The Al as a setting for a game?

[mug644]

This photo gives an idea, but I'd love to hear from folks that were there about how it was having a regular season game at the Al.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/photos?gameId=400588376&photoId=4375835

[Benny B]

I understand all the cons of it being a late start on a Friday the weekend before Christmas during break against the cuppiest cupcake in the bakery at surge pricing, but I was quite disappointed in the turnout.  There's no reason we shouldn't have packed the house.  That said, my wife and I had awesome seats as a result of the low turnout from the sweater vests, and the environment was awesome.

Actually this was perfect for us since the in-laws are already in town for the holidays (read: babysitting) and we scored a room at the Badassador Hotel for $62 off Priceline (advertised special, not name your own). But I digress...

Basketball is a game best enjoyed up close and personal in contrast to all of the other major sports where the best seats are a certain distance and elevation from the field/rink.  I know I sound like a broken record, but there is no amount of amenities that can make any arena able to host the Shrine Circus or Monster Jam a great place to watch basketball.

The pre- and post- game was also much better being on campus.  I've been to various other campus sites for football and basketball games, and that's the one thing I will admittedly say where MU is a second class citizen is the game day experience.  Sure, it's nice to play in an NBA arena, but part of the lasting allure of college sports is the reliving the memory of being a carefree (relatively speaking... that's right kids, it doesn't get any easier) college student again, and not being on campus definitely takes something away from that.

I really wish the Al were just a touch bigger so that we could do this for one or two games a year, or even a conference matchup once in a while, but that would have required us not falling flat on your face in the Final Four.  I love MU basketball, I take a lot of pride in our program, but there's a missing piece that I can't help but wish was there.

All said... I loved it and would do it again without hesitation.

How did it look on TV?

[GGGG]

It looked great on television.  I would rather Marquette have a 10,000 seat on campus arena than be a tenant in an NBA arena for the reasons you bring up.  Not going to happen though.

[Benny B]

It looked great on television.  I would rather Marquette have a 10,000 seat on campus arena than be a tenant in an NBA arena for the reasons you bring up.  Not going to happen though.

I'm still holding out hope that Lasry and Edens will do the right thing and move the Bucks to Seattle...

[martyconlonontherun]

My dream is for fox sports to do a 1 and 1 on campus special versus nova. This would make it fair as each away team has the same disadvantage, it would make it a big game allowing for the higher price, and hopefully fox sports would pitch in for lost revenue from smaller attendance. 

[martyconlonontherun]

I'm still holding out hope that Lasry and Edens will do the right thing and move the Bucks to Seattle...

And how would that help marquette, milwaukee or them?

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

Not to burst all the AL love but this change did not impact my experience one bit as a television viewer. Also when the BC is packed with 18k it is awesome. Why would we want to play in a popcorn stand when we can get the revenue from an NBA arena?

[GooooMarquette]

Wasn't able to go last night, but I think it'd be nice to do one or two of the buy games there over Christmas break.

IMHO the key would be to handle the ticket sales differently.  Instead of making it a separate purchase, maybe play two buy games there, and randomly assign each season ticket account to go to one of them.  Give them two tix regardless of the number they normally have, and build the cost into the package.  I'd bet the numbers come pretty close to getting each account two seats, with enough left for students around over break.

Sure beats making every season ticket holder sit through a preseason game that doesn't even count at the BC.

[Marquette_g]

I'm still holding out hope that Lasry and Edens will do the right thing and move the Bucks to Seattle...

The ignorance of this comment is off the charts.  So if the Bucks don't get a new arena, where do you propose MU play?  Where is the money for a 10,000 seat, on-campus auditorium coming from, over what time period?

You may hate the Bucks and the NBA, but having the luxury of playing in their arena/s, has been huge for MU.

On TV, the Al looked no different than any other small gym you see for various regional schools.

[Groin_pull]

And how would that help marquette, milwaukee or them?

It wouldn't. I think he's trying to be funny...or something.

[Marquette_g]

Also, the current owners can't move the team.  If they don't get a new arena, the team goes back to the league and the owners get their money back and can not repurchase after relocation.

There is not a scenario where Lasry and Edens own the Bucks in Seattle as per terms of the agreement they made with Sen. Kohl.

[Ardmore Mug]

I don't have problem w/ 1 game there, but the BC/ bigger venue is much better..But I was disappointed with our seats. We are men and women season Tix holder w/ great seats in the BC lower bowl, sect 204.  We sent in our request for tix for the game.  We also wanted lower sect seats with seatbacks.. We got our tix behind the MU bench, approx 9 rows up.  Just b4 the game started, we saw a WHOLE HS BB team, from ILL, get seats from row 1 thru like 6. I don't think they paid the same $$ we did.  There were plenty of seats open higher up. I think more Season tix holders should have got those "prime" seats.  OK Im done w/ my rant...

[augoman]

It reminded me of going to a Northwestern game in Evanston.. or DePaul at Alumni Hall.  I saw most of my 'sweater vest' contemporaries there and a couple of students.  It was pretty much a cross section of the crowds at the BC, but I wasn't in the bleachers.  In some ways it had the proximity to the court that I always recall was the case at the Arena-although that is through rose colored memories.  Liked it, I'd do it again-not just because the true fan always supports his team but it was great getting the 'small venue, high school gym' feel again. 
Reminded me of the MU alumni games at MUHS.

[Brewtown Andy]

I don't have problem w/ 1 game there, but the BC/ bigger venue is much better..But I was disappointed with our seats. We are men and women season Tix holder w/ great seats in the BC lower bowl, sect 204.  We sent in our request for tix for the game.  We also wanted lower sect seats with seatbacks.. We got our tix behind the MU bench, approx 9 rows up.  Just b4 the game started, we saw a WHOLE HS BB team, from ILL, get seats from row 1 thru like 6. I don't think they paid the same $$ we did.  There were plenty of seats open higher up. I think more Season tix holders should have got those "prime" seats.  OK Im done w/ my rant...

I remember seeing the team you're talking about.  Those exact same seats behind the AAMU bench were empty, so it might be an NCAA requirement to have seats reserved behind the bench for both teams, and that's how Marquette spent the bunch on their side.

[Ardmore Mug]

Brewtown.. I don't have a prob w/ them getting tix. But these were $40 ea.. THEY could have been in the upper part.  I think those were $10 and still a good view... Doing it this way, I think they did a disservice to TRUE MU fans and season tix holders.  I will call the office Mon and complain..

[Benny B]

The ignorance of this comment is off the charts.  So if the Bucks don't get a new arena, where do you propose MU play?  Where is the money for a 10,000 seat, on-campus auditorium coming from, over what time period?

You may hate the Bucks and the NBA, but having the luxury of playing in their arena/s, has been huge for MU.

On TV, the Al looked no different than any other small gym you see for various regional schools.

Not going to hijack the thread... the comment was written here in jest.  If you want to talk about it, my feelings on the matter have been written about the "Arena" thread; feel free to resurrect if you'd like to discuss further.

[Mods, Delete me please. 8/26/2020]

Back to the original question.   I was at the game and did not enjoy the Al.   It reminded me of being at a game Welsh Ryan arena.   Had a JV feel to it.   Also, I like beer with my basketball. 

[Litehouse]

The pre- and post- game was also much better being on campus.  I've been to various other campus sites for football and basketball games, and that's the one thing I will admittedly say where MU is a second class citizen is the game day experience.  Sure, it's nice to play in an NBA arena, but part of the lasting allure of college sports is the reliving the memory of being a carefree (relatively speaking... that's right kids, it doesn't get any easier) college student again, and not being on campus definitely takes something away from that.

I could not disagree with this more.  I think the MU game day experience is fantastic with all the bars/restaurants around the BC.  To me, it's the perfect hybrid of a college/pro environment, and it's a nice reflection of MU.  We're not a stereotypical campus setting with open space, we're a gritty urban campus, and the area around the BC is a nice reflection of that.  I'll take our game day experience over anywhere else I've ever been.

[#UnleashSean]

There was no beer! We cannot even talk about this further.

[Nukem2]

I could not disagree with this more.  I think the MU game day experience is fantastic with all the bars/restaurants around the BC.  To me, it's the perfect hybrid of a college/pro environment, and it's a nice reflection of MU.  We're not a stereotypical campus setting with open space, we're a gritty urban campus, and the area around the BC is a nice reflection of that.  I'll take our game day experience over anywhere else I've ever been.

Totally agree.  Besides, The Al makes zero sense financially and no decent teams would play there. Should not schedule games there in the future.  Now, if MU were to play in the NIT or other post-season event, The Al would be a far better game environment than a mostly empty BC.

[MUsoxfan]

Brewtown.. I don't have a prob w/ them getting tix. But these were $40 ea.. THEY could have been in the upper part.  I think those were $10 and still a good view... Doing it this way, I think they did a disservice to TRUE MU fans and season tix holders.  I will call the office Mon and complain..

So you're complaining because HS kids got a nice experience and you're out a whole $40. Merry Christmas to you too

[Warrior Code]

So you're complaining because HS kids got a nice experience and you're out a whole $40. Merry Christmas to you too

Haha, I had the same thought. And he going to call to complain! Some student in the call center is going to have to awkwardly apologize and assure him that *if* there is ever another game at the Al, Marquette will reevaluate how the tickets are handled. Also, have you ever actually sat directly behind a bench? Those boys are tall and you can't exactly ask them to sit down.

[keefe]

Also, the current owners can't move the team.  If they don't get a new arena, the team goes back to the league and the owners get their money back and can not repurchase after relocation.

There is not a scenario where Lasry and Edens own the Bucks in Seattle as per terms of the agreement they made with Sen. Kohl.

Yea, a lot like the provision Howie had with the Okies from Muskogee not to move the Sonics to Bumunnatural carnal knowledge...

[madtownwarrior]

Not complaining about the $40  but...   Marquette would have been way better if at first they offered tickets for $25 and all you could buy versus trying to make them appear "desirable" by limiting them to 2 and $40...

they lost a lot of people with that tactic...

So you're complaining because HS kids got a nice experience and you're out a whole $40. Merry Christmas to you too

[avid1010]

Brewtown.. I don't have a prob w/ them getting tix. But these were $40 ea.. THEY could have been in the upper part.  I think those were $10 and still a good view... Doing it this way, I think they did a disservice to TRUE MU fans and season tix holders.  I will call the office Mon and complain..

the jesuit thing to do would be b!tch about kids getting too good of tickets.  if you want to take the time to complain about something, i could list 100 things more important. 

[Blackhat]

I enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two at a basketball game.    The on campus arena environment would be pretty boring/grumpy with no alcohol and plenty of snobs.

[Marquette_g]

Not going to hijack the thread... the comment was written here in jest.  If you want to talk about it, my feelings on the matter have been written about the "Arena" thread; feel free to resurrect if you'd like to discuss further.

Sorry I didn't know you were joking.

As for the Al, it was fine novelty one time, but nothing unique or special.  Many other teams have similar small gyms that they proport to be special and really aren't.  UWM tried and failed with this experiment and now are back at Mecca/US Cellular/Panther arena.  Playing in a NBA arena is a huge plus in terms of amenities and experience, even if that arena is the worst of its kind.

[jsglow]

We enjoyed ourselves.  Clearly the Al isn't a place that MU should/could regularly play at.  But it made the experience unique against a lesser buy opponent.  There was some energy in the building and I can imagine that it would have been great for a more competitive game.  What I particularly enjoyed was the easy ability to make a campus evening of it.  Began the night at Chili, ended the night at Caf's.  All good.

[GGGG]

Not to burst all the AL love but this change did not impact my experience one bit as a television viewer. Also when the BC is packed with 18k it is awesome. Why would we want to play in a popcorn stand when we can get the revenue from an NBA arena?

The BC rarely has 18,000 and otherwise it is cavernous.

[#UnleashSean]

The BC rarely has 18,000 and otherwise it is cavernous.

But when it does have 18,000 it's amazing. See #1Uconn Vs Marquette 2008(?)

[GGGG]

But when it does have 18,000 it's amazing. See #1Uconn Vs Marquette 2008(?)

I would rather have a smaller, more intimate arena that can be amazing on a more regular basis.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

I would rather have a smaller, more intimate arena that can be amazing on a more regular basis.

We average like 15k fans.  I know the BC is not an ideal facility to watch bball but it's not like we need that much smaller of a facility.

[warriorchick]

We average like 15k fans.  I know the BC is not an ideal facility to watch bball but it's not like we need that much smaller of a facility.

I suppose we could double ticket prices to decrease demand without lowering revenue.

[alexius23]

Nice little venue. Still...a bit peeved. I paid more for a seat at the Al than at the Bradley Center and it was "backless"....

[Dr. Blackheart]

The BC rarely has 18,000 and otherwise it is cavernous.

I think we get a bit spoiled. I bring a lot of different friends/family to games and they are amazed at the game setting from the Jumbotron, students, band, food, surrounding area from pre/post game. Even during cupcakes. They absolutely love the environment. The Allstate is "cavernous". 

That said, what you and others are saying is that MU can do more to make the game day experience better and more intimate (besides the Kiss Cam) which would improve it for the regulars. Also think a new arena would offer a lot more options for this.

[The Lens]

Mu only complaint would be the Annex.  We first went to Sobelmann's which was predictably packed.  Then we tried The Annex.  It was half full so we were in luck.  Turns out they still had a 30 minute wait because they only had 2 servers.  There were 3,000 people coming to campus who does their scheduling?  So we ended up next door at Jimmy John who had 8 people working.

Heg's, Louie D's and Gyros all would have been good places to take the kids.  I have come to accept that MU feels the need to tear everything down but at least put systems in place to manage what you do have. 

And before you all go there...but for the 2 year old we would have hit Chili.  In fact my 6 year old and I almost peeled off and did that.

[madtownwarrior]

I don't think Marquette averages any where near 15k this year.

We average like 15k fans.  I know the BC is not an ideal facility to watch bball but it's not like we need that much smaller of a facility.

[WarhawkWarrior]

The low pitch in the lower seats in the BC cause for major bigg niggin obstruction in front of most seats.  Sitting in comparable seats in the AL provides a significant improvement in experience.  

The new venue will accommodate basketball viewing, I'm sure.

The Al was great!  Sorry most of you missed it.

[Benny B]

I don't think Marquette averages any where near 15k this year.

BIS (butts in seats), no.  Tickets sales, probably.  [The NCAA gathers/reports the latter.]

[madtownwarrior]

I predict ticket sales will not hit a 15K average this year...

BIS (butts in seats), no.  Tickets sales, probably.  [The NCAA gathers/reports the latter.]

[bilsu]

I expected a loud crowd. I thought the atmosphere was disappointing, but the game was so boring all do not know how it could of had good atmosphere.

[Loose Cannon]

BIS (butts in seats), no.  Tickets sales, probably.  [The NCAA gathers/reports the latter.]

Are Tickets Sales & Tickets Issued counted the same?  I read in Crain's Report some are given to grade school, charities, etc.

[Benny B]

Are Tickets Sales & Tickets Issued counted the same?  I read in Crain's Report some are given to grade school, charities, etc.

I believe only actual sales are counted in the official tally by the NCAA.  Tickets that are given away, donated, etc. by the university do not contribute to attendance figures.

Keep in mind that a good portion of the tickets that are donated to charities, grade schools, etc. were actually purchased by someone and then returned to the university to give away, so in that case, they would be counted.

[Loose Cannon]

I believe only actual sales are counted in the official tally by the NCAA.  Tickets that are given away, donated, etc. by the university do not contribute to attendance figures.

Keep in mind that a good portion of the tickets that are donated to charities, grade schools, etc. were actually purchased by someone and then returned to the university to give away, so in that case, they would be counted.

Thanks, I was curious because the article I read was in regards to DePaul and their numbers for the last several years.

[teamdee]

Venue doesn't matter, play to your standard.

[MU82]

I enjoy an alcoholic beverage or two at a basketball game.    The on campus arena environment would be pretty boring/grumpy with no alcohol and plenty of snobs.

Yes, because the campus arena environments at Duke, Storrs, Hinkle, the Palestra, etc., are infamously boring and grumpy!