[JGBigGreen]

Many flagship universities are not convenient to most of their states. It doesn’t mean a school should pay to play off-campus. It’s a university, not a professional sports franchise.

Originally Posted by JayCT

Good opinion piece on the importance of UConn sports to Hartford. I don’t think it emphasizes enough the need for the programs playing at large venues to accommodate as many fans as possible. Plus Storrs is not exactly convenient to most of the state. Jay

https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/art...ntown-hartford

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by JGBigGreen

Many flagship universities are not convenient to most of their states. It doesn’t mean a school should pay to play off-campus. It’s a university, not a professional sports franchise.

I hate to tell you this but that’s not true these days. College sports reach a lot of people including deep pocketed alumni. It keeps them connected to the school and helps get them to contribute to it.

Look at UConn basketball. Depending who they play, they can sell out the XL Centers +16,000 seats. That’s impressive. We are in the middle of March Madness. Literally millions of people are watching the games and rooting for their team and UConn is VERY prominent in it. That elevates the schools prestige. Nothing wrong with that. Jay

[SteveM85]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I hate to tell you this but that’s not true these days. College sports reach a lot of people including deep pocketed alumni. It keeps them connected to the school and helps get them to contribute to it.

Look at UConn basketball. Depending who they play, they can sell out the XL Centers +16,000 seats. That’s impressive. We are in the middle of March Madness. Literally millions of people are watching the games and rooting for their team and UConn is VERY prominent in it. That elevates the schools prestige. Nothing wrong with that. Jay

Makes sense. Hartford is centrally located and has the capacity for the school's flagship team and sport.
The baseball and volleyball teams would remain on campus.

[JGBigGreen]

And if UCONN plays at Storrs they will still be very prominent and will still be seen as prestigious for college basketball. Hartford needs UCONN perhaps, but UCONN doesn't need Hartford or the XL Center to raise their profile.

Originally Posted by JayCT

I hate to tell you this but that’s not true these days. College sports reach a lot of people including deep pocketed alumni. It keeps them connected to the school and helps get them to contribute to it.

Look at UConn basketball. Depending who they play, they can sell out the XL Centers +16,000 seats. That’s impressive. We are in the middle of March Madness. Literally millions of people are watching the games and rooting for their team and UConn is VERY prominent in it. That elevates the schools prestige. Nothing wrong with that. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by JGBigGreen

And if UCONN plays at Storrs they will still be very prominent and will still be seen as prestigious for college basketball. Hartford needs UCONN perhaps, but UCONN doesn't need Hartford or the XL Center to raise their profile.

No but they need a fan base and playing all your games at a small on campus facility does not promote tha5 to its fullest extent. Jay

[JGBigGreen]

Like most college teams, they have a built in fan base in their students and alumni and both the basketball teams long record of success brings them fans beyond that. If all the games are played on-campus, people are still going to go to the games. Attendance may be lower because of the attendance limit of the smaller arena but more students are going to attend.



I think this article does a great job highlighting some of the issues for UCONN and the XL Center:


https://www.ctinsider.com/uconn/arti...o-16931142.php

Originally Posted by JayCT

No but they need a fan base and playing all your games at a small on campus facility does not promote tha5 to its fullest extent. Jay

[WouldLoveTo]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I hate to tell you this but that’s not true these days. College sports reach a lot of people including deep pocketed alumni. It keeps them connected to the school and helps get them to contribute to it.

Look at UConn basketball. Depending who they play, they can sell out the XL Centers +16,000 seats. That’s impressive. We are in the middle of March Madness. Literally millions of people are watching the games and rooting for their team and UConn is VERY prominent in it. That elevates the schools prestige. Nothing wrong with that. Jay

March what?????

[ConnecticutSir]

Bronin to propose cut to Hartford’s highest-in-the-state mill rate

Article: https://www.hartfordbusiness.com/art...tate-mill-rate

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by JGBigGreen

Like most college teams, they have a built in fan base in their students and alumni and both the basketball teams long record of success brings them fans beyond that. If all the games are played on-campus, people are still going to go to the games. Attendance may be lower because of the attendance limit of the smaller arena but more students are going to attend.



I think this article does a great job highlighting some of the issues for UCONN and the XL Center:


https://www.ctinsider.com/uconn/arti...o-16931142.php

Having a “built-in” fan base means little unless they are engaged in the school today. That engagement includes attending games and people that do are more likely to contribute to their school. That is important. If the school only holds games on campus, that’s less people the school can engage, meaning less contributions.

I think most people know the issues with the XL Center. It’s an aging facility that needs millions in renovations. The state has begun to address the issues, we just need to continue that investment. Jay

[JGBigGreen]

Yeah, having worked in higher ed and higher ed philanthropy for two decades, I've got a solid handle on what engagement means. Trust me, if they only hold games on the Storrs campus, donors are still going to attend.

Originally Posted by JayCT

Having a “built-in” fan base means little unless they are engaged in the school today. That engagement includes attending games and people that do are more likely to contribute to their school. That is important. If the school only holds games on campus, that’s less people the school can engage, meaning less contributions.

I think most people know the issues with the XL Center. It’s an aging facility that needs millions in renovations. The state has begun to address the issues, we just need to continue that investment. Jay