new stadium in place of the field house?

[CzechM8]

I dont think people will go to the trouble of walking 7 blocks and paying to park in people's yards for our bball team is all

Only because currently they don't have to... Parking will not be an issue. I'm sure the residents near the new arena site will be more than happy to add 15+ dates to their paid parking schedule...

 

[w0lfe]

So if you guys were Joe C. What would be your top things to bring in a steady crowd. Obviously a new arena would be most of your choices, but what about other things?

 

[SoonerBounce13]

So if you guys were Joe C. What would be your top things to bring in a steady crowd. Obviously a new arena would be most of your choices, but what about other things?

as you said an arena would help for a little bit. But you gotta keep it going. To do this you need to lower ticket prices (student prices are fine. they are basically free), get better entertainment, and bring back top daug. make it like thunder games

 

[coolm]

I think you hafta start with marketing, not a new arena.

You market the crap outta getting kids here...junior high kids first at this point. Create a new, bigger, younger fan base that will grow into the job.

 

[NickZepp]

I don't think the amount is the problem. The problem with LNC is placement makes it hard to market to. If you have the same facility in the middle of campus it would be perfect.

 

[w0lfe]

Maybe they can move the sewage smell to McCasland. The basketball games wouldnt be the same without it

 

[coolm]

I don't think the amount is the problem. The problem with LNC is placement makes it hard to market to. If you have the same facility in the middle of campus it would be perfect.

of course it's placement. The amount for LNC isn't a problem. I was saying 10k on campus because if we get a do-over then a smaller, tighter arena would be advantageous.

I really think our attendance issues combined with playing at LNC gives us a recruiting disadvantage. Take that same 6-7 k and put them at a smaller arena with a higher % of students and it looks/feels MUCH better.

 

[sooner_mike]

so do all of you agree that Joe C. was alluding to a new arena?

Man...that would be beyond sswwweeett.

I personally believe 9-10,000 seat arena would be perfect.

 

[Taxman71]

I would think around 12k would be more likely for financial reasons and the extra seats up high wouldn't be that noticeable if empty. The thought of walking to/from Campus Corner pre/post games would definitely give basketball games a "gameday" feel that is lacking right now.

 

[coolm]

so do all of you agree that Joe C. was alluding to a new arena?

Man...that would be beyond sswwweeett.

I personally believe 9-10,000 seat arena would be perfect.

Did they ever just do a feasibility study on busting McCasland into 9k or so? I mean there might be a less expensive alternative here that could really inject some enthusiasm into this program.

 

[StoopsBros]

If you build a 10K arena, you have to make it to where it's expandable for 12-15K in case fan support increases.

 

[sooner12]

What would McCasland's capacity if you had a game there today?

McCasland's capacity is about 5,000 currently, but I feel like it could be expanded a bit more. There is permanent seating on all sides except the north.

 

[ouscotty]

I do not understand. LNA is what a mile from the main campus? And then if they build a new arena people would not be pleased because of parking. It just sounds like if everything is not perfect, students and fans won't come.

 

[Sooner_In_MI]

If the above is true, and I don't know that it is, then I say build something along the lines of the Reynolds (about 9000 seats) for a managable sum, and cut a deal with the Ford center for the 2-4 games a year where we might have a crowd that would greatly exceed this number.

This is what you do. Villanova & St. John's do this. You put Kansas, Texas, and OSU at the Ford Center and bus students up there for those games. All the other games, play at an 8-10k seat on-campus stadium. I think this is the best option for OU.

 

[Soonerman]

As cool as it would be to have an on campus basketball facility, I don't see how they could expand around McAsland. With the football stadium to the south, Price College to the West, and Wagner hall to the north. I guess it would have to be a complete re-construction and re-configuration of McAsland. Good luck to that architect!

 

[coolm]

It just sounds like if everything is not perfect, students and fans won't come.

I'd like to say I disagree, but I don't.

You hafta make the actual attendance an experience. If it's just a matter of watching the game then the best/most convenient seats are in your living room.

LNC can get loud and it can rock, but it's not an experience. Seeing a game at OSUx IS an experience. Seeing one at Duke is also. Smaller, higher, closer, louder, shakier, overpowering, full of energy. It's one of the few things where you can add a lot by subtracting.

 

[Big Old Booger]

This is what you do. Villanova & St. John's do this. You put Kansas, Texas, and OSU at the Ford Center and bus students up there for those games. All the other games, play at an 8-10k seat on-campus stadium. I think this is the best option for OU.

Sorry, but I disagree with this. All games should be played on campus. You want a homecourt advantage when KU, Texas, and OSU come into town. Playing at the Ford Center will be a neutral court and won't help OU have a chance to win.

 

[bradmurray147]

Parking would be something that would have to be one of the first things looked at

Ya, because parking is such a problem for 85k plus in football? lol. Listen, there is a parking garage, the duck pond parking, and numerous other places to park. I think parking would be the least to worry about.

 

[gwydion]

I didn't get a new arena out of his talk. That's just your wishful thinking manifesting itself. And yes parking is a problem. No one is going to walk 7 blocks at night in freezing temperatures. It's one thing when you're going to a football game and know you're going to be outside. It's another to hike to a basketball game in bad weather. Sorry, but those donor seats are not filled with college students. Those folks aren't going to pay to park on top of the cost of donor seats and tickets. And I don't believe the students will come just because it's on campus. LNC is not hard to get too. Kids don't walk anywhere anyways. They all have cars and use them.

 

[topcat]

If the aggies can take the top off Gallager and increase it from 6500 to 13k then so can we.

I think an arena around 10k would be prefect. Who cares if some get left out on big games. Maybe they will start buying season tickets and show up for all the games.

Give an incentive to those who not only buy season tickets but actually show up and get them scanned. If your tickets aren't used, then the following year you lose the privileges of having prime seats if someone is willing to pay the donor fee. Save a couple sections at the top for a loud city type ticket too.