Bradley announces new Personal Seat Option (PSO) plan for new arena

[squirrelgotdead]

Broski was more of a numbers guy than a "vision" guy.

[Chucky T's]

Love the return of the Red-White game, love Midnight Madness.

I just really wish someone in the planning of the new arena had the foresight to make capacity in the 6k to 7k range.

Somebody once said "you don't build your church for just Christmas and Easter services" ....this "arena" was not built with the intention of using it for men's games. 4200 seats is plenty for women's Bball and Vball and that is what this new facility was built for.

[Rusty 54]

Somebody once said "you don't build your church for just Christmas and Easter services" ....this "arena" was not built with the intention of using it for men's games. 4200 seats is plenty for women's Bball and Vball and that is what this new facility was built for.

You're right, 4200 is plenty for WBB and volleyball, the main tenants. I am not saying that we should have a Carver-sized arena on campus (although that would be my preference, but that is another topic). But while you don't build your church only for Christmas and Easter, you do have to think about how many people will be there those days. You don't want to be turning people away at the door.

[squirrelgotdead]

Will men's basketball be granted an exemption for the sale of alcohol?

[Chico]

IMO, as long as Bradley has more than 4200 season ticket holders, no regular season games or even tournament games should be played in the new arena. They moved to the Civic Center because they out grew the Fieldhouse and a first class arena was available. The one game against Illinois Wesleyn in the Fieldhouse after the move was enough.

[shaunguth]

It's a 4500 seat arena. That's not that far off from some attendances at the CBI/CIT event early rounds at Carver.

I posted the last three postseasons' attendance at Carver Arena in another thread......

5,928.....2008-09.....CIT.....4 games

6,851.....2007-08.....CBI.....3 games

8,304.....2006-07.....NIT.....1 game

4,472.....Lowest

9,014.....Highest

6,571.....Average attendance

Only three of the last eight postseason games at Carver were under 6,100. I'm sure these numbers are closer to the actual attendance than regular season games, since they are not part of the season ticket package.

[BradleyBrave]

Will men's basketball be granted an exemption for the sale of alcohol?

Good question. They did sell alcohol at the final red-white game at the Fieldhouse, and I do recall other Fieldhouse events getting alcohol exemptions. I could see it happening.

[shaunguth]

I wonder if they'll allow people to camp out for tickets, since there could be 4,000-5,000 people unable to get tickets that would normally go.

[Da Coach]

Good question. They did sell alcohol at the final red-white game at the Fieldhouse, and I do recall other Fieldhouse events getting alcohol exemptions. I could see it happening.

I don't recall any public events at the Fieldhouse that alcohol was sold. Are you sure? I might have missed it since I don't partake.
Beer and wine has been available at private functions, like Braves Club events, but were they also sold to the public at the Fieldhouse games?

[BradleyBrave]

I don't recall any public events at the Fieldhouse that alcohol was sold. Are you sure? I might have missed it since I don't partake.
Beer and wine has been available at private functions, like Braves Club events, but were they also sold to the public at the Fieldhouse games?

They served beer when BU played in the Sweet 16. I was at the game in Oakland, but several of my friends and relatives went to the Fieldhouse to watch. Beer was served there. Also, as I alluded to earlier, it was served at the final Red-White game.

[SFP]

Coach---My use of the word "greed" may have been a little overdone but I still think this really needs more careful thought. Some other schools may be doing this but I would be interested in which ones---any in the MVC?

Also, one of my major concerns is that this may work OK for affluent fans with big bucks but suggestions such as T's cause me to wonder if we have forgotton about the BU fan base of middle class, working people, retired people and young people who simply cannt afford these prices. We need this fan base and don't want to alienate them.

And finally, season ticket holders who pay maintenance should be given a priority if this program is really implemented.

One final thought which I admit is quite negative----If BU basketball deteriorates or if the long-term plan by the administration is to downgrade the program, could a move back on campus be a part of this?

All good thoughts wizard but we also need to have something in our back pocket in our negotiations with Carver or they have us over the coals so as to speak. On your final thought and with my limited interaction with the Administration I would say the opposite is true. They are hungry to upgrade the program as much as possible. She understands completely the amount of revenue that our basketball program brings to the university in form of our endowment.

[SFP]

IMO, as long as Bradley has more than 4200 season ticket holders, no regular season games or even tournament games should be played in the new arena. They moved to the Civic Center because they out grew the Fieldhouse and a first class arena was available. The one game against Illinois Wesleyn in the Fieldhouse after the move was enough.

If it makes money for the university and gives them a platform in negotiations why not Chico? If only for one game! We need to look at the big picture and what is best for the university not just the individuals for one weekday game. Imagine the excitement it would bring to the campus! If the math adds up I'd be all for it but then again I do not live in Illinois nor have season tickets.

[squirrelgotdead]

All good thoughts wizard but we also need to have something in our back pocket in our negotiations with Carver or they have us over the coals so as to speak. On your final thought and with my limited interaction with the Administration I would say the opposite is true. They are hungry to upgrade the program as much as possible. She understands completely the amount of revenue that our basketball program brings to the university in form of our endowment.

That's a good point. They know Bradley is an important tenant for them, but they also are in the business for making a profit. When you are considering postseason, yes, Bradley offers potential, but while they played there 3 straight years ('07-'09), they went 5 straight without a postseason ('02 thru '06) game there.

So there were probably changes operationally in March scheduling due to those stretches.

[SFP]

That's a good point. They know Bradley is an important tenant for them, but they also are in the business for making a profit. When you are considering postseason, yes, Bradley offers potential, but while they played there 3 straight years ('07-'09), they went 5 straight without a postseason ('02 thru '06) game there.

So there were probably changes operationally in March scheduling due to those stretches.

and Carver had a monopoly which is very hard to negotiate against. I'm all for businesses to make a profit but I'm more into my interest being met where it is a complete win win for everyone.

[Chico]

If it makes money for the university and gives them a platform in negotiations why not Chico? If only for one game! We need to look at the big picture and what is best for the university not just the individuals for one weekday game. Imagine the excitement it would bring to the campus! If the math adds up I'd be all for it but then again I do not live in Illinois nor have season tickets.

If it wasn't for the "individuals" the Braves might still be playing at the Armory. Every game the Braves play should bring excitement to the campus.