Arch Madness no more?

[FOTY]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

This graphic was posted on MVCfans.com

I agree with others in that I'd like to see more years included in this graph - the sample is too small.

Everyone knew this year it was WSU or WSU winning the tourney (although some koolaid drinkers thought we could make a run). The lack of competition hurts attendance by other schools. Heck, even InSU didn't travel well. The tourney is better attended when any one of two or three schools are likely to win the thing. Last year CU and WSU were both in the hunt and the fan numbers showed it.

That said, I will have you know DU did their part once again... purchasing the minimum ticket requirement.

[UNIpanther99]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

If Chicago does put in a bid, what facility do you think they would propose using? Sears Centre? Allstate Arena?

[SteinPizza]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

If Chicago does put in a bid, what facility do you think they would propose using? Sears Centre? Allstate Arena?

Allstate arena hosts the Chicago Wolves, same level of minor league hockey as the Iowa Wild. They maybe hurting a bit for events in the future, since they're losing DePaul to a brand new city arena, and the Arena Football team went bankrupt. The mayor of Rosemont has some pull too within the state.

DePaul's new arena could be another venue. It's city owned too, which means the muscle to offer up incentives in a bid. Whether the city wants to get serious about winning the MVC Tourney is another matter. I'm sure they'd welcome the tourism and money, but there may be other bigger fish on their radar, let alone conflicts with DePaul sports.

[BCPanther]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

The MVC has solicited a bid from The United Center. Only interested in NBA/NHL level arenas.

United Center
Scottrade Center
Sprint Center
Vegas bids will come from both the Thomas & Mack Center and MGM Grand Garden Arena

I actually think they might be serious about Vegas. I hate the idea, but I really think the league likes it...

[panther-state]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

Why in the world would they love the idea of Vegas? Do they want attendance to actually become an issue? I can't even imagine the expenses to make the trip for a session

[UNIpanther99]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

I didn't always hate the idea of Vegas, but now there are like 3 conference tournaments there already. We would definitely get lost in the shuffle.

[achrist70]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

It's just too far outside of our foot print.

[JayJ79]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

It's just too far outside of our foot print.

middle of the desert 1100 miles from the nearest conference school and close to 1800 miles from the furthest.
makes perfect sense.

[Kyle]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

If they move it to Vegas, it will probably become an every other year trip for most regular attendees.

[CyCarp]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

Vegas is interesting. I'm not sure that I like it, but lot of people visit Vegas at least once a year. I could see people planning vacations around a tourney out there.

[Luckycat]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

I've gone to the tourney every year. One thing you can count on (prior to the last few years when we've been one and done) is an increase in the UNI student attendance when the Panthers advance to the next round. Why? Because it's easy for them to jump in the car and be in St Louis in a few hours. That would continue to be the case were the tourney to move to K.C. Vegas? Not so much. I don't think we have enough fans that would buy 2 or 4 plane tickets at the last minute to fly to Vegas. The beauty of St Louis and K.C. is that a family can make a last minute decision to head to the tourney and not have to spend their life savings to do so. Vegas makes no sense to me.

[Born-a-Panther]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

I've gone to the tourney every year. One thing you can count on (prior to the last few years when we've been one and done) is an increase in the UNI student attendance when the Panthers advance to the next round. Why? Because it's easy for them to jump in the car and be in St Louis in a few hours. That would continue to be the case were the tourney to move to K.C. Vegas? Not so much. I don't think we have enough fans that would buy 2 or 4 plane tickets at the last minute to fly to Vegas. The beauty of St Louis and K.C. is that a family can make a last minute decision to head to the tourney and not have to spend their life savings to do so. Vegas makes no sense to me.

Exactly. My kids are just now getting to the ages where we would consider bringing them with us to St. Louis or KC. If it's in Vegas, that's not going to happen. And like Luckycat said, when we advance to the Saturday game, tons of people come down Friday night and Saturday morning for a last minute trip. Vegas would be an awful, awful decision.

And I'm sorry, but if I get to take one nice vacation a year, as a mom with a family to consider, that vacation destination is not going to be Vegas for the basketball tournament. No matter how much I love my Panthers.

[SubGod22]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

I believe there are 4 or 5 tourney's in Vegas already. MWC, PAC 12, WCC and the WAC. Maybe another. I've also heard Vegas has expressed interest in getting us but I'm not sure they'll have a good enough bid to sway the conference.

I do know that WSU is not a fan of Vegas. Plane tickets are cheap, but Marshall and the athletic department want nothing to do with it. Marshall won't even agree to an MTE in Vegas as he doesn't want to subject his players to the distractions and temptations that could follow in such a city.

But the bid request is being submitted because a number of ADs have pushed the MVC to pursue it. I don't think it happens but there are schools that are pushing for it to be considered. I don't know which ones though.

[JayJ79]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

what about Rio de Janeiro?

[unifan]

Re: Arch Madness no more?

I think even small changes in STL would make it more enjoyable each year. For instance, switching up the team hotels and seating sections at the Scottrade each year would be a good change every once in a while. In my opinion, the Arch Madness experience has been great, but switching things up every now and then wouldn't hurt either. At least for the last four years, it's almost just been the same old, same old. Maybe any type of scenery change would be a new start for us to get back on the winning track down there.