Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

[The Top Shelf]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

'Tis better to have a smaller rink with a higher attendance percentage than to have a cavernous arena that seems to be empty most of the time. Crowd atmosphere, concessions and restroom efficiency, bragging rights over average attendance percentage, etc.

With the undergrad enrollment being around 4,000 and the program's fan base still growing, 2,000 seems like the right number, for now. I think if there were 2,500 seats or so, there would be a number of empty seats in the early going.

I think this is exactly what Bentley is going for. Games at the current rink (granted it's a dump and 20 minutes away) are always under the 1000 mark. I think it's perfectly reasonable to assume a big attendance jump will occur when the rink is a 5 minute walk instead of a 20 minute drive AND it is a state of the art facility instead of a below average youth rink... that being said, you don't want to bite off more than you can chew.

I like the attendance size and as others have pointed out, I think the pros this facility offers will outweigh any capacity concerns a potential new conference may have.

 

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

All good comments. I think that the real question early on was whether the events center (aka rink) would be large enough to hold graduation exercises, but that was pretty much dismissed, I think, as even 3500 seats would be too few based on the current number of guests allowed each student. But, any number of seats between 2000 and 2500 for hockey might be better suited for the ECAC (Hobey seats 2100, RPI seats over 5200, but most are under 3000), rather than the HEA (Lawlor seats about 2500; Conte, XL, and Mullins seat over 7500; but most are in the 4000-6000 range); and of course 2000 seats will be fine for the AHC (RIT seats 4300, but most of the rest are between 1000 and 2700). I think that overall the goal should be for the AHC teams to become more competitive, win more OOC games, and get more than one auto-seed team into the NCAAs. And, for Bentley, the team needs to get back to the AHC tourney in Rochester, which is becoming a more and more distant memory.

 

[LtPowers]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

I know a conference change is of the highest priority for Bentley

Putting the cart before the horse a bit, aren't they? Maybe they should aim for winning a trophy or two in their current conference before moving to one with even stronger opponents.


Powers &8^]

 

[schiegs]

Putting the cart before the horse a bit, aren't they? Maybe they should aim for winning a trophy or two in their current conference before moving to one with even stronger opponents.


Powers &8^]

Like UConn?

 

[Snively65]

Like UConn?

The whole New England state u thing was in play here, I think, along with the perceived need to balance the addition of Notre Dame, which is now leaving, leading to speculation that HEA will look for a replacement. But, HEA played for years with nine teams, so not sure why they would not simply stay at 11 after next year. That said, probably adding Holy Cross to HEA would make more sense than adding Bentley, as they could host home games at the DCC, as UConn does at the XL.

 

[ritBLKnORGsuit]

The whole New England state u thing was in play here, I think, along with the perceived need to balance the addition of Notre Dame, which is now leaving, leading to speculation that HEA will look for a replacement. But, HEA played for years with nine teams, so not sure why they would not simply stay at 11 after next year. That said, probably adding Holy Cross to HEA would make more sense than adding Bentley, as they could host home games at the DCC, as UConn does at the XL.

That and they have a women's program which I think too many people are ignoring as a factor in who would get an invite to hockey east today.

 

[Snively65]

That and they have a women's program which I think too many people are ignoring as a factor in who would get an invite to hockey east today.

Maybe. But, Crusaders women play Div 3 ice hockey. UConn women play Div 1, but Notre Dame women only play club hockey. I know that there is interest in a women's ice hockey team at Bentley, but given the much greater cost for ice hockey than for whatever women's sport would be given up, on top of the cost for the new arena, I would be surprised if Bentley committed to a second ice hockey team right away.

 

[LtPowers]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Like UConn?

Okay, you got me there. Though in my defense, Connecticut at least won a MAAC championship.


Powers &8^]

 

[schiegs]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Globe article:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/r...s-call-home/O2OVmlZqExPE6e2kpMF7MJ/story.html

 

[sbkbghockey]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

2,000 seats sort of means no HEA in the future??

Lawler (Merrimack) and Schneider (Providence) both only seat about 3,000 so Bentley is not far off. I wouldn't rule HEA out, despite the size it sounds like it will have top-notch facilities for the teams. Maybe the design isn't final and they can push it up to 2,500 seating plus standing and get into the 3,000 total capacity range.

One note, cool building from the design sketches but there seems to be a lot of glass for an ice arena. Even the inside sketch shows a wall of windows above the far stands.

 

[acohen527]

Lawler (Merrimack) and Schneider (Providence) both only seat about 3,000 so Bentley is not far off. I wouldn't rule HEA out, despite the size it sounds like it will have top-notch facilities for the teams. Maybe the design isn't final and they can push it up to 2,500 seating plus standing and get into the 3,000 total capacity range.

One note, cool building from the design sketches but there seems to be a lot of glass for an ice arena. Even the inside sketch shows a wall of windows above the far stands.

I don't think the 2,000 includes standing room, which from what I've seen in prelim designs should add a lot more capacity. Also, there's going to be a large student section of bleachers which they could be underestimating the seating room on. I think for the size of the school the rink size should be perfect, being just packed enough night in and night out to create an incredible college hockey atmosphere.

 

[eXcSports]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Lawler (Merrimack) and Schneider (Providence) both only seat about 3,000 so Bentley is not far off. I wouldn't rule HEA out, despite the size it sounds like it will have top-notch facilities for the teams. Maybe the design isn't final and they can push it up to 2,500 seating plus standing and get into the 3,000 total capacity range.

One note, cool building from the design sketches but there seems to be a lot of glass for an ice arena. Even the inside sketch shows a wall of windows above the far stands.

Merrimack and Providence fall well below the 4,000 minimum required by Hockey East but were allowed to grandfather into that rule by taking steps everywhere, namely in full renovations that vastly improved facilities. UConn's home rink on campus seats well below that, but they may reexamine expanding Freitas given their success in Hartford so far.

 

[AMC]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Merrimack and Providence fall well below the 4,000 minimum required by Hockey East but were allowed to grandfather into that rule by taking steps everywhere, namely in full renovations that vastly improved facilities. UConn's home rink on campus seats well below that, but they may reexamine expanding Freitas given their success in Hartford so far.

I wouldn't be shocked if the seat minimum disappears. Some of the schools that used to sell out their big arenas (Maine, UNH in particular) don't come close to filling them.

 

[Yuppie Scum]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

I wouldn't be shocked if the seat minimum disappears. Some of the schools that used to sell out their big arenas (Maine, UNH in particular) don't come close to filling them.

Perhaps an indictment of Hockey East's leadership..

 

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

I wouldn't be shocked if the seat minimum disappears. Some of the schools that used to sell out their big arenas (Maine, UNH in particular) don't come close to filling them.

Actually, I would be shocked if seats are added at Bentley. However, once Bentley has their on-campus rink, only Sacred Heart from Atlantic Hockey will lack a rink essentially on campus, as AIC will be playing their games beginning this fall in the 8000+ seat Mass Mutual Center, less than a mile from their campus. But, what is the over/under on home attendance for the Yellow Jackets this coming season?

 

[ritBLKnORGsuit]

Actually, I would be shocked if seats are added at Bentley. However, once Bentley has their on-campus rink, only Sacred Heart from Atlantic Hockey will lack a rink essentially on campus, as AIC will be playing their games beginning this fall in the 8000+ seat Mass Mutual Center, less than a mile from their campus. But, what is the over/under on home attendance for the Yellow Jackets this coming season?

Hopefully more than last year but more than 100 shouldn't be too hard

 

[Buckeye22]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Hopefully more than last year but more than 100 shouldn't be too hard

I'd optimistically say they could break 1,000 for the Union game, but overall, maybe average in the 300's? I mean its tough when you consider that even if their entire student body (including grad students) showed up for a game, the arena would still be more than 2/3 empty hahaha.

 

[Snively65]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

I'd optimistically say they could break 1,000 for the Union game, but overall, maybe average in the 300's? I mean its tough when you consider that even if their entire student body (including grad students) showed up for a game, the arena would still be more than 2/3 empty hahaha.

The city of Springfield has a population of greater than 150,000, so the Yellow Jackets need to tap this market, I think.

 

[blazer777]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

Hopefully more than last year but more than 100 shouldn't be too hard

They averaged 182 per home game last season but if they market it right, set the right price per ticket, they cold draw much more this season.

Winning doesn't hurt attendance either!

 

[Blitz]

Re: Bentley Begins Process to Build On-Campus Rink

AIC home attendance is 182?

What is the number for Bentley?