Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

One of the reasons I put the 10,000 seat number out there also has to do with demographics.
We already know we can sell that amount on a good weekend and average a higher regular attendance than we have in recent years when the team is doing well.
Central Ohio has showed steady growth and expansion and looking at the comparison between the 2000 & 2010 census Franklin County grew by nearly 100,000 people and neighboring Delaware County increased by nearly 57% and all other adjoining counties also had increases in population. We have a NHL team in Columbus with multiple ice rinks in the area and hockey is growing in popularity as a sport.
If you combine these and other factors we can see a constant increase in the likelihood that a 10,000 seat hockey arena can indeed be justified. If we build a new arena in say 4 years it would be only practical to make our capacity goals for a scale of growth of where our needs will be 10 years from now.
As I said here before, back in the day they said they would NEVER fill the Horseshoe if they built it that big!

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

One of the reasons I put the 10,000 seat number out there also has to do with demographics.
We already know we can sell that amount on a good weekend and average a higher regular attendance than we have in recent years when the team is doing well.
Central Ohio has showed steady growth and expansion and looking at the comparison between the 2000 & 2010 census Franklin County grew by nearly 100,000 people and neighboring Delaware County increased by nearly 57% and all other adjoining counties also had increases in population. We have a NHL team in Columbus with multiple ice rinks in the area and hockey is growing in popularity as a sport.
If you combine these and other factors we can see a constant increase in the likelihood that a 10,000 seat hockey arena can indeed be justified. If we build a new arena in say 4 years it would be only practical to make our capacity goals for a scale of growth of where our needs will be 10 years from now.
As I said here before, back in the day they said they would NEVER fill the Horseshoe if they built it that big!

You said it better than I did, and by that I am referring to your point about demographics and having the foresight to build an arena that may be perceived to have more seats than what we need at this time. I said earlier that I would be fine with 8,000 seats, but I would be thrilled if the powers that be at the university had the foresight to build a 10,000-seat hockey arena. I really believe if and when Coach Oz has this program winning the Big Ten Hockey Conference or going to the NCAA Tournament on a regular basis, that we will come close to selling out a 10,000-seat arena for most games and sellout for some of them. Case in point, 10K+ are expected this weekend, and we are a 4th place team in the CCHA that is just .500 overall. We have drawn 8K - 9K in recent years vs Miami with a down program. When it comes to a new arena, I just think anything smaller than 8K would be extremely shortsighted. I realize Notre Dame and Penn State just built brand new arenas that seat 5K and 6K, but we have a much larger metropolitan area than those places, which I think warrants building a bigger arena than the 5K - 6K range.

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

I realize Notre Dame and Penn State just built brand new arenas that seat 5K and 6K, but we have a much larger metropolitan area than those places, which I think warrants building a bigger arena than the 5K - 6K range.

Another point that may go along with what you said is what OTHER teams just did.
We're Ohio State, a leader in sports, why should WE settle to do what others have when we should always strive to do more than our competition?
Can I get some Buckeye Pride here? OH-

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

IO.

I love the passion, the enthusiasm and the optimism; I really do. But I sincerely think you guys are wrong. I just don't see the unlimited upside potential.

Everybody seems to agree that the current facility is too big. Let's say we went with 12,000 seats. Such a building certainly wouldn't come cheap. Much as I love hockey, the Department of Athletics has countless other demands on its resources. Who else besides Men's Hockey would use a building that size? And if it's too big and fancy, you're going to start hitting the "it's too expensive to turn on the lights and staff it" argument. Even Women's Hockey might be locked out on that basis.

If there really is unlimited upside potential for Men's Hockey, then we should keep the wallet closed and ride out the storm until we can fill the Schott. Why build something that's destined to become a white elephant?

Comparable Markets Argument: I get that Notre Dame and Penn State are located in smaller communities. But both of those schools are national sports brand names with huge fanbases. The comparison does have some merit.

Be that as it may, suppose the size of the local market really is the most important factor. So lets look at Denver. The City of Columbus is actually a little bigger than the City of Denver; 800k vs. 600k. But the Denver Metro area is significantly larger than Columbus, 3.2 million to 1.8 million. OK, the Denver numbers include Boulder. You could argue the Boulder portion should be dropped out of the total number. But by any measure the Denver Metro Area is the larger of the two. The winter sports culture is more entrenched there. They share their market with an NHL team, like we do. With all those things in mind, how big is Magness, built in the late '90s? Answer: 7,200 seats. That's the sweet spot, IMHO. By that I mean 7,200 would be a number that work fairly well right away, yet allow some room for growth up to Denver's size.

EDIT: Consider also that Denver's program is frequently on TV. Can't remember if they're on Fox Sports/Rocky Mountain or Altitude, but the point is the same either way. The Pioneers have also made a lot of noise nationally in the last decade. I'd be comfortable saying that Pioneer Hockey currently has a larger following than Buckeye Hockey. And yet DU finds the 7,200 size to be sufficient.

Bottom Line? With all due respect to everyone that favors a larger building, I think we're getting a little carried away because it's Michigan week. No question about it, the crowds of 10,000+ will be great. But soon enough we'll be playing October games again. The opponent won't be Michigan. And Buckeye Football will overwhelming dominate the local sports scene, as usual. 7,200 seats would accomodate those crowds with plenty of space to spare. IMHO.

 

[Draighlicht]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

Bottom Line? With all due respect to everyone that favors a larger building, I think we're getting a little carried away because it's Michigan week. No question about it, the crowds of 10,000+ will be great. But soon enough we'll be playing October games again. The opponent won't be Michigan. And Buckeye Football will overwhelming dominate the local sports scene, as usual. 7,200 seats would accomodate those crowds with plenty of space to spare. IMHO.

I agree, and I stand by my original point that the Schott will be there if needed to accommodate the largest crowds. It would be nice to have a back-up arena that is bigger rather than one that is much smaller and shuts people out of attending.

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

My numbers on seating are what they've always been, Michigan week isn't a factor for and I would say counting on the Schott isn't a viable backup as it has been a demanding task to schedule a whole season between 3 teams and concerts. The athletic dept most likely would not want to go the extra effort to keep things available for hockey if we had our own building.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

My numbers on seating are what they've always been, Michigan week isn't a factor...

In that case, I respectfully -- but strongly -- disagree with your interpretation of the available numbers. Part of me hopes you're correct, of course.

...I would say counting on the Schott isn't a viable backup as it has been a demanding task to schedule a whole season between 3 teams and concerts. The athletic dept most likely would not want to go the extra effort to keep things available for hockey if we had our own building.

"Back-up" probably isn't the right word here. Last minute venue changes cause huge problems and would likely be rare, just as you suggest. But that's not really the issue. Each time a new Buckeye Hockey schedule is released, you can browse through it and immediately get a very good idea which games are likely to generate high attendance. The key factors are the opponent, and having dates outside the football season. Those special games could be scheduled in the Schott right up front, months in advance. "Holding dates open" needn't be a problem.

We're back to the basic philosophical disagreement from several posts ago. Your take is that walk-up tickets should be available all season long. That's just not my priority. Not only is it unnecessary, I believe that if Buckeye Hockey was occasionally a tough ticket, it would create a positive buzz around the program. As long as "most" of the games are available on a walk-up basis, I just don't see the downside.

 

[Cornbread]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

I have been a Buckeye season ticket holder for a while now. The Schott is terrible for basketball and Hockey. It has no character. Nationwide is a better arena. This arena took a way the college atmosphere. Except when Michigan is here or when The Miami fans make the trek, you will not see more than 5000 a game. The only time this place was rocking was during the Minnesota - North Dakota game in the Frozen 4. We (OSU) are not a hockey school and never will be. The top kids will not come here. A few may trickle in (Dalpe, Umberger) but the Majority of the top ranked kids will still go to Michigan, Boston, North Dakota, Minnesota and other top Ranked HOCKEY programs. I love college hockey but realize Ohio State is not up to the talent of most of there competitors. We have to survive with hot Goaltending which we are working on for 3 years now. There will be 12000 fans tonight. Most hate Michigan!! Most think there are fights in college hockey!! Most do not realize they will be watching one of the Greatest Hockey Coaches in College History. He is on the wrong bench! Go BUCKS

 

[OSUmab]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

Well that 3rd period was a roller coaster. Three times cut the lead to one only see it to be pushed back to two, yes I know the last one was an empty net goal. Power-play was BAD tonight.

Really really need to get the split Saturday

 

[OSUmab]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

Well that 3rd period was a roller coaster. Three times cut the lead to one only see it to be pushed back to two, yes I know the last one was an empty net goal. Power-play was BAD tonight.

Really really need to get the split Saturday

 

[klbaum1077]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

Look no farther than the PP as the cause of this loss. Michgian scored 2 goals on 4 chances and the buckeyes were 0-6. I felt pretty good after the first period even down 1-0 but that 2nd period was pretty bad. Michigan in the 3rd just answered the bell each time Ohio state got within 1 goal. If they want to play at home in the 2nd round tomorrow night is a must win.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

I am not going to say much about this one because I was not there (over at the OSU Ice Rink for the OSU womens game). Klbaum1077, did we regress tonight or what the bleep happened out there?!? Tomorrow night is now a must-win game for Ohio State IMHO. The performance and result tonight is exactly why I didn't talk any crap before this game! Leave it to us to let Michigan come into our ice and get off the schnide.

 

[klbaum1077]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

I am not going to say much about this one because I was not there (over at the OSU Ice Rink for the OSU womens game). Klbaum1077, did we regress tonight or what the bleep happened out there?!? Tomorrow night is now a must-win game for Ohio State IMHO. The performance and result tonight is exactly why I didn't talk any crap before this game! Leave it to us to let Michigan come into our ice and get off the schnide.

Michigan took advantage of the chances given especially on the PP. The 2nd period was pretty much Michigan's and without Brady it would have been worse than 2-0. I though the 3rd period Ohio state had the better chances but when they would convert Michigan would come right back and take the momentum. After the Short to get with 3-2 they had a few chances right out in front but couldnt bury them. I do agree that tomorrow is a must win.

 

[klbaum1077]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

You're not a true Buckeye. Screw you!

who are you talking to?

 

[unruly]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

Average seat attendance is 4,096 at the Schott.

One of the reasons I put the 10,000 seat number out there also has to do with demographics.
We already know we can sell that amount on a good weekend and average a higher regular attendance than we have in recent years when the team is doing well.
Central Ohio has showed steady growth and expansion and looking at the comparison between the 2000 & 2010 census Franklin County grew by nearly 100,000 people and neighboring Delaware County increased by nearly 57% and all other adjoining counties also had increases in population. We have a NHL team in Columbus with multiple ice rinks in the area and hockey is growing in popularity as a sport.
If you combine these and other factors we can see a constant increase in the likelihood that a 10,000 seat hockey arena can indeed be justified. If we build a new arena in say 4 years it would be only practical to make our capacity goals for a scale of growth of where our needs will be 10 years from now.
As I said here before, back in the day they said they would NEVER fill the Horseshoe if they built it that big!

 

[unruly]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

Not you klbaum, relax..... Go Bucks!

 

[klbaum1077]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

Michigan State wins 1-0 at Alaska. That result gives the Buckeyes a First round Bye now the only things left to sort out are the opponent and place.

 

[streaker]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

Michigan State wins 1-0 at Alaska. That result gives the Buckeyes a First round Bye now the only things left to sort out are the opponent and place.

Yep, and Alaska isn't out of the woods for locking 6th place, either. Now, I think Michigan has to expect a better effort from OSU tonight considering that they could still gain 4th place, right?

 

[mcfarljd]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

Yep, and Alaska isn't out of the woods for locking 6th place, either. Now, I think Michigan has to expect a better effort from OSU tonight considering that they could still gain 4th place, right?

Could still be...
Miami 53
Ohio State 51
Western 51
Notre 50

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Re: Ohio State 2013/2014 - Third year in Oz

We're back to the basic philosophical disagreement from several posts ago. Your take is that walk-up tickets should be available all season long. That's just not my priority. Not only is it unnecessary, I believe that if Buckeye Hockey was occasionally a tough ticket, it would create a positive buzz around the program. As long as "most" of the games are available on a walk-up basis, I just don't see the downside.

I don't see the need for it to be a tough ticket to create a buzz as I believe high volume of ticket sales would do the same if not more.
All I can say at this point is to shelve this debate until such time in the future when OSU announces it's intentions on building a hockey facility and see what the future brings, eh?