Third and final entry of the day:
The fields are moving along, there will be a story in tomorrow's paper about it. Look for baseball to play at least some home games on the new field in 09 should all go according to plan, and soccer to miss just one year.
I didn't even get too into the actual issue of why things were delayed, I figured you guys were more interested in the what happens now.
CJ brought up a good point to me today about the indoor facility issue: While CCSU's attendance is right up there in the NEC ranks, it's hard to claim you need a new building when you're a state school when you don't fill the one you have every night.
Matt,
ReplyDeleteNot to argue, because we basically agree. We all know that state doesn't have the $$$ for this kind of project in this economy.
And yes our current attendance can be much, much better. There is NO REASON we should not draw the 3,000 to EVERY home game! I agree with CJ attendance needs to improve to help make a better case. The students need to pack the gym in November like they do in March.
But just becasue we don't sell out doesn't mean we don't need a new building. We need it for some many other reasons I've cited.
And for the record, I will mention that back in Jim Calhoun's first few seasons in Storrs, UCONN - a Big East team - could not sell out the Field House on many non-conference games!
12/2/86 UCONN vs. Yale 1,079
12/11/86 UCONN vs URI 3,032
12/12/87 UCONN vs Morgan State 3,560
IMO - There is NO QUESTION about the NEED for a new multi-purpose indoor athletic facility on the CCSU campus. It has been proposed by others as far back as 1986, when we went D-I. It was included as part of the 10-year Campus Master Plan back in 1999. We need the building for many reasons, and basketball is just one of them.
But yes, this issue is not aything to get too excited about now, because its not affordable at this time. Sometimes, you just have to vent.
(I also agree they should push hard the "historic" theme and make it as fan and student friendly as possible)
Matt, I agree with CJ's comment about the indoor facilities, the fac that as a state school it is hard to claim you need a new building when you don't fill the one you already have every night. I've brought that point up several times on CCSUFANS. I am a huge proponent of a new facility and I feel the only way CCSU will get any attention on this issue from the state is if there are consistant sellouts for MBB.
ReplyDeleteCCSU fans need to "create the need" for a new facility and that is something I've been preaching since joining CCSUFANS.com. The MBB team needs to have standing room only crowds. It needs fans complaining they can't get a ticket. I know, it sounds crazy that I want fans complaining they can't get a ticket but in a twisted way that would be a good thing for the program and the quest to get a new facility.
It is a catch 22 situation however because only the most die-hard of fans go to MBB gaemes on a regular basis. Student attendance is not what it should be because there is not enough room for a "student section" and the fact that it is not a "cool" place to go doesn't attract the community. Also, the fact that it is such a small venue limits CCSU in the quality and profile of the opponent they can bring in to Detrick. CCSU vs Lafeyette isnt' going to sell out the place for an OOC game. My buddy's aren't going with me to watch a game like that and I'm not going to take a business client to a geme like that either. CCSU vs SIU, WKU, USD, or any Top 25 Mid-Major would attract a broader fan base, however that isn't going to happen in Detrick Gym / Kaiser Hall.
It's a no win situation and the only way things will change is if a rich alumni comes forth and hands over $40M for a new indoor facility/arena. If the state is waiting for CCSU to prove it can fill Detrick Gym it will be a long wait. The only thing that CCSU can prove is Detrick Gym/Kaiser Hall is old and not a premier attractive place to a potential new fan interested in college hoops and looking for a game to go to on any given night.
I love CCSU and wan the best for it, I don't mean to be negative. I just know nothing is going to change until CCSU gets a new facility. Even admittance into the AE is alongshot with Kaiser Hall, and the AE is something CCSU really needs in MBB to move forward. I won't be going to games vs SFNY and SFPA, I don't care about those games even if it is a conference game. Would I attend every AE conference game, even a game against a last place team? YES, CCSU vs "State U" would attract me as a proud citizen of Connecticut as well as an alumnus of CCSU. When Bryant joins the NEC it's back to 12 teams, more then half with poor RPI. If anyone leaves NJIT will most likely be a candidate. THe NEC is a revolving door for newbies and everytime it begins to make progress, everytime the newbies start to become solid (CCSU, SHU, QU) the NEC adds another newbie to drag down the conference. However with Detrick GYM CCSU isn't going anywhere, it isn't selling out anything other then a championship game, and it isn't going to impress the state enough to build a new facility.
It's like a dog chasing it's own tail.
Just my opinion.
bigbluefan1965