Re: More proof that the Regional system is a disaster: Today's attendance at the X is
I certainly wish the attendance in Green Bay was higher.
That said, with the NCAA looking for neutral sites, it made sense for the Resch Center management to bid. It's a big enough building but not too big (i.e. Bradley Center), has some tourist appeal (Lambeau) and is well situated for both CCHA and WCHA.
That said, in the last two years, none of these teams were assigned here - either because they didn't make the tournament or played elsewhere: Wisconsin, Minnesota, Minn-Duluth, Northern Michigan, Michigan Tech, Mankato, Bemidji, St. Cloud and Lake Superior. If any one of those, especially Wisconsin but even the first five, play in Green Bay, attendance is better. Much better. Even the last four would travel well to here, I think. Unfortunately, what would seem to be a reasonable expectation/hope turned out to be a pipe dream (or nightmare).
North Dakota was here last year, as was Western Michigan, and both teams helped with attendance. Ferris had a nice turnout but doesn't have the base or national following. Michigan fans showed up in decent numbers Friday, but (understandably) not Saturday. I understand Denver and Cornell fans not showing up in the 1000s.
Prices, too, were likely a factor. You can attend three Gamblers games for under $30. And while one should expect to pay more for this, the prices were more than double. As someone else noted, even parking was an unusually high (for this market) $10. That makes it tough for some folks to attend.
I hope Green Bay hosts again but gets some better "puck luck" in terms of which teams play here.
