I am hearing a lot about a lack of atmosphere at the BOK for the 9th and 10th regional tournaments.

 

As a class "A" school, my team has won the class "A" girls regional a couple of times recently and has played in the state class "A" tourney at EKU. The atmosphere there is electric. Our fans travel the 2 hours. Our band goes (our athletic department pays for their tickets and travel), we take fan buses and our players and students absolutely have a blast.

 

My question is to those that have attended both regional games at BOK and class "A" games in Richmond. What is the difference, resulting in so many complaining about the BOK? The ticket prices seem the same, the food prices are comparable. EKU enforce reserve seating and I don't recall them checking bags for contraband food/drinks, but those really don't seem to be student issues.

The BOK is a overall better facility than EKU's.

The arenas in question cannot create or effect atmosphere. That's brought about by the bands and the fans. The sheer size makes "atmosphere" a challenge at every arena.

BOK Pros: New facility, nice seating, great lighting, players love the floor.

BOK cons: hard to get the noisy atmosphere, local lodging.

 

Just my opinion, I live 2 minutes away from BOK.

I'd say wait til after today, Monday, and Tuesday, and then I'd be able to give you a better answer. I'd say the lack of atmosphere had a lot to do with it just being the opening round of th tournament.

 

As far as which facility is better, BOKC is hands down the better of the two.

The arenas in question cannot create or effect atmosphere. That's brought about by the bands and the fans. The sheer size makes "atmosphere" a challenge at every arena.

 

Let me reword then. Some of the most electric atmospheres that I have experienced in recent years were at EKU duirng the All "A" classic, not in a high school gym. Why is the same not true at the BOK?

BOK Pros: New facility, nice seating, great lighting, players love the floor.

BOK cons: hard to get the noisy atmosphere, local lodging.

 

Just my opinion, I live 2 minutes away from BOK.

 

I see this changing

BOK Pros: New facility, nice seating, great lighting, players love the floor.

BOK cons: hard to get the noisy atmosphere, local lodging.

 

Just my opinion, I live 2 minutes away from BOK.

 

Hampton is under construction at 275 and AA. Can't be 3 or 4 minutes from the arena

BOK Pros: New facility, nice seating, great lighting, players love the floor.

BOK cons: hard to get the noisy atmosphere, local lodging.

 

Puzzled by your comment unless of course you are speaking of walking to and from the BOKC?

 

Within a easy ten/fifteen minute Interstate drive north on I-471 or West on I-275 there are more quality first rate Hotel/Motel rooms than in all of Richmond. Trust me, you can get out of the BOKC and on to the Interstate much, much, much quicker than at EKU.

Exiting and entering the game were awesome no parking jams or problems at all. It's head and shoulder above EKU. I don't get why you guys keep going on and on about atmosphere, more people need to show up if you want great atmosphere it has nothing to do with the Arena. I have been at EKU plenty of times where it was just the lower arena filled and not much more. As far as local lodging. Like Oldguy said there is more than enough within 15 minutes or so of the gym.

Comparing the first round atmosphere of the region to the atmosphere of the All A is difficult. I'm like others that have posted on here wait til after the games today, Monday, and Tuesday to make the final comparison. As far as comparing the physical aspects of the two buildings. BOK is hands down the best facility. Seating, lighting, floor, scoreboards, and access to and from the building is far superior at BOK. I never liked the design of EKU with the floor being down in a pit.

As lodging goes. I believe you will see construction of more hotels in this area. Alot of nice places in Florence are just a short drive away. Remember that some of the teams in the All A don't get to stay in Richmond. Some have to make the trip south down 75 to Berea.

Exiting and entering the game were awesome no parking jams or problems at all. It's head and shoulder above EKU. I don't get why you guys keep going on and on about atmosphere, more people need to show up if you want great atmosphere it has nothing to do with the Arena. I have been at EKU plenty of times where it was just the lower arena filled and not much more. As far as local lodging. Like Oldguy said there is more than enough within 15 minutes or so of the gym.

 

I think we will have plenty of atmosphere today. And I think Tues nite with two finals, it will be rocking.:dancingpa

I thought the atmosphere was good at the 10th yesterday considering they were opening round games. Its the semis and finals where the crowd really livens up.

I think we will have plenty of atmosphere today. And I think Tues nite with two finals, it will be rocking.:dancingpa

 

What are the times for the finals Tuesday night? Does the $8 get you in both games?

I like BOK better. I wouldn't care if they had the regionals there every year.:ylsuper: