People Sitting at the VCA

[Sky]

Hey look at that, you actually read a post. Too bad that same info was posted twice in this thread before now. Good job little zincy.

 

[osugrad21]

Discuss all you guys want, but the namecalling stops...

 

[LordJeffBuck]

Pile it on boys because you are fighting a losing argument.

Plan A. Ohio State business plan: sell seats for lots of money, invest proceeds in the best coaches and high-tech facilities, use said coaches and said facilities to attract five-star talent, use said five-star talent to win lots of games, use said wins to attract more fans, who will pump even more money into the program, thereby causing the cycle to repeat itself.

Plan B. Sky business plan: give the best seats in the house to drunken college students who will yell at the opposition, thereby intimidating them to such an extent that they will lose the ballgame. Fans party all night, yelling "Go Bucks!" to passersby, and spend their cash on High Street. Ohio State's revenues drop, thereby causing the school to lose competetive advantage, but so what? It's all about the fans, baby!

Plan A sounds like the better choice to me. Just my humble opinion, of course.

But I'm sure Prince doesn't know anything about the importance of a loud home crowd.

Um, if the Notre Dame home crowd was so important, then why did Prince select UK over ND? Maybe Prince knows something about winning programs....

 

[Sky]

I remember him telling us fans that if you want a perennial final four team, we should follow duke.

That is my point exactly.

You seem to deal only in absolutes and broad brush strokes.

I criticize the crowd at times, but also realize that it won't change overnight, and certainly am not going to join you in the "sky will be falling soon" club.

The athletic dept moved the media to accomodate the students and got two pretty good outings for the White & Gray Outs. I hope more is done, but they're definitely on the right track.

And this is a very good point as well. You are right, it isn't only black or white, win or lose. Honestly I just fear losing Matta. Our program has been so hot and cold over the years (Ayers and OBrien had great starts and then failed) that I don't want to lose what I see as a very solid, long-term coach. His dream job is/was IU. We don't really compare to IU. So most of my angst is directed at the athletic dept because I don't think they are doing enough to keep Matta. I mean hell, we spent 18 million renovating the Woody Hayes center. I think Matta is going to want a proportional response in the next few years.

 

[jwinslow]

His dream job is/was IU. We don't really compare to IU.

Recruits feel otherwise.

So most of my angst is directed at the athletic dept because I don't think they are doing enough to keep Matta.

Is putting a few kids behind the benches "doing enough to keep Matta?"

If he has his heart set on bolting to IU, UK, etc... that won't stop that from happening. I think your fear is overstated.

 

[zincfinger]

Hey look at that, you actually read a post. Too bad that same info was posted twice in this thread before now. Good job little zincy.

Actually, I'll go ahead and take back the concession that those numbers eliminate the legal obligation objection to giving the best seats to students. The lower bowl has, what, about 5000-8000 seats? Of those, 1250 are PSL. Then subtract the behind the basket seats, at both ends, which are already reserved for students. Then subtract the seats which are reserved for fans of the visiting team. How many seats are left? I'm not sure, but it seems likely that the number is not very high. Undoubtedly, there are at least several hundred seats left a few rows behind the team benches, which as LBJ observed, could either be sold for profit (or loss minimization: hat tip, StadiumDorm), or virtually given away to students. I'm not sure you've made a strong case that the latter option would be better for the basketball program, i.e. that the certain loss in revenue would be more than compensated by the arguable increase in atmosphere.

Best regards,
[Redacted]

 

[Sky]

Recruits feel otherwise.

WTF does that mean. Recruits feel otherwise???? They don't think he is going to leave any time soon? Tell that to Justin Cage, Justin Doellman, Brandon Cole, Adam Simons, and Kevin Waymire.

And anyway, they are probably gone in two years anyway, why do they care.

Is putting a few kids behind the benches "doing enough to keep Matta?"

If he has his heart set on bolting to IU, UK, etc... that won't stop that from happening. I think your fear is overstated.

I'm sorry, I forgot you are the expert on Thad Matta. Did you ever read any of his interviews while at Xavier? Why don't you spend a little bit of time looking up what his mind set was back then. And you are right, putting a few kids behind the bench isn't going to make a big deal. But really sell out for the program, promote basketball and make our court intmidating, then that would have some influence. I think it starts with the students. You don't keep your students loyal nothing else matters.

 

[LordJeffBuck]

You don't keep your students loyal nothing else matters.

100% incorrect.

Have a nice day! :)

 

[jwinslow]

WTF does that mean. Recruits feel otherwise???? They don't think he is going to leave any time soon? Tell that to Justin Cage, Justin Doellman, Brandon Cole, Adam Simons, and Kevin Waymire.

And anyway, they are probably gone in two years anyway, why do they care.

Recruits certainly think OSU compares favorably to IU. Matta is the lead salesman. I think he's got something pretty amazing brewing here in columbus, and he did that without a strong basketball following.

Even if the OSU administration does not continue to improve & promote the basketball atmosphere... fans will naturally grow more interested, passionate and noisy.

Many programs in america envy the facilities that OSU provided, even if we lament the lack of noise/character of the arena.

I'm sorry, I forgot you are the expert on Thad Matta. Did you ever read any of his interviews while at Xavier? Why don't you spend a little bit of time looking up what his mind set was back then. And you are right, putting a few kids behind the bench isn't going to make a big deal.

So you throw in another snide comment, and then admit my point was valid?

My comment was a simple one, if Matta is planning to bolt to another program (which you're worrying about quite a bit), then it won't matter one iota what part of the arena showcases hopping students.

But really sell out for the program, promote basketball and make our court intmidating, then that would have some influence. I think it starts with the students. You don't keep your students loyal nothing else matters.

What about the loyal fans who supported the program before it was easy (ie 04 & before)?

As for intimidating, the Breslin cannot match the intimidation that Oden brings to the table.

 

[Sky]

Actually, I'll go ahead and take back the concession that those numbers eliminate the legal obligation objection to giving the best seats to students. The lower bowl has, what, about 5000-8000 seats? Of those, 1250 are PSL. Then subtract the behind the basket seats, at both ends, which are already reserved for students. Then subtract the seats which are reserved for fans of the visiting team. How many seats are left? I'm not sure, but it seem s likely that the number is not very high. Undoubtedly, there are at least several hundred seats left a few rows behind the team benches, which as LBJ observed, could either be sold for profit (or loss minimization: hat tip, StadiumDorm), or virtually given away to students. I'm not sure you've made a strong case that the latter option would be better for the basketball program, i.e. that the certain loss in revenue would be more than compensated by the arguable increase in atmosphere.

For arguments sake, lets go with a lower estimate: 6000. 1250 are you confused. Students can't/won't'/shouldn't sit on the floor. What part of 1100 don't you understand. Here is the link just in case:
http://www.schottensteincenter.com/sections/clubservices/index.asp

And if the students have one sideline, do you really think they are going to have the endzones as well. Oh, that is smart. And what do the visiting fans get, like 50 seats? That really adds up, good redaction.

 

[zincfinger]

For arguments sake, lets go with a lower estimate: 6000. 1250 are you confused. Students can't/won't'/shouldn't sit on the floor. What part of 1100 don't you understand. Here is the link just in case:
http://www.schottensteincenter.com/sections/clubservices/index.asp

And if the students have one sideline, do you really think they are going to have the endzones as well. Oh, that is smart. And what do the visiting fans get, like 50 seats? That really adds up, good redaction.

50 seats would be about two rows. Opposing fans probably get close to a thousand seats. I think it's clear where the 1250 came from, and there's no point in arguing whether floor seats should be considered part of the lower bowl, or whether those are premium seats. To be fair, I didn't realize you were arguing that students should get side court seats in lieu of their current end court seats. However, given that that would almost certainly entail a net loss of seats for students, and that it's far from clear how that would increase the students' contribution to atmosphere, that doesn't seem to be a slam dunk proposal.

 

[Sky]

Hmmm, less seats than they currently have. I don't think so.

 

[jwinslow]

Hmmm, less seats than they currently have. I don't think so.

The two endzone seating zones are slightly larger than if students were given 75% of sections 121-124. 75% is a generous amount considering the seats reserved for opposing fans and other special groups.

 

[Sky]

Hmm, I don't know the exact seating capacity of any of those sections.

Straight up I would like to follow Duke's example, period.

 

[Sky]

100% incorrect.

Have a nice day! :)

That's it, thats all you have to add to this conversation? Nice! Solid post.