OT - Impressions of Bridgeport

[CTyankee]

I enjoyed yesterday's games with my boys. It was our first visit to Webster Bank Arena, and my impressions were mixed.

The bad: the arena itself felt extremely tired and almost depressing. Although all seats seemed to be good seats, row spacing is cramped as is the concession concourse. There was great fan energy, but I suspect that the facility of Gampel, Mohegan or even XL with the same fans would have produced more electric energy and a better spectator experience. I only conpare to these alternate venues as they are the others where we saw UConn play this year.

Whoa.... Having been numerous times to both Gampel and Hartford, I find this unbelievable... Both of those venues, with all due respect are old, outdated, and totally lacking in any amenities. Plus you can get a decent meal at the arena in Bridgeport, something unheard of inside Gampel and Hartford...

 

[warbler1055]

A hole in the doughnut!!! Was and is and will always be!!!

 

[CTyankee]

As a Connecticut resident, not of Bridgeport, but from Fairfield County, I am appalled at this thread... We all (most of us) live in Connecticut... Bridgeport is one of a number of cities suffering from problems, Hartford and New Haven to name another couple... We should be proud and happy to host two parts of this championship in Connecticut... I have been to Trenton, to Philadelphia, to Lousiville, to Dayton, etc, other cities where the Regionals have been held and Bridgeport is no worse or better than any of them... For us it's closer, certainly more convenient and... if you don't like Bridgeport, don't come there... There certainly seem to be enough fans who want to see UConn play in Bridgeport to make up for your loss...

 

[Replicant]

My impressions of Bridgeport besides the pure bliss of reaching #110 at WBA...Bridgeport is a visually unattractive city from a purely architectural standpoint and Chloe Pavlech is a stunningly beautiful young woman!

 

[Hongster]

Apparently it did!

Thanks.

 

[iri10]

Bridgeport hit the bottom of the barrel in the late 80s - early 90s like so many cities in the US. It's gone uphill a bit since then, though it's no paradise. A lot of its current reputation still draws from that nadir.

I also feel it gets more contempt due to its lack of any "claims to fame." Hartford is the capital and (for people of this board) the site of many UConn games. New Haven has a vibrant downtown around Yale.

But for the average resident, Bridgeport is a better place to live than either Hartford or New Haven. Especially Hartford, which is clearly the most decayed city in the state. Its worst neighborhoods aren't as bad as their worst neighborhoods. The relative crime rates for the three cities reflect this. As does its population history, which is less grim than Hartford or New Haven.