Ohio State Buckeyes 2022-2023 ... The Drive For Duluth

[Timothy A]

Thanks. Proves my point that a 4K+ arena would be ridiculously too big with little chance of ever growing into it. 2500 is fine, and if people get turned away for Minny or Wiscy, that's fine. Make it a hot ticket and a packed arena.

But if the rink is too small, the NCAA won't consider you for hosting the FF. Not that hosting the FF will ever cover the expenses of a larger rink though.

[robertearle]

One of the most persuasive reasons for Wisconsin to spend the money to build LaBahn - and shoehorn it in where they did - was that it could be used as a practice facility for the men's team when the multi-use Kohl Center was set up for basketball. Meaning the basketball-to-hockey switch-over didn't have to happen as often, and the hockey players didn't have to travel to 'the Shell' or out to Dane County Coliseum for practice.

Ohio State men's hockey and basketball teams also play in a multi-use building that requires frequent switch-overs, don't they? Where does the men's hockey team practice when Value City is set up for basketball? The same rink that the women use for their games? How close is that to Value City of the men's locker rooms and offices, etc? How easily is it for them to get there for practice?

[pgb-ohio]

Thanks. Proves my point that a 4K+ arena would be ridiculously too big with little chance of ever growing into it. 2500 is fine, and if people get turned away for Minny or Wiscy, that's fine. Make it a hot ticket and a packed arena.

Which is exactly what I've been trying to prove. Glad we're on the same page.

My first choice is 1,500 seats, easily expandable to 2,000 or 2,500. Meaning that the infrastructure for 2,500 is already there, and that such an expansion would just be an interior remodel.

If wiser people than me decide we need 2,000 or 2,500 right out of the gate, I'd be fine with it.

[Hockeybuckeye]

Ohio State men's hockey and basketball teams also play in a multi-use building that requires frequent switch-overs, don't they? Where does the men's hockey team practice when Value City is set up for basketball? The same rink that the women use for their games? How close is that to Value City of the men's locker rooms and offices, etc? How easily is it for them to get there for practice?

Several years ago OSU built a basketball practice facility onto the Schott so conflicts of use of the main arena is minimized from what it was.
It takes approximately 3 hours for the arena be switched between basketball and hockey. When there is a conflict the men shuttle to the women's ice for practice. It's not a huge inconvenience as the two buildings are within sight of each other just separated by the river.

[pgb-ohio]

The more I have my ear to the wall it's becoming clearer it's highly unlikely Ohio State will spend the money and build two separate hockey arenas. They if anything will follow Penn States model and have one shared facility for the men & women's programs. That means there will be a large amount of empty seats as it would be ludicrous for the men's to have anything at the least a 5000 seat building. How big a new men's arena should be has been debated for years here on forum.

The debates were endless, and can quickly be summarized as follows:

Question: What seating capacity is big enough for the Men's Program, but not too big for the Women's Program?

Answer: There's no such sweet spot. Every number mentioned had significant drawbacks for someone in the discussion.

[pgb-ohio]

Several years ago OSU built a basketball practice facility onto the Schott so conflicts of use of the main arena is minimized from what it was.
It takes approximately 3 hours for the arena be switched between basketball and hockey. When there is a conflict the men shuttle to the women's ice for practice.

The Men's team uses their locker room in the Schott, and then gets on a bus to go to the Ice Rink. Putting on skates at the Ice Rink.

It's not a huge inconvenience as the two buildings are within sight of each other just separated by the river.

It's good to be positive and say the glass is half full. And yes, the two buildings are within walking distance of each other. For the average pedestrian, crossing the Olentangy is no big deal. It's the smaller of the two Columbus rivers. But is there really any doubt that the players would love to be done with that bus ride?

Your last two comments, taken together, make me nervous. It adds up to: "Somewhere, over the rainbow, we're building you Pegula West. The present set-up is OK. That's why we're doing nothing for the foreseeable future."

On this item, I hope we're both wrong. The Women's program deserves a rink of their own, and they deserve it now.

[Hockeybuckeye]

On this item, I hope we're both wrong. The Women's program deserves a rink of their own, and they deserve it now.

I heard some things today while I was at the university that leads me to believe that the university is leaning towards leaving the men in the Schott and giving the women a new facility. No two separate hockey only arenas or a shared facility.

[robertearle]

Several years ago OSU built a basketball practice facility onto the Schott so conflicts of use of the main arena is minimized from what it was.
It takes approximately 3 hours for the arena be switched between basketball and hockey. When there is a conflict the men shuttle to the women's ice for practice. It's not a huge inconvenience as the two buildings are within sight of each other just separated by the river.

Above ground, the building that connects LaBahn and the Kohl Center is the basketball practice facility; underground there are also tunnels and walkways so that Zambonis can be 'shared' (a saving of many thousands of dollars) and locker rooms used for multi-team events, etc.

[pgb-ohio]

I heard some things today while I was at the university that leads me to believe that the university is leaning towards leaving the men in the Schott...

We're dealing in rumors & speculation here. But this matches the scuttlebutt I've heard.

... and giving the women a new facility.

Sounds great, however:

No two separate hockey only arenas or a shared facility.

I get that the Schott will never be a hockey-only arena. But what the heck does "no sharing" mean? Where is the Men's team supposed to practice? Will they be playing floor hockey in the hoops practice facility?

There's an elephant in the room that has gone unmentioned to this point. From the perspective of Central Administration, ending the existing Ice Rink opens up valuable land; possibly for a new dorm or academic building. No problem so far. Trouble is, going down that path would almost certainly mean the loss of St. John Arena & the Field House as well. Rational or irrational, OSU would get a lot of pushback on that move. Quite honestly I've wondered if this is a big factor in why we've been waiting so long for new Women's Hockey facilities. In other words, doing nothing allows the decision-makers to kick the can down the road on St. John.

[Eddie Schorr]

I've come around to the idea that there is no middle ground. Men need at least 6K, and the women need less than 3K. That's a gap that can't be bridged.

[Hockeybuckeye]

We're dealing in rumors & speculation here. But this matches the scuttlebutt I've heard.

Sounds great, however:

I get that the Schott will never be a hockey-only arena. But what the heck does "no sharing" mean? Where is the Men's team supposed to practice? Will they be playing floor hockey in the hoops practice facility?

Allow me to clarify the no sharing statement. What I meant was a new arena would be for the women's programs, not shared in the sense like Penn State's Pegula Arena which houses both the men & women's programs. I don't know what the fate of the current ice rink will be if there is a new women's arena. If we do get one there's a possibility it may not be located where the current rink is. I would assume for the times the men couldn't practice at the Schott they would use the old rink if it still exists and if it doesn't it only makes sense they could have some practices in the new women's arena.
As far as scuttlebutt I can only say I can't say where my current source of information came from but let's just say it's a VERY reliable source!

[pgb-ohio]

Above ground, the building that connects LaBahn and the Kohl Center is the basketball practice facility; underground there are also tunnels and walkways so that Zambonis can be 'shared' (a saving of many thousands of dollars) and locker rooms used for multi-team events, etc.

An intelligent design with major advantages. Among other things, having a back-up Zamboni readily available is a big plus. I strongly suspect the UW set-up was part of the inspiration for the proposal to connect a new ice sheet with the Schott.

A little hockey history for you. 1986 Men's Frozen Four in Providence, RI. The Zamboni breaks down at the downtown arena. No back-up on site. A zam from Providence College, driving on city streets, steps up to save the day. Those of us at the game wondered about the extra long intermission, only learning the back story after the fact.

[pgb-ohio]

I've come around to the idea that there is no middle ground. Men need at least 6K, and the women need less than 3K. That's a gap that can't be bridged.

Me too.

[pgb-ohio]

Allow me to clarify the no sharing statement. What I meant was a new arena would be for the women's programs, not shared in the sense like Penn State's Pegula Arena which houses both the men & women's programs. I don't know what the fate of the current ice rink will be if there is a new women's arena. If we do get one there's a possibility it may not be located where the current rink is. I would assume for the times the men couldn't practice at the Schott they would use the old rink if it still exists and if it doesn't it only makes sense they could have some practices in the new women's arena.
As far as scuttlebutt I can only say I can't say where my current source of information came from but let's just say it's a VERY reliable source!

Thanks for clarifying; now it makes sense.

[Hockeybuckeye]

I got to meet and interact today with some of the St.Thomas coaching staff and players. A very rewarding experience. The St.Thomas players I spoke with are very excited about the new arena they're getting and rightly so!