MavHockey14
New member
For those of you that went, curious to how you thought Tampa served as a host for the Frozen Four.
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Evaluating Frozen Four host Tampa Bay
- Thread starter MavHockey14
- Start date
Siouxfaninseattle
Fighting Sioux Fan Forever
Re: Evaluating Frozen Four host Tampa Bay
The arena is very nice and easy to get to, and parking was easy. If the ncaa doesn't want alcohol at events why was there a beer garden on Thursday? Allow alcohol or don't. There was no listing of events with tickets like there was last year. All in all it was a good event with plenty to do in tampa.
The arena is very nice and easy to get to, and parking was easy. If the ncaa doesn't want alcohol at events why was there a beer garden on Thursday? Allow alcohol or don't. There was no listing of events with tickets like there was last year. All in all it was a good event with plenty to do in tampa.
giwan
Really??!!
Re: Evaluating Frozen Four host Tampa Bay
Interesting, where was the beer garden located exactly and what times was it open?
Interesting, where was the beer garden located exactly and what times was it open?
Siouxfaninseattle
Fighting Sioux Fan Forever
It was outside of section 114 on Thursday. I don't know what times. I was out there between games. I don't think it was open for the NC game.
Split-N
All Hail
Re: Evaluating Frozen Four host Tampa Bay
I wasn't in Tampa but was watching on TV. Only one comment relating to the host: When you have two pretty good college bands in the house, you don't need a pipe organ. Bands are part and parcel of the college sports culture. Next time, give the organ guy the night off.
On the matter of adult beverages, I have no idea what the NC$$ rule is but if there is such a rule, it must have more holes than a swiss cheese. I've been to Colorado College games at the World Arena, where beer was sold from the concession stands. Ditto for at least one of the league championships in hoops.
I wasn't in Tampa but was watching on TV. Only one comment relating to the host: When you have two pretty good college bands in the house, you don't need a pipe organ. Bands are part and parcel of the college sports culture. Next time, give the organ guy the night off.
On the matter of adult beverages, I have no idea what the NC$$ rule is but if there is such a rule, it must have more holes than a swiss cheese. I've been to Colorado College games at the World Arena, where beer was sold from the concession stands. Ditto for at least one of the league championships in hoops.
SCSU Euro
New member
About half the arenas I know of sell booze, that's not the issue, the rule is they can't sell alcohol for NCAA tournament games, but regular season and league playoff games are fine.
hockeyplayer1015
Capt
Re: Evaluating Frozen Four host Tampa Bay
They had all sorts of beer sales outside the arena pregame. Expensive, but they were popular.
I felt Tampa did a terrific job with the Championships. I have nothing to compare it to, as this was my first FrozenFour, but I was quite impressed. I also noticed a large amount of fans in Lightning apparel, telling me that there were a fair number of local ticket sales.
They had all sorts of beer sales outside the arena pregame. Expensive, but they were popular.
I felt Tampa did a terrific job with the Championships. I have nothing to compare it to, as this was my first FrozenFour, but I was quite impressed. I also noticed a large amount of fans in Lightning apparel, telling me that there were a fair number of local ticket sales.
Re: Evaluating Frozen Four host Tampa Bay
The NCAA rule only applies to NCAA championship events; the service of alcohol at home games for the respective teams, and championship events sponsored by an athletic conference, has always been and will continue to be at the discretion of the school and/or the arena operator.
The NCAA rule only applies to NCAA championship events; the service of alcohol at home games for the respective teams, and championship events sponsored by an athletic conference, has always been and will continue to be at the discretion of the school and/or the arena operator.
MavHockey14
New member
Tampa Bay, surprisingly, has fantastic hockey fans.
Re: Evaluating Frozen Four host Tampa Bay
Lots of signage at the airport and near the arena, so the locals and UAH did a good job. Reasonable job covering the event by the local papers, especially considering the fact that it was wrapped around the Rays opening day against the Yankees. And wow is it easy to get out of the Times Forum. In the time it took us to get back to the hotel, I might have gotten out of my parking space in Boston. As we pretty much already knew, plenty to do on the off day and Saturday morning. The only complaint I have was that it just feels strange to go to a hockey game and see people in T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops, but that's just me.
Lots of signage at the airport and near the arena, so the locals and UAH did a good job. Reasonable job covering the event by the local papers, especially considering the fact that it was wrapped around the Rays opening day against the Yankees. And wow is it easy to get out of the Times Forum. In the time it took us to get back to the hotel, I might have gotten out of my parking space in Boston. As we pretty much already knew, plenty to do on the off day and Saturday morning. The only complaint I have was that it just feels strange to go to a hockey game and see people in T-shirts, shorts, and flip-flops, but that's just me.
Re: Evaluating Frozen Four host Tampa Bay
No surprise. I was there for the '99 NHL All Star game and the town was fantastic. What I really like is that every year there are a number of posts whining about just about everything imaginable, and I've seen almost no negative feedback. One friend that goes every year said it was one of the best ever. I'm not surprised. Plenty of bars, restaurants and hotels within walking distance of the arena. A good building, easy access and great weather. Now add a city and an organization that knows how to put on a first class event and that's a hard combo to beat.
I thought Tampa was fun, weather was great,the arena was awesome, ice was good, stuff to do on Friday , had good food , turkey legs in the arena were good, hockey was excellent. I'd go again without question
This. I thought it was great. I hope the NCAA selects them again.
Re: Evaluating Frozen Four host Tampa Bay
Not to take away from the true Tampa fans, but there are also a lot of transplants down there. There's no question it's a destination people would travel to in the future. While I prefer Frozen Fours to be in true, traditional hockey markets, I'm ok with Tampa based on what I've read.
Not to take away from the true Tampa fans, but there are also a lot of transplants down there. There's no question it's a destination people would travel to in the future. While I prefer Frozen Fours to be in true, traditional hockey markets, I'm ok with Tampa based on what I've read.
brassbonanza
Super Serial
Re: Evaluating Frozen Four host Tampa Bay
You could've worn a tshirt and shorts in Boston had there been a regional here. It was 82 that weekend here :O. People going to the basketball regional final at the Garden were all in tshirt and shorts...odd.
That said, I remember the city did a nice job hosting the Final Four (BB) in 1999 at Tropicana Field. Now, that's in St. Petersburg, so it's a bit different, but the main complaint from everyone there was that everything was too spread out. The designated fan hotels were all on Clearwater Beach, which was awesome, but it was also a 30-45 minute bus ride to the games, and to either Tampa or St. Pete. It was a while ago, but I don't remember the day we spent in Tampa being anything spectacular, but then again, neither was Houston last year. But the whole TB area went out of their way with promoting the event, even before the NCAA began their gigantic required mass marketing that they do now for the Final Four. Locals were all extraordinarily friendly, very helpful in getting people around, and while far away, it did seem easy to get around, though compared to a place like DC that had abundant public transportation, that does help to have.
Glad to hear it went well overall. Perhaps some of these destination FF's can work in the right place. Pittsburgh seems like it'll be a great event with it being a great sports town, fairly centrally located, and the new facility. Any word on cities in the running post-2014?
You could've worn a tshirt and shorts in Boston had there been a regional here. It was 82 that weekend here :O. People going to the basketball regional final at the Garden were all in tshirt and shorts...odd.
That said, I remember the city did a nice job hosting the Final Four (BB) in 1999 at Tropicana Field. Now, that's in St. Petersburg, so it's a bit different, but the main complaint from everyone there was that everything was too spread out. The designated fan hotels were all on Clearwater Beach, which was awesome, but it was also a 30-45 minute bus ride to the games, and to either Tampa or St. Pete. It was a while ago, but I don't remember the day we spent in Tampa being anything spectacular, but then again, neither was Houston last year. But the whole TB area went out of their way with promoting the event, even before the NCAA began their gigantic required mass marketing that they do now for the Final Four. Locals were all extraordinarily friendly, very helpful in getting people around, and while far away, it did seem easy to get around, though compared to a place like DC that had abundant public transportation, that does help to have.
Glad to hear it went well overall. Perhaps some of these destination FF's can work in the right place. Pittsburgh seems like it'll be a great event with it being a great sports town, fairly centrally located, and the new facility. Any word on cities in the running post-2014?
SCSU Euro
New member
I'm just crossing my fingers that the Pirates will be home that weekend, that'd be cool.