On Campus Arena Rumor?

[CTBasketball]

Syracuse is the hub of upstate? How does that work? When I think of upstate, I think of 3 other cities that have a lot more going on than Syracuse. Syracuse is 4th at best upstate.

Depends entirely on time of the year. During the annual Cornell mathlete festival, Ithaca is a very fun city. And Oneonta wins more than Syracuse - so that's better than Syracuse.

 

[Pudge]

I really can't see that getting done without using all private money. There is no way a Mayor of Syracuse in his right mind would give up state money to help build a stadium. That part of NYS is pretty desolate...most of the manufacturing that anchored it is gone. Cities like Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse are dying on the vine.

I get that FDNY MIGHT be a NYS taxpayer.

I know upstate NY well. The discussion of Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse is far more separate and nuanced. Each of those cities are very different from the others. (and notice that you've left out Albany) Syracuse has been the most challenged IMHO. As you can see from several hundred miles away, the business community has a great spirit. Candidly, however, you see many issues. At this point, the decline is two decades old. (Rochester is far more tech endowed and has a higher demographic; Buffalo has benefited from clever tax incentivized job programs for masses.)

The point is correct. Hard to believe a political group can be stitched together to provide Syracuse - the Private institution - a new Stadium/Dome in Central NY. The legislature (Assembly controlled by NYC Democrats and the Senate somewhat balanced) has a tough time with anything like this.

 

[Sweet]

I get that FDNY MIGHT be a NYS taxpayer.

I know upstate NY well. The discussion of Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse is far more separate and nuanced. Each of those cities are very different from the others. (and notice that you've left out Albany) Syracuse has been the most challenged IMHO. As you can see from several hundred miles away, the business community has a great spirit. Candidly, however, you see many issues. At this point, the decline is two decades old. (Rochester is far more tech endowed and has a higher demographic; Buffalo has benefited from clever tax incentivized job programs for masses.)

The point is correct. Hard to believe a political group can be stitched together to provide Syracuse - the Private institution - a new Stadium/Dome in Central NY. The legislature (Assembly controlled by NYC Democrats and the Senate somewhat balanced) has a tough time with anything like this.

New Hockey Arena will be announced to be opened for the 2016-17 season. In a year or 2 they will announce that Gampel will be renovated.

Anyone see this Jacobs tweet?

@jacobscourant
Per tweet UConn verge of major announcement on on-campus arena: Obviously have to address hockey at some point: Told nothing more right now.

Someone else said take it with a grain of salt.

Well, the Fruit are pushing for an all purpose stadium with a retractable dome, I mean they actually are. This being the case, build one for us in Hartford. I am sure there will be no problem coming up with the money.

This is how UConn is making a case for moving to the Big10

 

[Pudge]

This is how UConn is making a case for moving to the Big10

Could explain your contribution?

 

[freescooter]

As for the hockey arena, with the move to Hockey East it really is necessary. Hockey is something of a niche sport, but its fans tend to be really, really loyal. It is like college soccer at UConn in the sense that it can draw good, consistent crowds, but you wouldn't play the soccer season in the Rent, because there aren't enough fans nor are the crowds big enough to make that viable. And why would you want to have a dual purpose facility? It would be too big for hockey, and would require too much operating costs to change over regularly. I suppose you could keep Frietas as the practice facility, though my guess is that becomes the soccer/baseball facility now. In the college game there are really only a couple of hockey-basketball facilities. mainly because it doesn't work that well. And for anyone who thinks Gampel is going anyplace, ask youself why UConn is building a new practice gym adjacent to Gampel. It will be renovated in a couple of years. And don't sweat the tiles. They'll figure out how to fix/replace them.

 

[Matt (Chicago)]

How many people actually attend our hockey games?

Not sure if you're aware but as of Tuesday we are a member of Hockey East, which is arguably the best collegiate hockey league out there. Its a big deal, and building a 5k seat arena was part of the package to get in. I would be very surprised if regular sell outs arent the norm within 5 years, especially if the hockey team rises quickly through the ranks, which other UConn teams have shown a penchant for.

 

[freescooter]

I don't know that sell-outs are predictable, though there will be some for sure. But they aren't necessary either. I think a regular 3200-3500 with some sell outs for big games is the likely scenario at least in the short term As the students start to get into it, the crowds should get bigger.

 

[Yonick]

Doesn't hockey east require we build a 5,000 seat arena?

 

[freescooter]

Doesn't hockey east require we build a 5,000 seat arena?

Here's my take on that. A. A full third of Hockey East members have arenas with fewer than 5000 seats and they took Vermont in 2005(ish) knowing they had only 4000 seats. Joe Bertagna has had a vision of hockey East as covering all of New England for several years. So I'm of the opinion that getting the right member was much more important than getting a 5000 seat arena. B. If UConn had proposed an expansion/upgrade of Frietas and could only get say 4000 seats, that would not have been a deal killer. C. Because UConn is building an entirely new arena, and 5000 is really about the average size among the HEA members, they will build something in that range. It's a league requirement but its both a soft requirement and a logical size for a new facility. I'd expect we'll see something between 5000 and 6000. Seems to be about what most newer facilities are built.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

As for the hockey arena, with the move to Hockey East it really is necessary. Hockey is something of a niche sport, but its fans tend to be really, really loyal. It is like college soccer at UConn in the sense that it can draw good, consistent crowds, but you wouldn't play the soccer season in the Rent, because there aren't enough fans nor are the crowds big enough to make that viable. And why would you want to have a dual purpose facility? It would be too big for hockey, and would require too much operating costs to change over regularly. I suppose you could keep Frietas as the practice facility, though my guess is that becomes the soccer/baseball facility now. In the college game there are really only a couple of hockey-basketball facilities. mainly because it doesn't work that well. And for anyone who thinks Gampel is going anyplace, ask youself why UConn is building a new practice gym adjacent to Gampel. It will be renovated in a couple of years. And don't sweat the tiles. They'll figure out how to fix/replace them.

Sounds like our AD is doing a great job. Don't you think?

 

[FDNY99]

Syracuse is the hub of upstate? How does that work? When I think of upstate, I think of 3 other cities that have a lot more going on than Syracuse. Syracuse is 4th at best upstate.

You might be surprised on this one. Syracuse is part of good sized metro area and considered the central hub, geographically and cultural, of upstate. The state is actively looking for ways to revitalize the region and while the city itself is blue, much of the country side around it is red, so political funding votes could be easier passed than say a project on LI. Not that anyone here wants to hear this, but it also doesn't hurt that 'Cuse is a very politically and financially powerful entity.

You can say what you want about the school being politically hooked up but if the state is gonna float money Syracuse's way...you can be sure the Mayor would use it to lure businesses and rebuild his taxbase than let it be used for an arena whose tenent is a private University that pays a fraction in property taxes compared to the service strain they put on the city

 

[freescooter]

Sounds like our AD is doing a great job. Don't you think?

I respect certain teams,” Manuel said. “I don’t respect conferences. ... So I’d rather be in our conference and win them all instead of being in another conference."
Um, not so much...

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

You might be surprised on this one. Syracuse is part of good sized metro area and considered the central hub, geographically and cultural, of upstate.

According to who? Have you ever been upstate?

 

[tykurez]

I respect certain teams,” Manuel said. “I don’t respect conferences. ... So I’d rather be in our conference and win them all instead of being in another conference."
Um, not so much...

Holy you are truly unbelievable. That's a quote from Geno in this article that you are trying to play off as Manuel's? For what, your own sick twisted obsession with hating on him?

Here is how Auriemma put it, in his characteristically blunt way.

“I respect certain teams,” he said. “I don’t respect conferences. A lot of teams playing in big-time conferences haven’t won a damn thing in their careers. So I’d rather be in our conference and win them all instead of being in another conference.”

 

[elduderino]

According to who? Have you ever been upstate?

You can say what you want about the school being politically hooked up but if the state is gonna float money Syracuse's way...you can be sure the Mayor would use it to lure businesses and rebuild his taxbase than let it be used for an arena whose tenent is a private University that pays a fraction in property taxes compared to the service strain they put on the city

I thought I already caught sh_t from you for having attended SU, living in upstate for 4 years? Have you actually ever spent any length of time up there? The city of Syracuse genuinely sucks A, but due to its centralized location in upstate, it also has 2 of the 3 largest event/s draws outside of NYC, SU athletics at the Carrier Dome (500,000+ people annually) and the "Great" New York state fair (about a million people), the other is obviously RWS. Destiny USA is also the 6th largest mall in the country, although I might have to junk-punch myself for using a shopping center as a cultural attraction. Also, the university and its state school partners, ESF and Upstate Med. which basically share the same campus, are the largest and hands down most powerful employers in the region and as such, the mayor will and does take a knee for them at the slightest glance. Personally I don't like the idea of any "school" building a half billion dollar athletic facility, especially my own alma mater, but SU has been integral in propping up the failing city and the university's integration with state entities is strong so saying a tax payer financed stadium for a private university tenant is impossible, or worse, doesn't exactly ring true in this case. Further, having one of the best schools of public policy, one of the strongest communications schools on the planet, and the just generally affluent greater NYC demo. that typically attend the U further enhance the school's and city's stature. Never mind that fact that Biden is an alum. Any more questions Big E?

 

[uconnell]

Eldudurerino, I wouldn't brag about Biden being an alum,just saying!

 

[elduderino]

Eldudurerino, I wouldn't brag about Biden being an alum,just saying!

Ha, definitely not bragging about anything but his political positioning. He royally screwed over one of my best friend's businesses in Delaware back in the day. Guy's got two left arms.

 

[freescooter]

Holy you are truly unbelievable. That's a quote from Geno in this article that you are trying to play off as Manuel's? For what, your own sick twisted obsession with hating on him?

Here is how Auriemma put it, in his characteristically blunt way.

“I respect certain teams,” he said. “I don’t respect conferences. A lot of teams playing in big-time conferences haven’t won a damn thing in their careers. So I’d rather be in our conference and win them all instead of being in another conference.”

that must be the official company line dreamed up by the athletic department's pr guy. It is attributed to Warde in this one.
http://www.elevenwarriors.com/colle...ten-status-connecticut-left-to-wonder-what-if

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I thought I already caught sh_t from you for having attended SU, living in upstate for 4 years? Have you actually ever spent any length of time up there? The city of Syracuse genuinely sucks A, but due to its centralized location in upstate, it also has 2 of the 3 largest event/s draws outside of NYC, SU athletics at the Carrier Dome (500,000+ people annually) and the "Great" New York state fair (about a million people), the other is obviously RWS. Destiny USA is also the 6th largest mall in the country, although I might have to junk-punch myself for using a shopping center as a cultural attraction. Also, the university and its state school partners, ESF and Upstate Med. which basically share the same campus, are the largest and hands down most powerful employers in the region and as such, the mayor will and does take a knee for them at the slightest glance. Personally I don't like the idea of any "school" building a half billion dollar athletic facility, especially my own alma mater, but SU has been integral in propping up the failing city and the university's integration with state entities is strong so saying a tax payer financed stadium for a private university tenant is impossible, or worse, doesn't exactly ring true in this case. Further, having one of the best schools of public policy, one of the strongest communications schools on the planet, and the just generally affluent greater NYC demo. that typically attend the U further enhance the school's and city's stature. Never mind that fact that Biden is an alum. Any more questions Big E?

First of all, good lord your posts are hard to read. Mix in a paragraph break and a sentence that isn't a run-on every once in a while.

I spent the first 18 years of my life upstate. Quite frankly, I return as infrequently as I can manage. As others have, I was taking issue with your characterization of Syracuse as a "hub" of, well, anything. I've literally never heard that position expressed before and I'm really not entirely sure how your post demonstrates anything beyond Syracuse University being good for the city of Syracuse.

 

[elduderino]

First of all, good lord your posts are hard to read. Mix in a paragraph break and a sentence that isn't a run-on every once in a while.

I spent the first 18 years of my life upstate. Quite frankly, I return as infrequently as I can manage. As others have, I was taking issue with your characterization of Syracuse as a "hub" of, well, anything. I've literally never heard that position expressed before and I'm really not entirely sure how your post demonstrates anything beyond Syracuse University being good for the city of Syracuse.

Yup, pretty much every English teacher Ive ever had would agree with you.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I really can't see that getting done without using all private money. There is no way a Mayor of Syracuse in his right mind would give up state money to help build a stadium. That part of NYS is pretty desolate...most of the manufacturing that anchored it is gone. Cities like Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse are dying on the vine.

if

'Cuse wants a new stadium, they are likely on their own. The NY State is more focused on trying to keep the Bills in Buffalo (versus LA or Toronto) and the new stadium that will require and the city and university has some serious miscommunciations on the subject, which will require a lot of patching.

http://www.syracuse.com/opinion/ind...taxpayer_funding_cuomo_caution_editorial.html

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/01/su_sports_arena_timeline_do_not_publish.html

 

[DarthGrumpy]

Hockey is one of those sports that drunk college chicks love to catch onto and follow. It'll be a hit.

Back in the day, the only way to go to UConn hockey games in February in Storrs when the arena was outdoors was to be either drunk or stoned enough not to be able to feel the cold.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I get that FDNY MIGHT be a NYS taxpayer.

I know upstate NY well. The discussion of Rochester, Buffalo and Syracuse is far more separate and nuanced. Each of those cities are very different from the others. (and notice that you've left out Albany) Syracuse has been the most challenged IMHO. As you can see from several hundred miles away, the business community has a great spirit. Candidly, however, you see many issues. At this point, the decline is two decades old. (Rochester is far more tech endowed and has a higher demographic; Buffalo has benefited from clever tax incentivized job programs for masses.)

The point is correct. Hard to believe a political group can be stitched together to provide Syracuse - the Private institution - a new Stadium/Dome in Central NY. The legislature (Assembly controlled by NYC Democrats and the Senate somewhat balanced) has a tough time with anything like this.

Have to agree. Each of the 4 major metro's in upstate NY are different. Albany is focused on state government, some higher education and health sciences and is oriented as the north end of the Hudson Valley, which has NYC as the south anchor. Buffalo lost a lot of it's primary industries in the 1980's and has re-focused itself on transportation (link to Canada) and other, more custom versus mass manufacturing. Rochester has a very highly educated and innovative workforce thanks to Kodak, Xerox, etc. had the foresight to see the demise of both and with the help of U Rochester and RIT has been reinventing itself as a tech and bio-sciences hub. Syracuse was more like Buffalo in terms of business focus; but lacks the geographic advantage that Buffalo has. It has lost a lot of manufacturing more recently than Buffalo and has been slower to adapt than Buffalo and Rochester. Plus, Syracuse U does not create as many new companies and jobs that U Buffalo, U Rochester + RIT, and U Albany + RPI have for the other regions. Plus, the Fruit's grads, nearly all of whom come from other areas, run back to the NYC metro area after graduation.

 

[DarthGrumpy]

I have said it before. Ideally, with a need for a hockey arena and a renovated basketball arena, I wish UConn would politely tell Hartford that it needs to figure it own arena issues out (NHL dream versus AHL reality) and let UConn solve it's problems. Ideally, UConn builds a 12K basketball area that also holds 6K for hockey either where Gampel is today (use the XL while it is being built) or over in the Storrs Center area (throw in a hotel, more bars/restaurants and UConn gets a nice entertainment district). This has to be cheaper than building a separate hockey arena and a renovated/expanded Gampel. Freitas can be used as the practice ice for both hockey teams (and for community use) while the basketball teams have their new facility. During the season, when the students are on campus, all games should be there outside of a marquee game in NYC and/or Boston. During school breaks, have a game or two at Webester in Bridgeport to increase expose too all of those high income earning UConn alumni in Fairfield County and NYC and then 4 or so games in Hartford.

 

[dbmill]

Have to agree. Each of the 4 major metro's in upstate NY are different. Albany is focused on state government, some higher education and health sciences and is oriented as the north end of the Hudson Valley, which has NYC as the south anchor. Buffalo lost a lot of it's primary industries in the 1980's and has re-focused itself on transportation (link to Canada) and other, more custom versus mass manufacturing. Rochester has a very highly educated and innovative workforce thanks to Kodak, Xerox, etc. had the foresight to see the demise of both and with the help of U Rochester and RIT has been reinventing itself as a tech and bio-sciences hub. Syracuse was more like Buffalo in terms of business focus; but lacks the geographic advantage that Buffalo has. It has lost a lot of manufacturing more recently than Buffalo and has been slower to adapt than Buffalo and Rochester. Plus, Syracuse U does not create as many new companies and jobs that U Buffalo, U Rochester + RIT, and U Albany + RPI have for the other regions. Plus, the Fruit's grads, nearly all of whom come from other areas, run back to the NYC metro area after graduation.

Excellent analysis. I always had the impression that despite its spot in the middle of the upstate New York snow belt that Rochester had a lot going for itself. From my understanding, it is also a bit of an arts hub in that area as well.