I expect it to be entirely ignored, as it should be.The AD made the obvious point that UConn's best interests may not be aligned with what is best for Hartford. I expect the Hartford politicians will be in an uproar by the morning.
I'm surprised they don't play a few more games in Bridgeport. It's a really nice arena, close to the train and most importantly, close to Fairfield County donors/potential donors. If you want those Fairfield County and new influx of former NYC resident dollars, you need to pander to them once in a while.
I feel that having half of the home games at the XL center is inconsiderate to the students.I grew up in suburban Hartford and now life in FC. Moving all games to gampel would not be ideal for fans in the southwest part of the state.
Going to be hard to get funding for that if UConn threatens to walk. I agree though - it needs to be a 21st century arena. It has potential.I like Gampel more than Hartford, but I do think it is a win-win having some games in Hartford, especially games during the week and the city's proximity to the largest population centers in Connecticut.
But to state the obvious, the arena needs significant upgrades.
I doubt UConn pulls the plug on Hartford anytime soon but makes a lot of sense to get those in Hartford to make the necessary investments to get the arena in a better state.
Going to be hard to get funding for that if UConn threatens to walk. I agree though - it needs to be a 21st century arena. It has potential.
I saw a few of UConn's games in Bridgeport. It's a worse basketball arena than Hartford and the atmosphere was far more sterile. It's enough that someone in Fairfield County can go to the Civic Center on the weekend in 50 to 70 minutes. You don't need to move games to Bridgeport. But moving all games to Storrs does cut off a portion of the fan base.
I went to a mid-week event there. Took an hour to go from the exit to a parking space.the benefit was that it was on the metro north line otherwise the traffic on 95 especially getting off that exit blows.
That is exactly what I was talking about when I mentioned getting there at half time.I went to a mid-week event there. Took an hour to go from the exit to a parking space.
I guess. Does that mean at any price though? I think that is the point that Benedict is making. UConn will play there but it has to have a viable economic reason to do so. That thought process is entirely reasonable and long overdue.LOL. UConn's best interests include not ticking off the state legislature. That's why a material portion of games will continue to be played in Hartford so long as there is a viable place to play them. And while the Civic Center sucks as a venue at this point, it is still viable.
I guess. Does that mean at any price though? I think that is the point that Benedict is making. UConn will play there but it has to have a viable economic reason to do so. That thought process is entirely reasonable and long overdue.