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I know this has been discussed some in the past http://www.panthernation.com/showthread.php?t=12481
but this week after getting back from the tournament I’ve been thinking heavily about it.
In my opinon:
-Downtown St. Louis is pretty much desolate. It's especially lacking for younger people.
-Lacede’s Landing is a very weak “nightlife district”
-Union Station might as well close down
-The Scottrade Center is dirty and outdated
-Attendance is down
-St. Louis is one of the worst “bigger” cities in the US
My feeling is that St. Louis and the MVC need to offer a much better experience for college basketball fans for this tournament. There are just as many Valley schools close to Kansas City as there are to St. Louis. I’m trying to look at this with an open mind, and not just because St. Louis/KC may be more conveniently located for one school or another.
To St. Louis:
SIU/Carbondale 113 mi – about 2 hours 6 mins
Illinois State/Bloomington 163 mi – about 2 hours 39 mins
Indiana State/Terra Haute 168 mi – about 2 hours 44 mins
Bradley/Peoria 169 mi – about 2 hours 45 mins
Evansville 170 mi – about 2 hours 49 mins
MO State/Springfield 216 mi – about 3 hours 22 mins
UNI/Cedar Falls 348 mi – about 6 hours 22 mins
Creighton/Omaha 433 mi – about 6 hours 35 mins
Drake/Des Moines 436 mi – about 6 hours 35 mins
WSU/Wichita 442 mi – about 6 hours 43 mins
To KC:
Omaha 184 mi – about 2 hours 51 mins (249 less)
Des Moines 194 mi – about 2 hours 58 mins (242 less)
Wichita 195 mi – about 3 hours 0 mins (247 less)
Springfield 211 mi – about 3 hours 38 mins (5 less)
Cedar Falls 319 mi – about 4 hours 54 mins (29 less, but easily more than 1.5 hours quicker)
Carbondale 361 mi – about 5 hours 51 mins (249 more)
Bloomington 403 mi – about 6 hours 15 mins (243 more)
Terra Haute 408 mi – about 6 hours 20 mins (240 more)
Peoria 408 mi – about 6 hours 22 mins (239 more)
Evansville 419 mi – about 6 hours 34 mins (249 more)
If you haven’t been to Kansas City in the last year or two, a TON has happened. Downtown has transformed. Everything is all in the same spot, not spread out.
VENUE:
Sprint Center:
It’s very tough to find a better big-time arena. This year I realized how run-down and dirty the Scottrade Center is. If you get a chance to check out the Sprint Center, you’ll understand. The Sprint Center replaced Kemper Arena…which replaced Municipal Auditorium. Not to mention, you could walk out of the Sprint Center and roll about 3 times….and you’ll be directly in the center of dozens of bars, restaurant, and hotels.
ENTERTAINMENT/HOTELS:
Kansas City Power and Light District (Where the Sprint Center is) Dozens of bars/restaurants.
Let’s face it…if you think Lacede’s Landing is something special, you need to get out more. If you like that old atmosphere, Kansas City has Westport just a few miles from the Sprint Center. http://www.westportkc.com/
More upscale than Westport….how about the Plaza just a few miles away. http://www.countryclubplaza.com/
College Basketball Experience – Attached to Sprint Center (Would be a great vacation trip for basketball families)
College Basketball Hall of Fame – Attached to Sprint Center
FANS/TRADITION:
The Kansas City area is rich with college basketball tradition. James Naismith anyone? You’ll certainly pull casual fans from KU, MU, K-State, etc. Larger fan bases such as Creighton, Wichita State, and UNI would bring even more fans and more money. KC is a basketball city. Personally speaking from a UNI fans standpoint, we have TON more alumni here (+Des Moines)…and I’d expect our attendance to at least double.
BRAND RECOGNITION:
A short while after “Arch Madness” is replaced no one will remember it. Period.
COMPETITION/EXPERIENCE:
I think that a little competition might drive down some of those high consumer prices. (This reminds me…next year I’ll bring a flask to St. Louis, those $9 beers add-up quickly.)
KC has hosted hundreds of tournaments/games, and hosted the Big 12 Tournament last year, and will for the next two years after this year.
What I’m saying is give KC a chance, at least on a rotating basis like other tournaments. Hopefully we land in KC for the first round of the NCAA Tourney...and then you'll understand if you are able to attend.
but this week after getting back from the tournament I’ve been thinking heavily about it.
In my opinon:
-Downtown St. Louis is pretty much desolate. It's especially lacking for younger people.
-Lacede’s Landing is a very weak “nightlife district”
-Union Station might as well close down
-The Scottrade Center is dirty and outdated
-Attendance is down
-St. Louis is one of the worst “bigger” cities in the US
My feeling is that St. Louis and the MVC need to offer a much better experience for college basketball fans for this tournament. There are just as many Valley schools close to Kansas City as there are to St. Louis. I’m trying to look at this with an open mind, and not just because St. Louis/KC may be more conveniently located for one school or another.
To St. Louis:
SIU/Carbondale 113 mi – about 2 hours 6 mins
Illinois State/Bloomington 163 mi – about 2 hours 39 mins
Indiana State/Terra Haute 168 mi – about 2 hours 44 mins
Bradley/Peoria 169 mi – about 2 hours 45 mins
Evansville 170 mi – about 2 hours 49 mins
MO State/Springfield 216 mi – about 3 hours 22 mins
UNI/Cedar Falls 348 mi – about 6 hours 22 mins
Creighton/Omaha 433 mi – about 6 hours 35 mins
Drake/Des Moines 436 mi – about 6 hours 35 mins
WSU/Wichita 442 mi – about 6 hours 43 mins
To KC:
Omaha 184 mi – about 2 hours 51 mins (249 less)
Des Moines 194 mi – about 2 hours 58 mins (242 less)
Wichita 195 mi – about 3 hours 0 mins (247 less)
Springfield 211 mi – about 3 hours 38 mins (5 less)
Cedar Falls 319 mi – about 4 hours 54 mins (29 less, but easily more than 1.5 hours quicker)
Carbondale 361 mi – about 5 hours 51 mins (249 more)
Bloomington 403 mi – about 6 hours 15 mins (243 more)
Terra Haute 408 mi – about 6 hours 20 mins (240 more)
Peoria 408 mi – about 6 hours 22 mins (239 more)
Evansville 419 mi – about 6 hours 34 mins (249 more)
If you haven’t been to Kansas City in the last year or two, a TON has happened. Downtown has transformed. Everything is all in the same spot, not spread out.
VENUE:
Sprint Center:
It’s very tough to find a better big-time arena. This year I realized how run-down and dirty the Scottrade Center is. If you get a chance to check out the Sprint Center, you’ll understand. The Sprint Center replaced Kemper Arena…which replaced Municipal Auditorium. Not to mention, you could walk out of the Sprint Center and roll about 3 times….and you’ll be directly in the center of dozens of bars, restaurant, and hotels.
ENTERTAINMENT/HOTELS:
Kansas City Power and Light District (Where the Sprint Center is) Dozens of bars/restaurants.
Let’s face it…if you think Lacede’s Landing is something special, you need to get out more. If you like that old atmosphere, Kansas City has Westport just a few miles from the Sprint Center. http://www.westportkc.com/
More upscale than Westport….how about the Plaza just a few miles away. http://www.countryclubplaza.com/
College Basketball Experience – Attached to Sprint Center (Would be a great vacation trip for basketball families)
College Basketball Hall of Fame – Attached to Sprint Center
FANS/TRADITION:
The Kansas City area is rich with college basketball tradition. James Naismith anyone? You’ll certainly pull casual fans from KU, MU, K-State, etc. Larger fan bases such as Creighton, Wichita State, and UNI would bring even more fans and more money. KC is a basketball city. Personally speaking from a UNI fans standpoint, we have TON more alumni here (+Des Moines)…and I’d expect our attendance to at least double.
BRAND RECOGNITION:
A short while after “Arch Madness” is replaced no one will remember it. Period.
COMPETITION/EXPERIENCE:
I think that a little competition might drive down some of those high consumer prices. (This reminds me…next year I’ll bring a flask to St. Louis, those $9 beers add-up quickly.)
KC has hosted hundreds of tournaments/games, and hosted the Big 12 Tournament last year, and will for the next two years after this year.
What I’m saying is give KC a chance, at least on a rotating basis like other tournaments. Hopefully we land in KC for the first round of the NCAA Tourney...and then you'll understand if you are able to attend.
.
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