The AD's statement about a new facility

[FalconTurf]

I've talked with a man several times who has repeatedly told me that Coach Fitch was promised a new arena to replace AA in the 1960's but when he left the plans apparently left as well.

Fitch was here for one year when AA was 7 years old. I'd believe that he might have been presented with plans for the north end, but a whole new arena? Color me skeptical on that.

This man took a coaching class from Fitch and he claims they had promised Fitch if he stayed they would build over 10,000 seat arena. It seems impossible for them to expand AA that much. They also might have known what they had when they hired Fitch and figured they would either lose him before they needed to build or they would have such a successful program that it would be necessary.

During that time period they also thought they needed a 60,000 seat football stadium. Then enrollment was capped at 18,000 students. During the early and mid 60's they apparently really thought the place would grow and grow - unfortunately we'll never know.

As has been mentioned in this thread there has been lots of talk through the years at BG and some of the talk was quite grand such as President Olscamp proposing some sort of arena that could host hockey and basketball in the late 80's/early 90's just before or around the time Perry Fieldhouse was built. I still believe after 40+ years of talk something major must be done and will be done. And hopefully done with lots of thought.

[BGFan]

They've been thinking for the past 20+ years....how much more thought can it take?

[Flipper]

From Devo's "Freedom of Choice"

in ancient rome there was a poem
about a dog who found two bones
he picked at one
he licked the other
he went in circles
he dropped dead

[dannyk]

First I think we need two seperate facilities this is the only way to keep the college feel for both.

Second where would these facilities be constructed, my guess is that there is room for one next to the field house with a decent size parking lot

[h2oville rocket]

I don't know- the Celts and Bruins share an arena and Celtics basketball lately definitely has a collegiate feel to it.

[Schadenfreude]

I've talked with a man several times who has repeatedly told me that Coach Fitch was promised a new arena to replace AA in the 1960's but when he left the plans apparently left as well.

This strains credibility.

The building first opened its doors in 1960.

But I do think we share some of the same values on what ought to go into a new facility.

What bothers me about this talk about replacing Anderson is that so many of the schools throughout our conference have erected sterile mausoleums. I don't want one of those, no sir.

[FalconTurf]

I've talked with a man several times who has repeatedly told me that Coach Fitch was promised a new arena to replace AA in the 1960's but when he left the plans apparently left as well.

This strains credibility.

The building first opened its doors in 1960.

But I do think we share some of the same values on what ought to go into a new facility.

What bothers me about this talk about replacing Anderson is that so many of the schools throughout our conference have erected sterile mausoleums. I don't want one of those, no sir.

Personally wasn't there to hear it (I wasn't alive yet). All I am doing is repeating a story I've heard since I started attending BG 20 years ago (and I have graduated twice since). Take it for what is worth or leave it if you wish.

I agree with you completely with the sterile facilities. OU's ZIT is great when it is full but with around 13,000 seats the silence is often deafening. I hate a facility like UT's where you can hear the duct work and the systems during a game when 3,000 people are there.

Anderson can ROAR with small crowd. It may be 1500 people but all you need is the band's heart pounding brass, a set of drums and a bass guitar and you have atmosphere. And a small crowd can be very loud. I just wonder if partitions in a larger arena could do that. I fear that large facilities only make small Christmas break crowds (and other small crowds) sound and feel small. I've had UT grads (misguided relatives) compliment the feel of Anderson Arena. They prefer HS regional games at Anderson over Savage just for the atmosphere.

Interestingly they never complain about restrooms (regardless of how much they drink before games) or parking. I know the restroom issue and accessibility must be addressed (along with player and coach facilities) but are we really sure there aren't better ways to improve parking than moving out to the stadium or putting an ugly parking garage next to the library. Most outsiders like being on campus and the way it looks.

[Falconfreak90]

I've talked with a man several times who has repeatedly told me that Coach Fitch was promised a new arena to replace AA in the 1960's but when he left the plans apparently left as well.

What bothers me about this talk about replacing Anderson is that so many of the schools throughout our conference have erected sterile mausoleums. I don't want one of those, no sir.

Add me to that list.

[VDub26Falcon]

Someone said before that they would be installing field turf for the basketball team...I actually heard that it would be a "Slam Ball" floor with trampolines...first ever in NCAA Basketball

[Fan4Fun]

If BGSU can fill Anderson Arena with ticket brokers on the sidewalk, perhaps then someone can sell the idea of spending millions on a new arena. Until then, spending a few bucks to get a good seat in an intimate arena is GREAT entertainment. With the recent women's success in both basketball and volleyball and renewed enthusiasm with men's basketball, 2007/08 should be an interesting year.

[HoopsFan]

That lovely green space North of AA could have been paved and generating additional revenue and parking for BB fans.

But, let's study that for the next 7-10 years while the new Arts facility eats up more parking this season and who knows what else next season.

HoopsFan

[It's the Journey...]

That lovely green space North of AA could have been paved and generating additional revenue and parking for BB fans.

But, let's study that for the next 7-10 years while the new Arts facility eats up more parking this season and who knows what else next season.

HoopsFan

Because God forbid we have an arts facility! Those few parking spaces that will be lost to the Wolf Center for the Arts and the few gained by paving that north grassy area would not even be a drop in the bucket as far as fixing all the needs fixed in Anderson Arena. I love Anderson Arena, but its time has come and gone. We need to build a facility that will do the most good for the University on the whole in terms of concerts, conventions, and commencement as well as athletics. Anderson Arena, not mater how you renovate it, will not work for more reasons than parking.

[FalconTurf]

That lovely green space North of AA could have been paved and generating additional revenue and parking for BB fans.

But, let's study that for the next 7-10 years while the new Arts facility eats up more parking this season and who knows what else next season.

HoopsFan

Because God forbid we have an arts facility! Those few parking spaces that will be lost to the Wolf Center for the Arts and the few gained by paving that north grassy area would not even be a drop in the bucket as far as fixing all the needs fixed in Anderson Arena. I love Anderson Arena, but its time has come and gone. We need to build a facility that will do the most good for the University on the whole in terms of concerts, conventions, and commencement as well as athletics. Anderson Arena, not mater how you renovate it, will not work for more reasons than parking.

Look at this week's convention roster for Toledo
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 5656695018
and they have a convention and visitors bureau with an actual convention center tied to hotels. Where in the world is all the unsatisfied convention need. I have looked at the listing for Toledo numerous times and most of the time it is a small church group and a couple of bowling tournaments. Cleveland is having difficulty attracting conventions as well with shopping, museums, zoos, restraunts and the playhouse district. Why choose BG if other larger cities in the region have supposed culture and nightlife that would be more appealing to adults than BG.

BG is a college town that needs a college basketball arena (renovated or new). Let me propose major renovation. Add a practice gym, improve the lobby area with additional restrooms and concessions, add new locker rooms and coaching offices, put additional seats on the north end and finally put some lodges and a seating section above the student section by ripping out the current reserved seats and elevating it above the students for a better view with it's own reception/lobby area with sofas and a bar to grease the big donors. Then behind the Health Center and change the parking lot to a 4 or 5 level parking garage with a nice wide, well-lit and possibly partially covered walkway to the front door.

Anderson Arena, middle of campus, facilities for the team, fan friendlier and parking (possibly enough to also be used by the arts center). If this is too expensive then we must proceed to the south end of the Doyt to build an arena no bigger than 8,000 seats (preferably smaller, example Gonzaga) that is built for basketball and volleyball. And if you can stuff your event into the basketball/volleyball gym we'll host it.

Why build a convention-type building for 6 conventions and 3 graduations a year when you could build something suitable for basketball/volleyball cheaper and have a much better environment for these contests that would enhance your image to potential recruits and students? No potential student is going to influenced by a convention coming to town and honestly graduation ceremonies don't recruit students. When a school preforms well in the NCAA's or has a rowdy student body in a rocking and roaring arena the HS kids will get interested. If we build the Seagate Center at BG it will do as much for us as it did for the MAC reputation. Better off at the Q, an oversized arena with curtains in the upper deck.

[BGDrew]

Look at this week's convention roster for Toledo
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dl ... 5656695018
and they have a convention and visitors bureau with an actual convention center tied to hotels. Where in the world is all the unsatisfied convention need. I have looked at the listing for Toledo numerous times and most of the time it is a small church group and a couple of bowling tournaments. Cleveland is having difficulty attracting conventions as well with shopping, museums, zoos, restraunts and the playhouse district. Why choose BG if other larger cities in the region have supposed culture and nightlife that would be more appealing to adults than BG.

Bingo. This isn't a large city. We have no need to appeal to the convention crowd.

[It's the Journey...]

First, Toledo SUCKS as a city to host conventions in. We would have something Toledo or Cleveland would not have, accessibility. It would be a very short jump to get off I-75 and into the parking lot for your event. That makes Bowling Green an attractive site right off the bat. I believe there are plans for a parking garage to be built behind the health center now, but that does not mean it will be available. It's first, and primary use, will be for student and faculty parking. What do you propose to do for week night games, shut the garage down at 3PM and hope it empties before the basketball crowd starts to come in? And what about those students who are taking and faculty that are teaching those classes and need to park? Anderson Arena was in a prime location when it was built, but not any longer. In response to adding lounge seating above the student section, where would you relocate the ROTC class rooms that are currently under that seating area? They would have to go somewhere. I am in line with the seating capacity though. I don't want anything more than 7500 seats. But I just don't think there is enough space to put in the offices, lounges, practice space, locker room space, concession stands, restrooms, ADA stuff, sound system, score board, and everything else needed to move Anderson Arena into the 21st century in that one grassy area to the North of the building. We have the opportunity to build something that can be used by many different groups and still not sacrifice an intimate college sports setting, why not take advantage of it? It may be another 50 years before we get to do this again.