Pic from Friday night: http://imgur.com/a/FSqzg

Look at Freedom Hall. Really look at it.

I've been actively going to games since 1985. Friday night was the first time we have looked & felt like a legit D1 program. Finally, we have ATMOSPHERE.

Thank you Dr. Noland.
Thank you Doc Sander.
Thank you Coach Forbes.

The other night I heard another old timer tell coach, "Oh we all miss the Dome." No. No we don't. I have fond memories there. But this is a new era.

THESE are the good ol days.

It does look amazing, I still wish they could get more seats floor level and give them to students. The base lines could be death zones for visiting teams if they could find a solution.

Does look nice. The sideline, opposite the benches, should be given to the students a la Cameron Indoor. Looking forward to my first trip there for basketball for the UT game.

(11-13-2016 11:12 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  It does look amazing, I still wish they could get more seats floor level and give them to students. The base lines could be death zones for visiting teams if they could find a solution.

Yes. And my opinion is that the lower seats have by far the quietest fans. Too bad the noise is up high.

(11-13-2016 11:12 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  It does look amazing, I still wish they could get more seats floor level and give them to students. The base lines could be death zones for visiting teams if they could find a solution.

I am very proud of all that Dr. Noland, Dr. Sander, Coach Forbes and staff have accomplished! I would support anything to get more seats down on the floor and make a real pit out of the place. It looks now like a real D1 arena. Good job everyone.

Hear, hear!

I still miss the Dome, and am looking forward to the women's game against UT partly due to the fact that they are playing in the Dome. I always enjoyed that venue, but I realize I am in the minority.

The transformation of Freedom Hall is truly amazing. From the first 3 games that we played there until now, it is like a completely new venue. The PA system, seats, paint, just the entire package is much better than I ever imagined they would be able to accomplish.

(11-14-2016 07:09 AM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  Yes. And my opinion is that the lower seats have by far the quietest fans. Too bad the noise is up high.

Yeah, I agree with you and Buclover that it would be nice to get some students down near the floor in at least some areas. Of course those are seats that you can charge premium prices for to older fans. Got to get creative here.

(11-13-2016 10:57 PM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  Friday night was the first time we have looked & felt like a legit D1 program. Finally, we have ATMOSPHERE.

.......THESE are the good ol days.

Wellllll............remains to be seen. At this juncture, we're nowhere near where we were in 1989-1992, and even before that in the late '70s for a few years after the Dome opened. But there's certainly the promise. Nor, I would argue, are we yet to where we were with Fields/Wadood/Smith. I mean we haven't even been to the dance yet with this team. That call is simply premature. And *way* premature, at that.

And are you really trying to say that when we hosted NC St., or Michigan St., or Western KY, or Southern Miss, or UTC, that those atmospheres weren't "legit D1" atmospheres? Surely you jest. Even if we *packed* Freedom Hall it wouldn't compare to the '90-'92 years (or even some earlier ones when 10,000+ crowds weren't rare, and 8,000+ ones were normal). Back in that era, ETSU basketball was the absolute talk of the town, and it was *the* in place to be. And the air in the Dome was freaking electric more often than not.

Not to belabor the point, but we've got a LONG way (including eventually getting a new arena) to get to where we were in THOSE good ol' days. That's just a fact.

Let me re-paraphrase: the future is now and the Bucs are going a long way this season to restore ETSU basketball as talk of the town!

I won't disagree with that. We haven't had this many pieces in place since Wadood and Fields, and with this coach (for as long as we can keep him), the potential is perhaps even better. Perhaps.

We had friends visiting from out of town. Neither had ever been to a college basketball game prior to Friday night (in person anyway), but they had a fantastic time and are trying to arrange their schedule to come again before basketball season is over. They were impressed with the seats being so cushy and the look of the arena, as well as the competitive play. They have a daughter who is a junior in HS and are now going to have her look at ETSU as an option for school in a couple of years. The entire atmosphere of the school and homecoming activities impressed them immensely.

(11-14-2016 10:46 AM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote:  

(11-13-2016 10:57 PM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  Friday night was the first time we have looked & felt like a legit D1 program. Finally, we have ATMOSPHERE.

.......THESE are the good ol days.

Wellllll............remains to be seen. At this juncture, we're nowhere near where we were in 1989-1992, and even before that in the late '70s for a few years after the Dome opened. But there's certainly the promise. Nor, I would argue, are we yet to where we were with Fields/Wadood/Smith. I mean we haven't even been to the dance yet with this team. That call is simply premature. And *way* premature, at that.

And are you really trying to say that when we hosted NC St., or Michigan St., or Western KY, or Southern Miss, or UTC, that those atmospheres weren't "legit D1" atmospheres? Surely you jest. Even if we *packed* Freedom Hall it wouldn't compare to the '90-'92 years (or even some earlier ones when 10,000+ crowds weren't rare, and 8,000+ ones were normal). Back in that era, ETSU basketball was the absolute talk of the town, and it was *the* in place to be. And the air in the Dome was freaking electric more often than not.

Not to belabor the point, but we've got a LONG way (including eventually getting a new arena) to get to where we were in THOSE good ol' days. That's just a fact.

I bet you thought we should have looked closely at George Pitts and Mister Jennings after we fired Bartow.

Let it go bro. It was a quarter century ago. I was there for all of it. I LOVE those days. But its over. Onward and upward.

(11-14-2016 02:22 PM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  

(11-14-2016 10:46 AM)posterformerlyknownasthedoctor Wrote:  

(11-13-2016 10:57 PM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  Friday night was the first time we have looked & felt like a legit D1 program. Finally, we have ATMOSPHERE.

.......THESE are the good ol days.

Wellllll............remains to be seen. At this juncture, we're nowhere near where we were in 1989-1992, and even before that in the late '70s for a few years after the Dome opened. But there's certainly the promise. Nor, I would argue, are we yet to where we were with Fields/Wadood/Smith. I mean we haven't even been to the dance yet with this team. That call is simply premature. And *way* premature, at that.

And are you really trying to say that when we hosted NC St., or Michigan St., or Western KY, or Southern Miss, or UTC, that those atmospheres weren't "legit D1" atmospheres? Surely you jest. Even if we *packed* Freedom Hall it wouldn't compare to the '90-'92 years (or even some earlier ones when 10,000+ crowds weren't rare, and 8,000+ ones were normal). Back in that era, ETSU basketball was the absolute talk of the town, and it was *the* in place to be. And the air in the Dome was freaking electric more often than not.

Not to belabor the point, but we've got a LONG way (including eventually getting a new arena) to get to where we were in THOSE good ol' days. That's just a fact.

I bet you thought we should have looked closely at George Pitts and Mister Jennings after we fired Bartow.

\\\\\ No, I didn't. Why would you even think that!? There's absolutely no relation to the issue(s).

Let it go bro. It was a quarter century ago. I was there for all of it. I LOVE those days. But its over. Onward and upward.

\\\\ Yes, it's over. But it "was". And it "was" higher and better than we are right now - so far. I don't have to "let it go". I was just pointing out that your statements were factually inaccurate. Nothing personal and not even trying to be Debbie Downer.
\\\\ Oh, and since you've 'only' been regularly attending since 1985, then you missed some very good years and awesome crowds before the '89-'92 run. Not better than that run, just much more of it.

(11-14-2016 02:22 PM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  I bet you thought we should have looked closely at George Pitts and Mister Jennings after we fired Bartow.

Let it go bro. It was a quarter century ago. I was there for all of it. I LOVE those days. But its over. Onward and upward.

I am very excited for the future of ETSU athletics. Seeing where it is now as opposed to 6-8 years ago is amazing. At the same time, we are still not at the same place we were in the late 80s early 90s. That was truly a transcendent group that with the right admin (for instance the one we have now) in place could have propelled us into the group of 5 schools. It was a missed opportunity.

I think its good to be excited but still realize we have a long way to go.

I've only been deeply invested since the late 90's, but it feels like we are best positioned for success throughout the department, since then.

On the dome:

It holds a special place since it is what I grew up with, and went to school with, but I really enjoy Freedom Hall. I think it has the potential to be a fantastic home court, if it is close to full on a regular basis....which I anticipate it being by the end of the year.

(11-14-2016 07:09 AM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  

(11-13-2016 11:12 PM)Buccaneerlover Wrote:  It does look amazing, I still wish they could get more seats floor level and give them to students. The base lines could be death zones for visiting teams if they could find a solution.

Yes. And my opinion is that the lower seats have by far the quietest fans. Too bad the noise is up high.

That's the same stodgy old fart mentality where you have to have the corporate donors in those seats all the way around put the students in the corners. One thing that would fix that is students showing up on a consistent basis. That's important. I know the fire marshall has ruled on what they have, I just wonder if they could research what Tennessee Tech and Clemson did to fix their views? If you'll remember, Tennessee Tech kind of had that same look as FH, and they renovated it and was able to get more seats down on the court. As great as it looks, it makes it a challenge to get the students engaged with the game. I guess winning can cure all that, though.

It would be great to get the Mutiny (those guys do an Awesome job) & the students on the floor!! Would love to see it!!!

(11-14-2016 02:22 PM)CaptainJackAubrey Wrote:  I bet you thought we should have looked closely at George Pitts and Mister Jennings after we fired Bartow.

Let it go bro. It was a quarter century ago. I was there for all of it. I LOVE those days. But its over. Onward and upward.

Wow, clueless much? Doctor is a lot thing but just wow, that might be the single dumbest thing i have seen posted on here and we used to have the former leader of the Fun Bunch and pro cab driver posting on here. The doctor being a Pitts supporter, i legit laughed out loud. Thanks for the laugh. Doctor is the board historian.