Indeed, the arena is a massive cost. But I was basing my numbers on Millett.
But everyone says Millett doesn’t work anymore. Therein lies the conundrum.
Millett doesn’t work, but if the team was good, we would be making money with it. We proved we could fill it again this year even if for one moment.
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Millett isn’t the problem. It’s a problem. Upgrading facilities goes hand in hand with a wholistic investment in a program.
And of course Basketball is cheaper, with higher revenue upside, than Hockey. Any notion to the contrary is pure silliness.
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I believe at this time “the plan” is to renovate Millett…not build a new.
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Hey–Get started in two months. Please.
https://www.miamiathleticfund.org/s/916/gradchamps/interior.aspx?pgid=8291&gid=1&cid=17716
I assume if ever, Phase III is renovation of the interior, complete reconfiguring.
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Renovating Millett is an OK option…probably the only viable option expense wise.
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Skins…pretty sure that was scrapped. Part of the sports only campaign for approx $4M but has since been removed from the campaign
As a 79 grad who has been back and in Millett plenty of times at football games I think a major, and I mean major renovation or restructuring of the building would work. Track is gone and new capacity at maybe 7000 or so. The bones are good and based on use and attendance it’s hardly worn out! New space for coach’s offices…get them out of the damn basement…team meeting rooms, group meeting rooms and more. Update locker rooms to football standards for all sports. Find the space for an Athletic Hall of Fame room and get them off the columns when you walk into the joint. They’re in no particular order or grouping. Show them some respect! I knew a bunch of them and they’ve earned it. On top of all that where are they going to put it?
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No one ever addresses the geographic, transportation, cultural,demographic, NIL opportunities issues I raise. All they maintain is that basketball is cheaper to play.
Hockey players are less likely imo to be as concerned about NIL. It is an expensive sport to play and most players who make it to college hockey were well-financed growing up. Hockey also plays a Friday-Saturday weekend schedule. There aren’t any bad weather Tuesday night hockey games in remote, ex-urban, hard to reach Oxford. Half of our basketball games are just that.
These are just a couple of reasons why Hockey can potentially be more successful than basketball. They are the types of things that need to be considered when evaluating how to move forward…
Because, frankly, they aren’t compelling in the least. And in no way should any of those things preclude Miami from having a very competitive, top-100ish basketball program.
I think you like to argue and have picked an unpopular position in which to do it.
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My position seems particularly unpopular with you. Ignore what I have pointed out as unimportant snd go ahead and try to reestablish a preeminent hoops program at Miami in the face of the numerous obstacles which you choose not to recognize. When you’ve gotten the RedHawks back to the Sweet 16, let me know.
Fine, I’ll play along…
Answer me this—what’s the difference between Athens, OH and Oxford, OH in all those things you listed? Because somehow they don’t effect OU. Maybe Athens is a metropolis now and I missed the memo?
The simple truth is your position is not correct. There are challenges to Miami basketball succeeding, but the reality is they’re self-imposed. The importance of any inherent, outside factors is pretty minimal.
Also, Miami basketball has been more successful than Hockey over the last 5 years. Which should give you pause in your argument.
Gotta ya…still think the only plan would be some renovation though…doubt they ever build new.
You keep arguing all the advantages hockey has over basketball, yet they’ve had equally poor success in the last 9 years. Basketball probably even has the slight edge in success, which is incredible.
Only about 14 of the current top 100 D1 teams are mid-major teams located in areas not considered particularly urban. Ohio is presently listed as #74. Ohio has a traditional basketball arena. We don’t. And we are only in the first year of NIL. It’s full
negative impact on rural hoops programs is yet to be felt.
It may be possible to maintain a perennial top 100 program in a hard to access ex-urban community but it won’t be an easy or inexpensive task.
Meanwhile, our hockey barn is already in place. NIL probably won’t be an inhibitor to recruiting. All we need now is better talent, coaching and performance.
I’m anxiously awaiting you plan of action for hoops. .
I think NIL is totally irrelevant for basketball at our level. At the big schools, sure there will be a lot of money thrown around but I just don’t think there will be a lot of money at the smaller schools. Actually liking the coaching staff/school will still be the most important aspect for recruits.
And why is our school and environment more attractive to a good D1 hoops recruit than Xavier, Toledo, Cleveland State, Butler, DePaul or Loyola?
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You’re halfway there on your own!
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