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Post by lmills72 on Aug 19, 2016 21:07:42 GMT -6
So, this might be a screwy idea but I thought I'd throw it out there:
If anyone is around Muncie or following the news there, they know that the Muncie Fieldhouse is in rough shape. A bunch of money needed for repairs just to make it structurally sound.
On another thread we've discussed exhibition games, or the lack thereof.
Assuming supporters of the Fieldhouse are able to get the funds to renovate the building, what would everyone think about Ball State playing an exhibition game, or at least conducting an open scrimmage, in the Fieldhouse, maybe make it a yearly thing. Charge a minimal entry fee and donate proceeds to the school system, or to a fund to support the Fieldhouse. Plus, puts the program a little more out there in the community.
I know it's not exactly like BSU basketball can necessarily afford to operate as a charity, but it seems to me it would be a nice gesture on the program's part. You get some guys like Ray, Chandler, Bonzi, Rowray back for the evening. For some of the current players it might even be a little like "Hoosiers" revisited since the Fieldhouse is certainly of that era.
And, of course, the Fieldhouse isn't far from campus. Students could easily walk to the game if they wanted.
If if would work, I might suggest even having a early-season game there. The building does hold about 7,000, which should be enough seating. But, I'm not sure if the floor size, floor markings would be appropriate for a regular season contest.
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Post by rmcalhoun on Aug 19, 2016 21:22:11 GMT -6
I think its a really cool Idea it would be good for both parties
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Post by dmbdan41 on Aug 20, 2016 1:05:21 GMT -6
My only question would be holding an NCAA game at a high school facility and would that raise any NCAA/compliance red flags.
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Post by 00hmh on Aug 20, 2016 6:03:18 GMT -6
Not sure they can use fieldhouse. They are talking about relocating the home games. Problems include not only stands that can't be used but entry and exit.
Holding a benefit game at Worthen might still be possible and better in many ways.
This whole idea is not a bad one but a harder thing to do than you might think.
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Post by 00hmh on Aug 20, 2016 7:06:04 GMT -6
Problems at fieldhouse.The issues are more than cosmetic, and the big problem is that the building just is going to be too expensive to maintain and will not have uses that can bring in revenue or provide uses that are needed which might be enough utility to justify the relatively high expenses for an old drafty inefficient building designed for basketball crowds that aren't there any more, increasingly not really suitable for other multiple uses. It can be saved.Tony's plan preserves the traditional use as an arena on a slightly smaller scale for basketball but makes modifications that expand its uses. It is not just a repair job, not just a case of bringing it up to standard. Between School board politics and the effort and money required to do something like this right Tony's plan is a long shot. Patching it up on the cheap, closing a section of bleachers and so on, probably is not a viable option. Although it might be the way this goes, the best that does is solve the problem for a few years and allow continued use of a facility that would still be aging and outdated, expensive to maintain and operate, and then only until the next crisis. That's not going to make it a long term survivor, and would just allow problems to continue to worsen and new ones arise.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2016 7:18:55 GMT -6
I agree it's a really cool idea.
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Post by bsu0 on Aug 20, 2016 8:24:31 GMT -6
A great idea that could go a long way in improving relations between Muncie and the University. More ''out the box'' thinking is needed. If the fieldhouse cannot be used then let us assemble elsewhere in the area for the benefit of our neighbors in Muncie. Give out some free tickets for a Ball State Football game. Throw in a free Coke and popcorn. Let's show the locals that Ball State can be a good and fun neighbor. How about a Muncie citizen of the week award? Feature a local citizen who is a Ball State fan and march them on the field between quarters for an ovation from the crowd. ANYTHING to show the city that the locals should embrace the University rather shun it.
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Post by rmcalhoun on Aug 20, 2016 9:42:18 GMT -6
As far as football goes pick a grade school and give every kid a ticket.. There is nothing more relentless than a elementary kid that wants to do something all his friends are doing. Let the parents buy a discounted ticket for 10-15 bucks. Once they are there the little kids will suck at least another 20 out of the parents for concessions..Instant revenue on tickets that were going to go unsold anyway
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Post by bsu0 on Aug 20, 2016 10:09:14 GMT -6
Add to the great idea above a meet and greet with team members after the game. Give all the kids a Ball State shirt and hat. If we let some idiot secretary in the administration waste over $13MILLION we can afford a few bucks for Ball State swag. Let's get some new blood flowing...Anymore suggestions?  ? There are no bad ones. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2016 12:09:35 GMT -6
College basketball courts are 94'. High school courts are 84'. The 3-point radius is also different.
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Post by lmills72 on Aug 20, 2016 12:15:31 GMT -6
Just to clarify my original thoughts: I wasn't talking about BSU playing a game at the Fieldhouse until AFTER the building had been renovated, to help with ongoing maintenance costs afterward and promote university/community relations.
Someone mentioned concerns about the NCAA possibly not liking the involvement with a high school and it's easy to imagine the NCAA getting its panties in a knot over that. If, during the process of getting the building renovated, the school system does one of those $1 sales deals to the city's community development arm or something like that, and the city becomes the owner, maybe that would alleviate that concern.
Certainly if, prior to any renovation, BSU wants to do something at Worthen to support the cause, I'd say go for it.
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Post by lmills72 on Aug 20, 2016 12:17:12 GMT -6
College basketball courts are 94'. High school courts are 84'. The 3-point radius is also different. Which, I assume, would make an exhibition game much more doable than a regular season contest. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 20, 2016 12:22:11 GMT -6
College basketball courts are 94'. High school courts are 84'. The 3-point radius is also different. Which, I assume, would make an exhibition game much more doable than a regular season contest. If I am the coach, I would be looking to prepare my team for the upcoming season. Going back to a HS size court, with its different layout does not help me do that. |
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Post by rmcalhoun on Aug 20, 2016 12:37:40 GMT -6
Add to the great idea above a meet and greet with team members after the game. Give all the kids a Ball State shirt and hat. If we let some idiot secretary in the administration waste over $13MILLION we can afford a few bucks for Ball State swag. Let's get some new blood flowing...Anymore suggestions? ? There are no bad ones. You could even do a couple grade schools a night.. Yorktown and Delta would draw large crowds. Hell my son is in Metro league which has to have at least 500 players. Give those kids tickets coupled with a shirt when they enter. Give the parents a discount after the game let them walk the field, shake some players hands, get an autograph. There are ways to increase numbers that would work but yet we never try them |
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Post by lmills72 on Aug 20, 2016 13:10:49 GMT -6
Which, I assume, would make an exhibition game much more doable than a regular season contest. If I am the coach, I would be looking to prepare my team for the upcoming season. Going back to a HS size court, with its different layout does not help me do that. We aren't playing exhibition games now so clearly the coach doesn't see one as necessary to prepare his team for the season. If he wants to prep his team merely through practice or by scrimmaging the likes of Taylor or Anderson at Worthen on its regulation-size court, that's cool. The objectives of this suggestion go beyond preparing the team for the season. |
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? There are no bad ones.