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>>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

dxk3355 said:
... the new rink sounds awful.
Click to expand...

Even though I'm tired of it, I'm used to all of the glass half empty discussion from RIT fans here, but this is more like glass smashed against the wall.

How having more and individual seats, far better concessions and other amenities, a video scoreboard, a full-size ice sheet, more than twice the seating capacity, better locker facilities yet with an atmosphere that preserves the noise and intimacy and steep bowl of the Ritter can be called awful is beyond me. Maybe it's not everything people hoped, but it's still going to be the best facility in Atlantic Hockey and better than any D-I home arena in New York State.

Some of the stuff that's removed is an improvement; did we really want to see an arena with floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows? That would be a disaster with afternoon games. Similarly, the wide-open concourses shown in early designs would have sucked all of the life out of the arena, dissipating sound.

But ... I'm sure if someone wants to write a $20 million check, they can add some stuff back in.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Ed Trefzger said:
yet with an atmosphere that preserves the noise and intimacy and steep bowl of the Ritter can be called awful is beyond me.
Click to expand...

This is what has me (& I would guess a lot of other people) most concerned. Is the new rink really going to have that same or similar "feel" as Ritter. That for me is far and away the most important aspect to try to keep. I couldn't care less about the concessions, individual seats, video scoreboard, etc. I don't go to a hockey game for the food, or to watch a big screen, or any other amenity. I go to watch quality hockey in a awesome atmosphere.

I do think the full-sized ice is important and that will be a much needed improvement.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

MattS said:
This is what has me (& I would guess a lot of other people) most concerned. Is the new rink really going to have that same or similar "feel" as Ritter. That for me is far and away the most important aspect to try to keep. I couldn't care less about the concessions, individual seats, video scoreboard, etc. I don't go to a hockey game for the food, or to watch a big screen, or any other amenity. I go to watch quality hockey in a awesome atmosphere.

I do think the full-sized ice is important and that will be a much needed improvement.
Click to expand...


The reality is that nobody will know what this new arena will be like until the first game is played but to be honest, I too really don't care what they play in as long as it's a good game. Here's to the millionaires and regular folks who donated what they could so fans can enjoy the game while sitting in a seat and not on bleachers.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Ed Trefzger said:
Even though I'm tired of it, I'm used to all of the glass half empty discussion from RIT fans here, but this is more like glass smashed against the wall.

How having more and individual seats, far better concessions and other amenities, a video scoreboard, a full-size ice sheet, more than twice the seating capacity, better locker facilities yet with an atmosphere that preserves the noise and intimacy and steep bowl of the Ritter can be called awful is beyond me. Maybe it's not everything people hoped, but it's still going to be the best facility in Atlantic Hockey and better than any D-I home arena in New York State.

Some of the stuff that's removed is an improvement; did we really want to see an arena with floor-to-ceiling south-facing windows? That would be a disaster with afternoon games. Similarly, the wide-open concourses shown in early designs would have sucked all of the life out of the arena, dissipating sound.

But ... I'm sure if someone wants to write a $20 million check, they can add some stuff back in.
Click to expand...

Here! Here!

What does everyone expect, anyways? We don't have a Terry Pegula type alum here (at least not that we're aware of) that can bring us a Taj Mahal of arenas at no cost to RIT.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Regardless of the final dimensions and layout of the arena, here's to hoping that the place is full for every game, because my biggest fear are home games with lots of empty seats, which seems worse in a big rink than it does in a small one. I'm sure that plenty of analysis has gone into this in determining seating capacity as well as a good price point for admission to make the place attractive not only to old fans but to new fans as well.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

individual seats - Don't like, takes away the closeness
far better concessions and other amenities - Unless it's got beer or better coffee I don't care
a video scoreboard - never need that, Blue Cross proves that
full-size ice sheet - Great I'll be even further from the action
more than twice the seating capacity - Probably the only upside
better locker facilities - Didn't they just upgrade these?


What I do see is
  • Higher ticket prices
  • More empty seats unless the teams starts to win more often
  • Same crappy coffee
  • No Beer


Ed, maybe you should join us in the regular seats some time?
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

jpdailey said:
Holy Cross is in the Ice Level category, unless there's some super secret entrance that they're not advertising to the general public...
Click to expand...

There is. The press entrance.:p I guess I've never been through the front door there. Apologies.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

There are real problems with ice-level entrance that could make the new arena less "Ritter-like" should that be the way they go.

There are two options I see. (a) A walkway around the inside of the glass with a few entrance ways OR (b) a tunnel for each aisle that opens at ice level and then people walk around it to go up.

(a) is a problem because everyone will be seated away from the ice. I hope this one is a non-starter.

(b) is a problem because a lot of seats in the first several rows will be lost and the "intimidating crowd" will be broken up all around the arena. You can see a bit of this in the rendering I linked earlier, but those tunnels came in a few rows above ice level. Tunnels all around a few rows up would be bad enough, IMHO if they are at ice level it will also be bad. Seems to me that such a small bowl should be solid with fans to the degree possible and not interrupted with tunnels for fans. (Also seems that would be cheaper construction.)

That said, yes Ed is correct that it will be a step up overall. (Although I will argue with the idea that there isn't justification for glass-half-empty discussions of this season!)

Is anyone around here In the know on what the plans are relative to (a) or (b) above? If so, let us be enlightened.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

dxk3355 said:
far better concessions and other amenities - Unless it's got beer or better coffee I don't care
a video scoreboard - never need that, Blue Cross proves that
full-size ice sheet - Great I'll be even further from the action
Click to expand...
Just my two cents:

Concessions: I'm with you on the beer. When RIT sent out a survey to season ticket holders, I suggested that they sell beer.
Video Scoreboard: I think there are some huge benefits to a video scoreboard. 1. Instant replay (finally!) 2. An effective way to get the crowd riled up before puck-drop by showing some sort of highlight montage w/ corresponding music and lights.
Full-size ice sheet: If we're playing D1 hockey, we need a full-size sheet. I don't know for sure, but I think playing and practicing on a smaller sheet probably puts RIT at a disadvantage during away games.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

yet with an atmosphere that preserves the noise and intimacy and steep bowl of the Ritter can be called awful is beyond me. Maybe it's not everything people hoped, but it's still going to be the best facility in Atlantic Hockey and better than any D-I home arena in New York State.
Click to expand...

I'm not buying that. I cannot think of one new rink that I have personally been in that had a better atmosphere than the one it replaced.

Romney > Campus Center
Walker > Cheel
Duke Nelson > Skip Kenyon
Old Mariucci > New Maricucci

I have not personally witnessed a Miami home game, so I'll pass on Goggins vs. the old rink. Goggins looks amazing...because it cost $30 million. It's clear that those original renderings were basically Goggins with a Tiger superimposed at center ice.

goggin.jpeg


I also can't comment on The Ralph vs. UND's old rink, or Notre Dame's new vs. old. Norwich used to pay in a horse barn (literally) so I suppose Kreitzburg is better. And UConn's was outdoors so that one gets a pass ;). Heck even the enclosed Hobart rink seemed less intense than when the original place was rocking.

Unfortunately, when you already have one of the top half dozen atmospheres in college hockey, there's almost no where to go but down.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Individual seats is absolutely necessary. My retired Dad has the time (and passion for the game) To show up several hours early so he can save the seats we want to sit in. EVERY home game. I am also sick of seeing parents trying to find seats with with little kids in tow and being forced to stand or leave. You want to grow the game here? Make it an easy experience to go to. There was a whole youth hockey team standing next to the corner last Friday. I doubt that's where they wanted to "sit". I know they have reserved sections but that's hindering access for general admission.

There are long lines at the bathroom especially the woman's room at intermission. The concessions frankly need to be greatly expanded and the long lines for boiled hot dogs and pop corn need to be reduced

A better arena is also a recruitment tool. No matter the seating incline 4k-5k fans sound louder than 2k. I think our ice size hurts our team as well, kind of bush league to not play on 200x85

I have watched a few games at home. I love having a replay when I miss something live so I am looking forward to a video replay board (I can do without the kiss cam and dancing kids though).

I had reservations about a new arena, to me a lot of the above is just part of the experience. If you're a dedicated fan you know you have to show up 2 hours early. However I think its time to upgrade things to keep the program progressing and it shows a commitment of the school to the program. The "renderings" we have seen have been so basic I am not sure why people analyze them so much, maybe just out of excitement but its going to take a lot for me to really hate going to an RIT game
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

(a) is a problem because everyone will be seated away from the ice. I hope this one is a non-starter.
Click to expand...

If the seats are not up against the glass: fail. There cannot be a walkway between the seats and the glass. Game over.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Chris Lerch said:
Unfortunately, when you already have one of the top half dozen atmospheres in college hockey, there's almost no where to go but down.
Click to expand...

Fine. You heard it here first. New arena will suck. Give everyone their money back. ;)
 
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Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Looking at those prints, looks like they are keeping benches on opposite sides (like that), with a tunnel at least to the home bench. There appear to be various tunnels in the seating area, but I can't tell if there is a large aisle around the glass. The date on the prints of 1/14/13 kinda supports the theory that they don't have a final design yet and keep changing things.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

mar7967 said:
Looking at those prints, looks like they are keeping benches on opposite sides (like that), with a tunnel at least to the home bench. There appear to be various tunnels in the seating area, but I can't tell if there is a large aisle around the glass. The date on the prints of 1/14/13 kinda supports the theory that they don't have a final design yet and keep changing things.
Click to expand...

Looks like most sections have people entering from above (I see two sets of stairs up to the mezzanine) and a few also have a tunnel that enters a few rows above the ice (like the rendering). It also looks like seats all around the glass to me. If that's the current thinking (which is quite similar to the rendering), then we need not worry about seating. (Back to half full??)
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

mar7967 said:
The date on the prints of 1/14/13 kinda supports the theory that they don't have a final design yet and keep changing things.
Click to expand...

Meetings like the one today on the press area are going on for all different facets of the arena as they nail down details.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

RITProf said:
Looks like most sections have people entering from above (I see two sets of stairs up to the mezzanine) and a few also have a tunnel that enters a few rows above the ice (like the rendering). It also looks like seats all around the glass to me. If that's the current thinking (which is quite similar to the rendering), then we need not worry about seating. (Back to half full??)
Click to expand...
Back to half full... looks very reminiscent of the Ritter but enlarged. Looking forward to more "leaks"
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2012-13: Clawing our way up the standings in the 2nd half

mar7967 said:
Looking at those prints, looks like they are keeping benches on opposite sides (like that)
Click to expand...

Even more importantly, the benches are offset the exact same amount from the centerline, giving neither team a changing advantage. The home side is, I assume, the one on the left, as it has the penalty boxes.


Powers &8^]
 
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