I think this topic is more about generating events for the center to help pay it's way than what's best for the student athletes. The center and the businesses of the City of Corbin are the only winners. Hosting a regional tournament is a highlight for any town & school involved, an opportunity that only comes around once in a blue moon.

 

I'm all for the center and the City of Corbin. Corbin has come a long way as a community in a short period of time. But I don't see handing the tournament year after year to this center and that community.

 

Yeah hosting a tournament is a highlight for any town and school, but when you have to have split sessions and have to walk a mile to just get to the gym, that's not a highlight for a fan.

 

Plus having to brave outrageous heat conditions in a gym, compared to having a nice air conditioned facility is a highlight, too.:irked::ohbrother:

Bubba, another draw back you forgot for Harlan County is for us to host a region in our new gym. No it might not seat as many but it is by far the nicest gym on a high school campus in the state of Kentucky maybe one of the nicest in the nation and we are proud of it. We want the region here. Like I said before, the City of Corbin can keep the region every year except the year we should host it and then we want it. If other schools want to give it up that is fine but don't take it from us.

 

Nobody would be taking it from anyone. If it's a majority vote for The Arena to get it — then that's life. Do you think Clay County and North Laurel wants to have a blind draw every year in the 49th District Tournament? Nope. Majority rules and you have to live with it, but with that said, IMO Harlan County will get to host.

Bubba, another draw back you forgot for Harlan County is for us to host a region in our new gym. No it might not seat as many but it is by far the nicest gym on a high school campus in the state of Kentucky maybe one of the nicest in the nation and we are proud of it. We want the region here. Like I said before, the City of Corbin can keep the region every year except the year we should host it and then we want it. If other schools want to give it up that is fine but don't take it from us.

 

 

I see your point, but you must look at the small schools like Lynn Camp, Wburg, OBI, Harlan Ind, Red Bird, Bville, Pville, Jackson County....they never get to host it due to size.....a nice check each year would go a long ways towards their programs regardless if they make the tourney...if you can come up with the cash I am sure they will be more than happy to vote in your direction. If the 52nd wants to stomach the blow then they have the right to agree to provide the same services.

I see your point of view and if the arena was in Harlan I would probably share the same reservations based on travel, but in the end it comes down to every school in the region getting money, every fan being able to have a nice chair back seat, plenty of parking, teams being able to play in an arena not a gym and most importantly a neutral location where no team has any mental advantage. I know Corbin has been involved in 4 out of the last 5 regional championship games, but I would support the move if the Arena was located in London or Barbourville even Manchester or Pineville. Maybe they will move the Harlan School to the 14th and then everyone would be satisfied with the Arena. Other than a long travel distance for Harlan County, there is not a drawback. One thing that would be improved is the time needed to clear the gym.......20 minutes after one game is over the next would begin...that in itself would help greatly for the teams having to travel on school nights. There would be no need for an hour to clear the gym between games. If Harlan County can come up with the same money for each school regardless of making the region then I say let them host it in the future. The new gym is great. The schools there do a great job hosting events and if I recall correctly my Hounds have won the region in Harlan County a couple of times as well.......but I can not see them being able to do this unless they have some financial support that I am not aware of. I can promise you this structure was not built for the sole purpose of hosting a regional basketball tournament for Corbin High School.....lol.....Les is right. It is a business and it seems to have worked out pretty well for the 15th region. We are in the dark ages here in the 13th. Almost half the regions in the state are hosted at big locations and those regions, schools are reaping the benefits thus so are the students. The extra money will lighten fund raising, increase summer camp money and more than likely provide many things for all the area schools. The neutral fan will come out and watch due to the fact they can buy a ticket and have a sit, no waiting in line, calling someone you know, etc. It just makes too much sense.

 

 

Excellent points, Bubba. :thumb:

I see your point, but you must look at the small schools like Lynn Camp, Wburg, OBI, Harlan Ind, Red Bird, Bville, Pville, Jackson County....they never get to host it due to size.....a nice check each year would go a long ways towards their programs regardless if they make the tourney...if you can come up with the cash I am sure they will be more than happy to vote in your direction. If the 52nd wants to stomach the blow then they have the right to agree to provide the same services.

 

That's the sticking point Bubba. This isn't about pride and having at your gym or my gym or California's gym. It's about every school in the 13th Region profiting financially if it goes to The Arena.

The Arena would be a fine place to play, every year except when Harlan County can host it.

 

The people who built the Arena in Corbin aren't the only ones who have built a nice arena to partake in. Harlan County has waited years and years and their hard work from their school administrators has finally paid dividends with the finist high school arena in the state.

 

I'm afraid politics will be at work here to get the region held at Corbin but as long as Harlan County can have it I'm fine with it. I do not feel like they owe each school money like they would be getting at the Arena either.

 

By the way parking isn't an issue at all these schools. North Laurel has plenty of spaces and they are not far off, same for Harlan County. Maybe whoever decides how big the gym has to be to host a region should also look into their parking situation, therefore, Knox Central and Bell County would be out.

 

It is going to be very hard to get all parties to come to a resolution that benefits #1 due to the vast amount of pros and cons that are involved.

 

Before it was decided that it is to be at the Arena, I would love for a public article detailing how the expense is to be paid to the schools, the arena, the crew, etc.

 

Small businesses in these far rural towns don't depend on regional tournaments but everything extra is beneficial to their existence and Corbin would be reaping all of that, including lodging, food, gas, court cost. LOL

Wow this has been an interesting thread. Anyone that was at the 13th Region at Bell last year can understand. The parking was not the greatest, the heat in the gym was terrible and I was in the lower part of the gym I couldn't imagine what it was like up top for fans. And everyone complaining about how they want the fans/students to have good seats well when you give out some 35-40 tickets for the students of the participating schools I don't see how they can say they cared about the students. But yet there were some 300+ reserved seating that was sold. People check to see how many other Regions are playing at bigger arenas or college arenas. To me this is a no brainer, the Region is something special and it should be played in something special. If the Arena is willing to give money back to the schools that will just make those programs better I would think. Les you are right on and Harlan I know you all have a great facility but the almighty dollar.

The Arena would be a fine place to play, every year except when Harlan County can host it.

 

The people who built the Arena in Corbin aren't the only ones who have built a nice arena to partake in. Harlan County has waited years and years and their hard work from their school administrators has finally paid dividends with the finist high school arena in the state.

 

I'm afraid politics will be at work here to get the region held at Corbin but as long as Harlan County can have it I'm fine with it. I do not feel like they owe each school money like they would be getting at the Arena either.

 

By the way parking isn't an issue at all these schools. North Laurel has plenty of spaces and they are not far off, same for Harlan County. Maybe whoever decides how big the gym has to be to host a region should also look into their parking situation, therefore, Knox Central and Bell County would be out.

 

It is going to be very hard to get all parties to come to a resolution that benefits #1 due to the vast amount of pros and cons that are involved.

 

Before it was decided that it is to be at the Arena, I would love for a public article detailing how the expense is to be paid to the schools, the arena, the crew, etc.

 

Small businesses in these far rural towns don't depend on regional tournaments but everything extra is beneficial to their existence and Corbin would be reaping all of that, including lodging, food, gas, court cost. LOL

 

First off, politics have been involved in years past, how can certain people get certain tickets and seats and the students are limited, so no reason to just say politics will be played at The Arena.

 

And just like Bubba stated, let Harlan County or any other school that wants to host it, pony up the money that The Arena folks are offering and i'm sure some votes would go their way, too.

 

Like I said, this isn't about Corbin, Harlan County or Bedrock, this is about the student-athletes and the 13th Region. I know I would like to have my kids (if they play basketball) to be able to play in a Arena that would prepare them for the next step at Rupp or Diddle if their respective team made it.

 

Plus, for the Red Birds, Lynn Camps and other schools that fight an uphill battle to reach Rupp, that would give them something else to play for in district to have a chance to play at an Arena type Atmosphere.

 

As for parking at North Laurel, I've talked to the AD personally and asked him what he thinks about the parking. He was on a radio show last week and said it was a no-brainer to have it at The Arena.

But in the end, it doesn't matter what I think or anyone else ... if it gets voted in, then it will be a positive for the student athletes.

I'm just curious as to how it can get voted in.

 

Who votes?

When is the vote?

Does majority rule or does all schools have to agree?

Costs?

 

I think the cost needs to be addressed before anyone could really have a say so.

 

What did the 11th region schools make this year from the new arena in NKU?

What did it cost to have it there?

First off, politics have been involved in years past, how can certain people get certain tickets and seats and the students are limited, so no reason to just say politics will be played at The Arena.

 

 

I was talking more large scale than who gets in the hospitality room and who gets preferred parking, rather who gets a slice of the pie through advertising, under the table, etc.

 

I just mentioned NL as having adequate parking space as well as Harlan County.

 

Bell County has a large gym but has no reason to be hosting due to the other bad parts of their school grounds, same for Knox Central, etc.

I'm just curious as to how it can get voted in.

 

Who votes?

When is the vote?

Does majority rule or does all schools have to agree?

Costs?

 

I think the cost needs to be addressed before anyone could really have a say so.

 

What did the 11th region schools make this year from the new arena in NKU?

What did it cost to have it there?

 

Some of the article that I wrote on the Times Tribune web site explains, what you're asking. Only Principals vote. Not everything is answered, but some of it.

 

The Arena has already met with the Principals and the ADs, so I'm know the costs have been talked about.

You do know that you will be accused of not having a brain if you disagree that Corbin should be the center of our 13th Region universe and everyone should come pay homage every March, and buy food and gas while they are at it?

 

The schools need their local businesses to help with projects year round. They may consider that when voting.

 

Why not buy gas at your respective gas station before you leave, if you don't want to spend the money in Corbin. I mean that would be the logical thing to do.

 

As for buying food, eat before you leave, then take advantage of the hospitality room once you get to the game. :idunno:

Some of the article that I wrote on the Times Tribune web site explains, what you're asking. Only Principals vote. Not everything is answered, but some of it.

 

The Arena has already met with the Principals and the ADs, so I'm know the costs have been talked about.

I know we are all referring to SOMEONE as the the Arena, but who is that SOMEONE?

 

Did the city of Corbin build the Arena or is there is a partner involved?

Why not buy gas at your respective gas station before you leave, if you don't want to spend the money in Corbin. I mean that would be the logical thing to do.

 

As for buying food, eat before you leave, then take advantage of the hospitality room once you get to the game. :idunno:

 

 

Corbin already has a lot of my money with all the times I've stopped there, first going to EKU and then going to games for 20-plus years.

 

I'm going to let you buy the food with all that money you're saving by not traveling.