However, the post above that pointed out BGSU's attendance struggles also makes sense.  With their current average attendance, even if they do much better in the years ahead, no way will they average above 4,000.   

Of course, OCF swears that BGSU is going to take its $10 million donation and bolt from the MAC for a bigger conference in a few years.  Not sure a 4300 arena will make them attractive.

On the other hand...I really don't think the low capacity will hurt their recruiting.  For most recruits, capacity isn't that big of a factor.  If BGSU could show it will be on TV more in the years ahead, now that would REALLY help recruiting.   

I was fortunate enough to be given a tour of BG’s new facility last week and this place is going to be VERY nice. And I’m not only saying that because it is brand new either. It’s not even finished and I came away completely impressed. Their new arena has all the amenities and features one could ask for and has many features other larger conference arenas are lacking. I really loved BG’s practice court which is attached to the arena and they are putting a lot of attention to detail in it as well. While I will say I was wondering about the lower seating capacity too, I think BG did the right thing. Of the most recent new arenas built in the MAC prior to BG's, NIU and EMU laid eggs building venues just way too big for basketball. BG didn’t use all the seating it had in Anderson Arena in the last decade or so, so their capacity increases moving into their new building and they are able to spillover 5,000 in this new place if needed. BG’s seating capacity might hamper it more from a convocation standpoint with concerts or graduation, but not basketball. They have teams like Michigan State coming there the following season and have a $10 million gift waiting in the wings to fund solely their men’s basketball program ASIDE from a brand new arena. The future is looking very bright for the Falcons.

If you look at a powerhouse “mid-major” program like Gonzaga, which built a new arena in 2004, the Zags’ new arena “only” seats 6,000 in a much larger metropolitan area in Spokane (population 200,000) than compared to a college town like Bowling Green, Ohio (30,000). And Gonzaga’s program is much better than any MAC program is by far. Also, if you look at the top teams in the MAC recently such as Kent State and Akron, both play in venues smaller than 6,000 and they are nowhere near as nice as BG’s new arena will be. Other MAC facilities have also curtained off seats (Miami) or reduced capacity during renovation (Toledo). Ohio draws very well in the MAC and this year played in front of roughly an average of 5,500. However, that also means we played in front of nearly 7,500 empty seats on average. It’s crazy to think about a team being one of the leaders in conference attendance while also playing in front of attendance figures that are usually way below half of the facility’s actual seating capacity. While I love the Convo, aside from a few games here and there, it is just too big for basketball overall. If Ohio was to ever building a new arena, the seating capacity would fall well short of what we have now. Whatever BG might lose in fewer seats it is more than making up for in other areas with this new building. I saw that firsthand after touring the place myself. Very impressive.

Last Edited: 5/25/2011 5:35:45 PM by OhioBobcat

Last Edited: 5/26/2011 9:33:09 AM by anorris

I am really looking forward to watching games in the Stroh Center when Ohio is there.  Glad you're getting the new facilities and the donation for men's basketball.