Facilities Development

[NCJohnnie]

Enright wrote:
CA has always been a cramped uncomfortable arena to watch a game. However for many years the Sly Fox Inn was open and one could spend an hour there pre game getting fortified before going across the street to CA.
Once it closed CA just seems hotter and more cramped.

Is there no longer a bar within walking distance of campus? Wow, in my day a Catholic college wouldn't have survived long without a gin mill nearby. 

 

[SJU Double Alumn]

Last I looked every fan has to answer to themselves and make decisions re tickets, attending games, flying back to NYC (in my case) a few times a year (thx to tickets from my guy Panther, others) & supporting program financially. I need no reminders on a fan board w such great frequency, but guess it is with good intentions. Go Johnnies! 

True, but it is fair game to call out someone who doesn't donate or contribute to the University who also critiques the school for not spending money.

 

[beast of the east]

Enright wrote:
CA has always been a cramped uncomfortable arena to watch a game. However for many years the Sly Fox Inn was open and one could spend an hour there pre game getting fortified before going across the street to CA.
Once it closed CA just seems hotter and more cramped.

Is there no longer a bar within walking distance of campus? Wow, in my day a Catholic college wouldn't have survived long without a gin mill nearby. 

I had a cousin since passed away who attended SJU's Jamaica campus in the early 60s.   In those days, students were not allowed to drink at any establishment within 1 mile of campus.   This is why Sam Cunningham (Sams) on union turnpike near the park, and Creighton and Grays were almost exactly 1 mile from campus. 

 

[19854ever]

beast I sent you a pm

 

[room112]

I'll tell you guys this much, those bench seats at CA are a whole lot less uncomfortable when we have a winning program. Say what you will, winning cures a lot of what ails us. 

This 100%!!! This is not meant to gang up on Beast of the East, because he's one of the most respect posters. And I totally understand how passionate he is about the wellbeing of the program and school. This back and forth is actually pretty interesting. But Monte nailed it. Beast, you're asking for fans to make the effort to show up and to donate, well those things are a lot easier to ask when there is a winning program in place, and like Monte said, a direction that is shown. We've all suffered way too long.

In the grand scheme of things, I'm not even sure how much of an impact a few extra of us locals from this board showing up and paying for tickets is going to make anyway. That's why earlier I said the school should try and create new fans. Most of us here have probably done as much as we reasonably can to support the school and program.

 

[monte]

Beast,

Could it be argued that funds were misspent by the Harrington and Gempesaw administrations on coaches and assistant coaches who did not deliver ? Was money left on the table back in 2004 when Norm was hired ? Was money left on the table again when Mike Repole voiced his concerns more recently? Did Fr Harrington mismanage the University for many years? Did Bobby Gempesaw mismanage as well? 

Fans/alumni have reasons to be skeptical about the direction of the school and the athletic program.  Right now we do not know the master plan for the school because last I checked it’s not fleshed out yet?

Will alumni hall be improved upon? will we move games to UBS ? What’s out status currently with MSG? 

More questions than answers right now and fans/alumni have a right to be frustrated. Why invest in a school and a program right now in which there is no clear direction just a talk of a committee. The last crack committee I remember the school having brought up the great idea of hiring Norm Roberts.

Spot on 85'. Many of us have donated over the years. Some years more, some less. Although I did not purchase season tickets last year, I did donate. How much and how often I donate is my business, just as it is everyone's own personal business. If I saw a clear direction and had hope in the future of the program, I might renew my season tickets and/or donate more. Again, that's my business and that has no bearing whatsoever on how much I should and shouldn't complain about the program after 21 years of futility. Some posters are conflating the 2 issues in a pathetic,  failed attempt at trying to guilt fans in to contributing more. That guilt trip may work with some fans, but it ain't working with most of us. 

 

[NCJohnnie]

Beast of the East wrote:
I had a cousin since passed away who attended SJU's Jamaica campus in the early 60s.   In those days, students were not allowed to drink at any establishment within 1 mile of campus.   This is why Sam Cunningham (Sams) on union turnpike near the park, and Creighton and Grays were almost exactly 1 mile from campus. 

Interesting. In the early 70s when I was in college (not SJU but I hung out there a lot) there was the Frontier Palace & Poor Richards Pub just across the road and there were sure a lot of SJU students who drank there.
 

 

[monte]

Beast of the East wrote:
I had a cousin since passed away who attended SJU's Jamaica campus in the early 60s.   In those days, students were not allowed to drink at any establishment within 1 mile of campus.   This is why Sam Cunningham (Sams) on union turnpike near the park, and Creighton and Grays were almost exactly 1 mile from campus. 

Interesting. In the early 70s when I was in college (not SJU but I hung out there a lot) there was the Frontier Palace & Poor Richards Pub just across the road and there were sure a lot of SJU students who drank there.

 

Pretty ironic that there used to be alcohol served on campus at The Rat, and now there's not even a bar within walking distance. I've always found it odd that in recent years no one opened a bar on Union Tnpke. I've also wondered if the school has something to do with that 

 

[BrooklynRed]

One theory that has not been raised regarding chair backs versus bench type seats is that in all probability is that the addition of seat backs may make the seats "permanent" while the bench seat sections can be "rolled" back, increasing the floor space of CA.  I have been going to AH/CA for 40 plus years and remember having seats in the last row of the middle tier. I was disappointed when we were moved up to better seats as I lost my seat back--the pipe fencing behind the last row.

 

[IDRAFT]

One theory that has not been raised regarding chair backs versus bench type seats is that in all probability is that the addition of seat backs may make the seats "permanent" while the bench seat sections can be "rolled" back, increasing the floor space of CA.  I have been going to AH/CA for 40 plus years and remember having seats in the last row of the middle tier. I was disappointed when we were moved up to better seats as I lost my seat back--the pipe fencing behind the last row.

I've got those seats now, have had them since 2012. I passed up seats as close as the second row in the middle tier to get them (they are also on the aisle.) They also include plenty of space behind you to throw a coat and of course no one is behind you. It's basically a Barcalounger!

 

[rcatalano]

It’s been said over and over again that we have the worst facilities in the Conference! That alone should be reason enough for Father Stanley to bite the bullet and raise the necessary funds to build a state of the art arena from scratch and bury CA. If he was to do that I for one would become a season ticket holder purchasing 2-4 seats even though I spend January thru
August at my second home in Florida! I would not make that commitment for a band aid approach to CA!
If we are not willing to piss with the big boys maybe we don’t belong in the Big East conference and I say that seriously!  

 

[rcatalano]

Sorry typo Father Shanley

 

[room112]

Here's an interesting observation I'd love to get some perspective on. I've sat and watched while many of our rivals have had extended periods of success, and used that success to not only elevate the school and program, but all garner increased donations and make upgrades where necessary. Just use Villanova as an example.

I know St. John's never won a national title. However, the extended run that St. John's had for decades, especially the 80's and 90's, were they not able to monetize that in a way where they could have made the necessary upgrades? Were the funds not managed properly? Was it decided that the money was needed in other aspects of growing the school? Just a thought

 

[mjmaherjr]

Here's an interesting observation I'd love to get some perspective on. I've sat and watched while many of our rivals have had extended periods of success, and used that success to not only elevate the school and program, but all garner increased donations and make upgrades where necessary. Just use Villanova as an example.

I know St. John's never won a national title. However, the extended run that St. John's had for decades, especially the 80's and 90's, were they not able to monetize that in a way where they could have made the necessary upgrades? Were the funds not managed properly? Was it decided that the money was needed in other aspects of growing the school? Just a thought

others like JSJ would know better than me but back than was Fr Cahill nice guy but school was run even more like a mom and pop operation

 

[rcatalano]

When the Islanders moved to the new UBS arena I thought would it be more cost efficient to purchase the Nassaus Coliseum and renovate that arena as opposed to renovating CA! Thoughts?

 

[beast of the east]

When the Islanders moved to the new UBS arena I thought would it be more cost efficient to purchase the Nassaus Coliseum and renovate that arena as opposed to renovating CA! Thoughts?

We've never drawn well there.  Its really not made for basketball.   There is no mass transit.   And is only convenient for the long island crowd.    It has a gigantic lot though and at some point the area may be developed with or without razing the Coliseum.

 

[monte]

Assuming some anonymous donor came out of the woodwork and handed the school a check for 100 Million dollars earmarked for the Athletic Department, what would they actually do with that money? Would they level CA and build a new arena and facilities on site? Where would our teams practice and train while the was going on? I'm hearing from people who know the layout of the campus much better then me, that there's no other free space to construct a new arena. Would they look to build an off campus arena? If so, where?

I know I'm putting the cart before the horse, but I'm curious to know what kind of options, if any, are even feasible given the space and logistical limitations. 

 

[beast of the east]

Here's an interesting observation I'd love to get some perspective on. I've sat and watched while many of our rivals have had extended periods of success, and used that success to not only elevate the school and program, but all garner increased donations and make upgrades where necessary. Just use Villanova as an example.

I know St. John's never won a national title. However, the extended run that St. John's had for decades, especially the 80's and 90's, were they not able to monetize that in a way where they could have made the necessary upgrades? Were the funds not managed properly? Was it decided that the money was needed in other aspects of growing the school? Just a thought

JSJ may know better, but I don't think our donor base, even when we packed the house was very strong.  SJU alumni are a different lot.   Even though tuition was dirt cheap, they don't feel appreciative of the education they received, at least not enough to give back.   When we were winning and selling out, most fans felt their tickets were their donation to the school, but as you can see, as soon as winning stopped many fans stopped buying tickets.

In my opinion, our fans, and I was definitely of those, thought they were supporters, when they were really consumers.  I'm sure this wiill incense some people but only those it applies to.

 

[rcatalano]

Beast you make some valid points that would need to be explored but if it could work it would be a hell of a lot cheaper than building a new arena from scratch! I would guess that the University could purchase that property quite reasonably!

 

[IDRAFT]

UBS is within five miles of the SJU campus and has plenty of dates available as they only have the Islanders as full time tenants. The LIRR will have a hub. I can’t think of any available spots any closer to the campus even if the school wanted to build. Beyond that fact - with UBS in place, and currently Nassau Coliseum as well, how could a new arena ever attract enough other events to make financial sense? The women surely don’t need a bigger arena. 

Building an arena for 15 basketball games can’t make sense. You could build world class facilities for the athletes for less.