Oh I think Mother Miami is being a little crafty and wily here by stating that the main purpose of a new arena is to curb student drinking. They’re just trying to get matching Federal funds through a Dept of Health and Human Services or CDC grant.
Anyone who thinks a new arena will improve attendance isnt paying attention to the landscape of college sports. It “might” matter for a minute, but ultimately what matters is winning and attractiveness of opponents. Neither are solved by an arena. And I think that largely applies to recruiting as well, where NIL $ will beat an arena every time.
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One thing we are sure of. Ignoring Millett Hall for the past 30+ years has done nothing to help Miami University attract students and others for attendance.
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NIU and EMU basketball arenas are beautiful, yes, but Eastern’s is entirely off campus and NIU’s is even more distant from the student body than Millett is to ours. Location has killed those Arenas. Their poor location is a primary point in favor of an on campus facility.
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I believe every possible location discussed is on campus. No one has suggested off campus.
Duke University’s basketball facility was originally built in 1940.
Just say’in.
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Hmmm…wonder if only 1 (barely) winning season in the last 15 years has impacted attendance?
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I would suggest that there are multiple reasons for decrease in attendance and there are chicken/egg exercises we can get into. I am not being so bold to suggest that lack of investment in facilities is THE reason. This is a multi-faceted problem
Bad coaching? (why aren’t we getting better coaches? Salary? Perceived as a bad job because of lack of support?)
Bad Recruiting? (why aren’t we getting better players? Coaches hired that can’t recruit? Why are we hiring those coaches? --see above)
No Fans? (Why? No wins? Why no wins? Coaching? Recruiting? Lack of committment to basketball?)
What are the current flagship basketball programs in the MAC? How have they invested in coaching salaries, recruiting budgets, facility upgrades, institutional support of the program.
I would also suggest that there are other reasons why students don’t attend as they have in the past CLICK HERE. Also, CLICK HERE.
Winning is important to attendance. However, students and fans are not just coming for winning basketball, in-arena engagement has to be a priority at any new venue miami would build. What Miami does now “in-game” is perhaps the worst in the NCAA.
- get them in the door
- keep them engaged and entertained – on court is simply not enough.
So…need to build it BUT also incorporate those things that keep fans engaged before and during. IF Miami builds a new arena, it needs to focus on fan engagement for any build.
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Who would be responsible for in game fan experiences being the worst in the MAC?
Shouldn’t this be addressed immediately before building a possible new venue?
I wouldn’t. I would have Sayler come out in a Barnum and Bailey suit and top hat with a megaphone and announce all the new game fan experiences at the opening of the new arena!
Nah. Not gonna work. Me? I’d hire a bunch of nudists (hot nudists mind you, not the usual types of nudists who look like melted plastic) and have them do trampoline tricks and such. When people get the promos that say “Bla bla bla basketball game on ____date…ps, come see some of the hottest, most talented nudists you’ve ever seen at Millett! Also, our teams are good again. And they fixed the carbonation issue!!!) the line will be out the door to get in.
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The only reason they are out the door waiting to get in is because no one is working the Miami ticket office!!
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The University will next meet to discuss this December 12-13. Doesn’t seem as though students and faculty are happy with the locations chosen. Miami community responds to potential hotel location - The Miami Student
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Students,faculty and Alums all dislike proposed leading locations.
I.e. slant walk
I’m a Miami alum and I love the idea of the slant walk location
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This story is from yesterday. And for those who said Miami Inn is being used as a residence hall, it is planned for demolition along with Thompson on Western which I knew. I won’t comment further as my thoughts have already been expressed. Just passing on news stories. Slant Walk Green among potential locations for Millett replacement, university committee says
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Fuck them. Their opinions don’t matter. The only opinions that matter are the man or woman with the money and those on this board.
And a story just released an hour ago. Going to the Miami Senate. University Senate considers master plan prior to hotel and arena development plans - The Miami Student
"The plan says certain spaces on campus “represent the identity of the institution, and as such, will be treated with the highest level of care and maintenance.” The proposed sports arena is set to be located in one of these historic spaces adjacent to Slant Walk.
The planning committee recommended creating a master plan in 2022, but the administration declined due to cost concerns. However, Prytherch said the administration at the time said if the university were to experience a period of rapid expansion or change on the campus, updates would be needed for the planning documents."
"Senator Adam Beissel, an associate professor of sports leadership and management, said that while the new sports arena may be necessary, it’s not the most economically beneficial.
“[Millett] is really unsustainable in the long term,” Beissel said, “but also the economics of this [new arena] are likely not going to be positive, given our regional location [and] the ability or lack of ability to get primary events like concerts and things.”"
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Wait… Miami doesn’t have a development master plan?
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nor do they have a historic preservation plan
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