Would You Call The RAC "Historic"?

higgins3

All-Conference
Dec 15, 2012
7,319
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Whatever positive press the RAC gets, I'll take it!

Aboard the spaceship.
 

SJScarlet

All-Conference
Jan 30, 2006
1,994
2,405
83
I don't know that I'd go that far in terms of significance, but some of the greatest players ever both college and pro have played there, and it is decades old at this point. Since we are now committed to keeping and renovating it, if the men's team can start to succeed at a high level, it will begin to have more of a reverential feel to it.
 
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BoroKnight

All-Conference
Mar 13, 2010
11,091
2,093
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Of course not. Dozens of arenas have similar claims to fame and with far more home-team success. But it's had a wonderful run with more to come. Isn't that enough?
 

mrslate

All-Conference
Mar 12, 2006
1,377
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Nothing of consequence has ever happened there, unless you count some of my pickup games from the 80s.
 

ecojew

All-Conference
Feb 1, 2006
9,767
2,271
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To me, historic connotes a much longer past. The RAC is just 40 years old (this year). In the annals of NCAA bball history, it's still pretty young.

Down the road in Philadelphia, the Palestra has a much longer history than the RAC. It was once the home to the entire Big 5 competition and has hosted many NCAA games.

Out on the Plains in Lawrence, KU has a grand old arena that looks like the Palestra on steroids. And KU's gloried bball program has ensured that the fieldhouse has been home to much more history than the RAC. IIRC, it is named after the founder of basketball or, at least, he coached there.

I love the RAC and was there for the RU-SHU doubleheader (women and men) that opened the building. But historic? Not quite yet.
 
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DHajekRC84

Heisman
Aug 9, 2001
30,708
19,816
0
Nothing of consequence has ever happened there, unless you count some of my pickup games from the 80s.

you missed the UMAss halftime sit in game that had to be finished later. we were beating #4 UMASS by 2 at half in front of a sold out RAC. Game was finished some time later in front of 450 people at the Palestra and we lost. Our best shooter (Charles Jones) ..yeah the guy who transferred to LIU and led the country in scoring was suspended from team prior to the finish.
http://umasshoops.com/games/1994-95/02071995.htm
(only at Rutgers lol)

but no, I would not call it such at this time. more accomplishments/time are needed..
 
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RutgersRaRa

Heisman
Mar 21, 2011
19,088
31,443
113
My buddy dubbed it the Gulag a few years ago, and the name stuck. So yeah, it's historic. As for Julianne...

 

wcicci

Sophomore
Jan 25, 2012
384
149
0
To me, historic connotes a much longer past. The RAC is just 40 years old (this year). In the annals of NCAA bball history, it's still pretty young.

Down the road in Philadelphia, the Palestra has a much longer history than the RAC. It was once the home to the entire Big 5 competition and has hosted many NCAA games.

Out on the Plains in Lawrence, KU has a grand old arena that looks like the Palestra on steroids. And KU's gloried bball program has ensured that the fieldhouse has been home to much more history than the RAC. IIRC, it is named after the founder of basketball or, at least, he coached there.

I love the RAC and was there for the RU-SHU doubleheader (women and men) that opened the building. But historic? Not quite yet.
Nothing says historic like 4 NCAA tournaments in 40 plus years.
 

mrslate

All-Conference
Mar 12, 2006
1,377
1,136
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you missed the UMAss halftime sit in game that had to be finished later. we were beating #4 UMASS by 2 at half in front of a sold out RAC. Game was finished some time later in front of 450 people at the Palestra and we lost. Our best shooter (Charles Jones) ..yeah the guy who transferred to LIU and led the country in scoring was suspended from team prior to the finish.
http://umasshoops.com/games/1994-95/02071995.htm
(only at Rutgers lol)

but no, I would not call it such at this time. more accomplishments/time are needed..
I was at that game, my friend.
 

JasonO

Freshman
Dec 21, 2001
1,516
51
48
The RAC isn't "historic". Rutgers has never reached its basketball potential in that building. I seriously hope Rutgers has long term plans for a new arena. The RAC is small and has no fan amenities. It has limited earning potential as a basketball venue. A school the size of Rutgers, located in such a talent rich area for basketball talent should not be playing in a 8,000 seat gym.

On the other hand, it has the potential to be an incredible venue for the wrestling team. It should eventually be turned in to the full time home for wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball.
 

hinson32

All-American
Jul 29, 2005
7,969
6,284
57
The RAC isn't "historic". Rutgers has never reached its basketball potential in that building. I seriously hope Rutgers has long term plans for a new arena. The RAC is small and has no fan amenities. It has limited earning potential as a basketball venue. A school the size of Rutgers, located in such a talent rich area for basketball talent should not be playing in a 8,000 seat gym.

On the other hand, it has the potential to be an incredible venue for the wrestling team. It should eventually be turned in to the full time home for wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball.
You will be disappointed. No plans for a new RAC.
 

Antnee79

Senior
Nov 7, 2017
318
584
0
The RAC isn't "historic". Rutgers has never reached its basketball potential in that building. I seriously hope Rutgers has long term plans for a new arena. The RAC is small and has no fan amenities. It has limited earning potential as a basketball venue. A school the size of Rutgers, located in such a talent rich area for basketball talent should not be playing in a 8,000 seat gym.

On the other hand, it has the potential to be an incredible venue for the wrestling team. It should eventually be turned in to the full time home for wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball.
One of the most successful and storied CBB programs over the last 30 years, Duke, plays in an arena that seats 9,300. We first need to fill the RAC and then it can be a tremendously intimidating place to play for visitors and give us a true home court advantage. Regular sellouts and a loud building; now THAT will impress recruits.
 
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AreYouNUTS

Heisman
Aug 1, 2001
125,783
60,622
113
The RAC isn't "historic". Rutgers has never reached its basketball potential in that building. I seriously hope Rutgers has long term plans for a new arena. The RAC is small and has no fan amenities. It has limited earning potential as a basketball venue. A school the size of Rutgers, located in such a talent rich area for basketball talent should not be playing in a 8,000 seat gym.

On the other hand, it has the potential to be an incredible venue for the wrestling team. It should eventually be turned in to the full time home for wrestling, gymnastics and volleyball.

Since when does size, amenities, and "earning potential" have ANYTHING whatsoever to do with something being "historic" LOL! WTF??
 

playorbplayd

Freshman
Mar 28, 2016
133
97
0
Wouldn't call it historic, not enough positive things have happened in the building for it to be considered such. I'd call it a top 5 home court for big games though.
 

JasonO

Freshman
Dec 21, 2001
1,516
51
48
Since when does size, amenities, and "earning potential" have ANYTHING whatsoever to do with something being "historic" LOL! WTF??

Those attributes have nothing to do with being historic.

No, the RAC isn't "historic". That is my answer to the OP's question.

I think that the venue has a lot to do with how successful a college program can be. I personally don't think the RAC does much to help RU become successful in basketball.

My apologies for being unclear. Hopefully, things turn around for RU men's hoops.
 

Rutgers25

All-American
Jul 29, 2001
7,912
6,518
83
One of the most successful and storied CBB programs over the last 30 years, Duke, plays in an arena that seats 9,300. We first need to fill the RAC and then it can be a tremendously intimidating place to play for visitors and give us a true home court advantage. Regular sellouts and a loud building; now THAT will impress recruits.

The problem with the RAC is that for an arena with only 8,000 seats, there a lot of bad seats. The 300s are terrible. They made a huge mistake not having a section like the student section where 118 is now.
 

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
115,460
55,359
102
The problem with the RAC is that for an arena with only 8,000 seats, there a lot of bad seats. The 300s are terrible. They made a huge mistake not having a section like the student section where 118 is now.
That could be done easily. Would help a little with the acoustics too.

Not sure what else could be done other than putting real seats in the 300s.
 

RUPete

Heisman
Feb 5, 2003
26,841
16,113
0
Sure I would. We beat Cuse in a year when the won the NCAAs there.
Many other big Rutgers wins.

It was the home of the NBA's New Jersey Nets from their second year in the NBA, 1977, when the team moved from The Nassau Coliseum, until 1981,

The Grateful Dead played there May 15, 1981.
Styx brought their Grand Illusion October 24, 1979.

I am all for it !
And that was a great Dead show too! Have the tapes to prove it. It's an odd building and many great players have come through there. It's unique in that it's fairly small so you could be up close to great players like Larry Bird, Carmelo, Ray Allen, etc.
 

Rutgers25

All-American
Jul 29, 2001
7,912
6,518
83
That could be done easily. Would help a little with the acoustics too.

Not sure what else could be done other than putting real seats in the 300s.

Easily? Pretty sure it requires expanding the front of the building. It would be a major project
 

e5fdny

Heisman
Nov 11, 2002
115,460
55,359
102
Easily? Pretty sure it requires expanding the front of the building. It would be a major project
If there are any changes to the RAC that’s where they’ll be.

And I was just thinking of a retractable bleacher thing anyway. Sometimes we wouldn’t even need them.
 

Underdogs88

Senior
Sep 14, 2010
648
520
0
When packed it’s one of the loudest arenas in the country. I think some people forgot or just don’t know how loud it can get.
 
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