At one time, I believe the administration at Eastern liked the idea of having hundreds of students and parents getting exposure to the school and campus throughout the week. That attitude probably changed with the change in administrations.

 

Financially, I think the City of Richmond made sure that Eastern was compensated.

 

Obviously, they got rent, but beyond that I'm not sure what they got unless they got a concessions cut. Outside of that it was just a big parking problem considering AC is one of EKU's major parking areas.

From Mike Fields' Friday column:

 

Stan Steidel, one of the All "A" founders, said everybody was happy with the tournament's first time in Frankfort after being held in Richmond the past 20 years. "The city (of Frankfort) backed us from the start. Everything we asked for, they provided. The (Frankfort Convention Center) arena is just right for what we're doing, and we had great crowds and a lot of fun." Total attendance was 34,781, about 3,000 more than the tournament averaged in Richmond the past three years. The All "A" is contracted to stay in Frankfort the next two years.

Understand that the Frankfort Convention Center is much like Riverfront Coliseum (or whatever they are calling it these days). They have no affiliation to a specific school or team. Picking up events such as this is the primary focus of a place like Frankfort, so it is win-win with them. Those of us who prefer Richmond will have to resign ourselves to realizing that we are probably not going back there, or possibly to any venue serving as "home floor" to a specific college team.

 

This same NCAA rule is the reason the KY Derby Classic is headed back to Freedom after only one year in the Yum Center. Luckily it does not effect KHSAA sanctioned events so regionals and the Sweet Sixteen are safe at "home floor" facilities. At least for now but with the NCAA who knows about tomorrow. They are at best consistantly inconsistant.