Carnesecca Arena Design

S

SummerHoops

Active member
It’s evident Carnesecca is a tough place to play at for opposing teams. Perhaps those in the know would know more, but there seems to be ample room (see attached pics) to creatively enhance the lower sideline and behind the backboard area. Why can’t the sideline mimic Cameron indoor with fans right on top of the court? I understand we’d have less seats, but the environment would be electric and it would look more aesthetically pleasing. Season ticket holders can still occupy that space and be on top of court, rather than students.

Students can still be behind the basket. Perhaps, there is room to do more behind the basket as the current setup leaves a lot to be desired for.

I don’t think you have to reinvent the wheel or throw a ton of $$$ in enhancing the “image” of the arena. I think there’s a potential opportunity to renovate creatively. Wonder what others think, as I believe Pitino is recognizing the value and advantage we have at playing here.


johnnies.jpeg
duke.jpeg
 
Used to attend Fairfield games. They had old arena and through creative design last year reconfigured within same footprint to develop really nice 3,500 seat arena.

Our footprint differs of course, but to achieve 7,000 seats or so must be theoretically possible, but raising sufficient $ is obviously a bigger barrier. Btw, Nova plays most of their BE games in a 6,500 seat arena.
 
We used to have seating behind each basket. Maybe a few hundred in each end zone. They were pull out wooden bleachers that were maybe 6-8 rows. In fact after Louie retired, that’s where he sat and watched the games. When they redid the ceiling and had to add the newer style basketball goals with all the protective padding and mechanics, the end zone stands were removed. In the old days, our baskets were supported like your pix of Cameron. IMG_5723.jpegIMG_5724.jpeg
 
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Alumni Hall said:
We used to have seating behind each basket. Maybe a few hundred in each end zone. They were pull out wooden bleachers that were maybe 6-8 rows. In fact after Louie retired, that’s where he sat and watched the games. When they redid the ceiling and had to add the newer style basketball goals with all the protective padding and mechanics, the end zone stands were removed. In the old days, our baskets were supported like your pix of Cameron. View attachment 1728View attachment 1730
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that kid in the white sweatshirt was wowed

He actually looks like a young mjmaherjr
 
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I'm all in favor of either expanding Carnesecca Arena, which seems to be the more plausible option, or building a new on campus arena if St. John's wins the lottery. My question is: where do the Johnnies play their home games while either option is under construction? It seems that Barclays is out and UBS doesn't appear to be a viable season long option. That leaves MSG or another arena which has not yet been mentioned. WRT MSG, I doubt we'd get many fans to some of our out of conference games. Nobody has mentioned Nassau Coliseum. Is this a viable option?

My guess is expansion or new construction would take at least a year.
 
mjmaherjr said:
What year was that pic roughly ?
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Apologies to Alumni Hall for answering for him, that is the Dec.21,1996 game vs FDU. Felipe and Zendon’s junior year. Their first two seasons we had the hideous inaugural Red Storm jersey with the skyline design. Went with the bland generic jerseys in 96-97, before going with IMO the best uniforms in 1997-98. The Jordan jumpman design.
 
If any money being spent to renovate CA...
1. All seats have seatbacks.
2. Same footprint and location, build a bowl above current configuration, with additional 2000+ seating,... maybe with suites? Of course going back to point #1, modernizing all seating.
 
SummerHoops said:
It’s evident Carnesecca is a tough place to play at for opposing teams. Perhaps those in the know would know more, but there seems to be ample room (see attached pics) to creatively enhance the lower sideline and behind the backboard area. Why can’t the sideline mimic Cameron indoor with fans right on top of the court? I understand we’d have less seats, but the environment would be electric and it would look more aesthetically pleasing. Season ticket holders can still occupy that space and be on top of court, rather than students.

Students can still be behind the basket. Perhaps, there is room to do more behind the basket as the current setup leaves a lot to be desired for.

I don’t think you have to reinvent the wheel or throw a ton of $$$ in enhancing the “image” of the arena. I think there’s a potential opportunity to renovate creatively. Wonder what others think, as I believe Pitino is recognizing the value and advantage we have at playing here.


View attachment 1726
View attachment 1727
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The bleachers come right down to the court on the sidelines.

I remember a bunch of us heckling Darius Rice of Miami back in the day and he couldn’t escape us. We went back and forth all game. It’s a massive advantage when things are rolling. It was like yelling at my sister in the kitchen at Thanksgiving from the couch. That’s how close it was.

St. John’s has to stop the mom and pop act and just build a state of the art new arena. 7,500 seats…that size venue in NYC would generate a lot of money. Get some comedians or musical acts who can’t quite fill the pro arenas. Graduations, NYC high school basketball championships, etc.

MSG Theatre and Radio City are around 5,500 people capacity and have massive overhead.
 
Would you rather question for the board:

Would you rather: CA stays as it is now, or would you rather Mike Repole comes in with a massive donation to recreate CA. The only catch is the arena gets renamed to Repole Arena or Body Armour Arena

You down with it or no?
 
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