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while i enjoy minor league hockey i think it's a tough sell when it's in a market that has other college or pro sports to compete for $$ with. Back home in Madison they tried it some years ago, and the scheduling worked as at the time they (and the UW Badgers) played hockey in a County colisseum and not the newer Kohl Center. But while the minor team drew decent fans (they were tied to Milwaukee's IHL team and had some ex Badgers on the roster) it just wasnt the same as the strong following the college team had and has. So they moved on, and really except for the very successful summer baseball league up there nothing else "minor" has really done well. It's a college town, and that's the big/only local draw. So while Cola is larger then Madison it does have some similarities, and maybe that's one of them....
Guess if someone needs a hockey fix, a drive to Greenville isnt a big deal
while i enjoy minor league hockey i think it's a tough sell when it's in a market that has other college or pro sports to compete for $$ with. Back home in Madison they tried it some years ago, and the scheduling worked as at the time they (and the UW Badgers) played hockey in a County colisseum and not the newer Kohl Center. But while the minor team drew decent fans (they were tied to Milwaukee's IHL team and had some ex Badgers on the roster) it just wasnt the same as the strong following the college team had and has. So they moved on, and really except for the very successful summer baseball league up there nothing else "minor" has really done well. It's a college town, and that's the big/only local draw. So while Cola is larger then Madison it does have some similarities, and maybe that's one of them....
Guess if someone needs a hockey fix, a drive to Greenville isnt a big deal
Ranger
I agree with what you say but there is quite a bit of difference depending on the actual sport and ones location in SC.
No major college in the south participates in ice hockey so there has been "room" for minor league ice hockey in many southern city locations. I would not expect the same in Madison, WI yet the Boston area can support several ice hockey levels......but another subject.
There are minor league baseball teams in Greenville and Charleston as neither area has a major university baseball program as does USC.
My comment has been that USC does not want confusion, season overlaps, etc. from any other sport. They want the focus on USC sports. Where I in their shoes, I would do the same but I also say that USC is not as altruistic as many think/say they are including themselves.
As an example. I think more people in Charleston SC are talking about how the Charleston River Dogs will finish out their season then are talking about Citadel football. In Columbia there is no confusion and were I in charge at USC, that is the way I would want it and keep it.
guess i was just thinking of my travel time from Chapin area as we do may quick runs to Greenville but sure depending on location Charlotte would make more sense for others
I agree with what you say but there is quite a bit of difference depending on the actual sport and ones location in SC.
No major college in the south participates in ice hockey so there has been "room" for minor league ice hockey in many southern city locations. I would not expect the same in Madison, WI yet the Boston area can support several ice hockey levels......but another subject.
There are minor league baseball teams in Greenville and Charleston as neither area has a major university baseball program as does USC.
My comment has been that USC does not want confusion, season overlaps, etc. from any other sport. They want the focus on USC sports. Where I in their shoes, I would do the same but I also say that USC is not as altruistic as many think/say they are including themselves.
As an example. I think more people in Charleston SC are talking about how the Charleston River Dogs will finish out their season then are talking about Citadel football. In Columbia there is no confusion and were I in charge at USC, that is the way I would want it and keep it.
points taken. My question, and i ask as i dont know enough of the history here on it-- was the hockey team that was here playing in a USC controlled arena or a "publicly" owned one? If at one that the college owned or controlled i could see why there was little to no interest in supporting an outside player. But if it was in a public location, then the college really has no say one way or the other--it's all on the fan base and community to support it. And if that's not strong enough then the market just isnt there.
After all, seems minor league baseball has had success over the years here and USC baseball (at least in recent years) has been at the top of the class. So there are enough baseball fans in this area to cover 2 programs at different levels
Charlotte's franchise is a AAA franchise so, the game is better. But, I am not sure hockey is the way to go for Columbia. I think baseball would be a better fit. I don't know how the other SC hockey franchises are doing, seems like there are stories about the teams struggling. Maybe Gman can give an update about Greenville. But, in any case, baseball would be a better fit in heir own stadium. And, I do think for a minor league team, not using Carolina Stadium would be better for the team and Carolina.
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