Carnesecca Arena Gripes

[beast of the east]

That 30 million was reduced to 5 million and I'd still like to know where that money went.





 

I'm sure you are joking but what $30 million?

I am thinking that the structure
Of the upper level would not be as simple as putting seats where the bleachers were. Honestly I dont even think seats would cause many tv viewers to come to ganes

I was referring to the previous post that mentioned 30 million. Supposedly we spent 5 but I have my doubts it was all spent on CA.

Given the timing it probably included the construction of taffner, the current athletic department offices, and meeting rooms.

I tend to agree with you that they likely included the Taffner project but it is very questionable reporting to mention only Carnesecca arena to make it look like they did  more than was actually done to upgrade the arena.  Even if that was the case, it would imply that St. John's spent $14,000,000 on Carnesecca arena which is absurd even if they used inflated union shop costs at the time.
Finally, you imply that any costs of renovating CA like seat backs should be passed on to fans.  WHY ?  The dollars used would have been "donated" funds. If they can't raise the funds then leave the arena alone and schedule some non conference home games at UBS against Q1 opponents.


 

When seatbacks went in previous time, ticket prices for those seats were raised significantly. As pointed out earlier, donations only partially pay for capital projects, and the rest covered by loans. Revenue producing sports generate the dollars that finance all other varsity sports, men and women. Even so, a successful sports program must raise funds to offset the shortfall of revenue vs. Costs.

 

[Franny80]

That 30 million was reduced to 5 million and I'd still like to know where that money went.






 

I'm sure you are joking but what $30 million?

I am thinking that the structure
Of the upper level would not be as simple as putting seats where the bleachers were. Honestly I dont even think seats would cause many tv viewers to come to ganes

I was referring to the previous post that mentioned 30 million. Supposedly we spent 5 but I have my doubts it was all spent on CA.

Given the timing it probably included the construction of taffner, the current athletic department offices, and meeting rooms.

I tend to agree with you that they likely included the Taffner project but it is very questionable reporting to mention only Carnesecca arena to make it look like they did  more than was actually done to upgrade the arena.  Even if that was the case, it would imply that St. John's spent $14,000,000 on Carnesecca arena which is absurd even if they used inflated union shop costs at the time.
Finally, you imply that any costs of renovating CA like seat backs should be passed on to fans.  WHY ?  The dollars used would have been "donated" funds. If they can't raise the funds then leave the arena alone and schedule some non conference home games at UBS against Q1 opponents.



 

When seatbacks went in previous time, ticket prices for those seats were raised significantly. As pointed out earlier, donations only partially pay for capital projects, and the rest covered by loans. Revenue producing sports generate the dollars that finance all other varsity sports, men and women. Even so, a successful sports program must raise funds to offset the shortfall of revenue vs. Costs.

I trust your information Beast as I am neither a season ticket holder or belong to the red and white club and don't get any first hand information as some here but when I did have season tickets for over 20 years I remember tickets increasing in price almost every year. I was in the second level center court. Now I mostly attend games at MSG because of the convenience of the LIRR compared to driving into the city.

I don't know how much of the cost of installing seats was donated versus borrowed but that cost had to be minimal given the delivered product.  I love college basketball and have attended games at Hofstra and Stony Brook out here on the island at half the cost.
Given that St. John's rarely sells out games and often have over a thousand empty seats, prices should be decreased to get butts in seats.  

 

 

[beast of the east]

Hey I appreciate that you come out to MSG to support our kids.  That's grear.

If I recall ticket increases, it seemed they'd add a game and increase prices, ten next year have one less home game and keep it the same, then add an Msg game and raise prices, then take it away and keep prices same.  

I may be wrong but it felt that way.

I've been told that the avg ca ticket price this season is $12 which is ridiculously low.   We may be the best value in ny sports.



 

 

[Franny80]

https://redstormsports.com/sports/2018/6/12/facilities-taffner-fieldhouse-html.aspx

Since I can't ask on the main board I will ask it here:

If Taffner were designed properly in 2005 and was given a so-called face-lift in 2015, why are fans here so focused on blaming our training facilities for continual mediocre results from our men's basketball program?
St. John's was a brand name in New York City for decades when it came to college basketball. It was most successful before Taffner was even built. Both Fran Frascilla and Steve Lavin were able to recruit at a high level..
Are Gonzaga or Duke or Villanova utilizing training facilities light years ahead of Taffner?

Let's compare apples and apples.  Gonzaga opened Volker in 2018. It has approximately 54,000 square feet and two more practice courts than Taffner. Taffner has 43,000 sf but got significant internal upgrades in 2015.  The difference is very negligible.  Gonzaga is located in Spokane. SPOKANE!!!
Yet, because of their legendary coach and winning culture, they attract high level athletes from unique targeted areas. 
Now let's look at Duke. The historic BB program finally opened a new training facility around the time Taffner was already operational.  It is about the size of Volker.
According to the Duke website:
"The university approval process was protracted and hinged partially on the athletics department's ability to raise all of the funding, about $15 million, before construction could begin. The design itself went through numerous revisions even after the 2006 groundbreaking." Krzyzewski admited that initial campus resistance was intense.

An interesting note on the site states:
"Mike Cragg, the associate athletics director for basketball, was the program's point man for the project. He organized those early developmental efforts, coordinated much of the interaction between Duke and the construction and design firms involved in the building and worked closely with the fund-raising element."

I know that some of you loyalists will say oh, but we are not in the same league as Gonzaga or Duke!  Well folks, that's true. We are in a BETTER basketball league, the Big East!
We are located where most good basketball players from Louisiana to Canada dream of visiting --- New York City.

Sure, spend another couple of million dollars on Taffner and Carnesecca!  But I firmly believe that if we spent another $30 million on both it wouldn't change a thing compared to the current state of the athletic department.
The difference makers are unrelated to any of the above noise we use to excuse our 20 year failure to stabilize the coaching staff.  Chris Mullin gave everyone hope and attendance shot up but he was an utter failure as a coach and recruiter. Coach Anderson still gives us hope because this year injuries, Covid and pure bad luck are haunting the program once again.
Four of our losses could have easily been wins. 
Let's see what recruits CMA can sell on playing in the Big Apple and the Big East. Ultimately, he and Cragg are all we got right now..  Let's keep hope alive..

And hey Dave LoRe and Jermane Attoil, come back to visit me some time.  Your still rookies at heart.

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

https://redstormsports.com/sports/2018/6/12/facilities-taffner-fieldhouse-html.aspx

Since I can't ask on the main board I will ask it here:

If Taffner were designed properly in 2005 and was given a so-called face-lift in 2015, why are fans here so focused on blaming our training facilities for continual mediocre results from our men's basketball program?
St. John's was a brand name in New York City for decades when it came to college basketball. It was most successful before Taffner was even built. Both Fran Frascilla and Steve Lavin were able to recruit at a high level..
Are Gonzaga or Duke or Villanova utilizing training facilities light years ahead of Taffner?

Let's compare apples and apples.  Gonzaga opened Volker in 2018. It has approximately 54,000 square feet and two more practice courts than Taffner. Taffner has 43,000 sf but got significant internal upgrades in 2015.  The difference is very negligible.  Gonzaga is located in Spokane. SPOKANE!!!
Yet, because of their legendary coach and winning culture, they attract high level athletes from unique targeted areas. 
Now let's look at Duke. The historic BB program finally opened a new training facility around the time Taffner was already operational.  It is about the size of Volker.
According to the Duke website:
"The university approval process was protracted and hinged partially on the athletics department's ability to raise all of the funding, about $15 million, before construction could begin. The design itself went through numerous revisions even after the 2006 groundbreaking." Krzyzewski admited that initial campus resistance was intense.

An interesting note on the site states:
"Mike Cragg, the associate athletics director for basketball, was the program's point man for the project. He organized those early developmental efforts, coordinated much of the interaction between Duke and the construction and design firms involved in the building and worked closely with the fund-raising element."

I know that some of you loyalists will say oh, but we are not in the same league as Gonzaga or Duke!  Well folks, that's true. We are in a BETTER basketball league, the Big East!
We are located where most good basketball players from Louisiana to Canada dream of visiting --- New York City.

Sure, spend another couple of million dollars on Taffner and Carnesecca!  But I firmly believe that if we spent another $30 million on both it wouldn't change a thing compared to the current state of the athletic department.
The difference makers are unrelated to any of the above noise we use to excuse our 20 year failure to stabilize the coaching staff.  Chris Mullin gave everyone hope and attendance shot up but he was an utter failure as a coach and recruiter. Coach Anderson still gives us hope because this year injuries, Covid and pure bad luck are haunting the program once again.
Four of our losses could have easily been wins. 
Let's see what recruits CMA can sell on playing in the Big Apple and the Big East. Ultimately, he and Cragg are all we got right now..  Let's keep hope alive..

And hey Dave LoRe and Jermane Attoil, come back to visit me some time.  Your still rookies at heart.

Do you think the quality of a facility is based on its square footage?

 

[Franny80]

https://redstormsports.com/sports/2018/6/12/facilities-taffner-fieldhouse-html.aspx

Since I can't ask on the main board I will ask it here:

If Taffner were designed properly in 2005 and was given a so-called face-lift in 2015, why are fans here so focused on blaming our training facilities for continual mediocre results from our men's basketball program?
St. John's was a brand name in New York City for decades when it came to college basketball. It was most successful before Taffner was even built. Both Fran Frascilla and Steve Lavin were able to recruit at a high level..
Are Gonzaga or Duke or Villanova utilizing training facilities light years ahead of Taffner?

Let's compare apples and apples.  Gonzaga opened Volker in 2018. It has approximately 54,000 square feet and two more practice courts than Taffner. Taffner has 43,000 sf but got significant internal upgrades in 2015.  




 

Do you think the quality of a facility is based on its square footage?

Of course not and nowhere did I imply that. It is a reference point.
Of course what I would expect you to ask is within that square footage, what makes the three facilities radically different?  They are all contemporary to each other. Taffner got "upgrades" in 2015.  Taffner may be a notch or two below because of poor design, planning and graft.  But do you think a recruit would choose Duke, Gonzaga or Villanova because their training facilities are "far superior"?
I think most people know the answer.  
It has nothing to do with square footage or weight rooms or a 24hour snack room..

The bottom line is we have spent as much on Taffner as Villanova spent on their new training facility.  Read on:

"The $18 million Andrew J. Talley Athletic Center was officially dedicated on Oct. 21, 2016. This beautiful new facility adds on to the Jake Nevin Field House and provides a stunning backdrop for the Villanova Stadium all while further developing our student-athletes by supplying a state-of-the-art athletic training center within one centralized location.A Hall of Fame room, meeting rooms, 100-seat theater for team meetings and film sessions, athletic training room, varsity weight room, academic support meeting space, locker rooms, equipment room and a reception area."



 

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

https://redstormsports.com/sports/2018/6/12/facilities-taffner-fieldhouse-html.aspx

Since I can't ask on the main board I will ask it here:

If Taffner were designed properly in 2005 and was given a so-called face-lift in 2015, why are fans here so focused on blaming our training facilities for continual mediocre results from our men's basketball program?
St. John's was a brand name in New York City for decades when it came to college basketball. It was most successful before Taffner was even built. Both Fran Frascilla and Steve Lavin were able to recruit at a high level..
Are Gonzaga or Duke or Villanova utilizing training facilities light years ahead of Taffner?

Let's compare apples and apples.  Gonzaga opened Volker in 2018. It has approximately 54,000 square feet and two more practice courts than Taffner. Taffner has 43,000 sf but got significant internal upgrades in 2015.  





 

Do you think the quality of a facility is based on its square footage?

Of course not and nowhere did I imply that. It is a reference point.
Of course what I would expect you to ask is within that square footage, what makes the three facilities radically different?  They are all contemporary to each other. Taffner got "upgrades" in 2015.  Taffner may be a notch or two below because of poor design, planning and graft.  But do you think a recruit would choose Duke, Gonzaga or Villanova because their training facilities are "far superior"?
I think most people know the answer.  
It has nothing to do with square footage or weight rooms or a 24hour snack room..

The bottom line is we have spent as much on Taffner as Villanova spent on their new training facility.  Read on:

"The $18 million Andrew J. Talley Athletic Center was officially dedicated on Oct. 21, 2016. This beautiful new facility adds on to the Jake Nevin Field House and provides a stunning backdrop for the Villanova Stadium all while further developing our student-athletes by supplying a state-of-the-art athletic training center within one centralized location.A Hall of Fame room, meeting rooms, 100-seat theater for team meetings and film sessions, athletic training room, varsity weight room, academic support meeting space, locker rooms, equipment room and a reception area."




 

We didn’t spend as much on Taffner. And cost of construction of anything in NYC is significantly higher than Philadelphia. The dollar amount spent is not the measure of quality of the facility. 

 

[beast of the east]

If you recall, despite our #2 endowment in the Big East, when Covid initially ravaged in person education, an investigative news article targeted school that were at risk of insolvency if the crisis got worse.  I believe on a per student basis our endowment was $70k.  Villanova raises much more than sju and they have less than half the undergrads we do.

As is often pointed out to me, they are highly selective and their donor base reflects the success that a high % of their grads have had in their careers.

However, they do not create the opportunities that Sju creates for disadvantaged students, who frequently become the first college grads in their family.  Their upward mobility created by an sju degree is one of the most impressive things about sju.

Throw in the success of some of our schools and programs and you quickly understand that sju has figured out that you can be a great academic school while serving the poor and marginalized populations.

Facilities improvement will happen.  It's a critical if not essential piece of successful athletics programs.    It's not the only thing you sell a recruit, but it does put you in a competitive disadvantage when recruiting. 

 

 

[Franny80]

[URL]https://redstormsports.com/sports/2018/6/12/facilities-taffner-fieldhouse-html.aspx[/URL]

Since I can't ask on the main board I will ask it here:

If Taffner were designed properly in 2005 and was given a so-called face-lift in 2015, why are fans here so focused on blaming our training facilities for continual mediocre results from our men's basketball program?
St. John's was a brand name in New York City for decades when it came to college basketball. It was most successful before Taffner was even built. Both Fran Frascilla and Steve Lavin were able to recruit at a high level..
Are Gonzaga or Duke or Villanova utilizing training facilities light years ahead of Taffner?

Let's compare apples and apples.  Gonzaga opened Volker in 2018. It has approximately 54,000 square feet and two more practice courts than Taffner. Taffner has 43,000 sf but got significant internal upgrades in 2015.  






 

Do you think the quality of a facility is based on its square footage?

Of course not and nowhere did I imply that. It is a reference point.
Of course what I would expect you to ask is within that square footage, what makes the three facilities radically different?  They are all contemporary to each other. Taffner got "upgrades" in 2015.  Taffner may be a notch or two below because of poor design, planning and graft.  But do you think a recruit would choose Duke, Gonzaga or Villanova because their training facilities are "far superior"?
I think most people know the answer.  
It has nothing to do with square footage or weight rooms or a 24hour snack room..

The bottom line is we have spent as much on Taffner as Villanova spent on their new training facility.  Read on:

"The $18 million Andrew J. Talley Athletic Center was officially dedicated on Oct. 21, 2016. This beautiful new facility adds on to the Jake Nevin Field House and provides a stunning backdrop for the Villanova Stadium all while further developing our student-athletes by supplying a state-of-the-art athletic training center within one centralized location.A Hall of Fame room, meeting rooms, 100-seat theater for team meetings and film sessions, athletic training room, varsity weight room, academic support meeting space, locker rooms, equipment room and a reception area."





 

We didn’t spend as much on Taffner. And cost of construction of anything in NYC is significantly higher than Philadelphia. The dollar amount spent is not the measure of quality of the facility. 

Did you bother to read the above???
We spent $16 million to construct Taffner in 2005.
Eleven years later Villanova spent $18 million at 2016 costs.
We actually spent more on Taffner than Villanova spent!!!!
Blab about NYC costs all you like but St. John's was not building in Manhattan but Queens.  The fact of the matter is we overpaid for the project. Plus we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in upgrades to Taffner since.
Please stop blaming Taffner and Carnesecca arena for mediocre recruiting and bad management practices over the years!
We have real professionals now with Father Shanley, coach Anderson and Mike Cragg.
Get the players, win games and get to the NCAA tournament!
The field house and Carnesecca arena have minimal impact on fan and media apathy.
See Gonzaga for reference.

[URL]https://www.torchonline.com/[/URL]

 

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

 

 

We didn’t spend as much on Taffner. And cost of construction of anything in NYC is significantly higher than Philadelphia. The dollar amount spent is not the measure of quality of the facility. 

Did you bother to read the above???
We spent $16 million to construct Taffner in 2005.
Eleven years later Villanova spent $18 million at 2016 costs.
We actually spent more on Taffner than Villanova spent!!!!
Blab about NYC costs all you like but St. John's was not building in Manhattan but Queens.  The fact of the matter is we overpaid for the project. Plus we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in upgrades to Taffner since.
Please stop blaming Taffner and Carnesecca arena for mediocre recruiting and bad management practices over the years!
We have real professionals now with Father Shanley, coach Anderson and Mike Cragg.
Get the players, win games and get to the NCAA tournament!
The field house and Carnesecca arena have minimal impact on fan and media apathy.
See Gonzaga for reference.

[URL]https://www.torchonline.com/[/URL]

 

You do know that Queens is part of New York City? NYC construction costs are substantially higher than Philly. Call it blab all you want, it is reality. Queens doesn’t use different unions, different materials, etc than Manhattan. 

Do you think St. John’s facilities are equivalent to Villanova’s? Or do you think our terrible facilities compared to other schools is irrelevant in recruiting?

 

[bamafan]

Can't take credit because it was suggested to me but Proud Alum=Beast of the East

 

[Franny80]

 

 

We didn’t spend as much on Taffner. And cost of construction of anything in NYC is significantly higher than Philadelphia. The dollar amount spent is not the measure of quality of the facility. 

Did you bother to read the above???
We spent $16 million to construct Taffner in 2005.
Eleven years later Villanova spent $18 million at 2016 costs.
We actually spent more on Taffner than Villanova spent!!!!
Blab about NYC costs all you like but St. John's was not building in Manhattan but Queens.  The fact of the matter is we overpaid for the project. Plus we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in upgrades to Taffner since.
Please stop blaming Taffner and Carnesecca arena for mediocre recruiting and bad management practices over the years!
We have real professionals now with Father Shanley, coach Anderson and Mike Cragg.
Get the players, win games and get to the NCAA tournament!
The field house and Carnesecca arena have minimal impact on fan and media apathy.
See Gonzaga for reference.

[URL]https://www.torchonline.com/[/URL]

 

You do know that Queens is part of New York City? NYC construction costs are substantially higher than Philly. Call it blab all you want, it is reality. Queens doesn’t use different unions, different materials, etc than Manhattan. 

Do you think St. John’s facilities are equivalent to Villanova’s? Or do you think our terrible facilities compared to other schools is irrelevant in recruiting?

Have you even been inside Taffner? 
Do you think that St. John's intentionally misrepresented the Taffner press releases over the past few years?
Who created this latest excuse for our poor results?
What independent comparisons have been made among the training facilities at all Big Schools?
If you visit each school's website what makes one facility better than the other(s)??
Seton Hall has been more successful than St. John's over the past decade. Do you know where they practice???......in the basement of Walsh Gym! They are just now planning for a new dedicated training facility that will cost $40 million in 2023 or later.
When Taffner opened it was state-of-the-art. Over the past 16 years and spending hundreds of thousands on renovations, what has it done for our success in recruiting and wins?
Taffner is a distraction for the excuse makers.
Start winning and become a national power and you can turn Carnesecca arena into a new multilevel practice facility because if we were a perennial top 20 team like Gonzaga or Villanova all our basketball games would be played at MSG and UBS arena.
With that success and $100,000,000 from donors we could tear down Taffner and build that new Repole Arena with 8,000 seats you all want.
 

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

 

Do you think St. John’s facilities are equivalent to Villanova’s? Or do you think our terrible facilities compared to other schools is irrelevant in recruiting?

Have you even been inside Taffner? 
Do you think that St. John's intentionally misrepresented the Taffner press releases over the past few years?
Who created this latest excuse for our poor results?
What independent comparisons have been made among the training facilities at all Big Schools?
If you visit each school's website what makes one facility better than the other(s)??
Seton Hall has been more successful than St. John's over the past decade. Do you know where they practice???......in the basement of Walsh Gym! They are just now planning for a new dedicated training facility that will cost $40 million in 2023 or later.
When Taffner opened it was state-of-the-art. Over the past 16 years and spending hundreds of thousands on renovations, what has it done for our success in recruiting and wins?
Taffner is a distraction for the excuse makers.
Start winning and become a national power and you can turn Carnesecca arena into a new multilevel practice facility because if we were a perennial top 20 team like Gonzaga or Villanova all our basketball games would be played at MSG and UBS arena.
With that success and $100,000,000 from donors we could tear down Taffner and build that new Repole Arena with 8,000 seats you all want.
 

Ok at least now we can all see how completely outside of reality are your views on this. Go back and read the other discussions on facilities and the posts detailing the deficiencies of Taffner compared to the other schools. 

 

[beast of the east]

Can't take credit because it was suggested to me but Proud Alum=Beast of the East

I'm so flattered that I occupy your thoughts in private conversations. Sadly I don't pay you similar attention as soon as I read your posts. I apologize for that.

You also didn't mention that i could also be Jack Williams or RealFan. The truth is that its pathetic enough to have posted here thousands of time without creating an alter ego.

I've never met ProudAlum, but suspect he will also be at MSG today. If you and your detective diehard SJU fan are in attendance I'll buy all 3 of you a beer.

Also sadly, I'm pretty sure Proud Alum is younger and better looking than I am. Based on what and how he writes, likely much smarter than me, you, and your detective friend.

Seriously, PM me and we can meet before during or after game.

 

[Knight]

I suspect that if SJU invests heavily in a new on campus arena that there will be big pressure to reduce or eliminate MSG games.

 

[Franny80]

 

Do you think St. John’s facilities are equivalent to Villanova’s? Or do you think our terrible facilities compared to other schools is irrelevant in recruiting?

Have you even been inside Taffner? 
Do you think that St. John's intentionally misrepresented the Taffner press releases over the past few years?
Who created this latest excuse for our poor results?
What independent comparisons have been made among the training facilities at all Big Schools?
If you visit each school's website what makes one facility better than the other(s)??
Seton Hall has been more successful than St. John's over the past decade. Do you know where they practice???......in the basement of Walsh Gym! They are just now planning for a new dedicated training facility that will cost $40 million in 2023 or later.
When Taffner opened it was state-of-the-art. Over the past 16 years and spending hundreds of thousands on renovations, what has it done for our success in recruiting and wins?
Taffner is a distraction for the excuse makers.
Start winning and become a national power and you can turn Carnesecca arena into a new multilevel practice facility because if we were a perennial top 20 team like Gonzaga or Villanova all our basketball games would be played at MSG and UBS arena.
With that success and $100,000,000 from donors we could tear down Taffner and build that new Repole Arena with 8,000 seats you all want.
 

Ok at least now we can all see how completely outside of reality are your views on this. Go back and read the other discussions on facilities and the posts detailing the deficiencies of Taffner compared to the other schools. 

I don't have the ability to respond on the main board like some that post once and are "promoted". No skin of my nose but no one has posted significant deficiencies compared to schools such Gonzaga, Seton Hall, Georgetown, Creighton or other similar programs.

Are we behind the curve facilities wise?
Is the Pope Catholic?
My point is that you and a few others are missing the trees in the forest. When Taffner was one of the finest training facilities in the Big East it did absolutely zilch to change the trajectory of the program.  
WHY?  Because Norm Roberts, who was coach in 2005, spent the next 5 years having losing records and finishing last in the Big East. All the while Seton Hall was practicing in the basement of Walsh gymnasium.
The Andrew J. Talley Athletic Center was officially dedicated on Oct. 21, 2016. Do you think Villanova had a better training facility between 2005 and 2016?????
The current state of Taffner is due to poor planning and getting a smaller bang for your bucks in New York because of corrupt contracting practices.  The current state of the program is the result of poor decisions on coaching staff like Norm Robets and Chris Mullin who set the program back and continued a trend of REBUILDING.

Maybe you should read the Rookie Board more often for your discussions.

 

 

[Franny80]

I suspect that if SJU invests heavily in a new on campus arena that there will be big pressure to reduce or eliminate MSG games.

BINGO!
Why invest in a new arena when you could be losing your biggest draw in playing in a world class arena. Especially if we played on a consistently high level with post season appearances.

 

 

[beast of the east]

 

Do you think St. John’s facilities are equivalent to Villanova’s? Or do you think our terrible facilities compared to other schools is irrelevant in recruiting?

Have you even been inside Taffner? 
Do you think that St. John's intentionally misrepresented the Taffner press releases over the past few years?
Who created this latest excuse for our poor results?
What independent comparisons have been made among the training facilities at all Big Schools?
If you visit each school's website what makes one facility better than the other(s)??
Seton Hall has been more successful than St. John's over the past decade. Do you know where they practice???......in the basement of Walsh Gym! They are just now planning for a new dedicated training facility that will cost $40 million in 2023 or later.
When Taffner opened it was state-of-the-art. Over the past 16 years and spending hundreds of thousands on renovations, what has it done for our success in recruiting and wins?
Taffner is a distraction for the excuse makers.
Start winning and become a national power and you can turn Carnesecca arena into a new multilevel practice facility because if we were a perennial top 20 team like Gonzaga or Villanova all our basketball games would be played at MSG and UBS arena.
With that success and $100,000,000 from donors we could tear down Taffner and build that new Repole Arena with 8,000 seats you all want.
 

Ok at least now we can all see how completely outside of reality are your views on this. Go back and read the other discussions on facilities and the posts detailing the deficiencies of Taffner compared to the other schools. 

I don't have the ability to respond on the main board like some that post once and are "promoted". No skin of my nose but no one has posted significant deficiencies compared to schools such Gonzaga, Seton Hall, Georgetown, Creighton or other similar programs.

Are we behind the curve facilities wise?
Is the Pope Catholic?
My point is that you and a few others are missing the trees in the forest. When Taffner was one of the finest training facilities in the Big East it did absolutely zilch to change the trajectory of the program.  
WHY?  Because Norm Roberts, who was coach in 2005, spent the next 5 years having losing records and finishing last in the Big East. All the while Seton Hall was practicing in the basement of Walsh gymnasium.
The Andrew J. Talley Athletic Center was officially dedicated on Oct. 21, 2016. Do you think Villanova had a better training facility between 2005 and 2016?????
The current state of Taffner is due to poor planning and getting a smaller bang for your bucks in New York because of corrupt contracting practices.  The current state of the program is the result of poor decisions on coaching staff like Norm Robets and Chris Mullin who set the program back and continued a trend of REBUILDING.

Maybe you should read the Rookie Board more often for your discussions.


 

I have never heard about corrupt contracting before. Can you expand with specifics. I'd love to hear this.

MSG would be a no brainer if we could draw 12k and above each game. We don't now so it's a no brainer still.