More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is...

[totalx]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

Part of this has to do with the availability of games on TV these days, even with the issues of blackouts on D-TV and such. Back in the nineties it was nearly impossible to see regional action on TV. The rest has to do with pricey tickets combined with not knowing where your favorite team is playing until travel costs become sky high which ultimately leads to empty arenas.

Bingo. The availability of it on TV and the Internet is one of the biggest problems for attendance, and I think the NCAA should look at this and figure in costs. Is it nice to see your team play live? Sure. But when you pay to fly or drive, pay $50+ for tickets, food, lodging...it adds up quickly. The expose is great for college hockey but it certainly is a downfall when it comes to getting butts in seats.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

1) Bring down prices.
2) Tier prices for seats. Nosebleeds should not be the same price as front row.

Bingo!

 

[MUnRPI]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

How many campus sites can outdraw what the X drew on what has been a very down year?

Throw even just Minnesota or North Dakota at the X on a typical year and it outdraws what you could get at a vast majority of campus sites.

Every campus site would sell out and it would be more entertaining / affordable for the fans. When 60% attendance is considered a "win" for the non-Minnesota Regionals something is wrong...

 

[J.D.]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

We could make a huge list. Add in not forcing people to buy the entire weekend package.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

We could make a huge list. Add in not forcing people to buy the entire weekend package.

Agreed. They didn't release single game tickets at the X until I believe today. Release those earlier, tier the ticket prices, and I'm sure the venues are much closer to sellouts.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

But this, to me, is an absolute travesty. If you can't even draw 10,000 fans at the X for the two biggest fan bases in the WCHA, your regional system is broken. It is an insult to the players, the coaches, the fans, and the sport itself. It must change.

The NCAA must drop neutral-site regionals and play the first 12 games at the home sites of the higher seeds.

I'm confused how games at Mariucci or REA (or anywhere else for that matter) would have drawn more fans all thing considered equal.

 

[MUnRPI]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

I'm confused how games at Mariucci or REA (or anywhere else for that matter) would have drawn more fans all thing considered equal.

Why do more fans = better? IMO the higher seed getting to play at home and making the environments 100000x better is a win.

 

[LTsatch]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

What do we do when a 3,000 seat arena team warrants a home game and 2,000 of those seats are owned by season ticket holders? How do we account for the loss in total revenue when you actually limit attendance even if demand is higher. Do we make each D-1 team specify a rink of 5,000 or greater capacity as a home playoff site? (good idea IMO)

 

[LTsatch]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

Oh, and sell beer BTW and allow exit and re-entry between contests at all venues.

 

[MUnRPI]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

What do we do when a 3,000 seat arena team warrants a home game and 2,000 of those seats are owned by season ticket holders? How do we account for the loss in total revenue when you actually limit attendance even if demand is higher. Do we make each D-1 team specify a rink of 5,000 or greater capacity as a home playoff site? (good idea IMO)

That's a good idea. When demand is higher than the attendance limit that creates excitement! Why are we trying to mold college hockey into something that it is not?

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

I'm confused how games at Mariucci or REA (or anywhere else for that matter) would have drawn more fans all thing considered equal.

I'm not sure they would if the prices stay the same. We had the regional here in Madison a few years ago with Princeton, Denver, Nodak and ourselves.

If I remember correctly, they didn't even open the 300s. Most of the people that I know who didn't go cited the price.

I went, but if we hadn't been in it, I wouldn't have spent that much.

For most people, take the ticket price and multiply it by either 2 (take wife/date) or 4 (take family). $240 to take the family to some hockey games that I can watch at home? No way.

Hell, even if they weren't on TV, no way. And I'm a college hockey fan. How can anyone expect the general public to pay?

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

That's a good idea. When demand is higher than the attendance limit that creates excitement! Why are we trying to mold college hockey into something that it is not?

The NCAA doesn't want to give that big of an advantage to the home team, and I agree with them. The locations aren't the problem.

 

[totalx]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

What do we do when a 3,000 seat arena team warrants a home game and 2,000 of those seats are owned by season ticket holders? How do we account for the loss in total revenue when you actually limit attendance even if demand is higher. Do we make each D-1 team specify a rink of 5,000 or greater capacity as a home playoff site? (good idea IMO)

I like that idea. Quite a bit. As a Ferris fan, I can't imagine hosting a regional in Big Rapids when the capacity is less than 2,500. Great barn to play in, but not conducive to a regional setting. Seeing the attendance at every regional this year is simply disappointing.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

3 game series for 2 weeks.

Lower seed hosts game 1 on Thursday, higher seed gets games 2 and 3 (if needed) on Saturday and Sunday.

No week off after round 2.

Frozen Four as is.

Easy, and NCAA, you're welcome.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

3 game series for 2 weeks.

Lower seed hosts game 1 on Thursday, higher seed gets games 2 and 3 (if needed) on Saturday and Sunday.

No week off after round 2.

Frozen Four as is.

Easy, and NCAA, you're welcome.

Interesting idea. What if there is a long travel distance between lower seed and higher seed sites?

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

Interesting idea. What if there is a long travel distance between lower seed and higher seed sites?

The Gurt plan has a travel day built in.

I mean, it could be brutal if Alaska was playing BC, but it would be brutal for both teams, so deal. Of course, Alaska would have to actually make the NCAAs.

Imagine 3 game series. How freaking fun would that be?

 

[totalx]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

3 game series for 2 weeks.

Lower seed hosts game 1 on Thursday, higher seed gets games 2 and 3 (if needed) on Saturday and Sunday.

No week off after round 2.

Frozen Four as is.

Easy, and NCAA, you're welcome.

I shall say, that would make for exciting hockey. Rather simple way to fix attendance woes and increase overall energy. I approve.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

The Gurt plan has a travel day built in.

I mean, it could be brutal if Alaska was playing BC, but it would be brutal for both teams, so deal. Of course, Alaska would have to actually make the NCAAs.

Imagine 3 game series. How freaking fun would that be?

Would be fun. Very interesting idea. Lots of upside.

 

[Slap Shot]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

Why do more fans = better? IMO the higher seed getting to play at home and making the environments 100000x better is a win.

I didn't say that, but who cares if 9k show up at 50% or 90% capacity? But clearly the concern being expressed is overall attendance so not sure if serious.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is

Would be fun. Very interesting idea. Lots of upside.

Which means it has no chance of actually happening. We can dream though...