NCAA Championship sites announced...
- Thread starter dicemen99
- Start date
midwest mafia wins again
But Ill take Pittsburgh as a consolation prize.
But Ill take Pittsburgh as a consolation prize.
Minneapolis will be at US Bank Stadium, capacity 66k+. Pros and cons to that approach--publicity, records, etc. are all great but not actually seeing the event from your seat is a significant minus.
That's a lot of t-shirts and xanax to distribute.
So it's in PA for Cortez, Nolf, Nickal, Cassar, Rasheed, and Nevills SR season? Sounds like a crowd pleaser to me!
I have no data to suggest the NCAA would make an intelligent decision on this matter, but it would behoove them to limit the number of tickets in such a large venue. I'm hopeful that the upper decks will be curtained off to allow a 30K max capacity. Otherwise, you're absolutely correct about a limited sightline.
Not sure what capacity is, but they show a configuration for BB on their website, so it can be changed. Must have convinced the committee, though.
Some quick thoughts
- I'm happy to see NCAAs coming to Pittsburgh, though it's somewhat surprising that they placed it there the year after it's in Cleveland
- the event at Minny will be interesting. if it goes well, indoor football stadiums might become the norm in the future, though I'm not sure I like that idea
- I'm disappointed that Orlando didn't get an event. I thought that would be an interesting, new location, in a warm locale
- I'm also disappointed that Philadelphia isn't on the list, and somewhat surprised that New York isn't on the list. Philadelphia, with XFinity Live open right next door, would be a much more enjoyable fan experience for between sessions than the last time the event was staged in Philadelphia. NYC is a tad expensive, but it brings so much exposure, glamor, prestige, etc. to the event
- I'm happy to see NCAAs coming to Pittsburgh, though it's somewhat surprising that they placed it there the year after it's in Cleveland
- the event at Minny will be interesting. if it goes well, indoor football stadiums might become the norm in the future, though I'm not sure I like that idea
- I'm disappointed that Orlando didn't get an event. I thought that would be an interesting, new location, in a warm locale
- I'm also disappointed that Philadelphia isn't on the list, and somewhat surprised that New York isn't on the list. Philadelphia, with XFinity Live open right next door, would be a much more enjoyable fan experience for between sessions than the last time the event was staged in Philadelphia. NYC is a tad expensive, but it brings so much exposure, glamor, prestige, etc. to the event
That said, going into the belly of the Big 10 beast and railing everyone does have its charms
So I guess it's snow, more snow, expected, and Beirut. So much for my no snow wish list.
2019...isn't this the tourney Iowa fans are saying the PSU streak will end? With Lee, Young, Kemerer and Murin all possibly in their lineup, Iowa will have some familiar faces wrestling in Pittsburgh.
No. We lose Zain next season. Everyone else will be back in 2019 (with the possible exception of 133 & 197).
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The more successful NHL outdoor events have been where they tucked the rink into one corner, which obviously favored fans on that corner and screws fans in opposite corner, but dropping the rink dead center doesn't work for pretty much everyone and I imagine this would be similarly bad. You can see here (not a photo, an artist's approximation) how they reconfigure for a baseball game, so there's definitely flexibility. But there are still going to be plenty of awful seats and the financial incentive to sell those awful seats will be great.
After seeing the view (on TV) from the seats in Lucas Oil in Indy for the Final 4, my first inclination is that I wont be going to Minny even if things work out with my schedule that year. Just because of the seats.The more successful NHL outdoor events have been where they tucked the rink into one corner, which obviously favored fans on that corner and screws fans in opposite corner, but dropping the rink dead center doesn't work for pretty much everyone and I imagine this would be similarly bad. You can see here (not a photo, an artist's approximation) how they reconfigure for a baseball game, so there's definitely flexibility. But there are still going to be plenty of awful seats and the financial incentive to sell those awful seats will be great.
But, I hope the committee took that into consideration and made Minny show the configuration they will use, and it somehow was acceptable. And it isn't just a money grab.
Minneapolis has the feeling of trying to make an attendance splash or $$$$ for the NCAA. My thoughts is that Minny/NCAA/Coaches assoc better combine on their marketing efforts because I could see with the emergance of ESPN/ESPN3 that people stay home rather than take telescopes to the event. maybe it has a giant video board, but wrestling is about control and fans like to see the control before they yell twooooooooo....right? Hard to do that from the nosebleeds.
In my mind a swing and miss by not going somewhere warm. Wrestling for the wrestling fans but a family vacation for the ladies and kids that dont want to go to each session.
But getting Pittsburgh is a small coup for the good guys with the team they will see that year (only losing zain from the current squad)
Several references in this thread already about U.S. Bank Stadium. Trying to stay positive, keep coming back to trying to watch 8 mats from longer distances.
East coast fans should generally be delighted with this cycle. For example, those that live in State College area...150 miles to Pittsburgh, and 391 miles to Detroit, and that's after a date in Cleveland.
East coast fans should generally be delighted with this cycle. For example, those that live in State College area...150 miles to Pittsburgh, and 391 miles to Detroit, and that's after a date in Cleveland.
Great news for me in 2019, 10 minute drive! Will be going to Cleveland and Pittsburgh back-to-back.
Love the Pittsburgh pick; annoyed with 3 midwestern picks. The majority of Div I programs are not in the midwest yet they continue to show their inherent bias. I've always said, beware of the midwest industrial wrestling complex. Seriously, someone needs to show these people a map with pins in it for every program. For example, PA may have more then Mich, Minn and Missouri combined. Rant over!
The good news, I'll be at the next 2 championships!! Really wish they had New York, Philadelphia or another eastern seaboard city instead of Detroit. What in the world are they thinking with that pick.
The good news, I'll be at the next 2 championships!! Really wish they had New York, Philadelphia or another eastern seaboard city instead of Detroit. What in the world are they thinking with that pick.
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Detroit is opening up a state of the art new arena in a revitalized part of downtown with tons of restaraunts and casinos
Why not move Minny and Pittsburgh to Chicago and Baltimore, and hit for the gang cycle.
The Midwestern bias is really lame. There's absolutely no good reason why there isn't even one Eastern Seaboard city on the list. NYC, Philadelphia, Baltimore etc would have been great.
Are you serious man?ALL hotel rooms are sold out, within a 50 mile radius of Pittsburgh...... March 20 - 23, 2019
sarcasm....... I should have put a
I was this close to calling the Clarion hotels on I 80, thanks! Not kidding either.
Here's the Midwest Mafia mentality in a nutshell:
Excerpted from another board:
Totally fine with Pittsburgh, STL, and Mpls. Pittsburgh is a little far, but not going to complain about mostly midwestern sites.
Yup - let's grow wrestling!
Why was I thinking you lived near Pittsburgh? Anyway, this is great news. I have quite a few wrestling buddy's that live in the Burgh but if worst came to worst, I'd drive in from Jtown every day.
Bummed it will be at US Bank. Xcel Center across the river is a great venue. The good news is that we can tailgate at my house in St. Paul. You're all invited!
Pittsburgh is a great choice & will be fun, but make sure to have an Uber app on your phone.
In between sessions, there's is not going to be much to do immediately around the arena.
But a short walk to Market Square - or a short Uber trip to Penn Ave or around PNC Park will give MANY GREAT OPTIONS for food, drink, bar & grill, brewpubs and restaurants.
Also, the South Side / East Carson Street is a quick Uber from Consol Arena.
In between sessions, there's is not going to be much to do immediately around the arena.
But a short walk to Market Square - or a short Uber trip to Penn Ave or around PNC Park will give MANY GREAT OPTIONS for food, drink, bar & grill, brewpubs and restaurants.
Also, the South Side / East Carson Street is a quick Uber from Consol Arena.
St. Louis, New York City, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Detroit, 7-year run.
Maybe not far enough south for some, given the 3rd weekend of March is still winter, not sure there's much to complain about here from a distance standpoint.
Personally, I enjoy St. Louis, loved NYC, have close family in Pittsburgh (and really like the city), and believe Detroit will be a solid venue (lived outside the city a lifetime ago). That leaves Minneapolis as my least favorite destination (looks like a $$$'s decision).
If I have a regret, it's not for me, but my good friend G-BANGER...who was looking for a little warmth to go with some excellent wrestling.
Maybe not far enough south for some, given the 3rd weekend of March is still winter, not sure there's much to complain about here from a distance standpoint.
Personally, I enjoy St. Louis, loved NYC, have close family in Pittsburgh (and really like the city), and believe Detroit will be a solid venue (lived outside the city a lifetime ago). That leaves Minneapolis as my least favorite destination (looks like a $$$'s decision).
If I have a regret, it's not for me, but my good friend G-BANGER...who was looking for a little warmth to go with some excellent wrestling.
