“The conference is expected to move the tournament to the St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena — a newly built 4,200-seat facility — in Washington D.C.”

https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/ca...89e40.html

It’s next to the Congress Heights metro station. SE DC, further southeast than Nats Park.

Brand new venue that is still being constructed. It will be the home to the WNBA’s Washington Mystics and the Capital City Go-Go (Wizards G league affiliate). It’ll also be a wizards training facility.

It looks like they’re trying to develop the entire area and revamp it.

(06-17-2018 06:45 PM)Potomac Wrote:  “The conference is expected to move the tournament to the St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena — a newly built 4,200-seat facility — in Washington D.C.”

https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/ca...89e40.html

It’s next to the Congress Heights metro station. SE DC, further southeast than Nats Park.

Wow, thats great that it will be close - and "neutral"... but WOW .. we are moving to a 4200 seat arena.. .sad... we used to pack 10 k in the Richmond Coliseum every year when ODU /UR/VCU and GMU were in the conference... really shows you where the mindset of the CAA is when it comes to the future of its basketball schools. Assuming JMU ever makes the finals again, we would need 6-7 k seats alone in DC just for our own fans. All the smoke signals clearly say bolt this league as fast as we can when the right opportunity comes along.

Yeah not jazzed about the size of the venue, but let’s be honest, outside of JMU making the championship game or semifinals, we won’t be needing all 4,200 seats for other schools.

I like it except if JMU makes the finals. Heck, the nerds will probably fill 4,200 if they make it.

It is only a 3-year deal, so I don't know if that's that big a problem. If attendance goes up, there are other facilities around DC, Richmond, and others.

(06-17-2018 07:10 PM)jmufbs Wrote:  

(06-17-2018 06:45 PM)Potomac Wrote:  “The conference is expected to move the tournament to the St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena — a newly built 4,200-seat facility — in Washington D.C.”

https://www.postandcourier.com/sports/ca...89e40.html

It’s next to the Congress Heights metro station. SE DC, further southeast than Nats Park.

Wow, thats great that it will be close - and "neutral"... but WOW .. we are moving to a 4200 seat arena.. .sad... we used to pack 10 k in the Richmond Coliseum every year when ODU /UR/VCU and GMU were in the conference... really shows you where the mindset of the CAA is when it comes to the future of its basketball schools. Assuming JMU ever makes the finals again, we would need 6-7 k seats alone in DC just for our own fans. All the smoke signals clearly say bolt this league as fast as we can when the right opportunity comes along.

We finished last in the conference and have 1 win in the CAA Tournament in the last 5 years. Don’t think they’re banking on JMU making the finals.

Wow - this is a horrible location relative to night life, crime, hotels, access, etc. I haven’t looked yet but I believe there are next to none gathering places within walking distance. I imagine the tourney HQ will be at National Harbor which is nice area but way over priced for restaurants and hotels.

No getting around it. At least Richmond Coliseum, Baltimore Arena and the North Charleston Arena felt big time, even if the CAA doesn't fill them anymore. This is worse than some low majors conference finals.

Like it being in DC. Don’t like where it is in DC.

(06-17-2018 10:05 PM)olddawg Wrote:  No getting around it. At least Richmond Coliseum, Baltimore Arena and the North Charleston Arena felt big time, even if the CAA doesn't fill them anymore. This is worse than some low majors conference finals.

I feel like at this point, host it at the venue of the #1 seed each year on campus, or the previous season’s #1 regular season seed if they need more time for the logistics of planning.
This is what the America East and I think patriot league does. We’re kidding ourselves if we think we’re higher up the rung than those basketball conferences.

This will look like a joke on TV and will be a joke to DC area non CAA fans. Joey Ds comments are awful. At the very least he is in over his head.

Based on the video that has been put out, looks as if there's no seats along one of the sidelines. Seats are behind the two baskets and along only one side. Can you imagine if they place the camera on the side of the seats what will be seen. The place looks to be well suited for a concert rather than sports.

https://youtu.be/NEBAcZ5VPNc

Yeah although there’s some kind of upper level balcony overlooking the court, why build a facility without seating along both sidelines?
If you leave an area without seats, make it behind one of the baskets. Hopefully that’s an earlier, since-changed rendering...

Literally the middle of one of the worst neighborhoods in America

Hahaha that looks like a high school gym. Joey D strikes again! Guy is so bad at his job. This conference becomes more and more of a joke each day.

(06-18-2018 06:15 AM)#YEEHAWDUKES Wrote:  Hahaha that looks like a high school gym. Joey D strikes again! Guy is so bad at his job. This conference becomes more and more of a joke each day.

Yep, how many strikes does this bozo get before he's tossed out?

I live within easy driving range of there, and not sure I will attend due to the neighborhood. They could not have picked a crappier area if they tried. Dozens of choices in DC would have been better. Would have preferred something like Eagle Bank at GMU over this.

Slide 49 in the link below shows the arena configuration. With the CAA’s move to Monday semifinals and Tuesday finals there isn’t as much of a capacity issue. The semifinals and finals could be a tough ticket, but only if the right teams are playing. The CAA nightmare scenario would be 4 four of these teams to make the semis ... Drexel, Delaware, Hofstra, Elon, Northeastern. You might as well host it at the YMCA with fold out chairs on the sideline because they do not travel well.

I agree with Potomac that the CAA should go to on campus sites. I imagine they can negotiate a “free” arena rental and take advantage of volunteer labor from the host school too.
It isn’t really “fair” to visiting teams but as long as the host team earns it by being the #1 seed I don’t have a problem with it. I think the problem is that some schools don’t have a facility suitable for hosting. What do you do if Drexel is the #1 seed? If you give 200 tickets to every school there would be zero left the public.

Solution - pay off Joey D and have the tourney at JMU’s new Union Bank and Trust arena every year.

Washington Mystics arena

http://wjla.com/news/local/city-leaders-...-in-ward-8

https://wamu.org/story/18/05/29/resident...ce-ward-8/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/pub...story.html

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-...3457c2e88b
Barry farms projects are here to stay

http://www.fox5dc.com/news/local-news/dc...al-demoted

https://wtop.com/dc/2018/05/dcs-police-c...-violence/

This neighborhood is not safe for a public event. Period. Ward 8 is a borderline warzone. 55 murders over the last year, with numbers rising.

http://crimemap.dc.gov/Report.aspx
Crime stats are here - look at the 7th district in DC.

This is absolutely insane.

(06-17-2018 07:17 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  I like it except if JMU makes the finals. Heck, the nerds will probably fill 4,200 if they make it.

We drew 5700 when we made the final on Baltimore a few years back (Against Northeastern). The upside is the arema will sell out, which might ne better than playing in a large but empty arena.

Also, jw, where would you guys want it to be held? This thread is a lot more negative than the one on the WM board, Im curious where you would want it to be held instead of here? Maybe Richmond, but the coliseum is kinda a dump