What's up with the Inferno? (Columbia, West Columbia: construction, school, university)

[gsupstate]

What is going on with the Columbia Inferno? This is now the 3rd season they have not played and the website has not been updated. Are they truely still a team? Will they play again? As Columbia's only professional sports team, it would be nice to see them play again. Any idea what is going on?

Website (not updated in forever):

columbiainferno.com: News/Stats

[g-man430]

They were planning to build their own arena in Lexington and the ECHL gave them an extension last year to do this. Not sure what has happened since though.

Edit: According to Columbia Inferno's wiki, they are planning to return for the 2011-2012 season. I'll believe it when I see it sadly.

[Woodlands]

It amazes me that they couldnt cut a deal to go back into the old Coliseum. Who was responsible.....USC or were there some other factors. I have to applaud Lexington County for taking on their own form of manifest destiny to create their own center city entertainment venue......Seems like they would have tried to do this down in Cayce or West Columbia but I guess the politics demanded that it be in the center of the urban section of the County. It wouldnt surprise me if they changed the name to the Lexington or the Irmo Inferno... (hey that sounds kinda cool....I squared for short)

[Canes2006Champs]

It's too bad they can't play in the Colonial Life Arena.

[g-man430]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

It amazes me that they couldnt cut a deal to go back into the old Coliseum. Who was responsible.....USC or were there some other factors.

That's a very good question and i'm not sure sadly. I know USC wouldn't let them play in the Colonial Life Arena due to the college basketball games. I find this very weird myself mainly due to the fact a lot of other cities are able to have college basketball and hockey games in the same arena during the same time of the year. Take a look at Omaha for example: Qwest Center - Events Calendar (http://www.qwestcenteromaha.com/default.asp?lnopt=11&sn1opt=1&sn2opt=1&sn3opt=1&bl dgopt=1&month=12&year=2010&newsID=0 - broken link) Creighton basketball and UNO hockey going on at the same time in the same arena. Why couldn't the same be done in Columbia? Does USC just not want any minor league competition that could hurt their attendance figures?

[LexingtonDad]

Does USC just not want any minor league competition that could hurt their attendance figures?

Sadly this might be true. Remember when there was talk about sharing a new stadium with Columbia's minor league baseball team? USC let all concerned know that they weren't interested.

[Akhenaton06]

Duplicate thread: Will the Columbia Inferno be back next season?

[gsupstate]

Originally Posted by Woodlands

It amazes me that they couldnt cut a deal to go back into the old Coliseum. Who was responsible.....USC or were there some other factors. I have to applaud Lexington County for taking on their own form of manifest destiny to create their own center city entertainment venue......Seems like they would have tried to do this down in Cayce or West Columbia but I guess the politics demanded that it be in the center of the urban section of the County. It wouldnt surprise me if they changed the name to the Lexington or the Irmo Inferno... (hey that sounds kinda cool....I squared for short)

Has construction started on a venue in Lexington? This is good for Lexington, but I'm a bit shocked the main city would let their only professional sports team move to the suburbs. Seems Columbia would have gone all out to keep them in the city.

[Brandon Hoffman]

Don't know if it's true, but I've always heard USC doesn't like the competition and wanted them out. Happened with minor league baseball also. Some of you may not have been here long enough to remember, but for years we had a Mets single A affiliate (Columbia Mets/Capital City Bombers).

[Woodlands]

Originally Posted by Brandon Hoffman

Don't know if it's true, but I've always heard USC doesn't like the competition and wanted them out. Happened with minor league baseball also. Some of you may not have been here long enough to remember, but for years we had a Mets single A affiliate (Columbia Mets/Capital City Bombers).

Yep remember them.. and have another USC gem... who could forget the Carolina Panthers inaugural season was to be played at Williams Brice.. Mikee said "oh hell no" and it went to Clemson.. .The Panthers have not been in Columbia since. Seems like atleast a pre-season game would come south of the boarder every now and then for them to retain the name "Carolina" otherwise they should just become the Charlotte Panthers. I dont want to start an anti USC session here but they have not always done things to benefit the community in which they operate. Certainly its understood that they are an University and the school should be priority one.. but some of these decisions dont appear that they would have hurt the school... so why not cooperate and "play ball". If they are thinking that a minor league anything would hurt their athletic programs that seems it would be absurd. USC has no hockey team.. so that should be off the table.. in terms of baseball... yeah maybe.. but many people in Columbia love baseball but wouldnt want to watch a college team play where they didnt attend school...the exception being the USC college world series run or SEC championship bid where everyone became a USC fan. Outside of those types of runs..many people would probably not set foot in these venues...but would support a Columbia team whatever it may be.