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Topic: New appreciation for the Convo

Topic: New appreciation for the Convo

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OUcats82
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Member Since: 1/9/2005
Location: Cincinnati, OH
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New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/23/2016 10:02:11 AM

Between a hanging scoreboard, the quality of the pretzels at the snack bar, and numerous other topics, I know we have all had different opinions on the Convo and how it needs/doesn't need improvements, upgrades etc.

That being said, after reading this list, I have a whole new level of appreciation for our venerable edifice after seeing this list of what some of our fellow D1 programs call home for hoops:

http://mysportsblognews.blogspot.com/2015/09/12-smallest-...

I'm sure some on here went to high schools with better venues.

Ohio-The State University

UpSan Bobcat
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Location: Upper Sandusky, OH
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/23/2016 10:27:56 AM

South Carolina Upstate's capacity is smaller than a typical Eastern Michigan attendance figure that gets made fun of so much on here. USC UpState's average attendance is reported as 503 this year with a low of 270.

Last Edited: 3/23/2016 10:28:22 AM by UpSan Bobcat

100%Cat
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/23/2016 10:58:01 AM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

Eastern Michigan attendance...isn't that an oxymoron?

Couldn't resist.

shabamon
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Location: Cincinnati
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/23/2016 11:06:18 AM

The Elon gym has some appeal to it. The rest, especially NJIT, yuckkk.

Anyone here go to the St. Francis Brooklyn game when we played up there in '07?

100%Cat
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/23/2016 2:26:29 PM

I did see 2 hanging scoreboards in those photos of the smallest gyms...

Alan Swank
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/23/2016 3:35:28 PM

shabamon wrote:

The Elon gym has some appeal to it. The rest, especially NJIT, yuckkk.

Anyone here go to the St. Francis Brooklyn game when we played up there in '07?

No but I did see Yale - St. Francis a few years back. When we walked in y wife said, "this is a college gym?"

Alan Swank
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/23/2016 3:38:26 PM

Also, don't expect High Point to be on that list much longer. They are spending like $2 billion dollars over a 10 year period. The place looks like club med.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2537212/Is-best-u...

Jeff McKinney
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Member Since: 11/12/2004
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/24/2016 1:20:34 PM

Alan, I hope Dr. Vedder doesn't read that article about High Point...for his health's sake!

Regarding the gyms...it's funny but many recruits don't seem to care much about that. Schools in the A 10 and West Coast with small, older gyms still bring in really good players.

GoCats105
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Location: Seattle, WA
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/24/2016 1:52:58 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

$2 billion????????? Damn.

Alan Swank
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Location: Athens, OH
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/24/2016 2:09:07 PM

GoCats105 wrote:

Alan Swank wrote:

$2 billion????????? Damn.

Here it is:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2012-04-19/bubble-...

Every time I go down there they've completed a new building. Dan Hauser hit the right place at the right time.

Alan Swank
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/24/2016 2:09:50 PM

Jeff McKinney wrote:

How about hanging scoreboards? Do they care about them?

OhioBobcat
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/25/2016 4:32:52 PM

I actually wish the Convo was smaller. Much smaller. No MAC program needs a 13,000-plus seat arena to play in. Even when you get a nice crowd of 5,000-6,500 fans in there it's still over half empty. It's so cavernous for most every basketball game played in there and it's just too large of a capacity for a MAC basketball program. Yeah, yeah, once every blue moon some of those seats are used for a basketball game. And yes, I know, the Convo is not a basketball only facility. If Ohio had a basketball arena capacity of about 8,000 it would be ideal. It would still allow for a large crowd and when you had the normal average of 5,000-6,000 fans it wouldn't look empty.

bornacatfan
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/25/2016 4:44:18 PM

OhioBobcat wrote:

I am fine with the COnvo. Start winning at a high level and increase expectations. Big time program, big time arena. I have given that a lot of thought over the years and realize we have the COnvo for many purposes not just basketball. It would make sense to do removable vinyl covers for seats. NOt sure I like the curtain thing they do at some arenas. Having a 4 to 6 k box like they are building now makes getting a seat hard and does not appeal to me much. We have a great facility that does appeal to athletes on official visits during football season. Walking in there as a recruit is special...something only a few places in our geography have...and very few in our sphere as a MAC or mid major. I think the only ones who are worried about it looking empty are the fans who are critical of it looking empty. Recruits and their fams notsomuch

No MAC program? Heck G Town still plays some games on campus and there are a bunch of empty seats in the big arenas PRovidence, G Town, and teams that play in MSG, Philly, DC, Indy, Chicago play in...

Last Edited: 3/25/2016 4:47:32 PM by bornacatfan

never argue with idiots, they bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Winter comes and asks how you spent your summer.....

The game loves and rewards those who love and reward the game

OhioBobcat
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/25/2016 4:49:17 PM

shabamon wrote:

The Elon gym has some appeal to it. The rest, especially NJIT, yuckkk.

Anyone here go to the St. Francis Brooklyn game when we played up there in '07?

Elon's gym is very nice, I was there last year. The upper level seating actually has carpeted floors and it is housed in a pretty nice building. Not to mention, Elon's campus is very beautiful.

OhioBobcat
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/25/2016 4:57:04 PM

bornacatfan wrote:

OhioBobcat wrote:

It's way too big. Ohio has had that capacity with the Convo since 1968 and has never needed it for any of the nearly 50 seasons of basketball played in it. Yes, there have been some "games" it was needed, but not any season. I know it's not going to happen and I'm not suggesting to do it, but if you took out 5,000 seats and there'd still be more than enough seating and it wouldn't look like Ohio's playing in an arena where no cares. Because they do.

colobobcat66
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/25/2016 6:17:51 PM

OhioBobcat wrote:

bornacatfan wrote:

OhioBobcat wrote:

Ohio leads the MAC in attendence and has for many years. People care. Some people are more interested in appearances than reality. Yes, the Convo is way bigger than it needs to be. Ohio has not grown to 50,000 and it never will. Not a bad thing to claim a facility that big except when it comes to heating/cooling issues.

Jeff McKinney
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/25/2016 9:13:05 PM

Ideally it would be great to take about 2500 seats out and replace the space with boxes. Dont see it happening though.

bornacatfan
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/25/2016 11:52:56 PM

Jeff McKinney wrote:

Ideally it would be great to take about 2500 seats out and replace the space with boxes. Dont see it happening though.

cardboard? or do it up right with wood? I think a big refrigerator one would be cool.;)

Mark Lembright '85
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Location: Highland Heights, OH
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/26/2016 12:18:51 AM

I'm with Bornacatfan and Ohio does have the demographics to support the Convo. If Ohio can almost routinely draw 20,000 plus for Saturday afternoon football games, it has the ability to draw 13,000 for basketball games.

GPro31
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/26/2016 12:22:27 AM

OhioBobcat wrote:

Agreed. I would like a curtain for the top section or at least part of it. In 03-04 we would go into the upper section with natty cases and no one was up there. People I know smoked during games when we were down and no one cared. The arena is too big and our student section and following is great now, but in a big arena it's not an advantage. I'd love to curtain it off and make everyone sit close

cbus cat fan
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/26/2016 9:41:58 AM

The Convo was built at the height of the baby boom when Ohio University and many other campuses were growing exponentially. I can't remember the exact story but some of the powers that be envisioned Ohio joining a big time conference in the years to come, for some reason I am going to say these powers that be had connections to the ACC.

The Convo's purpose wasn't entirely athletic, commencements were getting larger as well. By the late 1960s bands were beginning to book huge concert venues. In the early days Led Zeppelin and the Grateful Dead came to Athens, and while some of the stories that circulated about them walking uptown to hang out may have been somewhat apocryphal, they were essentially true. (I think the Convo wasn't quite done for the Dead, so they played Mem Aud, but I could be wrong. While we are at it, they picture of Led Zeppelin opening up for Jose Feliciano must have been something to behold. I am told the contrast in audiences was striking to say the least) Also, in the 1970s band such as Boston, Styx etc sold out the Convo. During my freshman year in early 1983 I saw an acoustic sold out Neil Young show at the Convo. Music became more decentralized and hard to find band that would fill the Convo or want to come out of their way to Athens.

The Convo is a great recruting tool, but we all know they wouldn't build the Convo today. While society's love for sports continues, it in many ways is more social than it use to be. It is a place to meet and hang our for students and alumni. Families (including my own) have lots of kids activities which makes it harder to get to the Convo than it was in our single days, or if your kids are older, or out of the house. However like Pedan with football, it all comes down to winning. If you consistently win they will come. One only has to look at places which don't have big population centers like Wake Forest, WVU, Oregon State etc. It can be done, but the era of big stadiums and arenas are over.

Last Edited: 3/26/2016 9:46:26 AM by cbus cat fan

Alan Swank
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/26/2016 9:58:09 AM

cbus cat fan wrote:

I remember that 1983 Neil Young concert - it was on my daughter's first birthday (no, we didn't take her). It was his Trans tour, the weirdest stuff he had ever done or has done since. Here's a setlist.

1983-03-03, Convocation Center, Athens, Ohio, USA
Solo Trans
Comes A Time / Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere / Down By The River / Don't Let It Bring You Down / Soul Of A Woman / Are There Any More Real Cowboys? / Old Man / California Sunset / Helpless / Dance Dance Dance / Heart Of Gold / Don't Be Denied / Pocahontas / Sail Away / Powderfinger / Ohio / After The Gold Rush / Transformer Man / My My, Hey Hey (Out Of The Blue) / Mr. Soul / Sugar Mountain / Computer Age

BuddyLee
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/26/2016 10:04:39 AM

If we only had 6 basketball home games per year like football and they fell on Saturdays then we could sell them out. Otherwise we will remain close to where we are attendance wise which is good but still only half full most of the time. Not sure much we can do at this point. The Cleveland Indians recently ripped a bunch of seats out and repurposed the sections into bar/food/group ticket areas. Ideally I would love to see Mckinney's idea to do loges for vip/groups in the upper deck areas, but I doubt it would be cost effective or practical for us to rip out seats at this point. Curtains or tarps or some MSG style lighting are probably the most likely solutions.

Jeff McKinney
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/26/2016 10:06:37 AM

I remember Billy Joel coming in in 1977.

Boxes could be a huge draw, borna. You know how little kids love to play in em. : )

Deciduous Forest Cat
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RE: New appreciation for the Convo

Posted: 3/26/2016 10:27:54 AM

GPro31 wrote:

OhioBobcat wrote:

I've said this before and I'll repeat... do any of you have any idea how large, heavy, and expensive a curtain for the upper level would be? plus the machines to raise and lower? Where is the cutoff? we don't have an upper concourse to make a natural barrier. We could probably buy four scoreboards for the cost of curtaining off the top 15-20 rows.

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