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Post by luhoopsfan on Jan 24, 2013 12:26:22 GMT -5
What are the chances a win like last night in that kind of crowd and atmosphere pushed the accelerator down a little more on this renovation we've heard about? I have to believe there were at least a few alums in attendance that have the means and the influence to push the conversation a little harder that aren't usually in the house.
If I had the financial means to make an impactful donation to a new or renovated facility, you can bet your ass I would've walked up to bro Mike as the students were celebrating and the place was shaking and said, Now we're going to be a national story and THIS is the setting you want to have for that tale?
There has been way mroe National commentary on our facility this year than in the 15 years the place has been open combined. I hope the school realizes that as the team becomes more successful it actually makes us look worse in many ways.
Time to step up La Salle - you want money for the biz school? Don't let the face of your university go out in the spotlight with no make-up on.
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Post by Shout out to my Cousin Bern on Jan 24, 2013 12:39:01 GMT -5
Anyone notice in the second to last graph of the AP article a little dig about the "high school gym plopped on a city campus"?
I don't care because we won. We showed it doesn't matter what facility to play in...but it would be cool to have a nice gym.
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Post by coachd on Jan 24, 2013 12:48:18 GMT -5
The AP article was written by Gonzo! He is putting heat on the AD to get a new gym done.
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Post by explorer88 on Jan 24, 2013 12:58:22 GMT -5
Anyone notice in the second to last graph of the AP article a little dig about the "high school gym plopped on a city campus"? I don't care because we won. We showed it doesn't matter what facility to play in...but it would be cool to have a nice gym. That is one game. The facility issue corresponds to the past 10 years and staying relevant going forward. If we had a better facility we would have many more nights like last night. |
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Post by luhoopsfan on Jan 24, 2013 13:45:34 GMT -5
Anyone notice in the second to last graph of the AP article a little dig about the "high school gym plopped on a city campus"? I don't care because we won. We showed it doesn't matter what facility to play in...but it would be cool to have a nice gym. That is one game. The facility issue corresponds to the past 10 years and staying relevant going forward. If we had a better facility we would have many more nights like last night. Therein lies my point, if I had the financial means I would've walked right up to Bro Mike and told him that it could be an every year occurence and all he had to do was ask for the $$. |
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Post by jellybean on Jan 24, 2013 16:21:05 GMT -5
Last night was irrelevant with regard to the decision to renovate because as much as some want to believe that Bro. Mike and the Administration are clueless they want to improve Gola and are working aggressively towards it. Fundraising efforts have gone to a much higher level the second Jim Gullick joined the effort.
I am sure whatever La Salle does and when they do it that some people won't be happy and will say it's not enough and way to late.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2013 17:36:43 GMT -5
They will build it when we become a consistent winner...look at Nova's history leading up to the Pavillion. They started winning and a non-alum stepped up with seed money...
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Post by nepaexplorer on Jan 24, 2013 22:41:52 GMT -5
They will build it when we become a consistent winner...look at Nova's history leading up to the Pavillion. They started winning and a non-alum stepped up with seed money... How's he doing these days? |
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Post by theneumann64 on Jan 24, 2013 22:53:22 GMT -5
Glad somebody said it.
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Post by stlexplorer on Jan 24, 2013 23:04:16 GMT -5
[/quote]
How's he doing these days?[/quote]
Slow clap
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Post by mikesmd77 on Jan 25, 2013 8:54:21 GMT -5
I'm newer to the boards but obviously i've picked up on the fact that Tom Gola Arena has its detractors here (as it should). But the fact is the program can only justify renovations if they can fill the extra seats, which can only come with consistent. Sure Gola looks like a high school gym, but would you rather look like Temple football, who plays in front of a 15% filled stadium? That looks just as bad, if not worse, to potential recruits, etc. The basketball program has to earn improvements, it can't just be given them. We're on the right path - hopefully.
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Post by theneumann64 on Jan 25, 2013 9:02:29 GMT -5
I appreciate your opinion, but disagree. A good portion of the A-10 plays to arenas that are less than full, but don't attract nearly the grief ours does. Nobody's talking about building a 15,000 seat arena. Honestly I would even take the same seating capacity as Gola, but in an actual arena, with seating all around, a concourse, etc. Even if that building was half empty most nights, it would be better than what we have now.
Saying we can't renovate/replace the arena until we sustain a winning atmosphere is a self-denying prophecy.
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Post by lasallerules1978 on Jan 25, 2013 9:09:59 GMT -5
I'm newer to the boards but obviously i've picked up on the fact that Tom Gola Arena has its detractors here (as it should). But the fact is the program can only justify renovations if they can fill the extra seats, which can only come with consistent. Sure Gola looks like a high school gym, but would you rather look like Temple football, who plays in front of a 15% filled stadium? That looks just as bad, if not worse, to potential recruits, etc. The basketball program has to earn improvements, it can't just be given them. We're on the right path - hopefully. Welcome to the board Brother Mike. |
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Post by luhoopsfan on Jan 25, 2013 9:14:41 GMT -5
I agree, I have no delusions of a 10,000 seat arena. In a city with 5 other D1 colleges and an NBA team none of the schools need that kind of facility. Temple's building is usually only 60% full other than a handful of games each year.
I fully support a renovation to Gola so long as it provides for seating all around, a concourse and more than one means to an egress outside in non-emergency situations.
Not that I'm an engineer, but I can see a scenario where blowing out the wall over the mezzanine could be the solution and allow seating all around if the main court ran perpendicular to the current footprint. I imagine you can keep the current stands for the seats behind the basket and sacrifice a few rows. In the end you should be able to have 15 rows along each sideline and probably 25 rows behind each basket. I believe there are 32 rows right now. A renovated Gola with a 4,500 - 5,000 person capacity would be ideal for our program.
The point of my original post was, did the Butler win, with its increased National commentary on our facility, turn up the throttle on the fundraising/execution of an updated athletics facility?
Jllybean seems to have some knowledge and it doesn't appear it mattered much, but that's not necessarily a bad thing since it seems the throttle may have already been opened pretty wide. I sure hope so.
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Post by explorer88 on Jan 25, 2013 9:38:54 GMT -5
I'm newer to the boards but obviously i've picked up on the fact that Tom Gola Arena has its detractors here (as it should). But the fact is the program can only justify renovations if they can fill the extra seats, which can only come with consistent. Sure Gola looks like a high school gym, but would you rather look like Temple football, who plays in front of a 15% filled stadium? That looks just as bad, if not worse, to potential recruits, etc. The basketball program has to earn improvements, it can't just be given them. We're on the right path - hopefully. Welcome to the board Brother Mike. Good one 78. Just total crap and misguided. Filling the seats has nothing....absolutely nothing to do with it. Anyone with that as their basis is totally missing the point. The facility helps you win and win consistently. Once you win consistently you can draw crowds and fill the building. It really isn't difficult to understand. |
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Post by mikesmd77 on Jan 25, 2013 12:20:10 GMT -5
I'm not saying we can't or shouldn't. i'm a firm believer in that you need to spend whatever money it takes to ensure quality basketball or football programs.. its the best exposure a school can have. Look at the Gonzagas, Butlers, etc. of the NCAA... i have to imagine that their basketball success is the best advertizing they could possibly have, and we should. But adminstrations at all levels, be it pro, college, high school - whatever - are leery to dump money into programs that show no evidence of being able to win and sell tickets, because this is a business, and business decisions have to be considered. Up until 15 years ago we couldn't play on campus, it was a step in the right direction, and I do think renovations will be made in the near future. but to ignore the fact that your program has ability to fill the seats and win is idiotic also.
With that said, I don't care if they play at Belfield rec, a win is a win is a win, and I really care less what other school's alumni think of us. The only arena i care about playing is in the Georgia Dome on April 8....
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Post by mikesmd77 on Jan 25, 2013 12:22:36 GMT -5
and to answer your original question, alumni seeing success and wanting it to continue will undoubtedly be the seeds to constant contribution. I don't know that Gola looking dumb on TV is all that motivating, but seeing the students storm the court over a top 10 team sure is.
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Post by jellybean on Jan 26, 2013 10:02:29 GMT -5
Glad the floor held with all those students storming the court on Wednesday night.
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