To me, having the NCAA Phinals in Orlando, Anaheim, San Jose, whatever, is
similar to the NFL playing in London or Tokyo.  Yes, there is a vague
familiarity with the game among those in attendance, but is there passion?
I don't think so.  I have now been to 15 of these tournaments and, without
a doubt, the largest disconnect between the event and the        local
populace was in Anaheim, followed closely by the fiasco in Cincinnati.
 
If Orlando wants to host the hockey tournament, fine.  Once the University
of Central Florida has established itself with some sort of legitimate D1
Hockey program and can sell the idea, based on objective criteria, to the
NCAA tournament committee then I'll go for it.
 
The idea that by plopping down this foriegn sport in the middle of an area
where there are a million other things going on it will convert the locals
is ludicrous.  I like to go to places where he sport is appreciated for
what it is, not as some cheap imitation of minor league hockey.
 
Greg Ambrose
 
>I personally would welcome the NCAA final 4 to Orlando.  Then again it is
>45 minutes for me to the TD Waterhouse Center (was the O-rena until last
>month) and 24 hours to the Pepsi Center in Albany.
>
>The arena in Orlando is very nice and there are a lot of nearby resturants
>in the refubished Church Street area.  Of course there is more than enough
>hotels that all can find reasonable lodging.
>
>Yes Orlando is not a hockeytown but the Orlando Solar Bears (IHL) games
>are well attended and the ECHL has 4 teams playing around the state of
>Florida, not to mention the Lightning and Panthers of the NHL.
>
>Those in Boston might like the Sarasota Red Sox, those in Minn might like
>the Ft. Meyers Twins, those in New York City might like the St. Lucie Mets
>or Tampa Yankees.
>
>Like it or not, the NC$$ want to increase the populatity of the Frozen
>Four and going to places like Anaheim or Orlando every now and then will
>help popularize the sport.  I doubt that the Frozen Four will remain "just
>as it is".
>
>Jim Dixon
>UA Fairbanks `90, `91
>
>
>Greg writes:
>>As far as Orlando as an NCAA, a campaign should be mounted to say NO, a
>>thousand times NO!  One trip to the Mouse in Anaheim was enough for me.
>>How any college hockey fan can appreciate seeing their sport >marginalized
>>in an area of the country where no one cares is beyond me.  Last year
>>in Anaheim, on the day of the semifinals, the lead hockey article in the
>>Orange County Register was about the fact that face masks were used in
>>college hockey.  Duh!
>>
>>Let's keep the sport in areas where it is appreciated.  We're not
>>basketball, never will be and I doubt many of us want it to be.  I like >it
>>fine just they way it is.
>
>Ralph writes:
>>>The Troy Record article also mentions the possibilty of the NCAA Frozen 4
>>>going to Orlando in the future.
>
>--
>
>Jim Dixon
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>
>--
>
>
>--
>
>Jim Dixon
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>
>--
>
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