Problems for Ford Field?

[bigmrg74]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Speaking as someone who lives ten minutes from that arena, aside from the Pistons still playing in April, the area around the Palace is boring suburban sprawl. Other than the games and the Great Lakes Crossing megamall, there would be almost nothing to do in Auburn Hills except visit bland chain bars/restaurants, and none of it is within reasonable walking distance from the venue.

Yeah, there's nothing really to do in Auburn Hills. You would be much better off having the FF in downtown Detroit.

I don't think Joe Louis is an option at all. Even if they could swap the Wings game to another arena, my recollection is that Joe Louis Arena has made it clear that they have no interest at all in hosting any further NCAA events of any kind. Without alcohol sales or advertising, there is nothing in it at all for the owners of the arena, Olympia Entertainment. At least, I had heard that this is why they haven't bid on any NCAA events since the 1992 and 1993 hockey West Regionals.

As stated earlier, The Palace of Auburn Hills was a disaster area for the 2007 Michigan 'at' Notre Dame game. The surface was clearly substandard, the boards had some bizarre bounces, and the start of both the second and third periods were delayed by issues with the ice. The Palace is not an option.

Either the Frozen Four will be held at Ford Field, or it will be held in another state. Personally, I don't see it moving from Ford Field. If it was a mistake to put it there, it's one that is too late to fix.

That could have just been that the staff there at the Palace just wasn't used to making Ice there. They haven't even had a minor league team there for a while.

 

[CLS]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Wow. I don't know what to think or how to feel. I was one of those folks who opposed the idea from the day it was announced, and engaged on some very spirited debates, on the anti-football field side. I voted by not entering the pre-sale (aka the "everybody wins" lottery) and resigned myself to missing my first FF in many years.

Even if this rumor turn out to be incorrect, the fact that it exists at all and that it was not immediately hooted down is a problem for the event.

One thing I'd like to be clear on though. I think I speak for many anti-FFFF folks, IMO most. For me, the problem was never about DETROIT. Though some people have stated otherwise, I think the safety issue would never have come up if it had been in an appropriate venue. It's unfortunate if any Detroit area residents were/are offended.

If the FF is moved, I suspect that the economy, particularly of Detroit will get the blame. IMO, it's clearly a contributing factor, but this was a bad idea from the get-go.

In some ways it's difficult to feel sorry for the sponsors (isn't it the CCHA and some Detroit sports commission?) for some very poor planning, but I also think it's too bad that they could take a financial beating, because those are two entities that clearly can't afford it. Perhaps divine retribution on behalf of UAB?

BTW, Puck Swami, thanks for the info about Boston. Even since the rumors about the (then) Fleet Center dragging its feet on complying, and of putting in a half-assed bid, I've been embarassed for the Boston area.

 

[satyking]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

No need to continue to whine about Ford Field the NC$$ cares less about us today, yesterday or next week......they will do what they want and we will follow or stay home and be replaced.......how many have complained about 2 tickets vice the old 3 ticket Frozen 4 that allowed some time between games for a nice dinner in town, see how far that got !!!!

 

[Alton]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

That could have just been that the staff there at the Palace just wasn't used to making Ice there. They haven't even had a minor league team there for a while.

I am certain that this was a contributing factor. I doubt that we would want a Frozen Four at a place like that. Since we actually had a frozen four at a place like that in 1996, I am pretty sure that we don't want to go through it again. If I had to pick either (a) good sight lines and bad ice, or (b) bad sight lines and good ice, I would pick (b).

In its favor, The Palace recently hosted the NCAA Division I Wrestling championships, which sold out every session. That is a 3-day, 5-session event, though, and it doesn't have a day off where fans have to seek out their own entertainment. Auburn Hills is a strip mall suburb, and does not have anything for people to do on an off day.

Again, it's either Ford Field or a last-minute replacement in another state. Since the NCAA Committee that would need to approve a move just met a couple of weeks ago (and didn't discuss the hockey venue at all) and doesn't meet again until February, I am thinking that it is staying at Ford Field.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

The risk of moving the game now is that they've already sold more tickets than there are seats in the Joe.

ah yes....

how are they going to move this if there are already more seats sold than available at the joe??

didn't everyone with points order to keep their standing in line??

 

[thebrain]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Do you think the quality of ice would be better at Ford Field compared to the Palace?

 

[Jeff_Jackson_for_Pres.]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

how are they going to move this if there are already more seats sold than available at the joe?? didn't everyone with points order to keep their standing in line??

I'm wondering if that would be a "no"? I agree with some posters who don't want to buy tickets to see some other team through binoculars.

Did the notice state how many tickets had been sold?

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

I'm wondering if that would be a "no"? ....

i talked with someone before who ordered 1 of the cheaper variety just to keep his order with no intent of going.

 

[JF_Gophers]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Plenty of stadiums in that area to move it to in the 30,000-40,000 seat range.

Waldo Stadium (Kalamazoo)
Rynearson Stadium (Ypsilanti)
Comerica Park (Detroit)

Of course they are all outdoors.. in April.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

If I had to pick either (a) good sight lines and bad ice, or (b) bad sight lines and good ice, I would pick (b)...

In its favor, The Palace recently hosted the NCAA Division I Wrestling championships, which sold out every session...

Is it easier to keep good ice at a wrestling match?

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Plenty of stadiums in that area to move it to in the 30,000-40,000 seat range.

Waldo Stadium (Kalamazoo)
Rynearson Stadium (Ypsilanti)
Comerica Park (Detroit)

Of course they are all outdoors.. in April.

WALDO??..........Really?? Is that the best the naming commitee could come up with? Were Spanky and Cleetus already spoken for?

 

[Zudnic]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

i talked with someone before who ordered 1 of the cheaper variety just to keep his order with no intent of going.

Yeah. Makes me wonder if they sold 20,000 seats that are going to sit empty.

I have nothing against Detroit. I have been there plenty of times and don't have any concerns about safety. What I do have concerns about is finding things to do. It's not just about the hockey for me. I had this problem in St. Louis - I was bored to tears on the off day.

 

[Greyeagle]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Waldo Stadium (Kalamazoo)(

Where is it?
Sorry!

 

[IrishHockeyFan]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

WALDO??..........Really?? Is that the best the naming commitee could come up with? Were Spanky and Cleetus already spoken for?

I believe the football stadium on Western's campus is named for an early president of the school, possibly WMUs first president.

 

[Patman]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Yeah. Makes me wonder if they sold 20,000 seats that are going to sit empty.

I have nothing against Detroit. I have been there plenty of times and don't have any concerns about safety. What I do have concerns about is finding things to do. It's not just about the hockey for me. I had this problem in St. Louis - I was bored to tears on the off day.

if I make it to Detroit (conditional on Lowell's performance this year... saving up in my first work year) I figure there's gotta be enough around Ann Arbor on the off day to keep one's self busy. But, yeah, nobody says "Vacation in Detroit? Can't wait!"

 

[kdilks]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

I have nothing against Detroit. I have been there plenty of times and don't have any concerns about safety. What I do have concerns about is finding things to do. It's not just about the hockey for me. I had this problem in St. Louis - I was bored to tears on the off day.

http://www.dia.org/

http://www.sciencedetroit.org/

http://www.hfmgv.org/

http://www.detroiteasternmarket.com/

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=det&m=4&y=2010

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_International_Riverfront

http://www.greektowncasino.com/

http://www.mgmgranddetroit.com/

http://www.motorcitycasino.com/

http://www.slowsbarbq.com/

http://www.olympiaentertainment.com/news/newsDetail.jsp?id=1204

http://www.detroithistorical.org/main/dhm/index.aspx

http://www.marvin3m.com/

I'm sure there's a lot more things I forgot about/don't know about, or special events that haven't been schedule this far in advance. Plus, Ann Arbor is only about 45 minutes away if you wanted to see Yost/Michigan Stadium/campus and experience what it has to offer. There's plenty of things to do if you take the time to plan ahead.

 

[slurpees]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

i think some of us are a bit spoiled since were coming off DC where if you cant find something to do there youre either a hermit, blind, or a closeted communist. i've never been into detroit, but have been to ann arbor and there was enough to do to keep us occupied for a day and seemed like a pretty cool town. im sure theres more than enough to do in and around detroit for one day, worst case go over the border to the canadian casinos. sure detroit isnt vacation destination usa, but its a major US city with a rich sports and hockey heritage so there's gotta be something to do for one measly day.

 

[Sean Pickett]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

I've been to 10 of the last 12 FFs but I sure as heck will not be going unless BC makes it. And even then I'd probably skip because I'd prefer to not get mugged or shot.

I've been to the past 20 FFs and 22 of 24, but I have no desire to see games at Ford Field and passed on the lottery. Even if BU makes it I plan to stay home.

I'm sad, because the FF has been my one regular planned annual vacation and I have looked forward to visiting the different cities that have hosted over the past 2 decades.

Sean

 

[Zudnic]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

I'm sure there's a lot more things I forgot about/don't know about, or special events that haven't been schedule this far in advance. Plus, Ann Arbor is only about 45 minutes away if you wanted to see Yost/Michigan Stadium/campus and experience what it has to offer. There's plenty of things to do if you take the time to plan ahead.

You forgot the #1 attraction in Michigan: Kellogg's Cereal City

 

[blockski]

Re: Problems for Ford Field?

Again, it's either Ford Field or a last-minute replacement in another state. Since the NCAA Committee that would need to approve a move just met a couple of weeks ago (and didn't discuss the hockey venue at all) and doesn't meet again until February, I am thinking that it is staying at Ford Field.

There's another option to consider - reconfiguring Ford Field with the rink at one end of the stadium, rather than in the middle.

I did some to-scale visualizations of the options back in the day:

http://board.uscho.com/showthread.php?t=68795

Add in some steeper bleachers on the field sides, as they used to do for Final Fours, and you might be able to save some face with this and still attract a big crowd.