ticket holders will be sent in early November? To send a specific message to us with literally no new information was kind of ridiculous. It was basically “hey we said you would need to wait to hear about options, well you will need to wait longer, bye”

I find it really hard to believe they don't have more info they can share. The season is only a little over a month away.

 

[bendm]

Cameron Indoor is older, Duke is doing OK. Not playing in Hartford hurts the program. Now that things have turned around, why would one want to hurt the program?

i highly doubt staff drives recruits down to Hartford when they come on their official visits to tour XL.... that actually sounds like an awful idea. it's not like SJU getting to play some games at MSG or Gtown at the Verizon Center or Nova at Wells Fargo. ya know, professional arenas.

No. It's old. Would anyone say it was great if Wake played there?

yes we would. just b/c it's old doesnt mean it's crap. XL just happens to be both.

 

[bendm]

literally 0 causal fans get tickets to Duke home games. only donors, nba players, and Presidents can afford them but it's not hurting their fan base

 

[Guapo]

UConn should play games during breaks in Hartford. The argument that we need to play half the games in Hartford implies that UConn fans are lazy or bad fans and I refuse to make that argument.

 

[Fatroony5]

When you say UConn needs Hartford, are you referring to the University's academic mission, athletics, or both? I don't think you will get much kickback suggesting UConn should have a presence for its programs in the capitol city. I think the pushback is on why does the athletics "need" to be in Hartford regularly.

I’m with you on this one. My issue with XL is it’s like 30 miles off campus and it’s not really that great of an arena. They get too many games IMO. I agree with a previous poster that it’s different in Novas, St Johns, or Georgetown’s cases since theyre professional sports arenas. It’s also part of their branding. People think of Philly and Nova, DC with GTown, St Johns and the Garden. Do people really associate Hartford and the XL center nationally with UConn?

Id Rather see Gampel get upgrades and an increased amount of games. They’re 195-37 at Gampel, would be curious to see what the record at XL/Civic Center was during that time. I’m fine with XL getting a few games, but I’ve always felt Gampel should get more each year.

 

[gampelcrazies]

FYI for those who use the "Hartford holds more than Gampel" argument you're argument may not apply anymore. If/when they renovate XL, the capacity will be reduced a ton.

 

[John]

I’m with you on this one. My issue with XL is it’s like 30 miles off campus and it’s not really that great of an arena. They get too many games IMO. I agree with a previous poster that it’s different in Novas, St Johns, or Georgetown’s cases since theyre professional sports arenas. It’s also part of their branding. People think of Philly and Nova, DC with GTown, St Johns and the Garden. Do people really associate Hartford and the XL center nationally with UConn?

Id Rather see Gampel get upgrades and an increased amount of games. They’re 195-37 at Gampel, would be curious to see what the record at XL/Civic Center was during that time. I’m fine with XL getting a few games, but I’ve always felt Gampel should get more each year.

while it'd hurt my ability to attend (XL season ticket holder) I agree with what you say. XL should be getting 3-4 games tops.

 

[Guapo]

while it'd hurt my ability to attend (XL season ticket holder) I agree with what you say. XL should be getting 3-4 games tops.

yes yes yes

 

[Fatroony5]

while it'd hurt my ability to attend (XL season ticket holder) I agree with what you say. XL should be getting 3-4 games tops.

There’s a lot that goes into it. I just wonder if investing the money it’ll truly take to make XL what it needs to be is actually worth it for the city/state. It’s different when there’s a professional team that uses the venue, but the only full time user of the arena is a minor league hockey team. What’s the play here? Attract a pro sports team? Be a major event center for concerts, tournaments, etc? There’s a lot of competition for that around now. That straetgy could work and there are ways to make extra money as well if needed (gambling, let the casinos take over, naming rights etc). But it just feels risky, especially after what the pandemic has shown us in terms of financial priorities.

Theres been some rumors floating around about renovations at XL possibly decreasing capacity. Maybe someone whose more plugged in could share more of those details. It just seems like taking the “band aid approach” isn’t a great option either. Sort of feels like their stuck.

I’d personally rather see UConn get back on campus a majority of the time, invest in Gampel (much less than it would take to make XL Center a top facility) and go from there. I know thatd be tough for season ticket holders and you may not be able to attend as many games. But that would be my preference.

 

[JB75]

I still don’t understand the argument for why people wud want ALL the games at gampel? Why not “spread our wings” and have two possible venues? U have to have some games in our state capital - 60% of our games in the northeast corner of state is definitely enough. To me, when I’m coming from new Britain to XL, it’s 15 mins max. When I drive to storrs- by the time u consider off the exit and into parking garage and getting into arena- yer looking at prolly and hour front to back before your in your seat. Prolly more. Big difference, Especially for weekday night games. (And I cant even enjoy a beer at the game) Bottom line- gampel better for the college atmosphere, Hartford much more convenient. Like I said, it’s perfect the way it is. And don’t forget , uconn has been pretty bad since 2014 AND was in a trash conference . XL will be much better and more exciting as we enter big East and get more competitive. I think people on this thread who are anti-XL are thinking about the games against Tulane on a freezing January Sunday at noon during the nfl playoffs- what place wouldn’t be dead? That Memphis game last year was incredible at XL. XL can definitely get rocking. Just sayin.

 

[Dooooooomed]

I understand that Gampel is tougher for opponents (when students on-campus are engaged), but I prefer the XL for its geography and booze. Yes, it's dumpy, but I don't care. It would be a huge mistake to make all games at Gampel a permanent thing post-Covid, particularly between semesters in Dec/Jan when no students are on campus.