Ren. Ctr. Expansion

[wizard1]

IF the RC could be expanded to a MINIMUM of 7,000 seats, and IF the parking situation could be resolved, playing mens BB games at the RC might not be too bad. BU would have 100% control of the non-conf. game dates, and unlike at the Civ Ctr., concession prices would be reasonable, the Braves Club room is excellent, it would attract more students, reduce costs, and even the uncomfortable RC seats might be tolerable. Certain games where attendance would obviously be well over 7,000 (Wichita, non-conf. games with BCS schools) could still be played at the Civic Ctr.
Of course, the Civic Ctr. people would scream their heads off and the political fall-out would have to be handled.
Wiz

[tornado]

not sure wiz...an awful lot of people who claim they were big BU fans hate the games there and have pledged to boycott them...

[jeffsu]

If you boycott games due to location, then don't let the door hit you in the way out.

[battlebasset]

not sure wiz...an awful lot of people who claim they were big BU fans hate the games there and have pledged to boycott them...

These are probably the children of the people who said they wouldn't go to the Pcc when they tore down the field house. I think in our current attendance and financial situation this is a great idea.
D

[bradleyfan124]

The problem I have with all of this is circumstances has not brought down Bradley basketball. The powers that be took the program down. If circumstances have played out to where we need to adjust to the situations and make the best of it I can understand that. But to tear the program down and say " See. The program is not good so we have to downgrade", just ticks me off. It is like taking a sledge hammer to your car then step back and tell everyone who will listen. " I told you the car was undriveable"

[kds]

The problem I have with all of this is circumstances has not brought down Bradley basketball. The powers that be took the program down. If circumstances have played out to where we need to adjust to the situations and make the best of it I can understand that. But to tear the program down and say " See. The program is not good so we have to downgrade", just ticks me off. It is like taking a sledge hammer to your car then step back and tell everyone who will listen. " I told you the car was undriveable"

No pun intended but this hits the nail on the head

[basketball nut]

not sure wiz...an awful lot of people who claim they were big BU fans hate the games there and have pledged to boycott them...

Why? I go to a lot of games there and have still to see a bad seat. Maybe I would feel different if my season tickets were by the floor @ the CC but I enjoy the games there.

[Chico]

Why? I go to a lot of games there and have still to see a bad seat. Maybe I would feel different if my season tickets were by the floor @ the CC but I enjoy the games there.

Your icon should tell you the answer. BU used to be a competitive National team when the PCC was opened and us long time fans got used to the games being in a big time arena.

[houstonbrave]

Maybe I am way too simplistic, but we have threads on here about the PCC losing a bunch of money, Bradley having financial problems and BU thinking about expanding Ren Ctr. BU moving out of the CC and spending money on Ren Col in the end is horribly inefficient and neithe BU or the city of Peoria have the resorces to waste at this point. They just need to work something out.

[Rhino65]

I'd be all for moving home games into the renaissance coliseum. If bradley can find a way to get 7 to 8 thousand seats there I think it'd be perfect. Complete flexibility of dates would allow us to be a lot more picky on who and when we play home games. I'm also not sure how much of a percentage the civic center makes of of bradley games, but cutting that out gives bradley 100% of revenue brought it. Also, as a student, the civic center isn't too difficult to get to, but it's still a pain to have to wait for the bus to take you downtown and it's a huge hassle trying to get back. If all home games were in the coliseum and not just the throw away ones, I guarantee you see a huge increase in student attendance.

I think you have to look at this not only from the perspective of how many people can fit in the stadium, but how much additional flexibility we would gain from switching games. Personally, I think it would be worth it to trade off a couple thousand seats for the flexibility and revenue control we could gain.

[Chico]

If all the students were like you Rhino it might work, but sadly they're not. Plus people don't want to park in the neighborhoods anymore and you can't blame the neighbors, the good ones, from not wanting them to park there. I used to walk from West Peoria with a group to every game, but wouldn't try it now. The majority of the crowds by a long shot are non-students. Glad you keep going to the games and support your team.

[understandingthetruth]

Let's stand back a moment and see ... ... ...

Usually I zip in here making comments some might believe little thought went in to what I was saying to which I would gladly get in to a chat with and about, but, this time my impression of this moving back to ON CAMPUS {where it truly belongs in the first place} might be a gem in the rough. Consider. Take for the sake of example here the renaissance center is rebuilt in such a way six to seven thousand fans could find seats comfortably. Yes, I realize it is not as grandiose as what could be had at the civic center in total seats sold, BUT, here the stadium would be filled with people who want to be there and not fans of an other or more random sort. Besides, what benefits have we ever received playing down town? Said crowd would be louder. No longer would we have to be told EVERY GAME as though we some how forgot as often to stand for the first few minutes of every half as this funny sort of magic would already be taking place in spite of these worn out reminders. An entirely new feel would be discovered as Bradley and all of her/his/their/our/whoever's fans brought back the long sought after home court advantage {referees screwing things up every game notwithstanding}. This could be made in to a very good thing, pilgrims. The cliche 'wait for it' might just be what we need!