Attendance at Regionals

[brassbonanza]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

Thanks, but I asked Priceless.

Seriously, I wouldn't be surprised to see Manchester sell out then with it being Lowell and UNH tomorrow...

I would, the BU-UNH regional final in 2009 didn't sell out. Maybe perhaps it would since Lowell is a bit closer and a larger number of Lowell fans have cars, and the BU game was on a Sunday night, but that game, a more compelling match up to grab the casual local fan, only drew 7,800. The UNH-Notre Dame final in 2011 didn't even crack 6K.

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

Sorry, but that's just ridiculous. That would have the 2nd game ending after midnight. Large portions of the crowd are coming in either from Detroit area or Chicago area and are returning to their homes afterwards. It's not doable with an evening schedule.

The low attendance is obviously because neither Michigan nor Western made it. The schools that did make it are all to far away to get large numbers out to the venue.

OK, how about 4:00 and 7:30. While a late, late night game of course is a bad idea, a 2 PM game is n equally bad idea on a weekday.

 

[CLS]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

...
But the Frozen Four is the Frozen Four. It has its hardcore regulars who will go wherever it is. You could hold it in Pyongyang and it would sell out.

As long as it's not in a prison camp or a football field

I think that everyone agrees that the current regional system is broken, except the NCAA itself. If the NCAA wants the first two rounds on the same weekend, then let the 1 seed host the whole regional. Sure, it's a huge advantage, but if you're a 1, you've earned it, and the crowd won't be dead then.

I think everyone agrees that it would be nice if attendance at the regionals were better. There are a lot of who think returning to home rinks would be a step in the wrong direction. You want Quinnipiac hosting a regional? Do you even know that Quinnipiac could host a regional?

 

[WildShawn]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

As long as it's not in a prison camp or a football field

where else would it be?

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

Geesh.....the seats looked empty at all the games I watched.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

From Alex Faust:
Northeast Regional: 8,049 (+5.8% over '11, last time Manchester hosted, +35.8% over Worcester in '12), largest crowd NE reg crowd since 2007
West Regional: 2,289 was down 33.9% vs. '12 in Green Bay and down 43.5% vs. last time Grand Rapids hosted in 2009.
In fact, yesterday's attendance figure in Grand Rapids was the smallest on record for an NCAA regional since the 16-team format began.
Last year's west regional (Green Bay) averaged 3,287 fans over 3 games, which was also an all-time low.

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

Geesh.....the seats looked empty at all the games I watched.

I think it's important to remember that the first day of a regional has two games - while I'm sure the folks in Manchester scanned a little over 8,000 tickets - I doubt that all 8,000 of those people were in their seats at the same time. Many UNH probably arrived late to the UML beatdown of Wisco - many bars in the area had the game on TV, and so once it wasn't a close game I'm sure many fans of the later teams chose to have some more libations elsewhere.

Then, as the UNH / DU game went on, you could see the sections of fans where lots of red and blue was worn emptying out. Tough to gauge attendance based on a glance at the TV.

I think tonight's game, because it's a Saturday (as opposed to a Sunday like the BU UNH game) will be around 9,000. Just a completely uneducated guess. But compared to the other regionals, I'd bet that's by far the highest . . .

 

[CLS]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

From Alex Faust:
...
West Regional: 2,289 was down 33.9% vs. '12 in Green Bay and down 43.5% vs. last time Grand Rapids hosted in 2009.
In fact, yesterday's attendance figure in Grand Rapids was the smallest on record for an NCAA regional since the 16-team format began.
Last year's west regional (Green Bay) averaged 3,287 fans over 3 games, which was also an all-time low.

Surprises me, not that there weren't large contingents from Yale and Niagara. But I thought (maybe hoped) that there might be decent attendance from Minny and North Dakota.

 

[chickod]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

There are a lot of who think returning to home rinks would be a step in the wrong direction.

But that's not what would happen. There were be certain minimum criteria required to host. If you did not meet the criteria, then they go to the closest neutral site (or maybe the next team down the list hosts at home). I don't think it would be a mistake at all (I feel another rant coming on). I don't know how many times I have to say this before people get that college hockey is a REGIONAL, NICHE sport. STOP comparing it to basketball. And it's not like the old days where you had to play in Watson Rink or some barn at East Overshoe U. Most schools have nice facilities now (and, as I said before, if a school doesn't you find one who does). Or do you think it's a better "atmosphere" to have 237 people in Grand Rapids or (insert any other venue from the past 10 years) any other ginormous 20,000 seat arena?

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

But that's not what would happen. There were be certain minimum criteria required to host. If you did not meet the criteria, then they go to the closest neutral site (or maybe the next team down the list hosts at home). I don't think it would be a mistake at all (I feel another rant coming on). I don't know how many times I have to say this before people get that college hockey is a REGIONAL, NICHE sport. STOP comparing it to basketball. And it's not like the old days where you had to play in Watson Rink or some barn at East Overshoe U. Most schools have nice facilities now (and, as I said before, if a school doesn't you find one who does). Or do you think it's a better "atmosphere" to have 237 people in Grand Rapids or (insert any other venue from the past 10 years) any other ginormous 20,000 seat arena?

I think this is why the regional in Manchester continues to succeed; with UNH as the host school, they typically travel well. Being a 4 hour drive from Southern CT and and upstate NY and VT, it's located close to a lot of schools who make the tournament, which eliminates the needs for fans to fly. In addition, there is a medium sized airport 10 minutes from the arena with reliable public transportation to the arena, and a major one 45 minutes away with regular bus service into Manchester (eliminates the need for renting a car). The arena is located in downtown with many other options for entertainment for traveling fans (a knock on places like Albany which were dead).

My only real issue with the VWA is the lack of sightlines from the concourse, and egress from the building.

 

[chickod]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

I think it's important to remember that the first day of a regional has two games - while I'm sure the folks in Manchester scanned a little over 8,000 tickets - I doubt that all 8,000 of those people were in their seats at the same time. Many UNH probably arrived late to the UML beatdown of Wisco - many bars in the area had the game on TV, and so once it wasn't a close game I'm sure many fans of the later teams chose to have some more libations elsewhere.

Then, as the UNH / DU game went on, you could see the sections of fans where lots of red and blue was worn emptying out. Tough to gauge attendance based on a glance at the TV.

I think tonight's game, because it's a Saturday (as opposed to a Sunday like the BU UNH game) will be around 9,000. Just a completely uneducated guess. But compared to the other regionals, I'd bet that's by far the highest . . .

Yeah, but for the most part we're not complaining about Manchester. It's the OTHER arenas (like Grand Rapids) where it's basically empty ("two games" or no "two games"). You could have taken everyone from both games and fit them between the blue lines in five rows. Embarrassing. And this is my point about "neutral" sites. You have to remember that New England has a high population density. ALL of the "neutral" arenas around here Hartford, Providence, Springfield, Worcester, Boston, Manchester, Portland are STILL within one to two hours of EVERY school. It's not like that out West. It's ludicrous to be playing a regional where every school has to travel over 500 miles. People just aren't going to go. But as I said last night, clearly WE care more about the attendance than the NCAA does. It's just chump change to them (because if they really cared they'd do something about it). And they don't care about the fans, either. There's only one thing they care about - it's green with pictures of famous Americans on it. This is all driven by REVENUE - mostly from TV. And let's face it - hockey doesn't make money anyway. That's why the TV contracts are tied into the other sports. ESPN AGREED to telecast the hockey as part of their agreement to pick up the "entire" package of sports. So all of this discussion is pointless because as long as they get their revenue up front from contracts, they couldn't care less if 15,000 or 15 people show up. Going back to the campus would be a great atmosphere for the fans, but nobody gives a **** about us...

 

[unhpuckfan2001]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

Yeah, but for the most part we're not complaining about Manchester. It's the OTHER arenas (like Grand Rapids) where it's basically empty ("two games" or no "two games"). You could have taken everyone from both games and fit them between the blue lines in five rows. Embarrassing. And this is my point about "neutral" sites. You have to remember that New England has a high population density. ALL of the "neutral" arenas around here Hartford, Providence, Springfield, Worcester, Boston, Manchester, Portland are STILL within one to two hours of EVERY school. It's not like that out West. It's ludicrous to be playing a regional where every school has to travel over 500 miles. People just aren't going to go. But as I said last night, clearly WE care more about the attendance than the NCAA does. It's just chump change to them (because if they really cared they'd do something about it). And they don't care about the fans, either. There's only one thing they care about - it's green with pictures of famous Americans on it. This is all driven by REVENUE - mostly from TV. And let's face it - hockey doesn't make money anyway. That's why the TV contracts are tied into the other sports. ESPN AGREED to telecast the hockey as part of their agreement to pick up the "entire" package of sports. So all of this discussion is pointless because as long as they get their revenue up front from contracts, they couldn't care less if 15,000 or 15 people show up. Going back to the campus would be a great atmosphere for the fans, but nobody gives a **** about us...

I care about you.

And . . . I can't resist: Eastern Bias.

But seriously, the eastern fans are spoiled, with the concentration of schools. I remember being "livid" when I found out Notre Dame was joining Hockey East, ruining the bus league.

 

[chickod]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

Surprises me, not that there weren't large contingents from Yale and Niagara. But I thought (maybe hoped) that there might be decent attendance from Minny and North Dakota.

?????? Do you know how far it is from Grand Forks to Grand Rapids? 900 miles Everyone here in the East forgets that the states are small. If you're a UND fan, you're going to fly to Grand Rapids and then possibly again to Pittsburgh in two weeks? The economy is NOT good, people. Put the regionals back on CAMPUSES where at least ONE school's population can be represented. Better than empty arenas...but then see my post above.

 

[chickod]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

I care about you.

Thanks. But see my next post... It's not "bias." It's reality. The only reason Manchester had a "large" crowd was because two of the schools are in its backyard. And I don't get your point. You're saying we're spoiled - well then, OK. Where were the billions of fans from the Western schools that are so "used to" traveling? Given that there were probably 24 fans from Minnesota and 23 from North Dakota in Grand Rapids doesn't exactly support the theory that the Western schools are more "comfortable" with traveling long distances. So I guess it wouldn't be better to have had North Dakota host the Regional with 17,000 fans than it would have been to go to Grungy Rapids and have 200 show up???

 

[CLS]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

But that's not what would happen. There were be certain minimum criteria required to host. If you did not meet the criteria, then they go to the closest neutral site (or maybe the next team down the list hosts at home). I don't think it would be a mistake at all (I feel another rant coming on). I don't know how many times I have to say this before people get that college hockey is a REGIONAL, NICHE sport. STOP comparing it to basketball. And it's not like the old days where you had to play in Watson Rink or some barn at East Overshoe U. Most schools have nice facilities now (and, as I said before, if a school doesn't you find one who does).

Chickod, could you explain who died and left you in charge of determining “what would happen”? The post I responded to said nothing about contingencies. It only said highest seed. So now you’re going to give home ice to, say Minnesota, but not to, say Quinnipiac, which opens up the possibility that’s happened in the past of Michigan playing on the road at Yost? Or force the NCAA to find a “suitable neutral location” or “a nice facility” in one week?

I violently agree with you on the “niche sport” and I made no mention of basketball. Stop throwing in red herrings.

Or do you think it's a better "atmosphere" to have 237 people in Grand Rapids or (insert any other venue from the past 10 years) any other ginormous 20,000 seat arena?

I think neither. I think neutrality and fairness are more important than “atmosphere”, which is far more of an issue for fans than for the players. If they can’t perform well in a half filled neutral site, they don’t deserve to be in the FF.

 

[chickod]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

I think neutrality and fairness are more important than “atmosphere”, which is far more of an issue for fans than for the players. If they can’t perform well in a half filled neutral site, they don’t deserve to be in the FF.

OK - I'm not going to get into this with you. You sound like one of those "everyone gets a participatory ribbon" folks. That's right. Everything is "equal" in life. Give me a break. YOU can go watch a game in front of 50 people, but no thanks for me. "Atmosphere" is one of the things that makes an event worth attending, but obviously you're one of those people who sits there and criticizes everything instead of going and cheering and having a good time. Sorry, I can't get very excited about watching a game in an empty arena and even less so about PLAYING in one. I have no idea who you are so I'm not "accusing" anyone of anything, but if you have ever played sports you will know that most players feel the same way.

 

[Gainzo]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

I think tonight's game, because it's a Saturday (as opposed to a Sunday like the BU UNH game) will be around 9,000. Just a completely uneducated guess. But compared to the other regionals, I'd bet that's by far the highest . . .

The place is going to be full and there will probably be more Lowell fans the UNH fans. Either way, it's going to be fun!

 

[The Rube]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

?????? Do you know how far it is from Grand Forks to Grand Rapids? 900 miles Everyone here in the East forgets that the states are small. If you're a UND fan, you're going to fly to Grand Rapids and then possibly again to Pittsburgh in two weeks? The economy is NOT good, people. Put the regionals back on CAMPUSES where at least ONE school's population can be represented. Better than empty arenas...but then see my post above.

And for driving, GR is a beech to get to. Why? THERE'S A BIG F*ING LAKE IN THE WAY. Drove to Traverse City last summer, and it was more painful than I thought it would be, and we took two days to get there and two days back, for some extra R&R/sight-seeing. Still a hellish drive.

 

[Priceless]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

And for driving, GR is a beech to get to. Why? THERE'S A BIG F*ING LAKE IN THE WAY. Drove to Traverse City last summer, and it was more painful than I thought it would be, and we took two days to get there and two days back, for some extra R&R/sight-seeing. Still a hellish drive.

Swim you wimps

 

[Farce Poobah]

Re: Attendance at Regionals

Yale is closer to Grand Rapids than UND, so I would expect Yale to bring more fans today ...