Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

[D2D]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

An 86 million dollar facility affectionately known as "The 86."

Don't forget Mrs. 86!

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

Excellent point! But we need to be careful what we wish for. Does this mean that the 86 household now has to donate 172 million dollars, so that both Mr. & Mrs. are fully represented?

 

[D2D]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

Excellent point! But we need to be careful what we wish for. Does this mean that the 86 household now has to donate 172 million dollars, so that both Mr. & Mrs. are fully represented?

It's totally their call, but $86M should pay for a fairly nice facility. Either way, I should be able to convince Mrs. D2D to take a trip out there the next time their team hosts the Gophers.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

LOL, love it everyone! Actually, one of the stipulations would be that it's NOT named after me or the Mrs. I am thinking maybe name it after a former player or coach. If they want to put our names on the wall somewhere or on a brick, they can do that.

It's funny, D2D, because when teams play us down here, I ask fans if they are making the trip. Some come down, but some don't, and looking at the arenas around the league, well, the OSU Ice Rink is sort of a letdown when you're used to seeing games at places like Ridder or The Ralph, or Amsoil. Bemidji's new arena is supposed to be nice, too. I saw some pics of the new place Wisconsin is building. It's going to be something else.

 

[D2D]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

...well, the OSU Ice Rink is sort of a letdown when you're used to seeing games at places like Ridder or The Ralph, or Amsoil. Bemidji's new arena is supposed to be nice, too. I saw some pics of the new place Wisconsin is building. It's going to be something else.

If I'm not mistaken OSU has the largest undergraduate enrollment of any university in the USA, correct? With all the other nice facilities around the league that you mention, which of course you have to compete against when trying to lure top new recruits, I would imagine there is some heavy lobbying going on behind the scenes down there. And Penn State, which will be in the Big Ten for the men starting in 2013, is also building and no doubt this has to be putting on additional pressure also.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

LOL, love it everyone! Actually, one of the stipulations would be that it's NOT named after me or the Mrs. I am thinking maybe name it after a former player or coach.

Ah, so you're a proud disciple of Woody Hayes! When Woody was asked if Ohio Stadium should be renamed in his honor, he strictly forbid it. Not a bad precedent to follow. You do, however, need to make sure the Power Ball payout is big enough to cover the naming rights -- in an accounting sense. That way you can reserve the rights for yourself, and keep control of the naming process.

If they want to put our names on the wall somewhere or on a brick, they can do that.

Cue up the Pink Floyd classic...

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

...With all the other nice facilities around the league that you mention, which of course you have to compete against when trying to lure top new recruits, I would imagine there is some heavy lobbying going on behind the scenes down there. And Penn State, which will be in the Big Ten for the men starting in 2013, is also building and no doubt this has to be putting on additional pressure also.

No one would be more pleased with a beautiful new OSU Ice Arena than me.

But all of us need to remember that OSU Athletics had a major construction push in the relatively recent past. The Ohio Stadium renovation cost as much as some brand stadiums. Only 13 years old, The Schott is an NHL quality building that's hosted the Men's Frozen Four. It's only major flaw is that it has too much seating most of the time. We also have virtually new facilities for track, soccer, softball, etc. etc. There is some debt to be paid off, to say the least. Once most of said debt is in the rear view mirror, additional construction becomes more realistic.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

No one would be more pleased with a beautiful new OSU Ice Arena than me.

Only 13 years old, The Schott is an NHL quality building that's hosted the Men's Frozen Four. It's only major flaw is that it has too much seating most of the time.

The men play here? The women cannot? Just asking due to a few other shared facilities of large / medium seating capacity in the WCHA. REA, NHC, AMSOIL, Kohl and Sanford.

 

[granddaddyscout]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

The men play here? The women cannot? Just asking due to a few other shared facilities of large / medium seating capacity in the WCHA. REA, NHC, AMSOIL, Kohl and Sanford.

I believe the previous coach specifically choose not to play in the Schott to avoid the scheduling conflicts that come with sharing a game site with the men. I could be wrong, but I think she prefered the smaller rink and felt if gave her more of an advantage at home as well.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

Ah, so you're a proud disciple of Woody Hayes! When Woody was asked if Ohio Stadium should be renamed in his honor, he strictly forbid it. Not a bad precedent to follow. You do, however, need to make sure the Power Ball payout is big enough to cover the naming rights -- in an accounting sense. That way you can reserve the rights for yourself, and keep control of the naming process.

Cue up the Pink Floyd classic...

LOL ... Yep ... "Another Brick In The Wall!" And if I don't start buying powerball tickets, that is all I will be able to contribute to a new arena at Ohio State.

D2D, you touched on my biggest thing with facilities. I am old school and into tradition. Kids today are new school. They are also into tradition, but they also like nice facilities, and we are definitely lacking in that department when measured with the rest of the league. Most of us see this, but the athletic deparment apparently has bigger fish to fry from what I hear from friends in the know. I am hoping the current coaches can make do with the facilities we have until the athletic department "figures it out."

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

I believe the previous coach specifically choose not to play in the Schott to avoid the scheduling conflicts that come with sharing a game site with the men. I could be wrong, but I think she prefered the smaller rink and felt if gave her more of an advantage at home as well.

Granddaddyscout, Pgb could answer that better than me, but I believe you are correct. With a hockey capacity of 17,500, the Schott is just too big and looks so cavernous with just a few hundred fans there for a women's game. Wisconsin's women seem to make it work with the Kohl Center, but here, not so much. Heck, the Schott looks cavernous for a men's game when there are only a few thousand there. Hopefully, with our men ranked in the top five in the PairWise, that will change. The men drew 9,800+ for the recent game against Michigan, which filled the lower bowl and was the largest crowd of the season.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

The men play here? The women cannot? Just asking due to a few other shared facilities of large / medium seating capacity in the WCHA. REA, NHC, AMSOIL, Kohl and Sanford.

Brooky, Pgb knows this for sure, but I think our women played their first games at the Schott, then moved into the OSU Ice Arena when the renovations were completed. The Schott holds 17,500 for hockey (19,500 for hoops) and is obviously a nice facility for the men's program, although it's been a long time since they have sold out. I think the best option for both programs would be to build a 7,000 - 9,000 seat facility. Actually the best option would be something like you have at Minnesota where you have a 10,000-seat arena for the men and a 3,500-seat arena for the women. Honestly, with all the rich donors we have at tOSU (unfortunately I am not one of them unless I start buying powerball tickets and win), I am surprised that we haven't had someone step forward and rectify this situation. Unfortunately, our rich donors must not be hockey fans! You guys have great facilities there with Mariucci and Ridder. I am envious, I admit it! Wisconsin is going to have a nice situation up there, too, when they get that new womens arena completed. I could go on and on, Minnesota-Duluth, UND with The Ralph, Bemidji with the Sanford Center, etc.. If we don't step it up and build, we're going to fall behind. That's my biggest fear ... that our facility starts hurting us. Can you believe when I was at OSU, our men played in that arena?!?

 

[brookyone]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

Brooky, Pgb knows this for sure, but I think our women played their first games at the Schott, then moved into the OSU Ice Arena when the renovations were completed. The Schott holds 17,500 for hockey (19,500 for hoops) and is obviously a nice facility for the men's program, although it's been a long time since they have sold out. I think the best option for both programs would be to build a 7,000 - 9,000 seat facility. Actually the best option would be something like you have at Minnesota where you have a 10,000-seat arena for the men and a 3,500-seat arena for the women. Honestly, with all the rich donors we have at tOSU (unfortunately I am not one of them unless I start buying powerball tickets and win), I am surprised that we haven't had someone step forward and rectify this situation. Unfortunately, our rich donors must not be hockey fans! You guys have great facilities there with Mariucci and Ridder. I am envious, I admit it! Wisconsin is going to have a nice situation up there, too, when they get that new womens arena completed. I could go on and on, Minnesota-Duluth, UND with The Ralph, Bemidji with the Sanford Center, etc.. If we don't step it up and build, we're going to fall behind. That's my biggest fear ... that our facility starts hurting us. Can you believe when I was at OSU, our men played in that arena?!?

I've never been to Columbus for a game 86, but I've heard some pretty unflattering reviews from those that have...pretty much a consensus opinion truth be told. IIRC, players had to walk across a street from locker room to arena, probably before renovation? I think someone told me that once anyway, several years ago. With the quality facilities around the WCHA now I would think it could become a disadvantage for recruiting. I've just heard quite a few blue chippers specifically mention facilities when asked about their decision process. That's the primary, foremost claim from every U of M varsity coach when they want new digs anyway...new football stadium...new baseball facility on the way I hear. All claim they have to have them for more competitive, successful recruiting purposes. The Minnesota football program could just shoot that theory in the rear though.

On the other hand, with the numbers of excellent players looking to play NCAA D-I hockey these days I would think there will always be enough of them perfectly willing to attend OSU and play on whatever rink they have. Just be great for the players to have nicer digs. Same for the Mavericks. You're right about UW...as if they need another edge for recruitment...yikes!

Bottom line, I'd rather have the nicer facility even if too large for the sport at present.

Now about that powerball. I play regularly, and us PB lottery players are being "played" in my opinion. The new cost of one line: $2.00 vs. the former $1.00. "Odds of winning increased" they say...yeah, instead of 1 in 184 million+ it's now 1 in 175 million+. But wait...I used to get five plays for five bucks...now I get three plays for six bucks. That's not increasing my odds I don't think.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

Brooky, Pgb knows this for sure, but I think our women played their first games at the Schott, then moved into the OSU Ice Arena when the renovations were completed.

Correct, though it was a single game. The first ever game in program history, an exhibition match against Guelph, was in the Schott. The first NCAA game was at the Ice Rink, and the Women's team has been there ever since.

The Schott holds 17,500 for hockey (19,500 for hoops) and is obviously a nice facility for the men's program, although it's been a long time since they have sold out. I think the best option for both programs would be to build a 7,000 - 9,000 seat facility. Actually the best option would be something like you have at Minnesota where you have a 10,000-seat arena for the men and a 3,500-seat arena for the women...

Agree with all of the above. Ideal and doable can be two different things, but you've identified the two best options. I'd only add that if we were to go with the one arena plan, a second ice sheet without seats would be a highly desirable add-on.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

I believe the previous coach specifically choose not to play in the Schott to avoid the scheduling conflicts that come with sharing a game site with the men. I could be wrong, but I think she prefered the smaller rink and felt if gave her more of an advantage at home as well.

That's pretty accurate, although there's a fuller story to be told.

Opening up the Schott for ANY event is an expensive proposition, given all of the staffing that's required. You also have to take into account that this is a multi-purpose building, and converting the building back and forth from hockey to other uses eats up time and dollars. Plus, there's also an opportunity cost; you can't book concerts or other big events if the building is in use for a second hockey team. Finally, the building is already home to 3 Varsity sports: The two hoops teams and Men's Hockey. Many, if not most, of the prime dates are spoken for. Taking all of these reasons together, the University's reluctance to use the Schott for Women's Hockey becomes pretty understandable.

I don't know the exact details of the team's position, but it is safe to assume there's more of a home ice advantage at the Ice Rink. Put a crowd of 300 in the Schott, and even the biggest games will feel like scrimmages. Put the same crowd in the Ice Rink, give them a great game, and the atmosphere is more than respectable. I've also got to believe that no one would want the schedule constraints that being the 4th tenant in the Schott would involve. My guess is that you'd wind up with scheduling "cures" such as playing a series on Thursday evening & Friday afternoon.

In the short run, I'd love to see our Women's Varsity play in the Schott once or twice a year -- probably as part of a Saturday Doubleheader with the Men's team. But beyond that, I honestly believe the team is better off in the Ice Rink until the "Hockey Only" facility can be built.

 

[ManBehindTheCurtain]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

Now about that powerball. I play regularly, and us PB lottery players are being "played" in my opinion. The new cost of one line: $2.00 vs. the former $1.00. "Odds of winning increased" they say...yeah, instead of 1 in 184 million+ it's now 1 in 175 million+. But wait...I used to get five plays for five bucks...now I get three plays for six bucks. That's not increasing my odds I don't think.

And that is why they call it gambling.

 

[brookyone]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

And that is why they call it gambling.

I thought they called it voluntary taxation...or as some put it...a tax on the stupid. I tell myself I'm doing my bit for the environment...by increasing those DNR salaries.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

I've never been to Columbus for a game 86, but I've heard some pretty unflattering reviews from those that have...pretty much a consensus opinion truth be told. IIRC, players had to walk across a street from locker room to arena, probably before renovation? I think someone told me that once anyway, several years ago.

Well, it's not across the street. It's short covered breezeway that connects the Ice Rink to St. John Arena. Only the home players have to make the walk. This was done so that the OSU players could have a larger, nicer locker room than would have been possible in the Ice Rink itself. The walk is actually a nice tradition. A temporary aisle is roped off with theater style barriers. Little kids line up along the barriers to cheer on the team as it enters. Embracing the situation, the team always enters in numerical order.

The Visitors' Locker room is in the main building, down one flight of stairs. It's basic but functional. I'm sure it comes up short in comparison with the newer buildings. But having used it countless times as a recreational player, I can assure you that it can be made to work.

I'd be interested to hear some of the specific complaints of visiting players. But my experience is that post-renovation, the ice has generally been good. The seats are all bleachers, but everyone is up close and personal with the action.

Concessions and rest rooms are located across the breezeway in St. John Arena. I'm sure that strikes some visitors as odd. But truth be told, the number of steps involved is almost certainly less on the average than it would be at the Schott.

The Ice Rink is a very plain, basic facility, no doubt about it. But in contrast to the pre-renovation, bad old days of the '90's, it's not shabby and it functions pretty well.

With the quality facilities around the WCHA now I would think it could become a disadvantage for recruiting. I've just heard quite a few blue chippers specifically mention facilities when asked about their decision process...

That's a legitimate concern.

 

[osualum86]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

Well, it's not across the street. It's short covered breezeway that connects the Ice Rink to St. John Arena. Only the home players have to make the walk. This was done so that the OSU players could have a larger, nicer locker room than would have been possible in the Ice Rink itself. The walk is actually a nice tradition. A temporary aisle is roped off with theater style barriers. Little kids line up along the barriers to cheer on the team as it enters. Embracing the situation, the team always enters in numerical order.

Little kids aren't the only ones who line up to cheer on the team when they enter (LOL)!

 

[pgb-ohio]

Re: Ohio State vs North Dakota 1/27 - 1/28

True enough! Make that kids of ALL ages. Both the young and the young at heart.