No seats needed! Fans should be standing most of the game! B)
Carnesseca Arena
- Thread starter rcatalano
- Start date
SJU14
Well-known member
Interest is there. That game didn't have a turnout because it wasn't part of ticket packages and everybody was upset we didn't make NCAA's.
I agree with the "if you build it, they will come." Student sections are terrible at CA. Most seats don't have backs. It doesn't allow for a good fan experience. I won't donate money to improve the current place, as I think a lot of it would be wasted. I would donate to build a new 8-12,000 seat arena that actually gives the fan something to experience. And I know many others feel the same way.
beast of the east
Active member
Average attendance is meaningless at this point. Villanova has played all three home games at the Pavillion, selling out all 3 easily. We played 2, with one at Garden. Broadway box office reports % of capacity sold, which means a ton.
FWIW, Villanova is replacing the Pavillion with a new arena, as part of a $600 million fund raising campaign. The Pavillion, was originally named the Dupont Pavillion, but the name was removed after the murder committed by Dupont, chronicled in the new Steve Carell movie.
beast of the east
Active member
Our fans only stand when bothered by a hemorrhoid.
beast of the east
Active member
I think if it wasn't for alimony we might be able to raise $50 million from redmen.com alone.
Class of 72
Active member
One game and you're complaining? If we ever meet you are getting a noogie! Some posters here have been attending games at Carnesecca for 40-50 years and yes, it has been hot, crammed and uncomfortable but no way is your high school gym nicer! We are better than any high school gym anywhere!!
The only regret I have is that seating was not added behind the baskets where the Little Theater and former swimming pool were located. Had that been part of the plan CA would look more like Maples Pavilion with around 7,000 seats. That is an ideal size for a college gym in a city like NYC. It is a $$ issue but even a prestigious school like Stanford with and endowment of over $21 Billion has not seen fit to change the "college" atmosphere on campus as is the case with filthy rich Duke. When you can play your marquee games at Madison Square Garden, we have the best of both worlds. Besides, my concern at Carnesecca is getting more young skinny butts into the arena's cramped seats while fans of a certain age enjoy seatbacks or our special fanny cushions.
ZanMan
Well-known member
A private Catholic school can't justify $50,000,000 on an arena for 10--12 games a year. It's not reasonable. And, say goodbye to MSG if this ever happens. You think they are gong to also then spend $$$ to rent it out for games while our new arena sits empty, not being used?
Think 72 is dead on. Rework of baseline seats would communicate sense of home court pit to visiting teams and TV audience as well. Current layout says bad high school gym to those of us whose knees no longer tolerate the weather in New York during basketball season and must gather in BOCA RATON to watch games. Big base line seating for student section at both ends set up as part of tuition package changes the feel of Carnesecca and makes it a visiting team nightmare and presents us as more attractive and zealous fan base to recruits.
FKASJU
Member
I dont think that a new arena is necessary, appropriate or even wise for many of the reasons mentioned already. However, improvements are necessary. Anyone who attended the Butler game can attest to how much of a nightmare it was. First, it took almost twenty minutes to enter the building. And since it was raining that that the fans were standing in the rain. That was the first sell out in a while and not exactly the welcoming feeling that many fans were looking for that hadnt been in a while. Next the lines for the bathrooma were unacceptable. For fans with families, that was reason enough not to return. Then, along the sams lines (pun intended) the concessions were an absolute joke at half. The wait, selection, under staffing and everything else was more indicative of a somewhat high level high school game than a major Ncaa event. Next, theyve got to figure out better parking. I know thats a meaningful investment, but they should at least have more staff around campus directing traffic, maybe allow for parking elsewhere on campus and provide a quick shuttle to the arena. Last, they need to do something to get more students involved. It needs to be more of a full campus event for students. Im not suggesting a full campus tailgate, but bands, contests, celebrations, cheerleaders, famous alumni etc should all be a more prominant part of the show.
All lf these are factors that controvute to the poor on campus attendence.
All lf these are factors that controvute to the poor on campus attendence.
If it was up to me, since resident students don't seem to be willing to create a raucous environment (with some notable exceptions [posters] of course), I would relegate CA to use by the "minor" sports and take advantage of being "NY's team" and rotate men's games among MSG, Barclay and someplace on the Island. Assuming, naturally, that the principals would agree to this..
FKASJU
Member
Not a bad idea, especially if the Coliseum gets renovated. However, i would doubt Hofstra would be too thrilled about that.
I think the administration would have a tough time letting the on campus games go though. Plus, im not sure its great for recruiting to tell kids that they get to play on MSG and then are nomads. Plus, im sure it would have an impact on season ticket sales
STJ11Redmen
Active member
They'd lose season ticket holders that way and completely lose the student body. Will I go back to campus to see SJU play LIU? yes. Will I go to a 90% empty Nassau Coliseum/Barclays Center to see SJU play LIU? No. Not to mention we would have to pay rent at those places.
Class of 72
Active member
Jersey johnny posted a link that explains all there is to the plan at present. Absent a big donation, what you see is what you get. To me the absolute insult to fans is the outdoor lines in the dead of winter for most fans. The security is way over the top and is positioned incorrectly right at the entrance doors rather than at the entry gates so most fans are queued indoor with the outside doors left open. A small investment would expand the front into a real glass enclosed atrium doubling the size of the entrance and moving the ridiculous ticket windows. Alas, change comes slowly at SJU.
beast of the east
Active member
Note: When is rains I carry an umbrella or wear rain gear, or both. Are we now blaming SJU for the weather or post 9-11, post Boston Marathon bombing security. FWIW, when I went to a BC football game this year it took about 25 minutes to get through security at the Colorado State game. Where I park I can always get out of CA in 5 minutes from my car, so that's not a problem for me. Commensurately for BC football, from the point the game ended until we got to our car and out of the lots, about 90 minutes had elapsed.
STJ11Redmen
Active member
Anyone who parks in the lot next to the soccer field is a fool. Park in the garage, it's the same walk to the arena and theres no traffic backup at all because you can turn right onto 3 different roads without being held up by a light.
beast of the east
Active member
What I'd want more than anything is a real home court advantage with teeth. A place no one wants to play, where the crowd is worth 10 points.
How many seats we have, I don't care. Until the demand far outstrips capacity, no need to discuss this.
Seatbacks, yes, this would be nice.
Class of 72
Active member
If you went to a BC football game you deserved to wait 3 hours to escape from those backstabbing traitors stadium even if your kid is a BC student. A Catholic school in the ACC? Blasphemy! :angry: