Evaluating Erie: Your Host Arena & City

[pgb-ohio]

There are actually several topics that I hope can be covered on this thread. But I'll start with the pandemic. 2021 will inevitably be remembered as the Covid Frozen Four. How did Erie Insurance Arena (& the NCAA) respond?

Focusing on Safety, they did quite well. I certainly felt safe in the Arena. Full Disclosure: My comments are based on Tuesday Evening (BC vs. OSU) & Saturday Evening. (Northeastern vs. UW) Non-hockey factors prevented additional travel.

My Observations:

Empty Lobby: No one was allowed to linger in the lobby area for any reason. The Lobby's function was ingress & egress for restrooms, period. If you so much as paused for a quick look at the arena remodeling, you were politely kicked back into the game.


No Sale: Of course there was no real reason to be in the lobby. No food, no drink, no merchandise. Not even programs. All casualties of the pandemic.

OK, the tournament program was available on your phone. It was nice that instructions for accessing it were posted. But viewing the program on my phone just didn't work for me. I wish I could have had roster lists for the Eastern teams for quick reference. Maybe I'm just old & cranky, but I gave up on the phone option almost immediately.

Would it really have been a pandemic risk to pass out a single page listing both rosters? For crowds numbering in the hundreds, it certainly wouldn't have cost much.


Social Distancing In Stands: I didn't do an extensive check. But it appeared that every seat in the arena had either been marked as available for use, or blocked with duct tape. Maybe that's standard procedure for NCAA events at this point in time. But local staff worked hard to get it right. Both nights I had no one in the row in front of me, or in back of me. "Fan pods" either had a full row to themselves, or another pod positioned many seats away. Honestly, going to the grocery store feels riskier.


Parking: With a little effort, I'm sure I could have found free parking. For $5, I parked in a ramp right across the street from the arena. No crowding at any point of the parking process. Never had more convenient parking at a national tournament.


Mask Enforcement: The Ushers were conscripted into duty as Mask Narcs. Two rules: Masks on at all times & No "snout free" masking. For the most part, enforcement efforts were limited to media timeouts, so it wasn't too obtrusive. I did feel a little sorry for a young couple in the Phillies gear. Once they were on their second "strike," it was pretty clear that "Big Brother" was targeting them. Unnerved, they left their seats & didn't return. Hope they found somewhere else to sit rather than leaving the building altogether. Of course the fact they got to strike two is on them.


Open On Time, Please: For me, fans should be allowed into the Arena for college hockey at least 60 minutes in advance. On Saturday, that wasn't the case. That wait in lobby was the only time at either game I was "caught in a crowd." That crowd wasn't elbow to elbow, but this was the main problem we were trying to avoid. It could have, and should have, been easily avoided.


Don't Even Think About Sitting On The Glass: The rows below the portals -- perhaps a dozen rows -- had no fans at all. They were reserved for the jersey display. On the bright side, jerseys & cardboard cut-outs never leave early to beat the traffic!

For better or worse, having no fans in the low rows sterilized the atmosphere. Pun intended, I guess. I suppose that once the issue of the lower rows arose, abundance of caution was the only way to go.


Overall: A few things could have been tweaked. But overall, a solid performance by our host. Among my fellow fans, the consensus was that the sacrifices were small & well worth it; paling in comparison to losing another Frozen Four.

 

[Lindsay]

https://www.goerie.com/story/sports...erves-credit-serving-tourney-site/4780076001/

this is the article Slapshot posted in the Hurst thread.

I was thinking maybe it was an issue of managing expectations. Areas have wildly different Covid restrictions. Personally I was surprised to hear they sold any tickets, didn’t even know until TTT posted it.

When I just went to Go Erie to find this article I read Erie doesn’t even have their playgrounds open and hasn’t for a year? That is mind blowing to me, and can’t imagine what level of hell that creates for families. Perfect example of the extremes in Covid response, in this case even within one city: yes to selling tix to NCAA tourney, no to parks? Nothing makes sense. So I understand giving Erie a complete pass for any criticism of the tourney, that’s how I feel about it, but I also understand frustrations of consumers everywhere, whether it’s a tournament or something else. It’s been a tough year.

On Erie specifically, I went 10 years ago when they hosted and it was great and I hope that they host again. It’s a hockey town, it’s affordable, it’s one of the regions that has women’s hockey. I had wanted to go to this specific iteration of the tourney with my family and I’m sad it didn’t work out, but look forward to another event in the future.

Huge credit to them for getting thru the tourney and not having Covid wreck it. NWHL showed us it’s easier said than done, and men’s basketball already had a team drop out due to Covid.

 

[pgb-ohio]

https://www.goerie.com/story/sports...erves-credit-serving-tourney-site/4780076001/

this is the article Slapshot posted in the Hurst thread.

Great stuff. Thanks to both you and Slapshot. It appears to be pretty clear how the coaches & players feel.

I was thinking maybe it was an issue of managing expectations. Areas have wildly different Covid restrictions.

Yes. Plus, I believe you have to distinguish between the mission itself, and evaluating the execution of that mission.

If the mission was to put on a normal Frozen Four, give Erie a grade of 'D.' At best. But I don't believe that was the mission.

My understanding is that Job 1 was to put on a tournament that was safe for the players and coaches. Job 2 was to create an environment where family, close friends and a few hardcore fans could share the experience. Job 3 was to cut out anything that would compromise Jobs 1 & 2. If the mission is understood that way, Erie gets an 'A.'

Briefly referencing Rightnut's criticism on the Mercyhurst thread: I read the criticism as disagreeing with the NCAA's choice of mission. Personally I support the mission that was undertaken. OK, reasonable people can differ on that. But IMHO criticizing Erie for poor execution is brutally unfair. They did the job they were asked to do.

Personally I was surprised to hear they sold any tickets, didn’t even know until TTT posted it.

Same. The only reason I got a ticket for Saturday night was TTT's heads-up.

When I just went to Go Erie to find this article I read Erie doesn’t even have their playgrounds open and hasn’t for a year? That is mind blowing to me, and can’t imagine what level of hell that creates for families. Perfect example of the extremes in Covid response, in this case even within one city: yes to selling tix to NCAA tourney, no to parks? Nothing makes sense. So I understand giving Erie a complete pass for any criticism of the tourney, that’s how I feel about it, but I also understand frustrations of consumers everywhere, whether it’s a tournament or something else. It’s been a tough year.

On Erie specifically, I went 10 years ago when they hosted and it was great and I hope that they host again. It’s a hockey town, it’s affordable, it’s one of the regions that has women’s hockey. I had wanted to go to this specific iteration of the tourney with my family and I’m sad it didn’t work out, but look forward to another event in the future.

Huge credit to them for getting thru the tourney and not having Covid wreck it. NWHL showed us it’s easier said than done, and men’s basketball already had a team drop out due to Covid.

And now St. Lawrence has had to drop out of the Men's D-1 Hockey Tournament due to a positive Covid test. The precautions taken by Erie were not wasted effort.

 

[Rightnut]

I thought it was a terrible game day experience, even with Covid. The players were allowed to cruise around the hotels, hit the Walmarts etc. So it wasn't a bubble. There could have been more done to make it feel like it was the Women's National Championships. Yes there should be hoopla etc. These women earned the right to play in the National Championships. Make it feel like it. Sticking a bunch of jerseys on seats was lame. There wasn't even a place to buy any swag, never mind food or beverage. It was a complete ghost town. It was akin to the one rack of barbells that the NCAA gave the women's basketball teams. I will bet that there will be a lot more going on at the Men's championships in Pittsburgh and that's point. The women continually get shortchanged. It's great that Mercyhurst hosted and the arena is nice but Erie itself is not a good destination. That is my opinion and others are free to feel differently.

 

[pgb-ohio]

I thought it was a terrible game day experience, even with Covid. The players were allowed to cruise around the hotels, hit the Walmarts etc. So it wasn't a bubble. There could have been more done to make it feel like it was the Women's National Championships. Yes there should be hoopla etc. These women earned the right to play in the National Championships. Make it feel like it. Sticking a bunch of jerseys on seats was lame. There wasn't even a place to buy any swag, never mind food or beverage. It was a complete ghost town. It was akin to the one rack of barbells that the NCAA gave the women's basketball teams.

Appreciate your perspective, and that you took them time to re-post it here.

I will bet that there will be a lot more going on at the Men's championships in Pittsburgh and that's point. The women continually get shortchanged.

That's a good challenge. I'll keep one eye on what goes on in Pittsburgh, and evaluate it with your comment in mind.

Currently I have no plans to travel to Pittsburgh. But if there's a last minute ticket sale again, we'll see.

Ironically if there's going to be a lot of hoopla, creating crowded areas, that might cause me to pass. I just got my vaccinations scheduled. But the 2nd one won't be done in time for Pittsburgh.

It's great that Mercyhurst hosted and the arena is nice but Erie itself is not a good destination. That is my opinion and others are free to feel differently.

This transitions into something else I wanted to discuss - Erie as an destination. I specifically like that there's a college hockey town in the "Central" area that's interested in hosting.

Selfishly, Erie is an easy 4 hour drive from Columbus, including any reasonable number of stops. Most of the CHA schools are closer. Some of the ECAC schools would have decent access as well. This geographic part of the college hockey world should receive a driveable Women's FF every now & then.

I'll allow that if 6 day, single site tournaments are in our future, then there may not be "enough to do" in Erie for the average fan. But if we're back to the usual Friday/Sunday format -- or better still a Thursday/Saturday format -- I don't see the problem.

Other thoughts?

 

[Lindsay]

It was akin to the one rack of barbells that the NCAA gave the women's basketball teams. I will bet that there will be a lot more going on at the Men's championships in Pittsburgh and that's point. The women continually get shortchanged.

sadly you are probably right about this. Regardless of how I personally feel about crowds at games right now it feels like the women’s tourney has four days notice they could sell tickets whereas the men have had several weeks at least. Ncaa needs to get it together. They seem to function in a different reality than everyone else at this point.

Haase indicated both NCAA and Erie reached out to help her
resolvw the issues she mentioned which is good. As for women’s bball seems every day more inequities get reported. Gross.

 

[ARM]

For any NCAA hockey tournament, I think that the players should routinely be surveyed about the quality of the ice. Especially in a normal season, all of the comments about a fan experience have merit. However, if the players have to play on poor ice, then the quality of the product for the fans is going to suffer as much as the experience does for the players. Okay, maybe the casual fan doesn't even notice, but I've seen men's regionals where the ice is so bad that teams have to make every attempt to score in the first five minutes of a period, while it is still possible.

 

[pgb-ohio]

sadly you are probably right about this. Regardless of how I personally feel about crowds at games right now it feels like the women’s tourney has four days notice they could sell tickets whereas the men have had several weeks at least.

Is there a sale limited to PA residents for the Men's FF?

My information may be incomplete and/or outdated, but my understanding from the NCAA was that:

Due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19, ticket opportunities are currently on hold for the event. We recognize the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, and we will provide timely updates as more information becomes available.

Until last week, I had more or less given up on there being any public sale. I'd also concluded that it was probably just as well. But even if I skip this tournament as planned, I would like to understand how the sale, if any, works.

I'm just speculating. But my sense for Erie was that tickets were first made available to the participating schools, then a small number were released to the public. My further guess was that the Men's FF might be on the same trajectory. Until reading your post.

Any further info?

 

[Lindsay]

Hi PGB, sorry for the confusion. That’s the Covid standard of course.

I did a quick google before posting and unless I misread Fargo announced on March 12 they are selling tix to their regional. Albany article March 4 th indicating they’d be selling tix for their regional. Didn’t look beyond that.

Agree with you re PPG Paints Frozen Four. Don’t see info about sales there yet. Strange considering Penguins have fans now.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Hi PGB, sorry for the confusion. That’s the Covid standard of course.

I did a quick google before posting and unless I misread Fargo announced on March 12 they are selling tix to their regional. Albany article March 4 th indicating they’d be selling tix for their regional. Didn’t look beyond that.

Agree with you re PPG Paints Frozen Four. Don’t see info about sales there yet. Strange considering Penguins have fans now.

Got it; thanks!

I didn't consider the regionals. For me, the Men's Hockey Regionals became just a TV Show a number of years ago. The status quo works very well for the TV viewer, and sometimes for local fans. But it often results in awful in-house attendance, partly because it's a poor format for any fan needing to plan travel. I don't even think about attending anymore.

Frozen Fours are an entirely different matter. In a normal year, you can make travel plans a full year in advance. In a year like this one, proximity allows for a last minute decision to commute. With Columbus as my starting point, obviously Pittsburgh offers that last minute option. As did Erie.

 

[pgb-ohio]

I did a quick google before posting and unless I misread Fargo announced on March 12 they are selling tix to their regional. Albany article March 4th indicating they’d be selling tix for their regional. Didn’t look beyond that.

Update From Day 1 of the Men's Hockey Regionals:

1. Bridgeport did NOT sell tickets to the Public. At all. A small number of family & friends were in the house, apparently via team pass lists.

2. Based on glimpses provided by video highlights, Fargo appears to have sold quite a few tickets to the public. Have to believe the announcement you found is accurate. EDIT: Broadcasters indicated that up to 2,500 fans would be allowed. Based on the UMD/UND Broadcast, they sold all the tickets.


The experience in Erie -- a limited, last minute sale -- would land in the middle of the Bridgeport & Fargo examples.

Based on what we've seen so far, ticket sales (if any) appear to be a building-by-building decision. I'm now guessing that these varying decisions are being driven mostly by state & local regulations, as opposed to NCAA whims.


Will be interesting to see what the stands look like in Albany & Loveland.

EDIT:

3. Albany: The ESPN Broadcasters indicated that Albany would be selling up to 1,500 tickets. But based on the views provided by the various versions of ESPN, only a small fraction of that number actually passed through the turnstiles. Albany did have a couple of handicaps. First, the tournament was awarded at the last minute, after another site pulled out. Second, positive Covid tests resulted in the loss of the Notre Dame/BC Semi-Final. Yes, if you're interested in an event, of course you want the opportunity to buy. But it seems that this was an opportunity with very few takers.

4. Loveland: Didn't get much information. Attendance looked to be a little better than Albany, but nowhere near Fargo. But I don't know if there was a public sale. Participating school pass lists might account for most or even all of the fans that were visible.


FWIW.