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JackieTreehorn Offline
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Post: #101
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-12-2016 03:19 PM)cpawstoney Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 03:03 PM)vabearcat Wrote:  It can and should be U.S. Bank. My guess is that they just need to work out a reasonable rental agreement, but U.S. Bank needs more tenants and it needs to fill up its too many open dates with no live events. UC can offer them about 16-18 dates, including a few with crowds that could reach 15,000, such as UCONN, Memphis and maybe Temple. If U.S. Bank doesn't get too greedy, which they might do given that they may still be annoyed that UC chose to renovate 5/3rd rather than go in on a rehabbed downtown Arena, then this gets worked out.

You are only considering men's basketball. A place also needs to be found for women's basketball, volleyball and other sports or functions that use fifth-third.

I have a feeling WBB and volleyball may end up in a bigger school's HS gym to accommodate scheduling. For other functions, like non-winter graduation ceremonies, we may be able to use Nippert if the Lindner's are okay with it.
 
07-12-2016 05:22 PM
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Edgebrookjeff Offline
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Post: #102
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-12-2016 05:22 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 03:19 PM)cpawstoney Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 03:03 PM)vabearcat Wrote:  It can and should be U.S. Bank. My guess is that they just need to work out a reasonable rental agreement, but U.S. Bank needs more tenants and it needs to fill up its too many open dates with no live events. UC can offer them about 16-18 dates, including a few with crowds that could reach 15,000, such as UCONN, Memphis and maybe Temple. If U.S. Bank doesn't get too greedy, which they might do given that they may still be annoyed that UC chose to renovate 5/3rd rather than go in on a rehabbed downtown Arena, then this gets worked out.

You are only considering men's basketball. A place also needs to be found for women's basketball, volleyball and other sports or functions that use fifth-third.


Keep stoking the fire.
05-stirthepot05-stirthepot05-stirthepot

I have a feeling WBB and volleyball may end up in a bigger school's HS gym to accommodate scheduling. For other functions, like non-winter graduation ceremonies, we may be able to use Nippert if the Lindner's are okay with it.
 
07-12-2016 08:25 PM
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Edgebrookjeff Offline
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Post: #103
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-11-2016 04:58 PM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 04:07 PM)#41 Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 12:43 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 11:36 AM)bearcatmill Wrote:  
(07-05-2016 08:45 PM)Bearcat Otto Wrote:  Just as UC would line their pockets in the return gesture when X is working on Cintas. The most petty and minor issues seem to be the problem with people against this option. The fact that it is the best option for UC doesn't seem to matter.

What is the issue with NKU's arena? IMO the best place to watch college bball in the local area. That arena never receives enough credit locally.

I actually agree with both of your posts. Regarding, NKU, many Ohioans still see that river as ten miles wide. I suspect the only time some cross it is for trips to the airport or the foot of the bridges for discount liquors. Northern Kentucky now has some of the most attractive, convenient 'burbs to Downtown with quality schools and amenities. The NKU arena is an excellent facility and the difference in travel time from anywhere to that facility vs. 5th/3rd shouldn't be more than 15 minutes.

Old perceptions die hard. As UC fans, we decry that all the time when it comes to our university and campus. I'd take NKU over X hands down for a one year deal.

You're adding another 10-15 minutes of transit for games -- which sucks if you're already coming 30 minutes from the northern exurbs. It's also a bigger hassle for students in Clifton to get to NKY than it is to get to Norwood.

Plus, it's Kentucky. Unless you're going to the Party Source, there's no compelling reason to cross the river ever.

I know you're making a joke, but even as someone who grew up in Cincinnati, it's still so odd to me how provincial and divided the metro area is.

As a resident of KY, I say the same thing about crossing the river into OH.
 
07-12-2016 08:27 PM
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Bearcats#1 Offline
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Post: #104
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-12-2016 08:27 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 04:58 PM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 04:07 PM)#41 Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 12:43 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 11:36 AM)bearcatmill Wrote:  What is the issue with NKU's arena? IMO the best place to watch college bball in the local area. That arena never receives enough credit locally.

I actually agree with both of your posts. Regarding, NKU, many Ohioans still see that river as ten miles wide. I suspect the only time some cross it is for trips to the airport or the foot of the bridges for discount liquors. Northern Kentucky now has some of the most attractive, convenient 'burbs to Downtown with quality schools and amenities. The NKU arena is an excellent facility and the difference in travel time from anywhere to that facility vs. 5th/3rd shouldn't be more than 15 minutes.

Old perceptions die hard. As UC fans, we decry that all the time when it comes to our university and campus. I'd take NKU over X hands down for a one year deal.

You're adding another 10-15 minutes of transit for games -- which sucks if you're already coming 30 minutes from the northern exurbs. It's also a bigger hassle for students in Clifton to get to NKY than it is to get to Norwood.

Plus, it's Kentucky. Unless you're going to the Party Source, there's no compelling reason to cross the river ever.

I know you're making a joke, but even as someone who grew up in Cincinnati, it's still so odd to me how provincial and divided the metro area is.

As a resident of KY, I say the same thing about crossing the river into OH.

lol wut?
Let's see...OH side of the river: Downtown Cincy, Reds, NFL, cool places to eat (UC, not too far away).

KY side of river: hookers, crack, pUKe fans

hmm...yeah its close
 
07-12-2016 08:40 PM
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Post: #105
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-12-2016 08:25 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 05:22 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 03:19 PM)cpawstoney Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 03:03 PM)vabearcat Wrote:  It can and should be U.S. Bank. My guess is that they just need to work out a reasonable rental agreement, but U.S. Bank needs more tenants and it needs to fill up its too many open dates with no live events. UC can offer them about 16-18 dates, including a few with crowds that could reach 15,000, such as UCONN, Memphis and maybe Temple. If U.S. Bank doesn't get too greedy, which they might do given that they may still be annoyed that UC chose to renovate 5/3rd rather than go in on a rehabbed downtown Arena, then this gets worked out.

You are only considering men's basketball. A place also needs to be found for women's basketball, volleyball and other sports or functions that use fifth-third.


Keep stoking the fire.
05-stirthepot05-stirthepot05-stirthepot

I have a feeling WBB and volleyball may end up in a bigger school's HS gym to accommodate scheduling. For other functions, like non-winter graduation ceremonies, we may be able to use Nippert if the Lindner's are okay with it.
perhaps Cincinnati State for minor sports.
 
07-12-2016 08:44 PM
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JackieTreehorn Offline
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Post: #106
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-12-2016 08:40 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 08:27 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 04:58 PM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 04:07 PM)#41 Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 12:43 PM)OKIcat Wrote:  I actually agree with both of your posts. Regarding, NKU, many Ohioans still see that river as ten miles wide. I suspect the only time some cross it is for trips to the airport or the foot of the bridges for discount liquors. Northern Kentucky now has some of the most attractive, convenient 'burbs to Downtown with quality schools and amenities. The NKU arena is an excellent facility and the difference in travel time from anywhere to that facility vs. 5th/3rd shouldn't be more than 15 minutes.

Old perceptions die hard. As UC fans, we decry that all the time when it comes to our university and campus. I'd take NKU over X hands down for a one year deal.

You're adding another 10-15 minutes of transit for games -- which sucks if you're already coming 30 minutes from the northern exurbs. It's also a bigger hassle for students in Clifton to get to NKY than it is to get to Norwood.

Plus, it's Kentucky. Unless you're going to the Party Source, there's no compelling reason to cross the river ever.

I know you're making a joke, but even as someone who grew up in Cincinnati, it's still so odd to me how provincial and divided the metro area is.

As a resident of KY, I say the same thing about crossing the river into OH.

lol wut?
Let's see...OH side of the river: Downtown Cincy, Reds, NFL, cool places to eat (UC, not too far away).

KY side of river: hookers, crack, pUKe fans

hmm...yeah its close

You forgot the embarrassment that is the Creation Museum and the Noah's Ark thingy.
 
07-13-2016 01:23 PM
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Edgebrookjeff Offline
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Post: #107
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-13-2016 01:23 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 08:40 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 08:27 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 04:58 PM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 04:07 PM)#41 Wrote:  You're adding another 10-15 minutes of transit for games -- which sucks if you're already coming 30 minutes from the northern exurbs. It's also a bigger hassle for students in Clifton to get to NKY than it is to get to Norwood.

Plus, it's Kentucky. Unless you're going to the Party Source, there's no compelling reason to cross the river ever.

I know you're making a joke, but even as someone who grew up in Cincinnati, it's still so odd to me how provincial and divided the metro area is.

As a resident of KY, I say the same thing about crossing the river into OH.

lol wut?
Let's see...OH side of the river: Downtown Cincy, Reds, NFL, cool places to eat (UC, not too far away).

KY side of river: hookers, crack, pUKe fans

hmm...yeah its close

You forgot the embarrassment that is the Creation Museum and the Noah's Ark thingy.

Cincinnati crime & murder.

Boone county. none of that. I can drive 15 minutes to see the reds, bengals & UC. You can keep the rest.
 
07-13-2016 09:33 PM
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Post: #108
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-13-2016 01:23 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 08:40 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 08:27 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 04:58 PM)robertfoshizzle Wrote:  
(07-11-2016 04:07 PM)#41 Wrote:  You're adding another 10-15 minutes of transit for games -- which sucks if you're already coming 30 minutes from the northern exurbs. It's also a bigger hassle for students in Clifton to get to NKY than it is to get to Norwood.

Plus, it's Kentucky. Unless you're going to the Party Source, there's no compelling reason to cross the river ever.

I know you're making a joke, but even as someone who grew up in Cincinnati, it's still so odd to me how provincial and divided the metro area is.

As a resident of KY, I say the same thing about crossing the river into OH.

lol wut?
Let's see...OH side of the river: Downtown Cincy, Reds, NFL, cool places to eat (UC, not too far away).

KY side of river: hookers, crack, pUKe fans

hmm...yeah its close

You forgot the embarrassment that is the Creation Museum and the Noah's Ark thingy.

Did they build a gym in the Ark we could use?
 
07-13-2016 10:46 PM
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Edgebrookjeff Offline
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Post: #109
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-13-2016 10:46 PM)doss2 Wrote:  
(07-13-2016 01:23 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 08:40 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 08:27 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  [quote='robertfoshizzle' pid='13381812' dateline='1468274330']

I know you're making a joke, but even as someone who grew up in Cincinnati, it's still so odd to me how provincial and divided the metro area is.

As a resident of KY, I say the same thing about crossing the river into OH.

lol wut?
Let's see...OH side of the river: Downtown Cincy, Reds, NFL, cool places to eat (UC, not too far away).

KY side of river: hookers, crack, pUKe fans

hmm...yeah its close

You forgot the embarrassment that is the Creation Museum and the Noah's Ark thingy.

Did they build a gym in the Ark we could use?
[/quote

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center wishes it could a fraction of the attendance numbers that the Creation Museum gets. In fact they probably have better numbers than Union Terminal or the Art museum.
 
07-14-2016 08:06 PM
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JackieTreehorn Offline
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Post: #110
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-14-2016 08:06 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  
(07-13-2016 10:46 PM)doss2 Wrote:  
(07-13-2016 01:23 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 08:40 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 08:27 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  [quote='robertfoshizzle' pid='13381812' dateline='1468274330']

I know you're making a joke, but even as someone who grew up in Cincinnati, it's still so odd to me how provincial and divided the metro area is.

As a resident of KY, I say the same thing about crossing the river into OH.

lol wut?
Let's see...OH side of the river: Downtown Cincy, Reds, NFL, cool places to eat (UC, not too far away).

KY side of river: hookers, crack, pUKe fans

hmm...yeah its close

You forgot the embarrassment that is the Creation Museum and the Noah's Ark thingy.

Did they build a gym in the Ark we could use?
[/quote

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center wishes it could a fraction of the attendance numbers that the Creation Museum gets. In fact they probably have better numbers than Union Terminal or the Art museum.

If so, it just proves that PT Barnum was correct. There's a sucker born every minute.
 
07-14-2016 08:33 PM
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Major ----de Coverley Offline
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Post: #111
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-14-2016 08:33 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  
(07-14-2016 08:06 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  
(07-13-2016 10:46 PM)doss2 Wrote:  
(07-13-2016 01:23 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  
(07-12-2016 08:40 PM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  As a resident of KY, I say the same thing about crossing the river into OH.

lol wut?
Let's see...OH side of the river: Downtown Cincy, Reds, NFL, cool places to eat (UC, not too far away).

KY side of river: hookers, crack, pUKe fans

hmm...yeah its close

You forgot the embarrassment that is the Creation Museum and the Noah's Ark thingy.

Did they build a gym in the Ark we could use?
[/quote

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center wishes it could a fraction of the attendance numbers that the Creation Museum gets. In fact they probably have better numbers than Union Terminal or the Art museum.

If so, it just proves that PT Barnum was correct. There's a sucker born every minute.

Jim Bakker said there is a sucker born again every minute.
 
(This post was last modified: 07-15-2016 05:08 AM by Major ----de Coverley.)
07-15-2016 04:58 AM
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dave108 Offline
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Post: #112
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-15-2016 04:58 AM)Major ----de Coverley Wrote:  
(07-14-2016 08:33 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  
(07-14-2016 08:06 PM)Edgebrookjeff Wrote:  
(07-13-2016 10:46 PM)doss2 Wrote:  
(07-13-2016 01:23 PM)JackieTreehorn Wrote:  lol wut?
Let's see...OH side of the river: Downtown Cincy, Reds, NFL, cool places to eat (UC, not too far away).

KY side of river: hookers, crack, pUKe fans

hmm...yeah its close

You forgot the embarrassment that is the Creation Museum and the Noah's Ark thingy.

Did they build a gym in the Ark we could use?
[/quote

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center wishes it could a fraction of the attendance numbers that the Creation Museum gets. In fact they probably have better numbers than Union Terminal or the Art museum.

If so, it just proves that PT Barnum was correct. There's a sucker born every minute.

Jim Bakker said there is a sucker born again every minute.

geez, you boys are really throwing zingers at each other - who writes your material?
 
07-15-2016 05:13 AM
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ctipton Offline
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Post: #113
RE: No Gardens for UC
Big O, other ex-Bearcats recall ‘vintage’ Gardens
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 4:20 p.m. EDT July 15, 2016

[Image: 636015873226564530--SG-0669.JPG]
With a seating capacity of 11,000, the Cincinnati Gardenswas the seventh-biggest indoor stadium in the country when it opened its doors in 1949.
The Enquirer/Cara Owsley

Oscar Robertson will be sad to see the Cincinnati Gardens go. For one thing, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame player probably scored more points in the Gardens than anyone.

Robertson played most of his home games with the old Cincinnati Royals in the 1960s, after a stellar career at the University of Cincinnati. Robertson’s UC teams played mostly in the on-campus Armory Fieldhouse, but also played occasionally in the Gardens.

“It was a good court and we got very comfortable there,” Robertson said. “It had great shooting hoops. Some arenas, you don’t get the feel for the court and it seemed like the basket was tilted. At the Gardens it was tilted just right.”

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority recently entered a contract to buy the Gardens at 2250 Seymour Ave. in Cincinnati. The venue's current owner, Cincinnati Gardens LLC, would sell a nearly 20-acre property that includes the main arena, an adjacent skating center and three parking lots.

UC has a long history with the Gardens, including from 1949-54 before the Armory opened. UC continued to play occasionally in the Gardens, notably the annual Crosstown Shootout games against Xavier. UC moved downtown to Riverfront Coliseum (now U.S. Bank Arena) from 1976-87.

The Bearcats played home games in the Gardens in the 1987-88 and ’88-89 seasons, while the on-campus Shoemaker Center (aka Fifth Third Arena) was being built. The Coliseum had tried to raise the Bearcats’ rent, leading UC to opt for a two-year stint at the Gardens. UC moved into Shoemaker in the 1989-90 season.

Robertson and several other former Bearcats recently reminisced about what it was like to play in the Gardens. Some good memories, some not so good, but all said they will miss it.

Among the comments:

- ROBERTSON (UC 1957-60, Cincinnati Royals 1960-70, Milwaukee Bucks 1971-74), who still lives in Cincinnati:

“A lot of great players came through there. Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Bob Pettit, Dave Bing, Walt Frazier. It was quite an arena.

“I haven’t been out there for a long time. I didn’t realize it was in such shape. I guess it just had to go.”

-ANDRE TATE (UC 1988-90, now head men’s basketball coach at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College):

“It was dark and cold,” Tate said with a laugh. “But, we had some great games in there. Florida State, Louisville, Memphis. It used be a rocking place, especially the Crosstown Shootout game.

“It was hard to shoot in there because of the backdrop, a lot of space in the background. I didn’t have a lot of problems because I liked to get to the basket, but I remember (Florida State star) George McCloud came in there and he couldn’t hit anything.”

(NOTE: Enquirer archives show that McCloud in a Feb. 4, 1989 game shot 4-for-11 against UC at the Gardens and was held to 12 points, with five airballs. Yet, McCloud also led a late rally that saw FSU beat UC 66-65).

Tate, who averaged 11.4 and 17.1 points, respectively, in his two UC seasons, said:

“I just remember some guys having trouble shooting there. For me, there are a lot of great memories.”

-LEVERTIS ROBINSON (UC 1987-91, lives and works in the Chicago area):

“The Gardens was great. I had my breakout game there.”

(NOTE: In his college debut on Nov. 29, 1987, Robinson had 23 points and 13 rebounds as UC beat Northern Kentucky University 76-65. Robinson went on to score 1,320 points at UC, which ranks No. 20 on the Bearcats’ career list).

“The atmosphere in the Gardens, wow,” Robinson said. “Everybody was right on top of you. They had that balcony at the one end, and it was in there tight. I really enjoyed the Gardens. I didn’t want to leave, until we got the new place on campus.

“I actually drove past the old place a couple years ago when I was in town. I’ll really miss that place.”

-LOUIS BANKS (UC 1987-91, No. 9 on Bearcats career scoring list with 1,644 points. Lives and works in Columbus, Ohio):

Banks said his most vivid Gardens memory was a 90-88 overtime loss to Xavier in his junior year on Jan. 31, 1990. XU won on a Jamal Walker 3-pointer with seven seconds left.

With 17 seconds left, XU was awarded the ball after Michael Davenport knocked the ball from UC's Banks out of bounds. UC fans were enraged when officials ruled XU ball, and some still dispute the call today.

“It was very disappointing, but that’s the biggest memory I have from there,” Banks said. “It came down to overtime, then Jamal hit the 3-pointer.”

Banks, like former teammate Tate, remembers the Gardens as being chilly in winter.

“It was cold in there but it was a good place to play,” Banks said. “We had some big games in there against Louisville, Memphis, Xavier. All the history that was there, it’s really sad to see the place closed for sports.”

-TERRY NELSON (UC 1991-93, starter on Bearcats’ 1992 Final Four team. Now director of Bearcats’ “C” Club for athletic alumni letterwinners. Also part-time UC basketball radio/TV broadcaster).

Nelson played just one game in the Gardens but it was a big one: The Crosstown Shootout played Jan. 29, 1992. Nelson was quoted as saying that UC would blow Xavier out, and the Bearcats delivered a 93-75 win.

“I just played that one game there, the one I predicted,” Nelson said. “I remember how the energy was in that building. It was an older building but it was like, vintage. It was like you were playing in (the movie) Hoosiers.

“I remember having to get there early to shoot because the backdrop was so weird, the way the seats went and the trajectory. You had to focus on the rim and not the depth way behind it. It was just a different setup.

“There’s a lot of history there. It’s sad that somebody couldn’t purchase it and turn it into an event arena again.”

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2.../87141088/
 
07-15-2016 11:42 PM
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Not Duane Offline
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Post: #114
RE: No Gardens for UC
(07-15-2016 11:42 PM)ctipton Wrote:  Big O, other ex-Bearcats recall ‘vintage’ Gardens
Tom Groeschen, tgroeschen@enquirer.com 4:20 p.m. EDT July 15, 2016

[Image: 636015873226564530--SG-0669.JPG]
With a seating capacity of 11,000, the Cincinnati Gardenswas the seventh-biggest indoor stadium in the country when it opened its doors in 1949.
The Enquirer/Cara Owsley

Oscar Robertson will be sad to see the Cincinnati Gardens go. For one thing, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame player probably scored more points in the Gardens than anyone.

Robertson played most of his home games with the old Cincinnati Royals in the 1960s, after a stellar career at the University of Cincinnati. Robertson’s UC teams played mostly in the on-campus Armory Fieldhouse, but also played occasionally in the Gardens.

“It was a good court and we got very comfortable there,” Robertson said. “It had great shooting hoops. Some arenas, you don’t get the feel for the court and it seemed like the basket was tilted. At the Gardens it was tilted just right.”

The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority recently entered a contract to buy the Gardens at 2250 Seymour Ave. in Cincinnati. The venue's current owner, Cincinnati Gardens LLC, would sell a nearly 20-acre property that includes the main arena, an adjacent skating center and three parking lots.

UC has a long history with the Gardens, including from 1949-54 before the Armory opened. UC continued to play occasionally in the Gardens, notably the annual Crosstown Shootout games against Xavier. UC moved downtown to Riverfront Coliseum (now U.S. Bank Arena) from 1976-87.

The Bearcats played home games in the Gardens in the 1987-88 and ’88-89 seasons, while the on-campus Shoemaker Center (aka Fifth Third Arena) was being built. The Coliseum had tried to raise the Bearcats’ rent, leading UC to opt for a two-year stint at the Gardens. UC moved into Shoemaker in the 1989-90 season.

Robertson and several other former Bearcats recently reminisced about what it was like to play in the Gardens. Some good memories, some not so good, but all said they will miss it.

Among the comments:

- ROBERTSON (UC 1957-60, Cincinnati Royals 1960-70, Milwaukee Bucks 1971-74), who still lives in Cincinnati:

“A lot of great players came through there. Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Jerry West, Elgin Baylor, Bob Pettit, Dave Bing, Walt Frazier. It was quite an arena.

“I haven’t been out there for a long time. I didn’t realize it was in such shape. I guess it just had to go.”

-ANDRE TATE (UC 1988-90, now head men’s basketball coach at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College):

“It was dark and cold,” Tate said with a laugh. “But, we had some great games in there. Florida State, Louisville, Memphis. It used be a rocking place, especially the Crosstown Shootout game.

“It was hard to shoot in there because of the backdrop, a lot of space in the background. I didn’t have a lot of problems because I liked to get to the basket, but I remember (Florida State star) George McCloud came in there and he couldn’t hit anything.”

(NOTE: Enquirer archives show that McCloud in a Feb. 4, 1989 game shot 4-for-11 against UC at the Gardens and was held to 12 points, with five airballs. Yet, McCloud also led a late rally that saw FSU beat UC 66-65).

Tate, who averaged 11.4 and 17.1 points, respectively, in his two UC seasons, said:

“I just remember some guys having trouble shooting there. For me, there are a lot of great memories.”

-LEVERTIS ROBINSON (UC 1987-91, lives and works in the Chicago area):

“The Gardens was great. I had my breakout game there.”

(NOTE: In his college debut on Nov. 29, 1987, Robinson had 23 points and 13 rebounds as UC beat Northern Kentucky University 76-65. Robinson went on to score 1,320 points at UC, which ranks No. 20 on the Bearcats’ career list).

“The atmosphere in the Gardens, wow,” Robinson said. “Everybody was right on top of you. They had that balcony at the one end, and it was in there tight. I really enjoyed the Gardens. I didn’t want to leave, until we got the new place on campus.

“I actually drove past the old place a couple years ago when I was in town. I’ll really miss that place.”

-LOUIS BANKS (UC 1987-91, No. 9 on Bearcats career scoring list with 1,644 points. Lives and works in Columbus, Ohio):

Banks said his most vivid Gardens memory was a 90-88 overtime loss to Xavier in his junior year on Jan. 31, 1990. XU won on a Jamal Walker 3-pointer with seven seconds left.

With 17 seconds left, XU was awarded the ball after Michael Davenport knocked the ball from UC's Banks out of bounds. UC fans were enraged when officials ruled XU ball, and some still dispute the call today.

“It was very disappointing, but that’s the biggest memory I have from there,” Banks said. “It came down to overtime, then Jamal hit the 3-pointer.”

Banks, like former teammate Tate, remembers the Gardens as being chilly in winter.

“It was cold in there but it was a good place to play,” Banks said. “We had some big games in there against Louisville, Memphis, Xavier. All the history that was there, it’s really sad to see the place closed for sports.”

-TERRY NELSON (UC 1991-93, starter on Bearcats’ 1992 Final Four team. Now director of Bearcats’ “C” Club for athletic alumni letterwinners. Also part-time UC basketball radio/TV broadcaster).

Nelson played just one game in the Gardens but it was a big one: The Crosstown Shootout played Jan. 29, 1992. Nelson was quoted as saying that UC would blow Xavier out, and the Bearcats delivered a 93-75 win.

“I just played that one game there, the one I predicted,” Nelson said. “I remember how the energy was in that building. It was an older building but it was like, vintage. It was like you were playing in (the movie) Hoosiers.

“I remember having to get there early to shoot because the backdrop was so weird, the way the seats went and the trajectory. You had to focus on the rim and not the depth way behind it. It was just a different setup.

“There’s a lot of history there. It’s sad that somebody couldn’t purchase it and turn it into an event arena again.”

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2.../87141088/

What are they going to do with the memorabilia from the museum at the Gardens? Those exhibits should be moved somewhere they can be seen frequently...perhaps Union Terminal?
 
07-18-2016 05:39 AM
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