(03-30-2015 09:30 AM)etsubuc Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 09:22 AM)queenladybug817 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 07:46 AM)BucNut22 Wrote:  I realize that there are other programs that do it, but in general playing off campus is not a good look. Yes the mechanics for the fans may be the same, they have to leave their homes and drive to the facility whether it's on campus or off. There is still lag though, even for fans. There is a draw and a nostalgia to being back on campus for alumni. Most programs have team shops on or near campus and it hurts both sides to play off campus (yes I know they pull a few shirts down and bring them to games).

The biggest hits though come with students and recruiting. Yes students make up only a small percentages of total attendance but anytime you move off campus student attendance suffers. Even if you setup transportation, which I don't believe ETSU does, just the act of moving off campus affects student's ability to show up. Walking to games is convenient, and student attendance (which was already poor) has suffered. Facilities affect recruiting in ways most people don't realize. The new practice digs are nice, but when you have to drive guys off campus to show them where they`ll play games it affects your pitch. That's assuming there isn't some monster truck rally or "praise Jesus" concert going on in Freedom Hall when guys visit.

The schedules for the bus are posted for every game and publicized fairly well and the buses appear to be used by quite few students. Plenty of students already live off campus and drive everywhere, so driving less than the distance to the movies or the mall shouldn't be a problem for them.

Where are the times and locations of the student buses posted? I have looked for this several times both online and on campus and couldn't find it except for 2 games.

I don't mean to be overly critical, just think the Dome is a much better facility than Freedom Hall. Even if there are substantial upgrades that will be my opinion. I do like the overall direction of the athletic program and today marks one of the best days in recent memory for Bucs basketball with the announcement of Steve Forbes!

Buc Shot times and schedules are posted.

ETSU has not strongly promoted or marketed transporting students specifically to Freedom Hall for basketball games. Yes it is an option, but it is not something that computes with most students.

I personally liked Freedom Hall better than the dome. It's far from perfect but it was a better basketball setup than what we had at the dome. That said, I really missed being in campus. The nostalgia factor is big for me and aesthetically I like blue and gold better than maroon and brown.

I really wish the administration would look at what Idaho did with the Kibbie Dome and Cowan Spectrum. http://m.govandals.com/mobile/ViewArticl..._ID=17100&

I could live with that kind of set-up and it would cost millions less than a new arena.

(03-30-2015 10:37 AM)ETSU-07 Wrote:  I personally liked Freedom Hall better than the dome. It's far from perfect but it was a better basketball setup than what we had at the dome. That said, I really missed being in campus. The nostalgia factor is big for me and aesthetically I like blue and gold better than maroon and brown.

I really wish the administration would look at what Idaho did with the Kibbie Dome and Cowan Spectrum. http://m.govandals.com/mobile/ViewArticl..._ID=17100&

I could live with that kind of set-up and it would cost millions less than a new arena.

I have posted about Idaho and how they do it at least 3 times over the years and mostly been met with Bleh from the board.

(03-30-2015 10:54 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 10:37 AM)ETSU-07 Wrote:  I personally liked Freedom Hall better than the dome. It's far from perfect but it was a better basketball setup than what we had at the dome. That said, I really missed being in campus. The nostalgia factor is big for me and aesthetically I like blue and gold better than maroon and brown.

I really wish the administration would look at what Idaho did with the Kibbie Dome and Cowan Spectrum. http://m.govandals.com/mobile/ViewArticl..._ID=17100&

I could live with that kind of set-up and it would cost millions less than a new arena.

I have posted about Idaho and how they do it at least 3 times over the years and mostly been met with Bleh from the board.

I've seen it mentioned before. Just seems like it solves all the problems. Perhaps not perfect but we have a lemon with the dome, may as well make lemonade.

(03-30-2015 11:00 AM)ETSU-07 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 10:54 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 10:37 AM)ETSU-07 Wrote:  I personally liked Freedom Hall better than the dome. It's far from perfect but it was a better basketball setup than what we had at the dome. That said, I really missed being in campus. The nostalgia factor is big for me and aesthetically I like blue and gold better than maroon and brown.

I really wish the administration would look at what Idaho did with the Kibbie Dome and Cowan Spectrum. http://m.govandals.com/mobile/ViewArticl..._ID=17100&

I could live with that kind of set-up and it would cost millions less than a new arena.

I have posted about Idaho and how they do it at least 3 times over the years and mostly been met with Bleh from the board.

I've seen it mentioned before. Just seems like it solves all the problems. Perhaps but perfect but we have a lemon with the dome, may as well make lemonade.

I agree not sure why it can't be done or at least looked at.

We copied the Dome from Idaho State, why not the arena from Idaho?

(03-30-2015 11:01 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 11:00 AM)ETSU-07 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 10:54 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 10:37 AM)ETSU-07 Wrote:  I personally liked Freedom Hall better than the dome. It's far from perfect but it was a better basketball setup than what we had at the dome. That said, I really missed being in campus. The nostalgia factor is big for me and aesthetically I like blue and gold better than maroon and brown.

I really wish the administration would look at what Idaho did with the Kibbie Dome and Cowan Spectrum. http://m.govandals.com/mobile/ViewArticl..._ID=17100&

I could live with that kind of set-up and it would cost millions less than a new arena.

I have posted about Idaho and how they do it at least 3 times over the years and mostly been met with Bleh from the board.

I've seen it mentioned before. Just seems like it solves all the problems. Perhaps but perfect but we have a lemon with the dome, may as well make lemonade.

I agree not sure why it can't be done or at least looked at.

We copied the Dome from Idaho State, why not the arena from Idaho?

I like the looks of that.. looks a lot like what we did with the lighting in the dome for basketball.. I don't think the dome will be used for basketball in the future because football has it now.. and they have made a big deal about being the only school our size with an indoor football practice facility!!!

(03-30-2015 11:17 AM)bucfan1968 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 11:01 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 11:00 AM)ETSU-07 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 10:54 AM)RodShaw2 Wrote:  

(03-30-2015 10:37 AM)ETSU-07 Wrote:  I personally liked Freedom Hall better than the dome. It's far from perfect but it was a better basketball setup than what we had at the dome. That said, I really missed being in campus. The nostalgia factor is big for me and aesthetically I like blue and gold better than maroon and brown.

I really wish the administration would look at what Idaho did with the Kibbie Dome and Cowan Spectrum. http://m.govandals.com/mobile/ViewArticl..._ID=17100&

I could live with that kind of set-up and it would cost millions less than a new arena.

I have posted about Idaho and how they do it at least 3 times over the years and mostly been met with Bleh from the board.

I've seen it mentioned before. Just seems like it solves all the problems. Perhaps but perfect but we have a lemon with the dome, may as well make lemonade.

I agree not sure why it can't be done or at least looked at.

We copied the Dome from Idaho State, why not the arena from Idaho?

I like the looks of that.. looks a lot like what we did with the lighting in the dome for basketball.. I don't think the dome will be used for basketball in the future because football has it now.. and they have made a big deal about being the only school our size with an indoor football practice facility!!!

Idaho still plays football in their Dome and are still able to do that. If it were possible to convert the dome into that type of arena I think that is more important then a indoor practice facility for a Div1AA school. Mosof the kids are with in a couple of hours drive from ETSU, they aren't coming because they can practice in the Dome. Hell if Idaho players are tough enough to practice outside (and it is a hell of lot colder) I think our kids can manage.

The Dome was used for football AND basketball from 1978 until 2003.

Hang some Black Curtains, get some higher bleachers for at least opposite side of the court move them as close as you can on all sides..only sell tickets in the middle 3 rows of permanent seats. Boom,you got an arena inside the dome.

Remember that the plan was supposed to copy that of the Idaho dome but they did not. The state cut the funding for it and necessitated shortening the length of the dome and therefore ruined the sideline view from the grand stands. Idaho's view for footballl is perfect while ours were not visible. That said I do not see why a more intimate and suitable basketball arena could never be figured out. As it is, the Dome does represent one of the best indoor practice facilities anywhere and that is a great recruiting tool. Also it guarantees uninterupted football practices during rains, snows, sleets and other bad weather. Most schools on our level would just love to have something like the Dome to practice in and it is an advantage for us. But the advantage is not really totally realized until we build our on campus stadium in my opinion.

(03-30-2015 02:21 PM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Remember that the plan was supposed to copy that of the Idaho dome but they did not. The state cut the funding for it and necessitated shortening the length of the dome and therefore ruined the sideline view from the grand stands. Idaho's view for footballl is perfect while ours were not visible. That said I do not see why a more intimate and suitable basketball arena could never be figured out. As it is, the Dome does represent one of the best indoor practice facilities anywhere and that is a great recruiting tool. Also it guarantees uninterupted football practices during rains, snows, sleets and other bad weather. Most schools on our level would just love to have something like the Dome to practice in and it is an advantage for us. But the advantage is not really totally realized until we build our on campus stadium in my opinion.

There a ton of factors why a player chooses a school at the Div1AA level and indoor practice is way way down on the list. I know they have hyped that but I just don't see it.

Why are we talking about the Dome? We were REQUIRED to not play ball there anymore in order to rejoin the SoCon. Black curtains don't hide the fact that it is a dreadful facility. We are not going back.

Look to the future.

(03-30-2015 06:16 PM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  Why are we talking about the Dome? We were REQUIRED to not play ball there anymore in order to rejoin the SoCon. Black curtains don't hide the fact that it is a dreadful facility. We are not going back.

Look to the future.

Everybody says that but I don't remember it that way. Please link the article. Anybody??
lol we had a nice home court advantage there for years. Don't remember people hating it that much when we were winning there. The Dome is a 40 year old dump I agree.
Freedom Hall is also a 40 year old dump. If ETSU is going to pay to put lipstick on a pig they should at least fix up the one they own.

I don't think there ever was an actual article or SoCon quote posted. Only talk on here about that requirement.

(03-30-2015 06:31 PM)etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote:  I don't think there ever was an actual article or SoCon quote posted. Only talk on here about that requirement.

Yeah on here. All I see in the pressare articles saying ETSU wanted to move, was thinking about moving etc. They articles started before ETSU left the A-Sun and joined the SoCon and the deal wasn't done until after they had already announced the move to the SoCon. I think someone speculated that at some point and it got taken up as a gospel.

(03-30-2015 06:16 PM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  Why are we talking about the Dome? We were REQUIRED to not play ball there anymore in order to rejoin the SoCon. Black curtains don't hide the fact that it is a dreadful facility. We are not going back.

Look to the future.

Would the SoCon object to us playing before 10-12,000 fans again? It happened before, why not again? Living in another state, I'm unable to catch many home ETSU games. But, i have never had a bad seat in the Dome for the games I have attended there over the years. Some of these NCAA tourney games have been in football stadiums, like at Syracuse where Syracuse, of course, plays its home games. The games in Houston were in a really weird looking setup. Unless the university and the city work a deal that makes Freedom Hall "Home of ETSU Basketball" dressed in Blue & Gold with all the accompanying badging as a result of significant renovations with both having a long range plan for a new university/city Convocation Center next to the ETSU campus, then the Dome should remain on the table.

It's surreal that we are talking about the dome. I have great memories there. I saw Talford jump. Took dates there in the 80s. Marched in the band during football season. Played in the basketball band. Saw Randy Moss play. etc. etc.

But the place is a JOKE as a basketball arena...regardless of our warm happy memories. This becomes apparent instantly when you step into a real arena. Freedom Hall has the potential to be solid. It's not there yet, but the structure certain is the right size for midmajor ball.

GO BUCS!

(03-30-2015 08:19 PM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  It's surreal that we are talking about the dome. I have great memories there. I saw Talford jump. Took dates there in the 80s. Marched in the band during football season. Played in the basketball band. Saw Randy Moss play. etc. etc.

But the place is a JOKE as a basketball arena...regardless of our warm happy memories. This becomes apparent instantly when you step into a real arena. Freedom Hall has the potential to be solid. It's not there yet, but the structure certain is the right size for midmajor ball.

GO BUCS!

The dome chatter has been about what could possibly be done with it. If we did what Idaho has done with their very similar facility then the dome could be superior to Freedom Hall. I'll go for FH over the way the dome was previously set-up any day but as Rod said, I'd rather invest in our facilities not JC. Take a look at pictures of Cowan Spectrum. Idaho has had it for 14 seasons. We could do that and it could easily be a long term solution. I don't think it's going to happen but it's no worse than the 2nd best and realistic option we have unless someone wants to cut a check for $50 million.

ETSU is not going to play BB in the Dome. Their are numerous reasons but the big one is ....................................

Has everyone forgot the Fire Marshall's order. No more than 6,000 in the Dome.

The Dome sucks...sorry people...it is horrible. Its ok for practice and such, but not for games.