Game 19: AT University of Richmond, Sunday, January 22nd, 1 PM, American Sports Network

[MasonSAE4]

Let me clarify, I was reffering to HS graduations since they probably have to pay a rental fee.

Yeah maybe. Idk. There's no way they're going the two arena route without having someone else pay for one. And the practice facility is already slated as a RAC addition so I highly doubt you'll see any sort of practice amenities tacked on to a new arena.

What have now is fine for capacity, it just needs to be modernized. If we had a video scoreboard and could get the lights on and off faster for player intros/do some cool stuff like the glowstick thing from Mason Madness, I'm sure we'd pull more people in and help fill in those empty seats. I'm kind of surprised that we haven't tried to persuade Leonis to go in a new one for Caps/Wizards preseason events. Can't imagine he's making much by having to open/staff the Verizon Center for empty games. Plus it allows people who can't really get into the city often a chance to see the teams.

 

[MasonSAE4]

I agree, they will take the money. I would love to be wrong, but I don't ever see us drawing 9000 for a game against anybody not named UVA. We even have a few thousand people dressed as empty seats at vcu, JMU, and ODU. Much less St. Bona, Fordham, or Rhode Island on a Wednesday. The covering up of the corners of the arena with advertisements is very good. But I say we cover up the top 10 rows, too. They're only being used by the FPYC halftime entertainment anyways.

Yeah I like how they've found new ways to bring in some money. I'd prefer to have the seats there just in case we play someone like UVA or Tech and you know it'll sell out (especially now as we're scraping for money for new facilities.) I think we lose sight of the fact that we're young and still growing our alumni base and student body. There aren't that many older alum and we're easily pumping out more grads every year than we're losing. With the school's drive to get the student body over 40,000 I think there will be a day where even the mid week games get up well over 5500-6000.

 

[Vurbel]

Yeah I like how they've found new ways to bring in some money. I'd prefer to have the seats there just in case we play someone like UVA or Tech and you know it'll sell out (especially now as we're scraping for money for new facilities.) I think we lose sight of the fact that we're young and still growing our alumni base and student body. There aren't that many older alum and we're easily pumping out more grads every year than we're losing. With the school's drive to get the student body over 40,000 I think there will be a day where even the mid week games get up well over 5500-6000.

Putting ads, no matter how much they pay us, is better than just having empty seats. UVA comes here once a decade. I don't remember VT ever coming here. MD or GTown aren't coming any time soon. We're realistically looking at A-10 schools, the occasional Louisiana Tech or Western Kentucky, and the Mt. St. Mary's of the world.

 

[GMUgemini]

I agree, they will take the money. I would love to be wrong, but I don't ever see us drawing 9000 for a game against anybody not named UVA. We even have a few thousand people dressed as empty seats at vcu, JMU, and ODU. Much less St. Bona, Fordham, or Rhode Island on a Wednesday. The covering up of the corners of the arena with advertisements is very good. But I say we cover up the top 10 rows, too. They're only being used by the FPYC halftime entertainment anyways.

When this team is good, it will draw. We've even had sellouts against teams like Northeastern before.

 

[MasonSAE4]

When this team is good, it will draw. We've even had sellouts against teams like Northeastern before.

Yeah it wasn't that long ago the place was bumping on most nights. Just because we don't sell out a game doesn't mean it isn't packed. Hell, we put almost 8,000 in there with all the students gone on break and the night before new years eve just three weeks ago.

 

[TweederGMU]

I've talked to many Mason Athletic Department workers over the past couple years concerning renovations to the PatDome.

Realistically the funds are not there for a major overhaul. We are 8-10 years away for budgeting for something like this for a major renovation. This is why they are focusing on upgrading the locker rooms and the practice facility. All hands on deck, including funds, are going to this initiative. These are items we NEED to stay competitive in the A-10.

Yes it would be nice to transform the PatDome in to something like the Robins Center but now we are slapping lipstick on the pig with the resources and funds we have now and in the near future.

With winning and getting more corporate donors will help to seriously get the school's attention at doing a major overhaul down the line but for now we need to focus and put all efforts in to upgrading and building these items.

 

[Five Two]

Maybe Darrell Green should ask Spike Lee for some $$$

 

[GMUgemini]

I've talked to many Mason Athletic Department workers over the past couple years concerning renovations to the PatDome.

Realistically the funds are not there for a major overhaul. We are 8-10 years away for budgeting for something like this for a major renovation. This is why they are focusing on upgrading the locker rooms and the practice facility. All hands on deck, including funds, are going to this initiative. These are items we NEED to stay competitive in the A-10.

Yes it would be nice to transform the PatDome in to something like the Robins Center but now we are slapping lipstick on the pig with the resources and funds we have now and in the near future.

With winning and getting more corporate donors will help to seriously get the school's attention at doing a major overhaul down the line but for now we need to focus and put all efforts in to upgrading and building these items.

As long as there is a strategy in place and a long-term plan to either renovate EGB or build a new arena, I can be OK with it. Plenty of programs play in arenas much older than ours. We are behind in a lot of our critical infrastructure as it is, so one step at a time.

 

[GSII]

Part of me says leave it as it is until it fails building inspection. If we are winning and going to the dance, id rather DP get the money. A bball atmosphere is what you/students make it. If the pride in the program goes up, so will attendance. Gonzaga is doing just fine being a consistent winner with minimal facilities.
http://m.gonzagabulletin.com/sports/article_9d7b3794-c000-11e5-a19b-17d81d8e3449.html?mode=jqm

 

[Pablo]

As long as there is a strategy in place and a long-term plan to either renovate EGB or build a new arena, I can be OK with it. Plenty of programs play in arenas much older than ours. We are behind in a lot of our critical infrastructure as it is, so one step at a time.

Speaking of "one step at a time", I wonder how many people fell before handrails were installed?

 

[MasonSAE4]

We're gonna build a new arena, we're gonna make Hewitt pay for it, and we're gonna tell everyone it's sold out every game despite clearly being able to see 4,000 empty seats.

 

[MasonFanatic]

We're gonna build a new arena, we're gonna make Hewitt pay for it, and we're gonna tell everyone it's sold out every game despite clearly being able to see 4,000 empty seats.

Are these alternative facts?

 

[Vurbel]

Speaking of "one step at a time", I wonder how many people fell before handrails were installed?

It's probably a code thing. Anybody who has vertigo uses them. It's a good purchase.

 

[Jack Strop]

We're gonna build a new arena, we're gonna make Hewitt pay for it, and we're gonna tell everyone it's sold out every game despite clearly being able to see 4,000 empty seats.

Spoken like a true Trump voter... or are you on his staff?

 

[MasonSAE4]

Spoken like a true Trump voter... or are you on his staff?

I'm the new undersecretary of sexual harassment. Not preventing it but perpetrating it.

 

[Jack Strop]

Ohhhh! I get it, you're recuiting others to be "on his staff"!