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Post by rlh on Dec 16, 2010 15:56:16 GMT -5
I might have the dates wrong, I didn't check I admit, but it certainly looks older and is much more cramped....if you think it's better than the ARC, then I will have to respectfully disagree.....the ARC isn't where i'd like it to be, but it IS better than the Gentile Center in my opinion
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Post by valporun on Dec 16, 2010 16:02:07 GMT -5
From what I've seen of the Gentile Center, compared with the ARC, the only differences I'm seeing are bleacher sections on both "end zones", and a video scoreboard, besides that, and the lack of a three lane hard-carpeted track in the balcony, I don't see too many real striking differences between the two facilities. Now the cramped quarters, that I can't specifically comment about, but I don't see any real issue with that. Other places look as equally cramped, but they manage to handle it. We just need the sound system fixed, and maybe a couple of banners moved, but otherwise, the ARC isn't a putridly horrible facility for basketball's sake.
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Post by rlh on Dec 16, 2010 16:25:59 GMT -5
That's all I was trying to say....you said it much better than I
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Post by valpofan56 on Dec 16, 2010 16:27:52 GMT -5
rlh: The ARC initially opened in 1939, with the "new" gym being built in 1984. The Gentile Center opened in 1996, and has a much more modern feel to it. I can't attest to the cramped feel, but I doubt it feels extremely cramped. Thus, I am not kidding, and you should check your facts before making assertive claims. Have you ever been to the Gentile Center? For all practical purposes, it's the same thing as the ARC. They both have a High School gym feel to them. If you want a new arena that Valpo should model theirs after go with the Jones Convocation Center at (surprisingly) Chicago State University. It's a great facility. Check it out: Jones Convocation Center
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Post by valpomarketingguy on Dec 16, 2010 16:59:36 GMT -5
Not being able to see the scoreboard, and the sound quality, are unacceptable. I also often think the pregame is kind of a joke, especially when the lights used to be turned off and "loud" music would play, with people spinning the lights on the balcony. Pretty lame. ESPN would not allow us to turn off the lights for the Purdue game because they need the pregame lighting to be identical to the game lighting for broadcast purposes. Normally we shut them off, but it takes several minutes for them to come back on. Until the lights are replaced with ones that can turn on and off instantly (a major investment will be required), we will have to live with not having the lights out during introductions at nationally televised games.
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Post by ValpoHoops on Dec 16, 2010 17:10:46 GMT -5
Northern Iowa's McLeod Center. Had the chance to get out there 5 years ago or so when our women played there. The building had just opened then. 85% of the seats are chairbacks with bleacher seating in one end for the students. Place seats 6,750. This is what we need to build. mcleodcenter.org/about-mcleod-center
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Post by crusaderjoe on Dec 16, 2010 17:49:15 GMT -5
Valpo10 you wrote:
Where did I say wanted Valpo to play a home game against a team like Purdue in Gary with no students in attendance? What I alluded to was that student attendance, or the potential for the decrease of student attendance at that particular event, should not be a factor in determining whether VU should hold big name off campus "home" games. There is a difference. Capisce?
And no offense, but through your own remarks you've completely justified my reasoning as to why student attendance should be a complete non-factor in this decision. You said it yourself--why waste your time going to a game that VU is going to probably lose anyway, right? So why sever the university's opportunity of having the ability to sell 7K tickets (as opposed to 5K) to a basketball game for the sake of considering student attendance? A group, by your own admission, who doesn't travel well in the first place.
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Post by okinawatyphoon on Dec 16, 2010 23:41:27 GMT -5
Having been to the Gentile Center last year, I can say that it is very similar to the ARC. They are similar in size and layout. However, the Gentile Center has LED video screens that help to jazz the place up. But Valpo should NOT try and imitate the Gentile Center. We need a major overhaul or a new arena.
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Post by valpospartan on Dec 17, 2010 0:04:59 GMT -5
The Gentile Center looks like the United Center compared to their old gym, which I happened to see when I went to watch VU play Loyola this month. I was shocked at the size. I estimate the capacity at 500. No wonder they built a new gym.
My opinion on Gentile vs. ARC: Other than the neat scoreboards and video screen, the Gentile Center isn't as nice (not that the ARC is all that good). There are only 5 rows of chairback seats, the PA system is worse ( if possible); and they don't have Culvers..
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Post by wh on Dec 17, 2010 0:20:43 GMT -5
Northern Iowa's McLeod Center. Had the chance to get out there 5 years ago or so when our women played their. The building had just opened then. 85% of the seats are chairbacks with bleacher seating in one end for the students. Place seats 6,750. This is what we need to build. mcleodcenter.org/about-mcleod-center What I wouldn't give for a facility like this. Really beautiful and just the right size for us. Hopefully some day...
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Post by blackpantheruwm on Dec 17, 2010 16:53:08 GMT -5
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Post by drewsaders11 on Dec 18, 2010 22:20:26 GMT -5
rlh: The ARC initially opened in 1939, with the "new" gym being built in 1984. The Gentile Center opened in 1996, and has a much more modern feel to it. I can't attest to the cramped feel, but I doubt it feels extremely cramped. Thus, I am not kidding, and you should check your facts before making assertive claims. Have you ever been to the Gentile Center? For all practical purposes, it's the same thing as the ARC. They both have a High School gym feel to them. If you want a new arena that Valpo should model theirs after go with the Jones Convocation Center at (surprisingly) Chicago State University. It's a great facility. Check it out: Jones Convocation CenterI have been to the Gentile Center. I can echo Okinawa. They are fairly similar, but to me, the layout and feel of the Gentile Center, and the architecture, seem more modern. I don't want a place exactly like that. All of these stadiums that were linked to are nice buildings. I definitely dislike the track around the ARC, too. I feel that an athletic facility mirroring the architecture in seen in some of the recent additions to campus core would be sensible.
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Post by bbtds on Dec 19, 2010 1:14:43 GMT -5
The Gentile Center looks like the United Center compared to their old gym, which I happened to see when I went to watch VU play Loyola this month. I was shocked at the size. I estimate the capacity at 500. No wonder they built a new gym. And yet the Ramblers won a National Championship in 1963 playing in that same gym that seats about 500. loyolaramblers.cstv.com/facilities/loyc-gym.html George Ireland's 1962-63 squad, which went on to win the NCAA National Championship, went undefeated in Alumni Gym during their title season. Additionally, the all-time Rambler record for points in a game, 133, was set by the home team vs. Loras College in Alumni Gym on November 22, 1979. "I always loved Alumni Gym," said Ireland. "I still do. Friends told me I couldn't win there. I used to laugh to myself when I'd hear people say, 'This can't be the place where the NCAA Champions played, can it?'" "It's unbelievable, the advantage that Loyola had in Alumni Gym with the closeness of the crowd and the excitement of the fans," said Jerry Harkness a 1963 Loyola All-American. "I remember chasing a ball out of bounds and falling into the crowd as I flipped the ball behind my back to Les Hunter. Les dunked the ball and I can picture the crowd exploding with excitement and pushing me back onto the court. We had such a feeling of confidence in Alumni Gym. We felt it was our house and we weren't going to be beaten there." To me that sounds something like the ARC. There are advantages to a close up in your face experience for the visiting team.
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Post by vurb on Dec 21, 2010 18:31:28 GMT -5
Are there any future plans for changes to the ARC? Also, as far as the budget goes for the department, I know that ticket prices have more than doubled since 1998. So, revenue should be up enough to warrant some small improvements to the sound system.
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Post by valporun on Dec 21, 2010 18:49:33 GMT -5
Are there any future plans for changes to the ARC? Also, as far as the budget goes for the department, I know that ticket prices have more than doubled since 1998. So, revenue should be up enough to warrant some small improvements to the sound system. How much of that revenue went into the remodeling of Hilltop Gym and the Arena floor? You would think there would be a small amount, or maybe someone who has a better ear for listening to John's voice through the sound system to find out how much he needs to be turned up, and get him balanced so there isn't feedback that strikes back at the crowd. I don't know who does the sound work in pre-game, but obviously whoever does isn't paying much attention to it.
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