It is a great place for the players to play - it is not a great place for fans (expense, general confusion about where to sit, distrance to drive for some, among the most talked about issues)

 

The seats are comfortable and there are plenty of them.

 

But don't complain about lack of support from fans if you are looking for a "great place for the players"

 

If you want atmosphere and fan support, the players are going to have to play in high school venues.

 

Either one will work - but like someone else said, you can have anything you want - but you can't have everything.

 

School officials need to think about the purpose of the tournament - be it money, the experience for the players, the experience for the fans, whatever and make their decision based on that.

 

Neither the big centers nor the high school gym will satisfy both.

 

I agree with the majority of what you say but the drive time is not a fair arguement from ANYONE. I remember Scott HS and Campbell Co. driving down to Montgomery Co. last year so the driving distance should be null and void.

I agree with the majority of what you say but the drive time is not a fair arguement from ANYONE. I remember Scott HS and Campbell Co. driving down to Montgomery Co. last year so the driving distance should be null and void.

 

I agree. No complains from this GRC fan about the drive. Montgomery Co and GRC has the longest drive this year, shortest last year.

That's why I was saying to get there early. So you are assured a seat where you want to sit. If you get there early enough you can tell them where you want to sit and get the seats with no problem. I arrived to the Highlands/Boone game today around 2:30 and was still able to get 3 tickets at midcourt (section 111/112) about 8 rows up with no problem.

 

I understand what you are saying, but our AD was told at the draw what sections would be for each school after Saturday games depending on how you win. So I am saying that the 10th region teams that win tonight can go up to the ticket window as for a ticket in their section and the box office should sell them a ticket in a section for the winners tonight.

I agree with the majority of what you say but the drive time is not a fair arguement from ANYONE. I remember Scott HS and Campbell Co. driving down to Montgomery Co. last year so the driving distance should be null and void.

 

Sorry - that was a little misleading - I was trying to say drive time plays into attendance - no matter where the games are - it will be longer for some than others. Montgomery and Clark drove to Campbell last year for the girls tournament.

I understand what you are saying, but our AD was told at the draw what sections would be for each school after Saturday games depending on how you win. So I am saying that the 10th region teams that win tonight can go up to the ticket window as for a ticket in their section and the box office should sell them a ticket in a section for the winners tonight.

 

We asked for a ticket in our section at Saturday's game, but when we got to seats, we were told it was the overflow, all the tickets to our schools section had already been sold - but the section wasn't full and the ticket seller didn't tell us it was overflow - thank goodness for cell phones - we were able to determine there were plenty of seats in our school's section that weren't being used (had been sold for earlier or later games - so were vacant for the game we were at)

 

For the finals - if that is the case, I can see "specators" being in the middle of "fans" - and possibly opponents being seated side by side.

 

These kinks can be worked out for future tournaments if they want - but they need to be addressed - it is a small problem - but a noticible one.

If the 10th decides to go back to HS's for their Regional Tourney (and I can't say I blame them if they do), couldn't they just have a 3 location rotation to make it more fair for everyone. Perhaps never hold it at the far reaches of the region, but still bounce it around to more reasonable centralized logical spots.

 

Maybe the BOK could help the atmosphere issue with some changes, but nothing will change how many teams & fans from the 10th have to travel a severe unfair distance to cheer or play in their own regional tourney. There was something said in another post about it being for the players, but why make so many people, players and fans alike, travel long distances, back and forth and back and forth and, God forbid risk auto accidents and the such. Nothing against young drivers, (I'm sure there are many good ones), but you're also asking perhaps quite a number of inexperienced 16-18 year old drivers to hit the road to drive unnecessary distances to cheer on their teams and adult fan to inconvenience their work schedules in these already trying times. (Layoffs etc...). After this week of games, the parents of the winners of the 10th that advance will have to take more time off of work to go to Rupp. That might be too much in a short period of time for a lot of bosses. And think of the expense (travel, concessions) that is quite different from the non-corporate, HS locations. I can't blame students for staying away. This tourney wasn't designed with their budget in mind. For the folks of the 10th, I'm sure it has absolutely no local charm to it whatsoever. Some of them might dig the experience, but ultimately the real old fashioned fun is all gone if they choose to stay.

 

As a fan of the 9th, I'd like to ask other 9th Region fans how they would feel if all of the sudden they had to travel 1 to 2 hours for the 9th Region Tourney, if for years they have been used to a more reasonable 15-20 where it really doesn't compromise their work schedules. Personally, I would hate it and find it unnecessary. I already look forward to going to Rupp, but to add another week of running around might really dilute it for me. I could live with the 9th Region at the BOK, but I doubt that they'd ever be willing to make some changes and quit gouging the fan's wallets. If they work to help the atmosphere it could work, but right now a lot of things are severely missing.

 

Someone said in another post the at Rupp the 1st round is boring. I don't feel that way at all. I get goose bumps just walking in there right from the beginning of the Sweet 16 to the very end. The games are always exciting and they do a fine job of keeping you entertained all the way with fantastic padgentry, moving National Anthems, fan cams and instant replays, shooting T-Shirts into the crowd at the end of every quarter, recognizing legends, and the lists goes on and not to mention the excitement of seeing some of the players hitting the floor for the 1st time in their young lives. Yes, the concessions are cooperate prices, but ONE big treat in the HS season is worth it, but not starting at the Regionals with all the gouging. The Rupp experience makes me forget all about the minuses because there are very few. The Rupp experience is sacred, anything else trying to poorly imitate it is over doing it.

 

I do agree that it helps players to play on a college floor before heading to Rupp, but maybe teams in the hunt could schedule floor time with their local universities to get them prepared. Good scrimmages during practice should be enough to give them the feel.

Let me say this. I have criticized the venue for its "lack of atmosphere", which I find to be miles behind what it is at high-school facilities.

 

That being said, it is miles AHEAD of the atmosphere at the Mid-South conference tournament finals held yesterday afternoon in the Frankfort Civic Center. Maybe 600 folks or so in attendance, and the place felt like a tomb.

If the 10th decides to go back to HS's for their Regional Tourney (and I can't say I blame them if they do), couldn't they just have a 3 location rotation to make it more fair for everyone. Perhaps never hold it at the far reaches of the region, but still bounce it around to more reasonable centralized logical spots.

 

Maybe the BOK could help the atmosphere issue with some changes, but nothing will change how many teams & fans from the 10th have to travel a severe unfair distance to cheer or play in their own regional tourney. There was something said in another post about it being for the players, but why make so many people, players and fans alike, travel long distances, back and forth and back and forth and, God forbid risk auto accidents and the such. Nothing against young drivers, (I'm sure there are many good ones), but you're also asking perhaps quite a number of inexperienced 16-18 year old drivers to hit the road to drive unnecessary distances to cheer on their teams and adult fan to inconvenience their work schedules in these already trying times. (Layoffs etc...). After this week of games, the parents of the winners of the 10th that advance will have to take more time off of work to go to Rupp. That might be too much in a short period of time for a lot of bosses. And think of the expense (travel, concessions) that is quite different from the non-corporate, HS locations. I can't blame students for staying away. This tourney wasn't designed with their budget in mind. For the folks of the 10th, I'm sure it has absolutely no local charm to it whatsoever. Some of them might dig the experience, but ultimately the real old fashioned fun is all gone if they choose to stay.

 

As a fan of the 9th, I'd like to ask other 9th Region fans how they would feel if all of the sudden they had to travel 1 to 2 hours for the 9th Region Tourney, if for years they have been used to a more reasonable 15-20 where it really doesn't compromise their work schedules. Personally, I would hate it and find it unnecessary. I already look forward to going to Rupp, but to add another week of running around might really dilute it for me. I could live with the 9th Region at the BOK, but I doubt that they'd ever be willing to make some changes and quit gouging the fan's wallets. If they work to help the atmosphere it could work, but right now a lot of things are severely missing.

 

Someone said in another post the at Rupp the 1st round is boring. I don't feel that way at all. I get goose bumps just walking in there right from the beginning of the Sweet 16 to the very end. The games are always exciting and they do a fine job of keeping you entertained all the way with fantastic padgentry, moving National Anthems, fan cams and instant replays, shooting T-Shirts into the crowd at the end of every quarter, recognizing legends, and the lists goes on and not to mention the excitement of seeing some of the players hitting the floor for the 1st time in their young lives. Yes, the concessions are cooperate prices, but ONE big treat in the HS season is worth it, but not starting at the Regionals with all the gouging. The Rupp experience makes me forget all about the minuses because there are very few. The Rupp experience is sacred, anything else trying to poorly imitate it is over doing it.

 

I do agree that it helps players to play on a college floor before heading to Rupp, but maybe teams in the hunt could schedule floor time with their local universities to get them prepared. Good scrimmages during practice should be enough to give them the feel.

 

 

Agree on all the bolded.

 

And I'm still attending.:thumb:

I understand what you are saying, but our AD was told at the draw what sections would be for each school after Saturday games depending on how you win. So I am saying that the 10th region teams that win tonight can go up to the ticket window as for a ticket in their section and the box office should sell them a ticket in a section for the winners tonight.

 

Maybe fans from the first game, but not the second. The box office closes at the end of the third quarter of the final game.

For those wanting more atmosphere, I can guarantee you that won't be the case Tuesday night. I said it earlier and I'll say it again; Tuesday night will draw the biggest crowd both the 9th and 10th region has ever seen for a region championship game. I fully expect there to be every bit of 6-7K there, and IF Scott upsets GRC tonight, we very well could see close to a sell out.

Did the 9th not designate seating, after the draw we were told by our school which section to buy tickets in for each game.

 

There is suppose to be but the ticket window, at least for the Holmes fans, can't seem to get us in the right cheer section. We have had to move for both games because they put us at the opposite end of where our team and cheerleaders were.

 

This has not been a problem thus far as there has been plenty of seats and we could easily pick up and move. Tuesday night might create a problem for those fans that want to cheer together.

I just really love this new facility. It's top notch.

Everyone complaining about ticket prices knows the Arena has nothing to do with setting that price right? So the greedy posts are uninformed and wrong.

I received the following information from Mr. Anthony Strong this morning, who approved its release:

According to reports I received from 07 and 08

(Quarter finals games = sessions 1-4)

 

Paid admissions---Location------------Tourney Year

 

2672 ----------Mason County--------------- 07

 

1984---------Montgomery County------------08

 

2696-------Bank of Kentucky Center---------09

 

I was very pleased with these numbers and look for the crowds to be bigger the next two nights

I think everything is great at BOK for the 10th region. Everyone just remember the number one rule is no feet on the seats, which is fine. We had a good time watching the foot patrol work between the games Saturday.:lol: