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Post by calsufan on Jan 31, 2020 10:30:07 GMT -5
Entertainment in Olean is a binary choice of "go see the Bonnies" or "don't go see the Bonnies". They aren't a comp. I disagree. There's absolutely no reason that a lot of the people attend the game due to nothing else to do. In this day and age the entertainment available online if anything is a huge disincentive for leaving the comfort of your home. Especially in cold climes of Olean. I think they've built the brand and the camaraderie to incentivizes people to go to the game. |
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Post by talkinbball on Jan 31, 2020 10:42:55 GMT -5
It's somehow appropriate that this discussion has come up in proximity to Groundhog Day!
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MisterD
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Post by MisterD on Jan 31, 2020 10:56:14 GMT -5
I disagree. There's absolutely no reason that a lot of the people attend the game due to nothing else to do. In this day and age the entertainment available online if anything is a huge disincentive for leaving the comfort of your home. Especially in cold climes of Olean. I think they've built the brand and the camaraderie to incentivizes people to go to the game. I don't know that we're saying different things. I'm not arguing they haven't done a good job, just that the same job in Philadelphia wouldn't yield the same results because Philadelphia has infinite more options. |
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Post by calsufan on Jan 31, 2020 12:49:26 GMT -5
It's somehow appropriate that this discussion has come up in proximity to Groundhog Day! Post of the week. |
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Post by heftyexpl on Feb 2, 2020 8:03:40 GMT -5
Any one mention Monmouth's OceanFirst Bank Center as a possible blue print to what La Salle should build when the time comes? Going there this afternoon and really excited to check it out. Built in 2009 for $57 million it holds up to 4100 people.
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Post by explorer88 on Feb 2, 2020 8:36:40 GMT -5
La Salle isn’t spending $57 million, probably $65 million now on a new arena.
The best we are going to get is a renovated Tom Gola arena with seats behind the basket.
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Post by theneumann64 on Feb 2, 2020 11:04:23 GMT -5
La Salle isn’t spending $57 million, probably $65 million now on a new arena. The best we are going to get is a renovated Tom Gola arena with seats behind the basket. Yeah I’ve come around to this as well. The options were never “Renovate Gola or Build a new arena” it was “Renovate Gola or do nothing” so the planned renovations are actually the better option, not the lesser one. |
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nealum
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Post by nealum on Feb 2, 2020 15:10:34 GMT -5
Some general info about UConn sports success and facilities here in CT. UConn basketball has a rich legacy, built around the women's team and their coach Geno Auriemma. The men's team, until recently, had similar success. Both play at Gampel Pavilion, an older on-campus arena built in 1990 and seats about 10,000. Historically, successful UConn hoop teams sold out. As the men's program declined, so did attendance. Absent a big name opponent, men's games have been only 50% filled, with much of that from ticket giveaways. This is a school with 20,000 undergraduate students! With a newer coach and a slightly improved 2019-2020 record, men's attendance so far in 2019 is up 30%. The more successful women's team draws about 8000-9000 at Gampel. So winning counts.
Let's look at UConn football. Thinking they could duplicate basketball success, taxpayers in CT paid 91.2 million dollars for a new football stadium in 2003. Its off campus in East Hartford, and has quality seating and luxury suites. Its in mint condition, and sits idol about 95% of the year. It can seat 38,000+. Feeling their oats, UConn moved into the ACC and got their butts kicked. They were 1-11 in 2018 and 2-10 in 2019. Attendance has been dropping like a rock. 2019 saw a 13% decline in attendance at 18,216 per contest. But, the 18,216 represents purchased tickets and giveaways. On average, only about 10,000 of the 18,236 actually showed up at games. In a death spiral, UConn has paid 17 million dollars to exit the ACC and become an independent. Overall athletics at UConn in 2018 generated 40 million in revenue but cost 81 million - a 41 million dollar loss.
My conclusion - An upgraded (not brand new) basketball facility and a highly successful team at La Salle would serve the school well. You need both. Facilities don't have to be brand new, but the team has to win and excite the students and alum. Winning is the most important ingredient in the success equation.
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Post by festushagan on Feb 2, 2020 22:42:35 GMT -5
La Salle will never compete playing in a dump like Gola, sorry to say!
We need better players, present facility is such a
handicap, nothing going to change!
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Post by calsufan on Feb 2, 2020 22:47:39 GMT -5
La Salle will never compete playing in a dump like Gola, sorry to say! We need better players, present facility is such a handicap, nothing going to change! Bet on the Niners, huh? |
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Post by explorer88 on Feb 3, 2020 7:35:10 GMT -5
La Salle will never compete playing in a dump like Gola, sorry to say! We need better players, present facility is such a handicap, nothing going to change! Bet on the Niners, huh?  ? He was 100% correct. Not sure what you are looking at CAL. La Salle will never be a factor in this conference play at the current Gola. |
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Post by calsufan on Feb 3, 2020 10:00:51 GMT -5
? He was 100% correct. Not sure what you are looking at CAL. La Salle will never be a factor in this conference play at the current Gola. Look, I want a new or refurbished arena as much as the next fan, but the absolutes are a little over the top. Would it help? Yes, it would help a lot. Is it a cure all or an absolute that a refurbished Gola would elevate us to a perennial winner? No, not at all. Can we win without it? Yes, but it would be much harder. |
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Post by explorer88 on Feb 3, 2020 10:08:44 GMT -5
? He was 100% correct. Not sure what you are looking at CAL. La Salle will never be a factor in this conference play at the current Gola. Look, I want a new or refurbished arena as much as the next fan, but the absolutes are a little over the top. Would it help? Yes, it would help a lot. Is it a cure all or an absolute that a refurbished Gola would elevate us to a perennial winner? No, not at all. Can we win without it? Yes, but it would be much harder. All of the data points the other way. There are very few absolutes in life. Many fans are just tired. That is why I mentioned before, La Salle should just announce they are upgrading the facility or won't be so we can move on from this. I thought it was very close two years and time is running out on Glaser's money. Just make a damn announcement one way or another so we can all move on. The program is frankly no better since 2013 and it truly does fell like Groundhog day each season. For most the status quo does not work for improving the program. If they did that we would just announce we would all know where everything stands. |
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Post by theneumann64 on Feb 3, 2020 10:18:56 GMT -5
I think there's a definite ceiling to high the program can go staying in Gola as its currently constructed (on a sustained basis, not talking about one good, or even great, year), and that we're honestly closer to that ceiling than people would care to admit.
I think a lot of them can be chooches about it, and sometimes they overstate the case, but there's a reason fans of most of the A-10 programs immediately answer "La Salle" whenever the subject of dropping a team from the A-10 comes up. And there are certainly teams that have been less competitive than us in the A-10 the last 15-20 years, namely Fordham. It's the arena.
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Post by manayunk53 on Feb 3, 2020 10:24:32 GMT -5
I hear you 88, but if the announcement is that they're not going to upgrade anything now, I don't see how that helps anything. The hope and speculation that they "could" do a project is probably more beneficial than a definite "no."
Regardless, no one is going to these games at current Gola and they're not going to go at Gola Part II unless the team is good. We just do not have a strong fan base.
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Post by explorer88 on Feb 3, 2020 10:58:55 GMT -5
I hear you 88, but if the announcement is that they're not going to upgrade anything now, I don't see how that helps anything. The hope and speculation that they "could" do a project is probably more beneficial than a definite "no." Regardless, no one is going to these games at current Gola and they're not going to go at Gola Part II unless the team is good. We just do not have a strong fan base. Yes, you are probably right about not saying anything. The catch 22 is that you can't get good very easily playing at Gola. If they truly do put a restaurant and renovate it like the drawing we may have a nice little upgrade with a place to get food and maybe some ambiance that fans would enjoy and be willing to come to campus for. |
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Post by las71 on Feb 5, 2020 20:20:41 GMT -5
One of my concerns is the age of our fanbase. I've been to 5 games this year and the west stands crowd isn't getting any younger. There is a gap between the 1970's alums and the younger alums that is growing. The older alums became fans for life because the program was exciting when we were students. The many years of mediocrity and worse that many of our younger alums suffered through has cost us a generation that just isn't that interested. From a fundraising perspective it seems that starting a pledge drive soon would be significant. If the school intends to hit us up they better start soon or too many of us won't be here to contribute. I understand that the administration may have other goals for fundraising that are a higher priority than the arena but if the future plan is to conduct a fund drive dedicated to an arena they need to start soon.
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nealum
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Post by nealum on Feb 6, 2020 12:28:44 GMT -5
There's a good article that Delgreco W. just put up on his website titled "The HS Hoops Experience - Philly vs. Baltimore". In the article, he comments on the decline in the basketball success of many Big 5 schools and a corresponding decline in attendance. I also noted with interest that (to the upper right of the article) that Drexel's men's basketball is a sponsor of his radio show. Here's the link to the article: delgrecowilson.com/Would be interested in everyone's take on the piece...…………. |
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Post by las71 on Feb 6, 2020 17:48:07 GMT -5
Read Delgreco's article and he makes some good points. The main thing with me is that when I attend a game, I like to think my team has a legitimate chance to win. Too many times I stayed home because I didn't think we had a chance. Being competitive is a significant factor in drawing crowds. I've been to 5 games this year and will be there Saturday. I believe we are competing more often now but we need that signature win to make fans believe. Ash has the kids playing hard and a couple of upsets would go a long way to making fans believe their team has a chance to win. I believe Ash has us heading in the right direction. We have some depth and size. The conference is good this year so expectations are lower but I think we are getting closer to the stage where we can believe. Go 'splorers.
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Post by swmissourifloater on Feb 8, 2020 0:52:40 GMT -5
Hi there, been a follower for a little while now. First time posting though. Graduated last May but was Mr. Explorer mascot for the 4 years I was there. Loved having the best seat in the house the whole time, hated having my heart broken so many games...so many years in a row.
I never watched much college basketball growing up except for the last few years of Mizzou/KU rivalry games back before MIZ moved to the SEC. Heck i don't think I had heard of any of the Big 5 schools besides UPenn(and only cause of academics) before I came to school at La Salle. I love sports and I'm doggedly loyal to whoever I pledge allegiance to so when I got here, I bled Blue and Gold. And after I became the mascot (my brother actually did it before me and had new time constraints with school so he made me do it when he couldn't anymore) I loved La Salle basketball.
I patrolled that sideline and watched us go 47-77 over my 4 years... literally not a single winning season that whole time. I had high hopes coming in to each season thinking "hey why not us" only to be crushed even only half way through the season most of the time. Last year, after losing HOMECOMING for the 2nd time in the 4 years, I didn't even want to come to games anymore. I'd seen this same story line play out for the last 3 years. I was an inch away from quitting after 1/3 of the season had gone by without a single win. I stayed for multiple reasons but the main reason being that if anything, maybe we can beat St. Joe's (i always hated them the most)!
Longer story short, sure the stadium wasn't great (always did wish we had base line seating) but 99% of the time, the reason I heard students say they weren't coming was because the team sucked and they had better things to do than to watch us lose. I don't know how long a newer/refurbished stadium will get people to come if we can't win more than half the games. Coach Howard seems likes he is taking the right steps to get the program turned around but man is it hard to watch when we are 1-8 in the conference right now and the end of every season seems to be "next year this or next year that".
Anyways I don't know how much this opinion weighs in the forum but I thought I'd give my two cents. Before I go back in my hole, shout out to all the former mascots that might be in here! Nothing felt better than standing at the logo after a great win or a tough loss. Never Stop Exploring!
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Post by vital on Feb 8, 2020 2:01:59 GMT -5
Hi there, been a follower for a little while now. First time posting though. Graduated last May but was Mr. Explorer mascot for the 4 years I was there. Loved having the best seat in the house the whole time, hated having my heart broken so many games...so many years in a row. I never watched much college basketball growing up except for the last few years of Mizzou/KU rivalry games back before MIZ moved to the SEC. Heck i don't think I had heard of any of the Big 5 schools besides UPenn(and only cause of academics) before I came to school at La Salle. I love sports and I'm doggedly loyal to whoever I pledge allegiance to so when I got here, I bled Blue and Gold. And after I became the mascot (my brother actually did it before me and had new time constraints with school so he made me do it when he couldn't anymore) I loved La Salle basketball. I patrolled that sideline and watched us go 47-77 over my 4 years... literally not a single winning season that whole time. I had high hopes coming in to each season thinking "hey why not us" only to be crushed even only half way through the season most of the time. Last year, after losing HOMECOMING for the 2nd time in the 4 years, I didn't even want to come to games anymore. I'd seen this same story line play out for the last 3 years. I was an inch away from quitting after 1/3 of the season had gone by without a single win. I stayed for multiple reasons but the main reason being that if anything, maybe we can beat St. Joe's (i always hated them the most)! Longer story short, sure the stadium wasn't great (always did wish we had base line seating) but 99% of the time, the reason I heard students say they weren't coming was because the team sucked and they had better things to do than to watch us lose. I don't know how long a newer/refurbished stadium will get people to come if we can't win more than half the games. Coach Howard seems likes he is taking the right steps to get the program turned around but man is it hard to watch when we are 1-8 in the conference right now and the end of every season seems to be "next year this or next year that". Anyways I don't know how much this opinion weighs in the forum but I thought I'd give my two cents. Before I go back in my hole, shout out to all the former mascots that might be in here! Nothing felt better than standing at the logo after a great win or a tough loss. Never Stop Exploring! Thank You for your Gracious effort and Support |
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Post by jellybean on Feb 8, 2020 8:19:07 GMT -5
Hi there, been a follower for a little while now. First time posting though. Graduated last May but was Mr. Explorer mascot for the 4 years I was there. Loved having the best seat in the house the whole time, hated having my heart broken so many games...so many years in a row. I never watched much college basketball growing up except for the last few years of Mizzou/KU rivalry games back before MIZ moved to the SEC. Heck i don't think I had heard of any of the Big 5 schools besides UPenn(and only cause of academics) before I came to school at La Salle. I love sports and I'm doggedly loyal to whoever I pledge allegiance to so when I got here, I bled Blue and Gold. And after I became the mascot (my brother actually did it before me and had new time constraints with school so he made me do it when he couldn't anymore) I loved La Salle basketball. I patrolled that sideline and watched us go 47-77 over my 4 years... literally not a single winning season that whole time. I had high hopes coming in to each season thinking "hey why not us" only to be crushed even only half way through the season most of the time. Last year, after losing HOMECOMING for the 2nd time in the 4 years, I didn't even want to come to games anymore. I'd seen this same story line play out for the last 3 years. I was an inch away from quitting after 1/3 of the season had gone by without a single win. I stayed for multiple reasons but the main reason being that if anything, maybe we can beat St. Joe's (i always hated them the most)! Longer story short, sure the stadium wasn't great (always did wish we had base line seating) but 99% of the time, the reason I heard students say they weren't coming was because the team sucked and they had better things to do than to watch us lose. I don't know how long a newer/refurbished stadium will get people to come if we can't win more than half the games. Coach Howard seems likes he is taking the right steps to get the program turned around but man is it hard to watch when we are 1-8 in the conference right now and the end of every season seems to be "next year this or next year that". Anyways I don't know how much this opinion weighs in the forum but I thought I'd give my two cents. Before I go back in my hole, shout out to all the former mascots that might be in here! Nothing felt better than standing at the logo after a great win or a tough loss. Never Stop Exploring! Thank you for this heartfelt message and also I second what vital just said. I was talking recently to another longtime season ticket holder. He told me that he had seen 5 winning seasons in 21 seasons. I hope that everyone in the Administration sees this message and DO SOMETHING. |
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Post by jellybean on Feb 8, 2020 8:20:14 GMT -5
The Pres and staff recently unveiled a DRAFT comprehensive facilities master plan - basically an attempt to make the campus nicer in terms of aesthetics and function - I won't go into detail about the whole plan (includes a unifying pathway from one side of campus to the other, more greenspace and more branding among many other details). There was a 60 page/powerpoint presentation, I won't share that because I am not sure if that is just for staff and faculty or what. Anyway, my understanding is that this point they are getting feedback and after that and many other steps and revisions the Board would need to approve - so please remember this is not set in stone. Same firm Kimmel B. In terms of Gola - seats behind the basket... it looks like a bump out and moving the court around, fitness center and pub looking out over Olney. View AttachmentView AttachmentView AttachmentCrickets. |
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nealum
Mop-Up Time
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Post by nealum on Feb 9, 2020 12:42:06 GMT -5
There must be some Philly basketball fans out there.....the Villanova - Seton Hall game at the Wells Fargo Center was sold out with 20,706 attending.
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Post by explorer88 on Feb 9, 2020 12:51:02 GMT -5
Went to a Nova game recently. They make the game interactive as well. Much like the Sixers do.
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Post by coachd on Feb 13, 2020 16:13:29 GMT -5
Hi there, been a follower for a little while now. First time posting though. Graduated last May but was Mr. Explorer mascot for the 4 years I was there. Loved having the best seat in the house the whole time, hated having my heart broken so many games...so many years in a row. I never watched much college basketball growing up except for the last few years of Mizzou/KU rivalry games back before MIZ moved to the SEC. Heck i don't think I had heard of any of the Big 5 schools besides UPenn(and only cause of academics) before I came to school at La Salle. I love sports and I'm doggedly loyal to whoever I pledge allegiance to so when I got here, I bled Blue and Gold. And after I became the mascot (my brother actually did it before me and had new time constraints with school so he made me do it when he couldn't anymore) I loved La Salle basketball. I patrolled that sideline and watched us go 47-77 over my 4 years... literally not a single winning season that whole time. I had high hopes coming in to each season thinking "hey why not us" only to be crushed even only half way through the season most of the time. Last year, after losing HOMECOMING for the 2nd time in the 4 years, I didn't even want to come to games anymore. I'd seen this same story line play out for the last 3 years. I was an inch away from quitting after 1/3 of the season had gone by without a single win. I stayed for multiple reasons but the main reason being that if anything, maybe we can beat St. Joe's (i always hated them the most)! Longer story short, sure the stadium wasn't great (always did wish we had base line seating) but 99% of the time, the reason I heard students say they weren't coming was because the team sucked and they had better things to do than to watch us lose. I don't know how long a newer/refurbished stadium will get people to come if we can't win more than half the games. Coach Howard seems likes he is taking the right steps to get the program turned around but man is it hard to watch when we are 1-8 in the conference right now and the end of every season seems to be "next year this or next year that". Anyways I don't know how much this opinion weighs in the forum but I thought I'd give my two cents. Before I go back in my hole, shout out to all the former mascots that might be in here! Nothing felt better than standing at the logo after a great win or a tough loss. Never Stop Exploring! I talked to a few mascots over the years. The funniest story was from a guy named Julius who was in the outfit pre-game back in early 90's... when a young kid approached asking for an autograph... instead of signing "Mr. Explorer" or "La Salle Explorer" he signed his real name! |
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Post by jellybean on Feb 23, 2020 17:56:00 GMT -5
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Post by JoeFedorowicz on Feb 23, 2020 19:10:40 GMT -5
Someone should tell them to spell the name of the school correctly. Thanks.
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Post by Fastchuck on Feb 23, 2020 19:59:45 GMT -5
I was glancing at the A10 message board on BasketballForum.com a few weeks ago and someone from one of the Ram schools said that he had read about the renovation of Gola to turn it into a "real arena" and he wondered about the status of the plans. A Bona fan stated correctly the La Salle had bigger financial fish to fry than a new arena. Best response came from a Richmond poster who claimed that La Salle planned to spend half of its athletic budget to install a new water fountain at the other end of the court to achieve symmetry. Shows what fans of other A10 schools think of the program.
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Post by explorer88 on Feb 23, 2020 20:10:41 GMT -5
We have been the laughing stock of the A10 since joining and it is all tied to the facility. Our performance hasn’t been great but overall of all the seasons we are probably middle of the pack but we are viewed poorly because of the facility. A real basketball program does not play in that type of gym.
I used to believe that some day I would see Gola done right but now I am 50-50 at best believe they will ever fix it. I know it is on some plans but have heard that for a long time.
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