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Date Posted: 17:27:31 02/16/03 Sun
Author: jenningsbeach
Subject: Re: Alumni Hall versus the Arena - why is it an all or nothing discussion?
In reply to: STAGAL 's message, "Re: Alumni Hall versus the Arena - why is it an all or nothing discussion?" on 16:04:04 02/16/03 Sun

I'm also under the impression that all Fairfield men's and women's basketball games through the 2005-2006 season will be played in Bridgeport.

If the Stags keep winning and muster some postseason success, I think the average attendance could fall in 3,500-4,000 range at the end of the five-year run. Going beyond those numbers, however, will be difficult as long as we're in the MAAC. Games versus St. Peter's, Loyola, Rider, Marist and the Buffalo schools are never going to draw much interest, even if we're a consistent winner.

In my opinion, the university should revive plans to build a 3,500-seat on-campus arena—preferably a new facility and not an overhaul of Alumni Hall. I understand there are zoning issues with the town (not to mention the price of this thing), but it's still the best way to go, especially if we remain in the MAAC. We would still play four or five games a year in Bridgeport, maybe more.

If an on-campus arena is an impossibility, let's make Bridgeport work. Maybe the eastern-college-basketball shakeup will happen, and we'll find ourselves in a brave new world, playing against teams that will draw 5,000+. But if the MAAC is our future, let's figure out ways to at least break even or make a little money at Harbor Yards.

A return to the "old" Alumni Hall would be a mistake. Recruiting would be negatively affected, and quite frankly, it's not like we've had a home-court advantage there in the past 15 years. The students haven't been going to the games for a long time.

Alumni Hall—as we know it—is a wonderful memory, a nostalgic piece of school sports history. But that marvelous old gym is not the future of Fairfield men's basketball.

There's no turning back.

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Replies:

[> [> [> This is the time to make our run at the Big Time -- JoeStag, 17:46:42 02/16/03 Sun

Fairfield should do everything possible to make the Bridgeport Arena a success. Its our opportunity to do what Xavier did in the 80's. Give it 5-10 years. If we are still in the MAAC in the year 2013, then use that money to hire the best Lawyers possible, change the Town Zoning laws, and build a 5,000 seat on campus arena. And be happy in the MAAC.


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[> [> [> [> Theorical Discussion -- Reindeer Fan, 20:32:26 02/16/03 Sun

I realize this is very much a theorical discussion, because who knows if 1) we'll still be in the MAAC in 4 years when our contract runs out, 2) the program will have been raised to a new level and we will have adequent fans and interest that the financials of the arena will not be an issue. But I don't feel playing some game at a renovated alumni hall when most games are played in the Bridgeport arena will be a real recruiting issue. I also think it would be nice for the students to have a few games on campus.

I don't propose things could ever, or should ever go back to the way they were. But a renovated Alumni Hall, or a new on campus facility that seats 3500 comfortable could give FU a real home court advantage. It could be a cosy, nice place to play some games against the smaller draws in the Maac. And from an economic standpoint, it could save the university from the losses associated with not reaching 3500 at the arena, and could actually improve attendence as tickets for game on campus could certainly sell for less than games do in the arena.

I don't think playing a handful of games in Gampel Pavilon hurt UConn's recruiting. And playing 5 games a year at Alumni Hall might be a net positive financially. We have three more years to see what transpires with the program and to determine whether we have reached the point of no return with attendence or reached a place where we should once again consider alumni hall


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[> [> [> [> Xavier history -- SonofDoc, 14:59:14 02/17/03 Mon

1. In mid 80's, got a good young Fairfield grad coach (Pete Gillen) and started winning some games.

2. Gillen brought in some talented players, while playing in off campus arena.

3. Started dominating the league (Mid Western Athletic Conf.), brought some more talent in and cracked the top 25. NCAA apperances became an every year event.

4. Gillen went on to bigger things in Big East, his assistant Skip Prosser (now at Wake Forest) continued the winning ways. Xavier moves to Atlantic 10.

5. Now Xavier has an on campus facility that seats 13,000, one the best programs in the mid west, rule college basketball in a city that includes Cincinnati, and is a consistent top 25 team.

Sounds good to me. Ask yourselves - why not ?


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