National Championship Site

[XYZ]

Re: National Championship Site

Are you sure that year was bigger than the first year they had it in Placid? The first year was 2008 with Elmira, Norwich, Plattsburgh and St. Norbert and that year it was VERY full. They list it as 5600 for both of the semifinals so I'm assuming that was a total day attendance and I definitely believe that. There was a huge buzz around the tournament that year.

Good question as I wasn't there in 2008 so forgot about that one, but based on the picture that was posted it doesn't match up to that second semifinal in 2010. Lower bowl was all but full and the upper deck was getting reasonably close.

The most underrated crowd I've seen at one of these things was in Lewiston thanks mostly to a big turnout by the locals relative to many other places it's been held. Only around 2k or so but that filled it up pretty well (despite posted capacity being something like 3600), plus they were into the games despite the fact many probably had zero familiarity with the teams playing. Let's be honest...Lewiston isn't the most palatial town on the planet and nothing at all compares to Lake Placid (which is the perfect location and should host this thing every year), but in terms of how that one was run Bowdoin and the local organizers did an incredible job and I wouldn't complain one bit if it was back there at some point.

As far as this year goes, my biggest fear is people getting turned away. You put this thing in Point and it's going to be 1-2k people turned away for the session Point is in. Likely the same to some (or even greater?) extent at St. Norbert, Geneseo, Oswego and perhaps others. How would things go in Geneseo if Oswego was also there? And quite frankly, if it happens I'd rate it somewhere between embarrassing and disgraceful.

 

[Ed Trefzger]

Re: National Championship Site

It is interesting they gave it to a neutral site with relatively low capacity for a neutral site.

How well it does will of course depend on which teams get there.

League championships or national championships there ... despite how nice the facility is ... are a problem because of capacity.

 

[Ed Trefzger]

Re: National Championship Site

As far as this year goes, my biggest fear is people getting turned away.

Bingo.

 

[altazo]

Good question as I wasn't there in 2008 so forgot about that one, but based on the picture that was posted it doesn't match up to that second semifinal in 2010. Lower bowl was all but full and the upper deck was getting reasonably close.

The most underrated crowd I've seen at one of these things was in Lewiston thanks mostly to a big turnout by the locals relative to many other places it's been held. Only around 2k or so but that filled it up pretty well (despite posted capacity being something like 3600), plus they were into the games despite the fact many probably had zero familiarity with the teams playing. Let's be honest...Lewiston isn't the most palatial town on the planet and nothing at all compares to Lake Placid (which is the perfect location and should host this thing every year), but in terms of how that one was run Bowdoin and the local organizers did an incredible job and I wouldn't complain one bit if it was back there at some point.

As far as this year goes, my biggest fear is people getting turned away. You put this thing in Point and it's going to be 1-2k people turned away for the session Point is in. Likely the same to some (or even greater?) extent at St. Norbert, Geneseo, Oswego and perhaps others. How would things go in Geneseo if Oswego was also there? And quite frankly, if it happens I'd rate it somewhere between embarrassing and disgraceful.

I wish SNC was able to work out scheduling conflicts with the Gamblers to be able to host at the Resch Center one season. That venue would be perfect: it seats 8k for hockey, it is about 5-10 minutes from Green Bay’s mid-sized airport, and it’s across the street from Lambeau Field - a place every college athlete would be psyched to check out.

 

[bakdraft21]

Re: National Championship Site

Good question as I wasn't there in 2008 so forgot about that one, but based on the picture that was posted it doesn't match up to that second semifinal in 2010. Lower bowl was all but full and the upper deck was getting reasonably close.

The most underrated crowd I've seen at one of these things was in Lewiston thanks mostly to a big turnout by the locals relative to many other places it's been held. Only around 2k or so but that filled it up pretty well (despite posted capacity being something like 3600), plus they were into the games despite the fact many probably had zero familiarity with the teams playing. Let's be honest...Lewiston isn't the most palatial town on the planet and nothing at all compares to Lake Placid (which is the perfect location and should host this thing every year), but in terms of how that one was run Bowdoin and the local organizers did an incredible job and I wouldn't complain one bit if it was back there at some point.

As far as this year goes, my biggest fear is people getting turned away. You put this thing in Point and it's going to be 1-2k people turned away for the session Point is in. Likely the same to some (or even greater?) extent at St. Norbert, Geneseo, Oswego and perhaps others. How would things go in Geneseo if Oswego was also there? And quite frankly, if it happens I'd rate it somewhere between embarrassing and disgraceful.

Don't have much info on this topic but I would think if the students are not around/on break attendance may be down??

 

[Russell Jaslow]

I wish SNC was able to work out scheduling conflicts with the Gamblers to be able to host at the Resch Center one season. That venue would be perfect: it seats 8k for hockey, it is about 5-10 minutes from Green Bay’s mid-sized airport, and it’s across the street from Lambeau Field - a place every college athlete would be psyched to check out.

Resch Center does not want to bid as a neutral site from what I heard because there is no guarantee SNC would be in it.

However, as a campus site bid selection, like this year, they have put a bid in.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Don't have much info on this topic but I would think if the students are not around/on break attendance may be down??

Talking to the Geneseo folks, that is a concern. But if they can get the dorms to open early for the students to return early, that could alleviate some of it.

Plus, Geneseo has been getting great support from locals. And if Oswego were in it, their townsfolk travel well, too.

 

[altazo]

Resch Center does not want to bid as a neutral site from what I heard because there is no guarantee SNC would be in it.

However, as a campus site bid selection, like this year, they have put a bid in.

Yeah, I know.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Yeah, I know.

But I think it has more to do than just dealing with the Gamblers schedule. The Resch Center doesn’t want to "waste" an 8,000 seat arena on a championship weekend with no local teams.

 

[altazo]

But I think it has more to do than just dealing with the Gamblers schedule. The Resch Center doesn’t want to "waste" an 8,000 seat arena on a championship weekend with no local teams.

Well, it’s a combination of all the reasons mentioned here.

And regardless of why it likely won’t happen, the fact remains it would be a fantastic venue for the western region for all the reasons I stated and more.

 

[Russell Jaslow]

Well, it’s a combination of all the reasons mentioned here.

And regardless of why it likely won’t happen, the fact remains it would be a fantastic venue for the western region for all the reasons I stated and more.

I agree. I always wished Resch would bid, as its a great western site.

 

[GB Puck Fan]

Re: National Championship Site

Much like Ridder, I wish LaBahn & UW would agree to bid but I’m told they aren’t interested.