AG center.

[catscratchfever4]

Is the completion of the 6 laning of 72 a good sign about the Ag Center.

[brandon]

Nov 5, 2020 10:17:42 GMT -6 catscratchfever4 said:

Is the completion of the 6 laning of 72 a good sign about the Ag Center.

Who knows?

I dont think the AG center will benefit UNA in basketball though. The renderings shown was multiple basketball courts strung out through the seating. Didn't make sense to me.

[unafied]

Coincidentally, Bellarmine announced a couple of days ago that they will be moving into Freedom Hall, an arena at the Kentucky State Fair complex. It seats over 18,000 people. Now obviously Bellarmine won't be filling that even in non-COVID times, but I think it shows how serious they are about being real good, real fast.

Now, do we need the ag center? Nah. Not right now. BUT, I will say that if conference realignments really get going, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a shiny new arena we could at least potentially be able to play in. It might make us look a little more valuable. I personally don't have a problem with Flowers, especially since the updates. But, I'm not sure it's a viable long-term solution (as in, beyond 10-15 more years).

[brandon]

Nov 5, 2020 12:40:46 GMT -6 unafied said:

Coincidentally, Bellarmine announced a couple of days ago that they will be moving into Freedom Hall, an arena at the Kentucky State Fair complex. It seats over 18,000 people. Now obviously Bellarmine won't be filling that even in non-COVID times, but I think it shows how serious they are about being real good, real fast.

Now, do we need the ag center? Nah. Not right now. BUT, I will say that if conference realignments really get going, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a shiny new arena we could at least potentially be able to play in. It might make us look a little more valuable. I personally don't have a problem with Flowers, especially since the updates. But, I'm not sure it's a viable long-term solution (as in, beyond 10-15 more years).

If they would make the AG Center right, that's my pick. But if they do what they showed, nope. You cant play with that setup, not D1 basketball.


The good thing about Flowers is that its loud for a small venue. And I've been told there are expansion plans for Flowers and this was just phase 1.

Was told phases 2 and 3 include blowing out the entrance for a bigger concessions area then adding floor to ceiling seats on that end of the floor.

[unafied]

Nov 5, 2020 13:45:58 GMT -6 brandon said:

Nov 5, 2020 12:40:46 GMT -6 unafied said:

Coincidentally, Bellarmine announced a couple of days ago that they will be moving into Freedom Hall, an arena at the Kentucky State Fair complex. It seats over 18,000 people. Now obviously Bellarmine won't be filling that even in non-COVID times, but I think it shows how serious they are about being real good, real fast.

Now, do we need the ag center? Nah. Not right now. BUT, I will say that if conference realignments really get going, it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a shiny new arena we could at least potentially be able to play in. It might make us look a little more valuable. I personally don't have a problem with Flowers, especially since the updates. But, I'm not sure it's a viable long-term solution (as in, beyond 10-15 more years).

If they would make the AG Center right, that's my pick. But if they do what they showed, nope. You cant play with that setup, not D1 basketball.


The good thing about Flowers is that its loud for a small venue. And I've been told there are expansion plans for Flowers and this was just phase 1.

Was told phases 2 and 3 include blowing out the entrance for a bigger concessions area then adding floor to ceiling seats on that end of the floor.

Yeah, if they build it as a true "rodeo arena" or whatever first, and not basketball, I'm not sure I'd want us to play there. If it's not a first-class setup, then what's the point? I guess I'm saying I don't want it to look like we're playing in an agricultural arena, which is maybe shallow, but if it affects recruiting then it's really not. 

I think we've discussed before how badly a new entrance is needed at Flowers. If they do that and add some seats, that'll be a very welcome addition. I'm all for keeping Flowers if we can continuously update it.

[brandon]

Nov 5, 2020 14:46:08 GMT -6 unafied said:

Nov 5, 2020 13:45:58 GMT -6 brandon said:

If they would make the AG Center right, that's my pick. But if they do what they showed, nope. You cant play with that setup, not D1 basketball.


The good thing about Flowers is that its loud for a small venue. And I've been told there are expansion plans for Flowers and this was just phase 1.

Was told phases 2 and 3 include blowing out the entrance for a bigger concessions area then adding floor to ceiling seats on that end of the floor.

Yeah, if they build it as a true "rodeo arena" or whatever first, and not basketball, I'm not sure I'd want us to play there. If it's not a first-class setup, then what's the point? I guess I'm saying I don't want it to look like we're playing in an agricultural arena, which is maybe shallow, but if it affects recruiting then it's really not. 

I think we've discussed before how badly a new entrance is needed at Flowers. If they do that and add some seats, that'll be a very welcome addition. I'm all for keeping Flowers if we can continuously update it.

The problem with what they showed the AG Center to be, when they showed the basketball courts, was like 3 courts side by side and the seating surrounding the whole thing, so you would be playing on a court and have fans watching 2 courts away. Unless they have a temporary seating system that would fit seamlessly, it dont make sense for D1 basketball.

As far as phase 2-3 of Flowers, I dont suspect they will move on with it until we consistantly put enough fans in to justify it.

[roaringsince96]

Crazy year this year and then just one more year of this transition. The transition has tested the patience of fans, I imagine it has been daunting for the athletic administration. There will be a new excitement when conference titles can be won and playoffs are part of the discussion again. I believe COVID has slowed any D2 programs from thinking about making the jump. Revenues being down alone hurt, plus the expenses and fees. We are fortunate in the fact our process had already begun prior to COVID. We are invested in D1 now. These big payout games are definitely going to move a much needed revenue needle. The D2 division and lower divisions really do not have a way to generate those type revenue games and with now smaller crowds, really tough sledding. Hope the GSC does well thru the transition of COVID, such a great conference.

[unalions]

Nov 6, 2020 17:49:28 GMT -6 roaringsince96 said:

Crazy year this year and then just one more year of this transition. The transition has tested the patience of fans, I imagine it has been daunting for the athletic administration. There will be a new excitement when conference titles can be won and playoffs are part of the discussion again. I believe COVID has slowed any D2 programs from thinking about making the jump. Revenues being down alone hurt, plus the expenses and fees. We are fortunate in the fact our process had already begun prior to COVID. We are invested in D1 now. These big payout games are definitely going to move a much needed revenue needle. The D2 division and lower divisions really do not have a way to generate those type revenue games and with now smaller crowds, really tough sledding. Hope the GSC does well thru the transition of COVID, such a great conference.

I agree. Honesty, if something like a pandemic happens, a transition year is the best timing. No GSC teams are playing this fall and a few are thinking about a couple of spring non-conference games. I feel for them. Of course, UWF is milking it's national title reign for another year. Haha.

[brandon]

Nov 6, 2020 17:49:28 GMT -6 roaringsince96 said:

Crazy year this year and then just one more year of this transition. The transition has tested the patience of fans, I imagine it has been daunting for the athletic administration. There will be a new excitement when conference titles can be won and playoffs are part of the discussion again. I believe COVID has slowed any D2 programs from thinking about making the jump. Revenues being down alone hurt, plus the expenses and fees. We are fortunate in the fact our process had already begun prior to COVID. We are invested in D1 now. These big payout games are definitely going to move a much needed revenue needle. The D2 division and lower divisions really do not have a way to generate those type revenue games and with now smaller crowds, really tough sledding. Hope the GSC does well thru the transition of COVID, such a great conference.

While I agree with you, I can argue though, that it may push some D2 schools that may have been on the fence about moving to D1 to go ahead and try. Why stay were there is virtually no revenue when they can move to a division that has means of revenue.

West Florida would be my primary example.

They are prime in making the ASUN more coherent and cohesive. They are surrounded by ASUN schools, and other D1 conferences boarder them that they will have more of a possibility of scheduling.

D2, in the region is getting hard to do with no relevant revenue, travel is getting worse and money is less.

The ASUN has a real opportunity, if they see it, (as much as I hate it for the GSC) to expand with a few GSC schools, and a couple of current FCS schools, to have a very stable and competitive conference with the potential for a football conference.

The UAC deal was a lot of speculation from every corner, but the meat of it could still happen.

Covid could bring some serious, sensible realignment. Some schools may see it more feasible to pay their exit fees in lue of travel expenses being less. Let's face it, conferences in the Southeast shouldn't be broken up so many ways.

In Tennessee, non G5 or P5 or HBCUs, you have 8 schools in 3 different conferences.

Alabama has 3 schools in 3 different conferences.

Georgia, 2 schools, 2 different conferences.

Kentucky, 4 schools, 3 different conferences.

Florida, 4 as schools, 1 conference.


My thoughts is, the ASUN expands, for football

Liberty, Lipscomb, Bellarmine, UNF, JU, Stetson, FGCU all non football.

UNA, JSU, EKU, Chattanooga, KSU, UWF, West Georgia, Valdosta State

That uneven 15, but I think it's a great solution. All the D2 schools have the potential for extremely strong D1 programs, it a modified version of the "Old Gulf South".

Each state has multiple schools, other than Virginia, but if they dont like it, what will they do? Leave and make it 14?
But I dont think they mind, and it could prove to be strong enough that another Virginia school may want to join to make 16.

Chattanooga would benefit tremendously, easy road trips to KSU, JSU, Lipscomb, UNA, and West Georgia.

Rivalries and potential rivalries everywhere. Old rivals rekindle. New rivals emerge.

West Florida, Valdosta State, is easy trips for JU and UNF.

UNA gets old rivals in Valdosta, JSU, West Georgia and new potential rival Chattanooga.

Bellarmine and EKU (dont know if they have a history) but have potential rivalry.

FGCU and Stetson will have closer games in conference with Valdosta State and West Florida.

This turned into something that probably should have been in another thread....lol sorry.