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2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

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Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

Good feedback.

I say they should drop the ice to the basement (street) level, push the bleachers (better yet, real seats) against the glass, use the vertical space to add a second level of seats, even just a couple of rows deep (press box style, Ken will be happy) and have a concourse at the top of the bleachers (like at Quinnipiac or Harvard, where you walk down to your seat). The current stairs are way too tall for older folks or people who have joint issues. You can have a handicapped accessible entrance at street level (which is really the basement), and the concession stand can be where it is now, somewhere under the seats. Also under the seats, locker rooms. New bathroom can be built towards the football field (there is a bit of space there), and the spirit shop can go in the entrance (they can get a permanent display so they don’t have to use camping tables), right next to the new ticket office (also at street level)… While they’re at it, get a video board. The roof, which is a big part of the atmosphere of the building will stay as is, provided the team adds an NCAA title banner.
Build a new building to house the office space and the gym, on the old soccer field for example.

I like your changes to the building! Except that it would probably cost more than a new one.
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

IMHO undergrads should always have bleachers. They generate great noise, you can jam in 2x the attendance over the fire code limit, and the little numbnuts' backs are still made of rubber. Plus they should be standing the whole game anyway.

But for townies, butt-fitting seats with backs are unfortunately essential.
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

Good feedback.

I say they should drop the ice to the basement (street) level, push the bleachers (better yet, real seats) against the glass, use the vertical space to add a second level of seats, even just a couple of rows deep (press box style, Ken will be happy) and have a concourse at the top of the bleachers (like at Quinnipiac or Harvard, where you walk down to your seat). The current stairs are way too tall for older folks or people who have joint issues. You can have a handicapped accessible entrance at street level (which is really the basement), and the concession stand can be where it is now, somewhere under the seats. Also under the seats, locker rooms. New bathroom can be built towards the football field (there is a bit of space there), and the spirit shop can go in the entrance (they can get a permanent display so they don’t have to use camping tables), right next to the new ticket office (also at street level)… While they’re at it, get a video board. The roof, which is a big part of the atmosphere of the building will stay as is, provided the team adds an NCAA title banner.
Build a new building to house the office space and the gym, on the old soccer field for example.
I'd heard something similar to this, though can't remember where. Also included pushing out one of the ends (probably toward the football field) so could have seating behind the nets. One problem with a major rehab is that it would likely take more than 6 months to complete and where would the team play in the interim? There is no suitable facility in Schenectady county and would seem a bad idea to be off-campus for a whole season just as the team is getting very good. A new facility would allow using Messa until it is done and then, voila', turn it into parking! (that should make some RPI fans happy ;)). As Nottme notes, the delta on cost for rehab vs. new may also not be that much of a difference to make it worthwhile. Some rough numbers - Qpac built new rink & bouncyball facility for $52M in 2007, probably would be over $60M today so say $30-40M for a new facility.. versus Yale upgrading/rehab for $23M. I say build something new for 2500-3000 capacity.. of course getting the $$ is the question, but if they can't do it now probably will never happen.
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

I'll bet it's already spent. Budgeting at that level is an elaborate game of catching up for past sins and planning white elephants to ensure the next promotion.
No doubt. Also, major renovations to dorms and other capital improvements are likely at the head of the line. Still something has to be done. I just hope it's not a band aid approach.

Off topic, but Haggerty signs with the Rangers. Didn't see that one coming, but I guess maybe I should have.

Also, Cole Ikkala is trailing badly in the Senior CLASS vote. He deserves our help. http://www.seniorclassaward.com/vote/hockey_2013-14/
 
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Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

I'd heard something similar to this, though can't remember where. Also included pushing out one of the ends (probably toward the football field) so could have seating behind the nets. One problem with a major rehab is that it would likely take more than 6 months to complete and where would the team play in the interim? There is no suitable facility in Schenectady county and would seem a bad idea to be off-campus for a whole season just as the team is getting very good. A new facility would allow using Messa until it is done and then, voila', turn it into parking! (that should make some RPI fans happy ;)). As Nottme notes, the delta on cost for rehab vs. new may also not be that much of a difference to make it worthwhile. Some rough numbers - Qpac built new rink & bouncyball facility for $52M in 2007, probably would be over $60M today so say $30-40M for a new facility.. versus Yale upgrading/rehab for $23M. I say build something new for 2500-3000 capacity.. of course getting the $$ is the question, but if they can't do it now probably will never happen.
I think Colgate just committed about $30MMM to a brand new facility. I can't see doing one for much less than that, and without a huge lead gift, that's not going to happen. :(
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

Rick Bennett is a finalist for the Tim Taylor Coach of the Year award.
He has got my vote .... lots of good coaches in the ECAC by the way .... two to three more medium to good years and Bennett will have the best record (percentage) of all active D1 coaches with over 100 wins. Not bad Coach, not all that bad ....:)
 
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Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

He has got my vote .... lots of good coaches in the ECAC by the way .... two to three more medium to good years and Bennett will have the best record (percentage) of all active D1 coaches with over 100 wins. Not bad Coach, not all that bad ....:)

Some other numbers:

Bennett already has 72 wins, which is fourth all-time at Union behind Leaman (138), Morrison (122) and Delventhal (89). Not surprisingly, Bennett's winning percentage (.696) is second only to Ned Harkness' .861.
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

Interview with Dartmouth's Eric Neiley - interesting comments.

http://www.dartmouthsports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?id=3221693
http://www.dartmouthsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11600&ATCLID=209432518


Eric Neiley Jr., Warminster, Pa., F, Men's Hockey

The Warminster, Pa., native finished the weekend with a league-high five points to help Dartmouth defeat Rensselaer in the first round of the ECAC Hockey Championship, 2-1. After the team fell behind one game to none, Neiley took over, scoring two goals in Game 2, including the winner late in regulation. He would add three more points the following night as the Big Green overcame a two-goal third-period deficit to stun the seventh-seeded Engineers to win the series. Neiley scored early in the final frame to spark the comeback and assisted on the tying goal six and a half minutes later. For his efforts, Neiley was named the ECAC Hockey Player of the Week as well.
 
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Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

A little more than 24 hours to get your picks in. You have until 7PM Friday.

http://board.uscho.com/showthread.php?108745-ECAC-Pick-The-Playoffs-2014

1st round contestants who have not submitted picks:

ajh258
arickeo
bcarlisle
bothman
Brett Gobe
Brian Sullivan
cudmud
hockeyplayer1015
Jack T. Ripper
johnk
Maine-iac
Mike Hutter
Nyhockeyguy
rfs04
Rjm7272
sshablak
TchrBill
TheValleyRaider
ufanbill
UnionTDX04
vicb
Wholin1
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

It's the last weekend to watch arguably the best class of Union hockey history at home, let's enjoy it.
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

It's the last weekend to watch arguably the best class of Union hockey history at home, let's enjoy it.

Time flies when you're having fun, and this senior class has provided plenty of memorable moments in their four years at Union. The class of 2014 stepped right in as freshman from their first game against Sacred Heart, and their contributions to the program will never be forgotten.

While their Messa careers will come to a close this weekend, one can only imagine the memories and accomplishments that this team will achieve over the next month. Let's go U!
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

Some notes going into the series: http://bit.ly/1fDfSBE

It's hard to believe that these will be the last games at Messa Rink this season. I have no idea where the season went this year, but I guess time flies when things are going so well.
 
Re: 2013-2014 Union Dutchmen - Can U Three Peat? (Part II)

From Dartmouth's Perspective:
"Rematch in ECAC Quarterfinals with Union on Tap for Big Green"
http://www.dartmouthsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11600&ATCLID=209433179
http://www.dartmouthsports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=11600&ATCLID=209433179

Coaches Corner with Dartmouth's Coach Bob Gaudet
http://www.dartmouthsports.com/medi...SID=48935&SPID=4728&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=11600

(Notice the UNION Banner in the far distance between Coach Bob Gaudet and the Interviewer):)

The question has been which of the ECAC teams is the darkhorse team that is going to come on strong down the regular season stretch and make a run for it? Dartmouth. They are playing like a final 4 team. From the comments of our seniors, they know what they are up against.

Our bye week allowed Wisconsin, St. Cloud and Ferris State to close the gap a little in the RPI so the pairwise will not be kind to us if we drop one. :(

One period at a time.

Its time to "Lock and Load" :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rCUKpVz_qk

Go Dutchmen !!!!!
 
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