More games at the Al

[ErickJD08]

It looks really fun to be at. Something I have wondered as a fan/alum, why can't the team do like week night games at the Al and weekend in the arena? From my watching, I don't see us having much of home court advantage when the stadium is less than half full. I think the Al would give us more home court advantage on the low turnout games. Does anyone know if this was ever considered?

[jsglow]

It looks really fun to be at. Something I have wondered as a fan/alum, why can't the team do like week night games at the Al and weekend in the arena? From my watching, I don't see us having much of home court advantage when the stadium is less than half full. I think the Al would give us more home court advantage on the low turnout games. Does anyone know if this was ever considered?

Because we have 10,000+ season ticket holders and the Al holds 3,700.  Asked and answered.  It's just not happening.  Ever.  Good night.

[connie]

All of these threads are pretty humorous.  The reality is MU is moving to a brand new top level facility a mile from campus.  MU is not going to invest 100mil(+) of their funds in an arena that has huge competition in the 5k seat range, some competition in the 10k range, and a larger venue for the big stuff.  They do this to hold what, 30-40 revenue generating events a year?  (If they're lucky.)

[dgies9156]

If the Warriors go to the Al, many of us who are occasional attendees but huge fans would never see them.

Th Big East probably also has minimum arena requirements.

I know of no faster way to become a mid-major than to play games in a 3,700 seat arena.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

If the Warriors go to the Al, many of us who are occasional attendees but huge fans would never see them.

Th Big East probably also has minimum arena requirements.

I know of no faster way to become a mid-major than to play games in a 3,700 seat arena.

Nah - their just talking about spending tens of millions of dollars to cut the average attendance anywhere from 30 - 40% (to 8-10K) just so that the bball team can play in a louder setting.  All while a brand new, state of the art, basketball designed arena is constructed for our partial use.       

[WarriorDad]

It looks really fun to be at. Something I have wondered as a fan/alum, why can't the team do like week night games at the Al and weekend in the arena? From my watching, I don't see us having much of home court advantage when the stadium is less than half full. I think the Al would give us more home court advantage on the low turnout games. Does anyone know if this was ever considered?

$$$$$$$$$$$$$, or lack of it.

[chapman]

Nah - their just talking about spending tens of millions of dollars to cut the average attendance anywhere from 30 - 40% (to 8-10K) just so that the bball team can play in a louder setting.  All while a brand new, state of the art, basketball designed arena is constructed for our partial use.     

As much fun as this on campus arena sounds, this is the hard truth.  Spending $100 million (probably low end) for an arguably better game day experience and more home court advantage when a brand new $524M arena was just built would be silly.  For fan experience - the amenities of the new arena should be first class, better than a budget-conscious on campus arena would provide.  For home court advantage - since the Pavilion is being renovated, Villanova played at the Wells Fargo Center all year and lost only one home game.  Good basketball teams and home court advantages have a strong positive correlation.

[GooooMarquette]

If the Warriors go to the Al, many of us who are occasional attendees but huge fans would never see them.

Th Big East probably also has minimum arena requirements.

I know of no faster way to become a mid-major than to play games in a 3,700 seat arena.

I agree the Al is too small, but I doubt the BE has minimum capacities. Carnesecca Arena and the Villanova Pavilion both hold around 6,000.

IMHO, the ideal for MU would be about 8-10k. The arrangement would have the big-ticket games (Nova, X, Rodents, etc) at the Chaluparena, and play the mid-majors on campus. That way, you'd have more capacity or near-capacity crowds.

That said, it isn't happening unless someone gives a ton of $$$$$ specifically earmarked for an arena. They'd probably also need to throw in a bag of Beef 'n Cheddars.

[warriorchick]

That said, it isn't happening unless someone gives a ton of $$$$$ specifically earmarked for an arena. They'd probably also need to throw in a bag of Beef 'n Cheddars.

If Marquette builds on onsite arena, they would never see another penny of donation money from me.  I am not saying that alone would cause the BOD to start shaking in their boots, but I am sure many more generous donors would feel the same way.

The school has a laundry list of far more important financial needs.  The kind of money it would take to build a new arena and maintain would pay for several sorely needed academic buildings, or endow enough scholarships to put a couple of hundred poor kids through Marquette every year for free.

Spending that kind of money  because of the completely unproven theory that it might allow us to win an additional game or two per season?  Idiotic.

[#UnleashSean]

If Marquette builds on onsite arena, they would never see another penny of donation money from me.  I am not saying that alone would cause the BOD to start shaking in their boots, but I am sure many more generous donors would feel the same way.

The school has a laundry list of far more important financial needs.  The kind of money it would take to build a new arena and maintain would pay for several sorely needed academic buildings, or scholarships that would put a couple of hundred poor kids through Marquette every year for free.

Spending that kind of money  because of the completely unproven theory that it might allow us to win an additional game or two per season?  Idiotic.

What if it was from a combo of donors that stated specifically it must be used on basketball?

[Goose]

Chick

I respect your opinion and what you do with your donation money, but I think you may wrong on what other donors would feel. I might not run in the same circle as you, but I know many folks that would support on campus facility. As a matter of fact, of the people I have talked to about this I would say overwhelming majority like the idea.

[DienerTime34]

Arby's Arena does have a nice ring to it, though.

[JamilJaeJamailJrJuan]

I think it'd be nice to play some of the small mid-week buy games at the AL that are lightly attended at the BC and now the new arena, but understand the logistics issues with having more STH than seats in the Al.

[GGGG]

What if it was from a combo of donors that stated specifically it must be used on basketball?

chick's point is that many of those donors could be convinced to support other projects if communication is handled correctly.

[warriorchick]

chick's point is that many of those donors could be convinced to support other projects if communication is handled correctly.

What if it was from a combo of donors that stated specifically it must be used on basketball?

Exactly.

[warriorchick]

Chick

I respect your opinion and what you do with your donation money, but I think you may wrong on what other donors would feel. I might not run in the same circle as you, but I know many folks that would support on campus facility. As a matter of fact, of the people I have talked to about this I would say overwhelming majority like the idea.

If that's the case, why have all of the recent 7 and 8 figure donations gone to non-athletic pursuits?  Has anyone donated that kind of money to the athletic department since the Al has been built?

[brewcity77]

If that's the case, why have all of the recent 7 and 8 figure donations gone to non-athletic pursuits?  Has anyone donated that kind of money to the athletic department since the Al has been built?

No, but I wouldn't place all the blame for that on the willingness of donors.

[Dr. Blackheart]

If Marquette builds on onsite arena, they would never see another penny of donation money from me.  I am not saying that alone would cause the BOD to start shaking in their boots, but I am sure many more generous donors would feel the same way.

The school has a laundry list of far more important financial needs.  The kind of money it would take to build a new arena and maintain would pay for several sorely needed academic buildings, or endow enough scholarships to put a couple of hundred poor kids through Marquette every year for free.

Spending that kind of money  because of the completely unproven theory that it might allow us to win an additional game or two per season?  Idiotic.

See Wintrust which is being watched.  Public, private, university, multiple use facility.  This wouldn't all be on MU but MU already owns the land.  Just saying.

Admirals, Wave, conventions, concerts, MU Lax and soccer, hockey? Joyce Center North.

[Goose]

Chick

What has been proposed in 7-8 figure plans for athletic department that were turned down? In all due respect, I believe they could fund in on campus facility VERY, VERY quickly if they chose to build one.

As I noted in last post, you likely are much more connected with the blue blood donors than I am, so maybe I am all wet.

[Litehouse]

I just don't get it.  We have one of the greatest basketball facilities in the world about to open blocks from campus, and people are dreaming of playing in some bare-bones facility that would cost 1/10th of the new arena.  We're on the verge of finally getting seats with cup holders, and people want to go back to bleachers.

[Goose]

Dr. Blackheart

Hockey? The Admirals playing there? I like the sound of that. Would be nice to see MU have a hockey program. all of my kids played ice hockey and it would be nice addition to the athletic department. I think it might just happen.

[Litehouse]

Hockey???  We just got done playing in an arena where the biggest complaint was that the end zones were so far away from the court because it was built for hockey.  State taxpayers are chipping in $250 Million so we can have an arena built for basketball, not hockey.  Building a new arena for hockey is the worst possible thing we could do.

[GGGG]

Hockey???  We just got done playing in an arena where the biggest complaint was that the end zones were so far away from the court because it was built for hockey.  State taxpayers are chipping in $250 Million so we can have an arena built for basketball, not hockey.  Building a new arena for hockey is the worst possible thing we could do.

Kohl Center has hockey and it is 100 times better than the BC for basketball.  Remember the new arena can have a full sized sheet of ice.

[Dr. Blackheart]

Dr. Blackheart

Hockey? The Admirals playing there? I like the sound of that. Would be nice to see MU have a hockey program. all of my kids played ice hockey and it would be nice addition to the athletic department. I think it might just happen.

https://www.muscoop.com/index.php?topic=55059.0

[Litehouse]

Kohl Center has hockey and it is 100 times better than the BC for basketball.  Remember the new arena can have a full sized sheet of ice.

I'm curious to see the final layout.  I'm wondering if they set it up similar to the Barclays Center or Bankers Life with no lower level behind one of the goals.