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Date Posted: 22:47:12 02/23/03 Sun
Author: DitchMitch
Subject: More Thoughts on Bpt Arena
I know it's the least of our worries right now, but attending Friday night's American @ Holy Cross game did nothing to make me feel any better about Fairfield hoops playing at Harbor Yard.
I've been to 2 Fairfield home games (Yale, Marist), a U Vermont/Binghamton game in Burlington, and Friday's AU/HC game. I figured the HC crowd would be excited (heck, they're 21-4 now, and have a great squad!), but even the Vermont game was much more exciting than either FU game I've been to (from everything I've heard, UVM is a hockey school). The UVM and HC crowds were just so much more into the game. It was an awesome atmosphere, and true home court advanage. By the way, the UVM and HC games cost $6 to attend, half the cost of a Fairfield game ($12), and there are no parking fees.
To put it nicely, HC has an incredibly richer basketball tradition than FU (NCAA Championship 1947, NIT Championship 1954...enough said). HC plays one game a year at the Worcester Centrum...the rest on campus (in a gym 30+ years old).
FU Football has already been axed, along with Hockey. Attendance at FU hoops @ Harbor Yard is unimpressive, and atmosphere even less so.
Has Gene Doris bitten off more than FU can chew? In fairness, other FU sports programs (Men's lax, women's/men's soccer) have risen in the same time, but football was/basketball is our high profile sports.
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Re: More Thoughts on Bpt Arena -- stagalum1968, 08:21:49 02/24/03 Mon
You echo my thoughts. I was at the Niagara game on Sat. My wife an I were among a total of 6 Fairfield fans. The Gallager Center at Niagara holds about 2300 and it was about 85% full. It really reminded me of games at Alumni Hall during my days in the 60s at Fairfield. I have been to two game in Bpt over the last two years. It is efectively like playing on a neutral court. I know this is supposed to help to get better players but what if they play the games and nobody comes?
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Re: More Thoughts on Bpt Arena -- STAGAL, 10:06:30 02/24/03 Mon
It will take time. We have already drawn over 5200 twice this year, and if Duke comes in next season, we will undoubtedly get our first sellout as everyone (and their mother) scrambles to get a ticket. We will first average 3K (next year) and then build a base of 4-5K in the next few years. Siena started out small, and they now average over 8K. I believe what could propel us in this direction (besides consistent winning teams) would be hosting and winning an NIT game, perhaps this year. I too fondly remember the days of the 60's and 70's and the spirit of Alumni Hall, but I believe that our future lies in Bridgeport.
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Bpt Arena is helping recruiting, though -- Stagsfan, 11:02:42 02/24/03 Mon
From a player standpoint, I doubt either Todd or Maxwell would have come here if we played at ALumni Hall, and I don't think Ajou or Gai would have come, either. Even with only 3,000 fans, if I were a player, I would still relish the opportunity to play in a nice arena like ours. It's still fun. I mean, if you had a chance to play a pickup game with your friends, and you could have a choice of an hour at Alumni Hall or an hour at Harbor Yard, which would you take?
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Re: More Thoughts on Bpt Arena -- fastbreak, 10:34:29 02/24/03 Mon
Still like the idea of playing a few games on campus (St. Pete's, Loyola, etc.) Again, if Siena and Albany can draw 11,000 at the Pepsi arena for a backyard rivarly, I'm willing to bet FF and Sacred Heart would put plenty of fannies in the seats for a Harbor Yard matchup, provided it's scheduled when classes are in session at both schools. Food for thought.
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Re: More Thoughts on Bpt Arena -- stagalum1968, 15:27:15 02/24/03 Mon
I agree. It shouln't have to be an all or nothing thing. After our 5 year or whatever deal with the Arena is up, playing a few games each year on campus should be considered. I am originally from the South End, and like the new facility,but unless we can at least 1/2 fill it for every game we sacrifice any home court advantage.
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Re: More Thoughts on Bpt Arena -- Sobro, 17:17:40 02/25/03 Tue
Looks interesting to me, too. Good size, bulky, lefty. Hopefully, FF is taking a look.
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