From: Brian Morris <[log in to unmask]>
 
|> >I have a question about the NCAA Regional sites for this year...I just
|> >received the 1993-94 Clarkson schedule poster (thanks, Brian), and I nticed
|> >it said for the West Regional, "Michigan State's Munn Arena"...now, asume that
|> >Michigan State makes the tournament, and is seated between 1 and 4 in he West
|> >(which is likely to happen, if the preseason polls are correct)...theywould
|> >get to play at home, and thus this is no longer a "neutral site"...wha
|> >justification did the NCAA give for this?
|>
|> Jeremy, I thought this was a rhetorical question. :-)  One only needs to
|> substitute dollars for vowels in the name, as in NC$$.  I'm from the East, but
|> I can figure out the NC$$ has had a problem with the West Regional at the Joe.
|> As I remember the '92 version had the Joe doing its imitation of this year's
|> Shea Stadium.  And I don't think the attendance this year was exactly inspiring
|> either.  Perhaps the Michigan crowd out there can offer some explanations, but
|> apparently the Regionals just don't draw out West, at least in Michigan.  As a
 
Basketball is a big problem. The regionals are held at the same time
as the NCAA basketball semi-finals. Michigan has been in the semis the
last two years and that definetly has taken people away as they want
to watch their team in the basketball tournament as apposed to say
Minn-Duluth, Wisconsin, or Lake Superior. In addition, the area is
inundated with hockey for local fans. The Red Wings, Jr. Red Wings,
Toledo Storm, and CCHA tournament all compete for the hockey $$$ in
the area. I would also say the promotion has a role in it as well.
I think the promotion of the regionals in Detroit has alot to be
desired.
 
I'm disappointed that they've moved. I went last year and enjoyed
watching the CCHA do so well. :-) And their is little chance that a
BGSU fan would get caught dead at a Munn arena event. :-) I have
little doubt that Munn Arena will sell out. The only question will be
what fans besides MSU fans will get tickets. (Had MSU been in the
regionals at the Joe last year, there is no doubt that attendence
would have been much better. Just look at the number of Greenies at
the CCHA tournament.)
 
|> result the NC$$ has returned the semis to campus arenas, (I believe Wisconsin
|> has the 1995's, and I bet Minnesota wins the 1996's,) out West.  Actually the
|> situation isn't that much different from this year's East regional.  Everyone's
|> paper tiger, RPI, could end up playing their semifinal games at the
|> Knickerbocker Arena (I know, just that little thing called an NC$$ bid), which
|> for all intents and purposes would represent home ice for the Engineers.
|>
|> All in all IMO The NC$$ grows the sport better by playing the Regionals on
|> "neutral" ice.  In order to expand the fan base the NC$$ needs to expose other
|> areas to collegiate hockey.  The problem is when the areas don't respond to the
|> exposure.  (What a great choice of words.)  I would think there are other
|> arenas in the Midwest or West that might attract a crowd to see the semis, but
|> apparently the NC$$ opted for the bird($$) in the hand?
|>                     _
|>             "NYS   // Hockey"
|>         Go 'Gate  //   Brian Morris
|>           Go RPI //      Albany, NY
|>           ______// [log in to unmask]
|>          (______/
 
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