The Gold Rush game appears to be our max capacity game each year. Whatever the max attendance from that one is, that should be the rough number of seats we have. As for concerts, add ZZTop, Eddie Murphy and Richard Marx from the late 80's. Nothing close to the earlier list, for sure.

Ellis Marsalis and Bruce Hornsby for me, not at the same time. Hornsby was for New Year's in 2000.

During my time was Stone Temple Pilots, Toad the Wet Sprocket (with Dave Matthews Band opening), Tribe Called Quest, Biz Markie, and Nirvana.

(12-19-2017 05:51 PM)TribeInTheBurg Wrote:  Ellis Marsalis and Bruce Hornsby for me, not at the same time. Hornsby was for New Year's in 2000.

Hrm... This would have been during my “Dean’s Vacation”... suppose that’s why I wasn’t aware of it .

Every time I go to TD Arena, I get a real bad case of “venue envy”. I don’t understand how it can be ranked 9th.

Best concert of my student days: Beach Boys.
Weirdest juxtaposition: Deadheads sleeping around campus for days vs. John Denver concertgoers wearing ties.

Yeah, just from personal observations, based only on how nice (or bad) the arena felt/looked/was to do a game, not how the crowd was, there is only ONE clear #10, that is the DAC, at Drexel. They have talked of a new arena for years, but there is no worse place for a game, in the CAA. The crowds can be supportive, but the venue is at the bottom of the list.

Charleston is the most underrated on this list. It should be higher. I can quibble about a couple other places (I never enjoyed going to Delaware - had no arena feel - just billowing curtains on the side to block off the volleyball and practice courts - and Hofstra - sorry Evan - feels like they could have designed it a little better and put the crowd closer), but I would be only nit-picking.

Towson is clearly the #1 arena in the CAA. They did a wonderful job on the design (I would trade it straight up, anyday). It has a great feel. The size is perfect for Mid-Majors, with a full ring around the court, with numerous concessions and luxury suites on both sides.
The new places planned, at JMU and Elon, also look like they will be great basketball facilities.

TD Arena has an odd layout, but I like it. I saw a college tournament there in November of 2009. I would like to see the Tribe play in the Charleston Classic one day.

For the Sunday morning game they had donuts and coffee at the concession stand.

(12-20-2017 09:13 AM)billymac Wrote:  Yeah, just from personal observations, based only on how nice (or bad) the arena felt/looked/was to do a game, not how the crowd was, there is only ONE clear #10, that is the DAC, at Drexel. They have talked of a new arena for years, but there is no worse place for a game, in the CAA. The crowds can be supportive, but the venue is at the bottom of the list.

Charleston is the most underrated on this list. It should be higher. I can quibble about a couple other places (I never enjoyed going to Delaware - had no arena feel - just billowing curtains on the side to block off the volleyball and practice courts - and Hofstra - sorry Evan - feels like they could have designed it a little better and put the crowd closer), but I would be only nit-picking.

Towson is clearly the #1 arena in the CAA. They did a wonderful job on the design (I would trade it straight up, anyday). It has a great feel. The size is perfect for Mid-Majors, with a full ring around the court, with numerous concessions and luxury suites on both sides.
The new places planned, at JMU and Elon, also look like they will be great basketball facilities.

How long has it been since you have been to the DAC? They have made great strides in the past few years to improve upon the dreadful facility. Most bleacher seating is now chair backs, the place is fully enclosed now versus the open gym it used to be. Put in actual concession stands as well as bathrooms that are on the top level, where previously you had to actual go downstairs to find a bathroom.

So yes it has come a long way the past few years but a ranking of 7-8 is still appropriate for the venue. I dont think it is currently the worst. 5 years ago it absolutely was. With good teams the DAC is still one of the toughest places to play. Unfortunately it has also been 5 years since there has been a competitive team

(12-20-2017 10:11 AM)dan10 Wrote:  How long has it been since you have been to the DAC? They have made great strides in the past few years to improve upon the dreadful facility. Most bleacher seating is now chair backs, the place is fully enclosed now versus the open gym it used to be. Put in actual concession stands as well as bathrooms that are on the top level, where previously you had to actual go downstairs to find a bathroom.

So yes it has come a long way the past few years but a ranking of 7-8 is still appropriate for the venue. I dont think it is currently the worst. 5 years ago it absolutely was. With good teams the DAC is still one of the toughest places to play. Unfortunately it has also been 5 years since there has been a competitive team

Hey Dan, very glad to hear about the improvements.
I retired from broadcasting 3 years ago, so any improvements since then would have been new to me.
The crowds were always into it, but, as you said, it was not a great venue just a few years ago. I hope you guys can come up with continued funding. Philly/Drexel is definitely an important market for us.

Are our players still ice skating around NU's gym?

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(12-20-2017 08:07 AM)tribeinexile Wrote:  Every time I go to TD Arena, I get a real bad case of “venue envy”. I don’t understand how it can be ranked 9th.

Honestly would much rather play the CAA tourney there than at the other arena as long as it's in Charleston. Don't care about home field for CofC, can't imagine it's that big a difference there versus one a few miles away.

Also always was in favor of just playing the tourney at the Siegel Center instead of the Richmond Coliseum. That is a top-five mid-major venue in the country.

Late to the discussion but I feel compelled to contribute. In no particular order, the acts that appeared at The Hall - that I can still remember - during my tenure (1980-84) plus a few extra years in the 'Burg as a townie (84-90): Chicago, The Police, Eddie Murphy, The Clash, The Stray Cats, The Bus Boys, Sting, Bruce Hornsby, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Cars, Nick Lowe...plus "local" acts such as Skip Castro and Robbin Thompson...and the all time greatest show ever at WM that wasn't at The Hall: Root Boy Slim and the Sex Change Band at the Hoi Polloi. Good times!