(05-14-2017 02:33 AM)_C2_ Wrote:  

(05-14-2017 01:31 AM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  UMKC almost certainly leaves the WAC after next year. Their AD has been quoted about the need for geographic rivals and lower expenses. WAC needs Chi St.

Chicago St's arena is very unique. I don't think there's a D1 venue like it. Great sightlines to watch a game. Only a few hundred show up. Very accessible. South siders missing a hidden gem.

Should have been built for UIC though from what I can tell they also have a nice arena.

Should've never been built in the first place honestly. Saving $38MM by not building anything wouldn't come close to solving Illinois' budget crisis, but the last thing they needed to spend money on was a new arena. Then again they broke ground in 2002 according to Wikipedia, things weren't nearly as dire for them back then.

In reality, CSU should be a community college at the most. The idea behind having a four-year university around to provide affordable education for poor south siders is noble in intent, but it's very difficult to execute in a sustainable manner. When there's a glut of other struggling public schools nearby (Governors State, NEIU) and across the state (WIU, EIU, SIU) combined with a budget crunch, someone's gonna be on the chopping block, and CSU is the 'easy' choice given their recent troubles. A two-year school would serve its purpose well in that area, an associates degree for many nearby students would be enough to open up a number of opportunities that'd be unavailable to them otherwise. A closure is probably the most logical option financially, but that'd be politically difficult to accomplish given the limited number of other options around.