(01-23-2018 06:09 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 02:56 PM)brock20 Wrote:  I would hope that our leaders aren't just hoping that something comes along with 80 million. There should be a vision. While Freedom Hall has been good, it shouldn't be a long term solution. An on campus arena or something close downtown with more seating should be the goal. Schools like James Madison aren't just sitting and waiting.

The region (upper east tn) needs a new arena.

No the leaders aren't hoping, they are turning plans into reality and are planning for a $76 million Humanities Building, the potential for a 2nd parking garage, opening a $38 million Fine Arts Center, opening an $13 million Interprofessional Education building, an $18 million expansion of Lamb Hall, etc. They have a lot on their plate besides dreaming about a facility that, at this time, is duplicative.


I'm probably a little sensitive because I know of the complexity of the moving parts at the University that don't have anything to do with athletics.

Thats good they are juggling lots of projects as that is what they are getting paid to do. Again, no one is asking for the next Rupp Arena. We are just looking to be on par with TN Tech, Austin Peay and Western. That’s not too much to ask.

The attitude from many on here is how Mullins and Stanton were able to get away with what they did for 10 years as other places would have rioted.

(01-23-2018 06:36 PM)brock20 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 06:09 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 02:56 PM)brock20 Wrote:  I would hope that our leaders aren't just hoping that something comes along with 80 million. There should be a vision. While Freedom Hall has been good, it shouldn't be a long term solution. An on campus arena or something close downtown with more seating should be the goal. Schools like James Madison aren't just sitting and waiting.

The region (upper east tn) needs a new arena.

No the leaders aren't hoping, they are turning plans into reality and are planning for a $76 million Humanities Building, the potential for a 2nd parking garage, opening a $38 million Fine Arts Center, opening an $13 million Interprofessional Education building, an $18 million expansion of Lamb Hall, etc. They have a lot on their plate besides dreaming about a facility that, at this time, is duplicative.


I'm probably a little sensitive because I know of the complexity of the moving parts at the University that don't have anything to do with athletics.

Thats good they are juggling lots of projects as that is what they are getting paid to do. Again, no one is asking for the next Rupp Arena. We are just looking to be on par with TN Tech, Austin Peay and Western. That’s not too much to ask.

The attitude from many on here is how Mullins and Stanton were able to get away with what they did for 10 years as other places would have rioted.

It is not just juggling projects. The state requires that 25% of the cost of each of those projects in matching (i.e. donor) funds from ETSU.

Brock, I don't care how new and shiny a facility is, if you put the 500-1000 fans (Michigan State got 1,100) into a 8,000+ seat arena it would be a worse environment than Bluenanza was this year. The women need to play in Brooks Gym, and that is no disrespect to the team but just the best for creating a home court advantage.

For the athletic staff that reads this board, I am personally going to redirect my season ticket money for women's basketball to other academic needs within the university next year if you don't get the bleacher situation fixed.

(01-23-2018 06:39 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 06:36 PM)brock20 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 06:09 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 02:56 PM)brock20 Wrote:  I would hope that our leaders aren't just hoping that something comes along with 80 million. There should be a vision. While Freedom Hall has been good, it shouldn't be a long term solution. An on campus arena or something close downtown with more seating should be the goal. Schools like James Madison aren't just sitting and waiting.

The region (upper east tn) needs a new arena.

No the leaders aren't hoping, they are turning plans into reality and are planning for a $76 million Humanities Building, the potential for a 2nd parking garage, opening a $38 million Fine Arts Center, opening an $13 million Interprofessional Education building, an $18 million expansion of Lamb Hall, etc. They have a lot on their plate besides dreaming about a facility that, at this time, is duplicative.


I'm probably a little sensitive because I know of the complexity of the moving parts at the University that don't have anything to do with athletics.

Thats good they are juggling lots of projects as that is what they are getting paid to do. Again, no one is asking for the next Rupp Arena. We are just looking to be on par with TN Tech, Austin Peay and Western. That’s not too much to ask.

The attitude from many on here is how Mullins and Stanton were able to get away with what they did for 10 years as other places would have rioted.

It is not just juggling projects. The state requires that 25% of the cost of each of those projects in matching (i.e. donor) funds from ETSU.

Right, that will take awhile to raise. That is why developing a plan now and starting the fundraising soon is needed.

(01-23-2018 06:57 PM)etsubuc Wrote:  Brock, I don't care how new and shiny a facility is, if you put the 500-1000 fans (Michigan State got 1,100) into a 8,000+ seat arena it would be a worse environment than Bluenanza was this year. The women need to play in Brooks Gym, and that is no disrespect to the team but just the best for creating a home court advantage.

For the athletic staff that reads this board, I am personally going to redirect my season ticket money for women's basketball to other academic needs within the university next year if you don't get the bleacher situation fixed.

Women are used to playing in empty arenas. They would probably rather play in something nicer that looks empty than a worse gym that looks sort of not empty. Would be interesting to hear what they thought though.

(01-23-2018 07:00 PM)brock20 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 06:39 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 06:36 PM)brock20 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 06:09 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 02:56 PM)brock20 Wrote:  I would hope that our leaders aren't just hoping that something comes along with 80 million. There should be a vision. While Freedom Hall has been good, it shouldn't be a long term solution. An on campus arena or something close downtown with more seating should be the goal. Schools like James Madison aren't just sitting and waiting.

The region (upper east tn) needs a new arena.

No the leaders aren't hoping, they are turning plans into reality and are planning for a $76 million Humanities Building, the potential for a 2nd parking garage, opening a $38 million Fine Arts Center, opening an $13 million Interprofessional Education building, an $18 million expansion of Lamb Hall, etc. They have a lot on their plate besides dreaming about a facility that, at this time, is duplicative.


I'm probably a little sensitive because I know of the complexity of the moving parts at the University that don't have anything to do with athletics.

Thats good they are juggling lots of projects as that is what they are getting paid to do. Again, no one is asking for the next Rupp Arena. We are just looking to be on par with TN Tech, Austin Peay and Western. That’s not too much to ask.

The attitude from many on here is how Mullins and Stanton were able to get away with what they did for 10 years as other places would have rioted.

It is not just juggling projects. The state requires that 25% of the cost of each of those projects in matching (i.e. donor) funds from ETSU.

Right, that will take awhile to raise. That is why developing a plan now and starting the fundraising soon is needed.

So you fundraises for a new arena in front of the projects on the state's building list? That really makes sense.

Remember we are just catching up to the other schools. Our projects are all important and they are not "either/or". The other schools somehow have done it.

(01-23-2018 07:04 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 07:00 PM)brock20 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 06:39 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 06:36 PM)brock20 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 06:09 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  No the leaders aren't hoping, they are turning plans into reality and are planning for a $76 million Humanities Building, the potential for a 2nd parking garage, opening a $38 million Fine Arts Center, opening an $13 million Interprofessional Education building, an $18 million expansion of Lamb Hall, etc. They have a lot on their plate besides dreaming about a facility that, at this time, is duplicative.


I'm probably a little sensitive because I know of the complexity of the moving parts at the University that don't have anything to do with athletics.

Thats good they are juggling lots of projects as that is what they are getting paid to do. Again, no one is asking for the next Rupp Arena. We are just looking to be on par with TN Tech, Austin Peay and Western. That’s not too much to ask.

The attitude from many on here is how Mullins and Stanton were able to get away with what they did for 10 years as other places would have rioted.

It is not just juggling projects. The state requires that 25% of the cost of each of those projects in matching (i.e. donor) funds from ETSU.

Right, that will take awhile to raise. That is why developing a plan now and starting the fundraising soon is needed.

So you fundraises for a new arena in front of the projects on the state's building list? That really makes sense.

The fine arts center was on the books for like 25 years and the football stadium got done before it so it obviously can be done.

(01-23-2018 07:17 PM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Remember we are just catching up to the other schools. Our projects are all important and they are not "either/or". The other schools somehow have done it.

Exactly. It’s time for ETSU to, for lack of a better term, build its empire.

(01-23-2018 07:22 PM)brock20 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 07:17 PM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Remember we are just catching up to the other schools. Our projects are all important and they are not "either/or". The other schools somehow have done it.

Exactly. It’s time for ETSU to, for lack of a better term, build its empire.

Other schools are closer to the source of power and money (Tennessee's governor and legislature) than is ETSU. Dr. Noland having worked at THEC has been a real plus.

We are also catching up with other schools in academic facilities, housing, and amenities. All that is expensive. Anyone been in Campus Center Building lately?

(01-23-2018 07:34 PM)BucDoctor Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 07:22 PM)brock20 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 07:17 PM)bucfan81 Wrote:  Remember we are just catching up to the other schools. Our projects are all important and they are not "either/or". The other schools somehow have done it.

Exactly. It’s time for ETSU to, for lack of a better term, build its empire.

Other schools are closer to the source of power and money (Tennessee's governor and legislature) than is ETSU. Dr. Noland having worked at THEC has been a real plus.

We are also catching up with other schools in academic facilities, housing, and amenities. All that is expensive. Anyone been in Campus Center Building lately?

That’s good. We shouldn’t stop until we at least catch up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NC...all_arenas

There are 11 division 1 programs in Tennessee. They all have arenas that seat at least 9k except us, UT Martin (a school of 6k students), Lipscomb (small private) and Belmont (small private). An arena of 8k is not unrealistic and is warranted.

(01-23-2018 08:08 PM)brock20 Wrote:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NC...all_arenas

There are 11 division 1 programs in Tennessee. They all have arenas that seat at least 9k except us, UT Martin (a school of 6k students), Lipscomb (small private) and Belmont (small private). An arena of 8k is not unrealistic and is warranted.

http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances/

And in case someone thinks our peer schools sell more tickets, receive more contributions, etc.

I'd settle for faster replays on the video boards. The Freedom Hall location is great and car traffic exits much quicker than if you were using an on-campus parking garage. Just my three cents.

Basketball attendance per home game

Tenn Tech..........2200
Tenn St..............3000
Austin Peay........2900
W. Carolina.........1200

The fans are pouring in to their 7-9k arenas.

Their arenas were built a long time ago at a cost from 5.5m..Austin Peay to 16.5 M for W. CAROLINA. A far cry from 80m needed to build one of similar size today.

(01-23-2018 03:30 PM)brock20 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 03:24 PM)etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote:  We have a nice place and it is the perfect size. Maybe continued upgrades and creature comforts to it, but no new arena talk please.

If you can find a way to get more floor seats and suites in there let me know.

Unless there is a Fire Marshal problem, put those removable bleachers on the area behind the basket. Won't probably hold all the students on a good night, but make it first come first serve. Have a spill over area in the section they are now in, or put bleachers on both sides for the students. That would put students as close as those at Cameron Indoor. They have people almost right up to the baseline. But one thing Cameron has is their baskets are suspended from the ceiling rather than on a floor base.

What area behind the baskets? There's barely enough room for one row of seats now.

(01-23-2018 10:28 PM)Buc76 Wrote:  Basketball attendance per home game

Tenn Tech..........2200
Tenn St..............3000
Austin Peay........2900
W. Carolina.........1200

The fans are pouring in to their 7-9k arenas.

Their arenas were built a long time ago at a cost from 5.5m..Austin Peay to 16.5 M for W. CAROLINA. A far cry from 80m needed to build one of similar size today.

You made my point. Programs with way less support and attendance then ETSU have bigger and better facilities.

As for cost to build, you can’t just throw numbers from 30 years ago and compare it to today. The longer they wait the more it will cost.

Why are so many of you all ok long term with a small off campus facility connected to a middle school? I will assume most on here aren’t huge donors (could be I don’t know) so as long as we are in freedom we will not have as good of seats as we would in a new arena because there aren’t enough premium or floor level seats for those donors. The students suffer because at best they get those lower seats behind the basket instead of on the floor. There are lots of other reasons.

I have enjoyed and supported the move to freedom hall but always assumed it was temporary until a permanent arena that was promised years ago was planned.

(01-23-2018 10:40 PM)etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 03:30 PM)brock20 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 03:24 PM)etsuBucsFan1988 Wrote:  We have a nice place and it is the perfect size. Maybe continued upgrades and creature comforts to it, but no new arena talk please.

If you can find a way to get more floor seats and suites in there let me know.

Unless there is a Fire Marshal problem, put those removable bleachers on the area behind the basket. Won't probably hold all the students on a good night, but make it first come first serve. Have a spill over area in the section they are now in, or put bleachers on both sides for the students. That would put students as close as those at Cameron Indoor. They have people almost right up to the baseline. But one thing Cameron has is their baskets are suspended from the ceiling rather than on a floor base.

They barely have room to put a single row of chairs back there for the press and cheerleaders on one end and Ron Ramsey’s crew on the other. This is the main problem with Freedom. Not enough room for lower level bleacher seats. The court area is just too small.

My point is simply those schools have tons of empty seats. Bigger arenas don't assure bigger crowds.

As I have stated, THE ONLY WAY FOR ETSU TO GET AN ON CAMPUS, 8000 SEAT ARENA, IS FOR A DONOR TO PONY UP 35-50MIL LIKE JERRY RICHARDSON DID FOR WOFFORD.

THERE ARE NO OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR SUCH A LARGE PROJECT.