It would be great for the Lady Tigers, as well...they are in desperate need of a new facility, and a nice, 5k facility would be perfect for them.

(02-22-2015 06:21 AM)memtiger1987 Wrote:  A lot of us have great memories of the MSC. But it's old and there really isn't a need for the facility. Just bulldoze it and get it over with. Why on earth would the Tigers play games there, even if renovated, when they play in one of the best facilities in the country?

It is not a fascination with preserving the building.

It was a reasoned idea that if possible, our own arena, especially in that area of town, if all things lined up, could be a nice addition.

The practicalities make that almost a non issue.

The idea is not a fascination. Just an idea. It would be nicer to have an on campus football stadium even if we have a perfectly good one at the Fairgrounds.

With all that, the reality is this 1964 built building, hardly ancient, probably needs to go.

(02-22-2015 11:50 AM)nutbushtiger Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 11:33 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 12:42 AM)jlbphila Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 12:35 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  It needs to come down. I have fond memories of many events there, but it is impractical to use for anything today.

It only sat 8k or 9 k for basketball. If you added suites, that would decrease the number even more.

The forum is a great recruiting tool. The coliseum is not. And players want to play in an NBA arena, not the place where Monday night wrestling was held.

The bottom line is that you can't retrofit a relic into a modern structure without overspending. And once you do you still have, at its foundation, a very old structure that will require more maintenance in the short term.

It was a great building. It's time we gave it a fond farewell..

You're probably right, but allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment:

1. I'm pretty sure it sat 11,200. It's possible, I would think to maybe lower the floor and rebuild the lower level to add or keep capacity around that number and put in some floor level, revenue generating suites.

I believe that number was max capacity for events such as concerts. With basketball, nearly all of the floor seating was removed for the court, and cut down the capacity by 2K-3K.

I think 11,200 was capacity for basketball, as a kid I would cut the box scores and game photos out of the paper after every game and remember that number being on the bottom of most every one. Doesn't really matter to me what they do with it, I hope if they tear it down they build a small concert venue like some have suggested. They could get all kinds of shows to fill a 5k seat venue.

No doubt about it - capacity for basketball was DEFINITELY 11,200.

Having settled that, I don't think it fills a need for UofM. The FEF is a top-notch facility and it is a recruiting advantage for men's basketball to play in a great facility shared by an NBA team. At the same time, I think the Fieldhouse is adequate for women's sports - volleyball and basketball. Is it EVER sold out? It is ON campus which enhances student attendance and this would be diminished by moving these games to the MSC. Although they may have tried already, I think that the University should do more to get students to the FEF for the men's game. Surround attendance with some sorts of promotions that make it a don't-want-to-miss event. There are ways to overcome the campus-to-FEF distance issue, they just need to do it.

I do think that the MSC might be able to serve as a concert/civic center of some sort. I know there is a no-compete clause with FEF, but it can still hold concerts and events with seating below some level. I haven't been in the building in 25 years, but if it is still somewhat functional, it seems to be a waste to just tear it down.

(02-22-2015 02:04 AM)21-17 Best Time I Ever Ha Wrote:  Stay tuned. It would cost more to tear it down, 33 million, than to renovate it, 30,000 million. It is not in bad shape. That is what the developers want you to think. The community is about to be presented with numerous amazing uses for it and the surrounding area. Check out the Save the Mid-South Coliseum site on Facebook. Memphians will ultimately decided what WE want to do with that area, not the politicians and developers with all the risk on OUR tax dollars.

Open your mind and follow the news. Don't be misled.

If you think it will cost $33 million to tear it down, I've got some land in Florida I would like to talk to you about.

(02-22-2015 12:55 PM)tigers1125 Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 02:04 AM)21-17 Best Time I Ever Ha Wrote:  Stay tuned. It would cost more to tear it down, 33 million, than to renovate it, 30,000 million. It is not in bad shape. That is what the developers want you to think. The community is about to be presented with numerous amazing uses for it and the surrounding area. Check out the Save the Mid-South Coliseum site on Facebook. Memphians will ultimately decided what WE want to do with that area, not the politicians and developers with all the risk on OUR tax dollars.

Open your mind and follow the news. Don't be misled.

If you think it will cost $33 million to tear it down, I've got some land in Florida I would like to talk to you about.

That $33 million includes the current cost of the new 5,000 seat arena. That number will only increase as time goes by.

(02-22-2015 10:59 AM)UofMemphis Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 02:04 AM)21-17 Best Time I Ever Ha Wrote:  Stay tuned. It would cost more to tear it down, 33 million, than to renovate it, 30,000 million. It is not in bad shape. That is what the developers want you to think. The community is about to be presented with numerous amazing uses for it and the surrounding area. Check out the Save the Mid-South Coliseum site on Facebook. Memphians will ultimately decided what WE want to do with that area, not the politicians and developers with all the risk on OUR tax dollars.

Open your mind and follow the news. Don't be misled.

It's USELESS...the no compete clause isn't going anywhere...don't be misled, it's just an old arena, not some historic site.

First while it is commonly called a no compete clause, it actually is no such thing. The clause only gives the Griz owner the right of first refusal on any event that comes to town. The pyramid was still being used for events after the " no compete clause" was ratified. The agreement creates a large number of hoops that an event must jump through in order to use the MSC but it does not out and out prohibit it's use. If an event approaches the MSC wanting to use it the management of the MSC has to contact the Forum and let them have the first **** at the event if they want it. If they do not want it and they give the MSC approval then the event can go to the MSC. This ONLY applies to what is considered a "national" event or a team event which plays in two or more sites outside the state. If the Memphis wrestling promotion wanted to return to the MSC for a weekly or monthly event they would not need the permission of the Forum. If shelby county schools want to have the local high school basketball Championships at the MSC they could do so without gaining permission from the Forum. High school graduations could be held there without permission of the Forum. There are any number of events which could use the MSC at it full capacity WITHOUT permission of the Forum.

Being adjacent to the Fairgrounds, a vacant Liberty Bowl, outdoor parking (in January and February) and the old Libertyland instead of hotels, nice restaurants, the Riverfront and Beale Street is certainly an advantage worth exploring.

(02-22-2015 12:29 PM)hsvtiger Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 11:50 AM)nutbushtiger Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 11:33 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 12:42 AM)jlbphila Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 12:35 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  It needs to come down. I have fond memories of many events there, but it is impractical to use for anything today.

It only sat 8k or 9 k for basketball. If you added suites, that would decrease the number even more.

The forum is a great recruiting tool. The coliseum is not. And players want to play in an NBA arena, not the place where Monday night wrestling was held.

The bottom line is that you can't retrofit a relic into a modern structure without overspending. And once you do you still have, at its foundation, a very old structure that will require more maintenance in the short term.

It was a great building. It's time we gave it a fond farewell..

You're probably right, but allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment:

1. I'm pretty sure it sat 11,200. It's possible, I would think to maybe lower the floor and rebuild the lower level to add or keep capacity around that number and put in some floor level, revenue generating suites.

I believe that number was max capacity for events such as concerts. With basketball, nearly all of the floor seating was removed for the court, and cut down the capacity by 2K-3K.

I think 11,200 was capacity for basketball, as a kid I would cut the box scores and game photos out of the paper after every game and remember that number being on the bottom of most every one. Doesn't really matter to me what they do with it, I hope if they tear it down they build a small concert venue like some have suggested. They could get all kinds of shows to fill a 5k seat venue.

No doubt about it - capacity for basketball was DEFINITELY 11,200.

Having settled that, I don't think it fills a need for UofM. The FEF is a top-notch facility and it is a recruiting advantage for men's basketball to play in a great facility shared by an NBA team. At the same time, I think the Fieldhouse is adequate for women's sports - volleyball and basketball. Is it EVER sold out? It is ON campus which enhances student attendance and this would be diminished by moving these games to the MSC. Although they may have tried already, I think that the University should do more to get students to the FEF for the men's game. Surround attendance with some sorts of promotions that make it a don't-want-to-miss event. There are ways to overcome the campus-to-FEF distance issue, they just need to do it.

I do think that the MSC might be able to serve as a concert/civic center of some sort. I know there is a no-compete clause with FEF, but it can still hold concerts and events with seating below some level. I haven't been in the building in 25 years, but if it is still somewhat functional, it seems to be a waste to just tear it down.

Your obvious hatred for Pastner causes you to denigrate everything about the Tigers -- it was 11,210 for basketball!

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=14...41,4746326

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=14...22,5228836

(02-22-2015 12:29 PM)hsvtiger Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 11:50 AM)nutbushtiger Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 11:33 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 12:42 AM)jlbphila Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 12:35 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  It needs to come down. I have fond memories of many events there, but it is impractical to use for anything today.

It only sat 8k or 9 k for basketball. If you added suites, that would decrease the number even more.

The forum is a great recruiting tool. The coliseum is not. And players want to play in an NBA arena, not the place where Monday night wrestling was held.

The bottom line is that you can't retrofit a relic into a modern structure without overspending. And once you do you still have, at its foundation, a very old structure that will require more maintenance in the short term.

It was a great building. It's time we gave it a fond farewell..

You're probably right, but allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment:

1. I'm pretty sure it sat 11,200. It's possible, I would think to maybe lower the floor and rebuild the lower level to add or keep capacity around that number and put in some floor level, revenue generating suites.

I believe that number was max capacity for events such as concerts. With basketball, nearly all of the floor seating was removed for the court, and cut down the capacity by 2K-3K.

I think 11,200 was capacity for basketball, as a kid I would cut the box scores and game photos out of the paper after every game and remember that number being on the bottom of most every one. Doesn't really matter to me what they do with it, I hope if they tear it down they build a small concert venue like some have suggested. They could get all kinds of shows to fill a 5k seat venue.

No doubt about it - capacity for basketball was DEFINITELY 11,200.

Having settled that, I don't think it fills a need for UofM. The FEF is a top-notch facility and it is a recruiting advantage for men's basketball to play in a great facility shared by an NBA team. At the same time, I think the Fieldhouse is adequate for women's sports - volleyball and basketball. Is it EVER sold out? It is ON campus which enhances student attendance and this would be diminished by moving these games to the MSC. Although they may have tried already, I think that the University should do more to get students to the FEF for the men's game. Surround attendance with some sorts of promotions that make it a don't-want-to-miss event. There are ways to overcome the campus-to-FEF distance issue, they just need to do it.

I do think that the MSC might be able to serve as a concert/civic center of some sort. I know there is a no-compete clause with FEF, but it can still hold concerts and events with seating below some level. I haven't been in the building in 25 years, but if it is still somewhat functional, it seems to be a waste to just tear it down.

The real issue with getting students to FedExForum is money. Beale Street is not and never will be designed for a student's budget. It's expensive to enjoy Beale Street, and students don't have the money. Lower gas prices may help, but parking and food costs are still high compared to the old days at the Coliseum.

Speaking of the Coliseum. Tear it down. If the city needs a new smaller venue, put it out East. Start something new.

Why build anything on a piece of land that has generated ZERO economic spin-off in 50 years? See all the development that has sprung up around the Fairgrounds? There isn't any. There never has been. There won't be this time either.

Putting more money into the Fairgrounds is just pissing it away.

But I don't live there anymore. You guys are free to spend your money as you wish.

(02-22-2015 02:17 PM)Claw Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 12:29 PM)hsvtiger Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 11:50 AM)nutbushtiger Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 11:33 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 12:42 AM)jlbphila Wrote:  You're probably right, but allow me to play devil's advocate for a moment:

1. I'm pretty sure it sat 11,200. It's possible, I would think to maybe lower the floor and rebuild the lower level to add or keep capacity around that number and put in some floor level, revenue generating suites.

I believe that number was max capacity for events such as concerts. With basketball, nearly all of the floor seating was removed for the court, and cut down the capacity by 2K-3K.

I think 11,200 was capacity for basketball, as a kid I would cut the box scores and game photos out of the paper after every game and remember that number being on the bottom of most every one. Doesn't really matter to me what they do with it, I hope if they tear it down they build a small concert venue like some have suggested. They could get all kinds of shows to fill a 5k seat venue.

No doubt about it - capacity for basketball was DEFINITELY 11,200.

Having settled that, I don't think it fills a need for UofM. The FEF is a top-notch facility and it is a recruiting advantage for men's basketball to play in a great facility shared by an NBA team. At the same time, I think the Fieldhouse is adequate for women's sports - volleyball and basketball. Is it EVER sold out? It is ON campus which enhances student attendance and this would be diminished by moving these games to the MSC. Although they may have tried already, I think that the University should do more to get students to the FEF for the men's game. Surround attendance with some sorts of promotions that make it a don't-want-to-miss event. There are ways to overcome the campus-to-FEF distance issue, they just need to do it.

I do think that the MSC might be able to serve as a concert/civic center of some sort. I know there is a no-compete clause with FEF, but it can still hold concerts and events with seating below some level. I haven't been in the building in 25 years, but if it is still somewhat functional, it seems to be a waste to just tear it down.

The real issue with getting students to FedExForum is money. Beale Street is not and never will be designed for a student's budget. It's expensive to enjoy Beale Street, and students don't have the money. Lower gas prices may help, but parking and food costs are still high compared to the old days at the Coliseum.

Speaking of the Coliseum. Tear it down. If the city needs a new smaller venue, put it out East. Start something new.

Why build anything on a piece of land that has generated ZERO economic spin-off in 50 years? See all the development that has sprung up around the Fairgrounds? There isn't any. There never has been. There won't be this time either.

Putting more money into the Fairgrounds is just pissing it away.

But I don't live there anymore. You guys are free to spend your money as you wish.

fine, but then Germantown or Collierville can pay for it...if they want it out there, let them pay for it.

(02-22-2015 02:21 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 02:17 PM)Claw Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 12:29 PM)hsvtiger Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 11:50 AM)nutbushtiger Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 11:33 AM)UofMstateU Wrote:  I believe that number was max capacity for events such as concerts. With basketball, nearly all of the floor seating was removed for the court, and cut down the capacity by 2K-3K.

I think 11,200 was capacity for basketball, as a kid I would cut the box scores and game photos out of the paper after every game and remember that number being on the bottom of most every one. Doesn't really matter to me what they do with it, I hope if they tear it down they build a small concert venue like some have suggested. They could get all kinds of shows to fill a 5k seat venue.

No doubt about it - capacity for basketball was DEFINITELY 11,200.

Having settled that, I don't think it fills a need for UofM. The FEF is a top-notch facility and it is a recruiting advantage for men's basketball to play in a great facility shared by an NBA team. At the same time, I think the Fieldhouse is adequate for women's sports - volleyball and basketball. Is it EVER sold out? It is ON campus which enhances student attendance and this would be diminished by moving these games to the MSC. Although they may have tried already, I think that the University should do more to get students to the FEF for the men's game. Surround attendance with some sorts of promotions that make it a don't-want-to-miss event. There are ways to overcome the campus-to-FEF distance issue, they just need to do it.

I do think that the MSC might be able to serve as a concert/civic center of some sort. I know there is a no-compete clause with FEF, but it can still hold concerts and events with seating below some level. I haven't been in the building in 25 years, but if it is still somewhat functional, it seems to be a waste to just tear it down.

The real issue with getting students to FedExForum is money. Beale Street is not and never will be designed for a student's budget. It's expensive to enjoy Beale Street, and students don't have the money. Lower gas prices may help, but parking and food costs are still high compared to the old days at the Coliseum.

Speaking of the Coliseum. Tear it down. If the city needs a new smaller venue, put it out East. Start something new.

Why build anything on a piece of land that has generated ZERO economic spin-off in 50 years? See all the development that has sprung up around the Fairgrounds? There isn't any. There never has been. There won't be this time either.

Putting more money into the Fairgrounds is just pissing it away.

But I don't live there anymore. You guys are free to spend your money as you wish.

fine, but then Germantown or Collierville can pay for it...if they want it out there, let them pay for it.

Interesting comment. I've been gone close to 5 years.

Here's my question: Are the people pushing to save the Coliseum from Memphis or the burbs?

Are the Germantown and Collierville people already asking the city to pay for something they want?

IMO, the University of Memphis should build a 13-15k seat arena on campus and allow non-University events to rent it (I.e. Concerts). Have FedExForum host 3 big games a year plus host conference and NCAA games. If the rule hasn't been changed, Memphis would be allowed to play at FedExForum since it's not the primary home arena.

Going back to MSC should never been mentioned in conjunction with the Men's basketball team.

If you are leasing a recent model Mercedes S-Class with unlimited mileage, why would you drive around in an 73 Ford Fairmont just because you made your first baby on that Ford?

(02-22-2015 10:59 AM)UofMemphis Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 02:04 AM)21-17 Best Time I Ever Ha Wrote:  Stay tuned. It would cost more to tear it down, 33 million, than to renovate it, 30,000 million. It is not in bad shape. That is what the developers want you to think. The community is about to be presented with numerous amazing uses for it and the surrounding area. Check out the Save the Mid-South Coliseum site on Facebook. Memphians will ultimately decided what WE want to do with that area, not the politicians and developers with all the risk on OUR tax dollars.

Open your mind and follow the news. Don't be misled.

It's USELESS...the no compete clause isn't going anywhere...don't be misled, it's just an old arena, not some historic site.

The non-compete didn't apply to the Tigers unless it was added when they Tigers made a deal to play in FEF.

(02-22-2015 01:49 PM)DallasTiger Wrote:  Being adjacent to the Fairgrounds, a vacant Liberty Bowl, outdoor parking (in January and February) and the old Libertyland instead of hotels, nice restaurants, the Riverfront and Beale Street is certainly an advantage worth exploring.

That is cute...but no where near the point of the original poster.

While we have already recognized it is just generalized thoughts...a better way to out the above could be...

Being adjacent to our football stadium
An often packed Tiger lane
Plenty of parking
A revitalized fairgrounds with hotels coming
Significantly closer to campus
Significantly closer to more of the fanbase
A revitalized fairgrounds with restaurants coming as well
A very nice Kroc center instead of a very old Libertyland

Why would anyone want to at least throw out that just maybe there are some advantages to your own arena very close to your own campus?

See...

See what?

(02-22-2015 04:54 PM)Mimi Wrote:  

(02-22-2015 01:49 PM)DallasTiger Wrote:  Being adjacent to the Fairgrounds, a vacant Liberty Bowl, outdoor parking (in January and February) and the old Libertyland instead of hotels, nice restaurants, the Riverfront and Beale Street is certainly an advantage worth exploring.

That is cute...but no where near the point of the original poster.

While we have already recognized it is just generalized thoughts...a better way to out the above could be...

Being adjacent to our football stadium
An often packed Tiger lane
Plenty of parking
A revitalized fairgrounds with hotels coming
Significantly closer to campus
Significantly closer to more of the fanbase
A revitalized fairgrounds with restaurants coming as well
A very nice Kroc center instead of a very old Libertyland

Why would anyone want to at least throw out that just maybe there are some advantages to your own arena very close to your own campus?

See...

You have two CLOSED hotels with in a 5 minute drive of the fairgrounds. If they cannot stay open what makes you think one inside the fairground can? You have two CLOSED restaurants with in 5 WALKING minutes of the fairgrounds. NOT counting the three closed fast food places.

It was loud but also had bad site lines. Only arena I have ever been in where the seats up were better than the seats down.

Time for the building to go. Reminds me of the Tad Pad. It has outlived its usefulness.

I have to admit I'm somewhat surprised, but it's clear the majority here prefers staying downtown in an (albeit slightly) oversized arena run by an NBA team. Personally I have found the game-environments in the Pyramid and FEF lacking - and would appreciate a truer college experience, but obviously I'm in the minority.

(02-22-2015 06:11 PM)jlbphila Wrote:  I have to admit I'm somewhat surprised, but it's clear the majority here prefers staying downtown in an (albeit slightly) oversized arena run by an NBA team. Personally I have found the game-environments in the Pyramid and FEF lacking - and would appreciate a truer college experience, but obviously I'm in the minority.

No, I think almost everyone would prefer a true college experience like Cameron Indoor, but the issue with an on-campus arena has always been lack of space. It takes a large tract of land to provide building and parking for 15,000 people, and there just isn't enough space adjacent to the university.

But the coliseum would not provide that anymore now than it ever did. That's what the tiger paw prints down Central are all about. Students had to take the bus to see games. It may be closer to campus than the FedEx Forum, but so is Shelby Farms.