I tried to dig up the previous thread about the 9th and 10th Region tournaments being played this spring at the Bank of Kentucky Center at NKU, but it seems to have gone over the rainbow to see Dorothy and Toto, so I'll start a new thread on the subject, now that we have all attended a basketball event in the new BOK facility.

 

I have been somewhat outspoken about losing the atmosphere of a great high school regional tournament by moving it to a more spacious facility. The 9th Region which has totally outgrown it's available facilities for years needed a new venue desperately that could accomodate all of the fans who wished to attend. But for those of us in the 10th Region familiar with the great tournaments at the 5,400 seat Mason County Fieldhouse, many have been skeptical of maintaining any atmosphere that remotely resembles that at the Fieldhouse by moving it to Northern Kentucky. I even went so far as to compare it to some of the sectional tournaments contested at the old Shoemaker Center at U.C.. which were very monotone affairs.

 

While spacious, the 9,400 seat BOK has a much homier feeling about it and the seating appears to be much closer to the floor than that at the Shoe. The BOK is actually the Mason County Fieldhouse on sterioids and without the welcome smell of fresh popcorn and hardwood. I'm willing to give it a shot (as though we have any choice) and reserve judgement until after our first go-round at the BOK Center.

 

Those concerned about the cost of tickets and food still have very legitimate concerns. A sandwich goes from $5 to $7 and a large drink is $4. If they serve the Greaters, Montgomery Inn, and Donato's fare that was on sale last night, that is of course, extra. Parking will probably be OK if school is not in session. If school is in session during the tournaments prepare for a long hike.

Once I got there you had to search for the entrance and a huge bottleneck developed going down the steps to get back to street level (probably only a problem at sell-outs) following the game.

 

I have personal concerns about such things as media space which is virtually non-existant - only on one side of the floor and only between the two team benches. There were some media tables set up in the endzone, but that appeared to be temporary. The seats are nice (no drink holders - boo!) and I thought that the lighting from above was extrememly stark (solution - wear a ballcap), but provided a great well-lit playing condition. Plenty of SMALL restrooms and lots of walk-around space on the concourse. They really need scoreboards in the corners of the gym, like those at Rupp. The only scoreboard was the "big bertha" above the center of the floor, which is really high for those sitting at floor level.

 

It is a wonderful new facility to have in our community and I anticipate that it will become a fabric or our lives here in Northern Kentucky. Let's give the place a chance and see how things play out in March.

Any stats on how many seats are in the lower arena? Any prediction on how many may attend the finals? The 9th usually generates a bit over 3K/ year but you have to think with the bigger venue many more should attend. If Mason is in the finals I know they will bring a bunch of fans, but besides the Royals, what other 10th region teams will bring a bunch of rowdy fans?

Any stats on how many seats are in the lower arena? Any prediction on how many may attend the finals? The 9th usually generates a bit over 3K/ year but you have to think with the bigger venue many more should attend. If Mason is in the finals I know they will bring a bunch of fans, but besides the Royals, what other 10th region teams will bring a bunch of rowdy fans?

 

All of the NKY teams will be represented well. Even if we don't make the tournament, there will always be tons of fans from Bracken Co. I believe with the quality of team they have this year, Clark county will have a following too. The 10th finals has had 4K+ in past years, so i expected the BoK to be close to capacity for the doubleheader.

Any stats on how many seats are in the lower arena? Any prediction on how many may attend the finals? The 9th usually generates a bit over 3K/ year but you have to think with the bigger venue many more should attend. If Mason is in the finals I know they will bring a bunch of fans, but besides the Royals, what other 10th region teams will bring a bunch of rowdy fans?

 

If GRC makes it to the finals...they will bring a big crowd.

Question...are all seats...assigned seats?

I think so.

Any stats on how many seats are in the lower arena? Any prediction on how many may attend the finals? The 9th usually generates a bit over 3K/ year but you have to think with the bigger venue many more should attend. If Mason is in the finals I know they will bring a bunch of fans, but besides the Royals, what other 10th region teams will bring a bunch of rowdy fans?

 

The lower arena holds about 5000 seats and believe me, it will be perfect for both the 9th and 10th regional games. I imagine the end zones will be reserved for students, everything else will be reserved seating.

The lower arena holds about 5000 seats and believe me, it will be perfect for both the 9th and 10th regional games. I imagine the end zones will be reserved for students, everything else will be reserved seating.

 

IMO a bad idea. The last time I was over at the Cintas Center for the Ohio playoffs it was first come first serve and works great. Just divide up the area, home team on one side and visiting team on the other.

I would say this is how it will be.

IMO a bad idea. The last time I was over at the Cintas Center for the Ohio playoffs it was first come first serve and works great. Just divide up the area, home team on one side and visiting team on the other.

 

Not if you are traveling 2 + hours on a week night. I like the idea of having a reserved seat.....if it is a good one....

I don't like the idea of reserved seating, but I also won't be traveling 2 plus hours to attend.

Not if you are traveling 2 + hours on a week night. I like the idea of having a reserved seat.....if it is a good one....

 

Ok, what if we save you two seats, now what do you think?

Not if you are traveling 2 + hours on a week night. I like the idea of having a reserved seat.....if it is a good one....

 

Plenty of hotels in the Northern Kentucky area to cut down on your drive time. Then again 2 hours is no big deal is it GS?

I like the idea of just having open seating. Reserve one side for one team and the other side for the other team, and leave the end zones for the students.

 

Will the upper level be available for the region tournaments?

Ok, what if we save you two seats, now what do you think?

Make that 3 seats.....I knew I could count on my buddies up North.:thumb:

Does this mean the gym won't be cleared in between the 9ths semis? That always had a certain mystique to it.