I have sent Matt Merchant a note, will be curious to see if he even acknowledges it.

I have sent Matt Merchant a note, will be curious to see if he even acknowledges it.

 

He works for SMG. They are quite familiar with this website so their probably already aware of this thread.

https://www.facebook.com/jacksonrbcc

As a casual fan, the price of parking, the fact I can sit in a seat-back chair, and the fact I know I will actually gain admittance, far out-weigh any other "costs" I may incur. Please do NOT return this event to a gymnasium where a limited number of fans can attend.

 

As stated .. all interested parties, including BOKC .. need to iron out the wrinkles and continue to make this event work. Hopefully, common sense, and the fact that everyone benefits, will win out.

As a casual fan, the price of parking, the fact I can sit in a seat-back chair, and the fact I know I will actually gain admittance, far out-weigh any other "costs" I may incur. Please do NOT return this event to a gymnasium where a limited number of fans can attend.

 

As stated .. all interested parties, including BOKC .. need to iron out the wrinkles and continue to make this event work. Hopefully, common sense, and the fact that everyone benefits, will win out.

This. Perfect. I agree. I know most don't like the BOKC. But I know the kids love it, and its nice to know I'm getting in and won't be completely packed in like sardines in a hot gym.

WOW! That's mob like business right there.

 

What was started, or thought to be as an incredible idea for NKY and the 9th region has turned into nothing more than a money grab by the BOKC and the group that runs it. The original premise of playing the regional in a state of the art facility that can hold big crowds on a college floor to prepare the champion for Rupp is no longer the goal of this. The goal now is plain and simple how much $$$$$$$ can they make?

 

People really need a reality check with this. This is still high school sports. Every year there seems to be some issue concerning procedures that come from this event, and that is sad. This is the biggest high school event in NKY every year and has been for a long time. Where it is held won't effect that. Let the schools broadcast games, let people take pictures, get rid of $8 cheeseburgers and $4 bottles of water. Tell the BOKC to lighten up or take it back to the high schools. Them exploiting kids and making the amount of money they do is no different than rogue AAU coaches.

So Matt responded and says the Regional tourney will allow cameras of long detachable lens' in the stands now. You will simply have to buy a ticket. You will not be allowed on the floor though. The BOK website says this policy will be by each event to determine if the cameras are permitted but the Regional event isn't listed as far as I can tell. I will take Matt's word on that policy since it is not listed on the website.

So Matt responded and says the Regional tourney will allow cameras of long detachable lens' in the stands now. You will simply have to buy a ticket. You will not be allowed on the floor though. The BOK website says this policy will be by each event to determine if the cameras are permitted but the Regional event isn't listed as far as I can tell. I will take Matt's word on that policy since it is not listed on the website.

 

So are you going now?

Still not clear

Unbelievable! PaNDA and others do ALL of the fans a HUGE service! Just as Guru and his crew at other H.S. events!

 

People like paNDA do not only shot for one school, they get GREAT shots for all of the teams. I say besides emailing and calling the BOK, to do the same to your school and coaches, and anyone who has any say with the 9th region, maybe they can tell the BOK that "this is how it will be". The BOK should not have control over issues like this. If I pay to hold an event at the BOK, I WILL be the one who makes the decisions like this, or at least "my people", not the BOK. The one who rents the space has to have the say in these matters.

 

I am not thrilled about the parking cost, they could cut that in half, it will get more people to show up, this is the BOK, not Rupp! Also, Myself and a few other BGP'ers with a cooler full of beer could do A LOT better job at directing the traffic before and after these events, did those people take any courses on how to direct traffic at a small event? (It's small compared to many others elsewhere). Now they want to create more issues for the fans?

 

They could make the scorers table a little longer and at least allow for two people for each school to broadcast if that school does a live broadcast. And room for two more people for 1 live radio/web broadcast that is not affiliated with a school. As far as photographers, they should allow at least one still camera and one video camera per school to be on the floor. As Wireman stated, it's a lot easier to get on the floor at Rupp to do the Sweet 16, and you are dealing with a heck of a lot more people both in the stands and on the floor. But again, Rupp has an organization that runs the place A LOT better than at the BOK.

 

Count me in as one who will email the BOK and this guy, and maybe even make a few calls to each other TV stations. If we get enough to do this, as in the past, they will cave! Maybe if they can attend one H.S. event at Cintas they can take notes on how to run a first class H.S. event. I sure hope that the KHSAA tells the BOK what will happen and what will not happen at THEIR event when the girls Sweet 16 comes there in a year. Some of this may fall on the 9th region for not demanding that they are in charge or THEIR event.

That is why I love the Fieldhouse. Just come on in, take all the pictures you want, great atmosphere and let's just play ball!!! Panda, come on down to the 10th Region!!

NKU parking services does the parking. Not the BOK.

I can see some of the angst in regards to media credentials and the like, but from the sound of things, it has gotten a little loose.

One item that is devoid in Northern Kentucky is a radio station to carry games on the radio. That's what makes Kentucky basketball unique in the smaller areas across the state.

Getting to listen to Danny Weedle call games on WFTM out of Maysville is fun and you see it in many regions across the state. Heck most every team in the 16th Region has a radio station that broadcasts their games.

I can see where the online only broadcasts can cause some problems and I understand it is a newer outlet to cover games for schools and I'm sure the decision was not made lightly.

The 9th Region at BOKC is a boon for the participants. The 9th Region Tourney makes more money than any other regional tournament in the state and I don't think it is fairly close.

In reality, it is a great experience for the participants and it should be all about the players.

Schools profit very well in times in which money is tight, especially for the participants. They payouts I would believe are very welcomed by the participating schools.

Going forward I can see how it can get a little cramped on the press row with all the internet broadcast teams so sending them to one of the endzones should not be that bad. Sure the sight lines are not as good, but you still get to provide the service that you are there for.

The BOKC is what it is and it would be nice to have a different set up for the opposite side of the floor where the high roller seats are, but there is not need for one at the BOKC with NKU. Maybe going forward they can carve that out in the future.

Sure there are some things that can be adjusted in the future, but it is far better holding the tourney there than at a high school gym.

So are you going now?

 

NO, I am not media and do not qualify for a media credential.

Simple soluton. Designate two photographers to shoot (one on each end) the entire tournament. Pay them for their services and give them a parking pass and one to the hospitality room. (Sacrilege) MIght even be nice if they told them they were happy to see them, (lol) whether they were or not.

The photographers shoot both teams, post on a website such as Panda's and make the pics available to the public - free of charge.

 

To Lee Corso - You've missed the point. The BOKC is improperly structured. The North endzone tables are narrow, unstable and dark - a distinct bail-out and afterthought. Not a workable or acceptable solution. Again, hire Buttelworth (or someone comparable) to broadcast all of the games from a central location and provide the links for all listeners from all schools.

 

The BOKC only has the scorers table and media space on the side with the team benches - very limited - bad logistics. Other big arenas have the media area opposite of the scorers table - NOT THE BOKC. I can't wait until Mike Fields of the Lexington Herald-Leader gets assigned his table space in the endzone at the girls state tournament . It will be a topic of editorialism that will be an embarrasdment to all of Northern Kentucky. If they can't accomodate local media, how are they going to accomodate a statewide KHSAA event or God Forbid an NCAA event???????

 

Another solution. Internet broadcasters only need space for their laptop and two persons. Open one or more of the Corporate boxes to internet broadcasters. The KHSAA does it at Whitaker Bank Ballpark for the KHSAA Baseball tournament. Rupp Arena has it right, they have media areas on BOTH SIDES OF THE ARENA, as do the Cintas Center and the Shoe.

 

As far as all of you talking about your creature comforts. I would think that should be expected at all high-ticket venues, BUT that's no excuse for treating those who work behind the scenes to have to be second-class citizens. The guy talks about first-class when the event is anything but.