I will caveat that I’ve not gotten any official confirmation of this, but I was chatting with a well-connected friend today about how often he thinks he’ll be able to hook me up with tickets this season and we started talking about the new naming rights deal. Anyhow, he mentioned that it was a pretty big deal that would span across the RAC to the “new arena”. Obviously my ears stood up. I asked did he mean a refreshed RAC and he said no. He’s heard that there have been some conversations about potentially building a new structure directly in front of the RAC in that unused grass area. Now, my buddy is the farthest thing from a real Rutgers fan but is super well connected and I personally don’t know if I believe that we could fund building a new basketball arena, but I figured I’d pass this along for us to allow our minds to go wild.
Interesting rumor I heard today
- Thread starter ouchmyknee
- Start date
That new structure better be convertible for ice hockey.
was that chat at Jersey Mike's or Subway
They are the only official places to find rumors to post
note: Once the Jersey Mike's deal is official, only rumors heard at a Jersey Mike's will be accepted/
Subway will be out of the rumor loop
They are the only official places to find rumors to post
note: Once the Jersey Mike's deal is official, only rumors heard at a Jersey Mike's will be accepted/
Subway will be out of the rumor loop
Finally building the Death Star...
When Hobbs spoke on BTN on Saturday, I thought he indirectly made a comment about a new BB Facility. / Arena...I hope not for selfish purposes....
No no no ! Keep the rac and improve it . The thing is a weapon . We basically were going to make the 2020 ncaa tournament because of it.
That's cool. Tho was hoping you heard about some 5* guard, with NBA written all over him, was coming to Rutgers lol
I would keep the RAC so hope we don't build a new arena.
What is needed is a renovated RAC with a new entrance facade that would include additional rest rooms ,concession stands and a new ticket office.This could be accomplished by moving out the current entrance facade another 30-40 feet.Additional seating could also be installed where the handicap and vendors are located . A 10,000-12,000 RAC seating should easily be achieved at far less cost than building a new arena.Sometimes half a loaf is better than no bread at all especially with all the financial constraints the athletic department is facing.
I'm sure there are "plans" tucked away in some drawer somewhere. But the football practice facility will be the next thing to be built and that's probably 5 years away at a minimum from opening.
The current RAC isn’t going to bring in corporate clients with club seating. I don’t see how that can be done with a renovation of the current RAC.
1. I don’t know what type of demand there really could be for that type of customer
2. It would diminish our home court advantage.
1. I don’t know what type of demand there really could be for that type of customer
2. It would diminish our home court advantage.
The offices over the concession stands could have walls replaced by windows. The original drawings I saw
had a mainly glass facility in front of it with a large ticketing and lobby, improved food concession area , new lavatory facilities, and a merchandise area. I believe they are not planning a totally new facility but a major remodel. I’m not an architect but but there were ways to provide luxury suites in the old plan. They were part of the remodel. The advantage of the facility will hopefully be maintained. I saw the drawings but I really only remember bits and pieces.
had a mainly glass facility in front of it with a large ticketing and lobby, improved food concession area , new lavatory facilities, and a merchandise area. I believe they are not planning a totally new facility but a major remodel. I’m not an architect but but there were ways to provide luxury suites in the old plan. They were part of the remodel. The advantage of the facility will hopefully be maintained. I saw the drawings but I really only remember bits and pieces.
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Why would you ever leave the RAC? It's become a great hoops venue.
Fix it up like Cal, Northwestern, Cincy, etc. Never ever give up one of the great home field advantages in college sports. Shoot me if you build a Trenton Arena. Like the 118 debacle, RU tends to do wacky stuff.
Fix it up like Cal, Northwestern, Cincy, etc. Never ever give up one of the great home field advantages in college sports. Shoot me if you build a Trenton Arena. Like the 118 debacle, RU tends to do wacky stuff.
Agree. That’s what should have happened and might during a rehab project.
But it’s a “high roller” spot for now and looks it. And yes it should be louder there. Same with Sections 101-105.
That new structure better not be convertible for ice hockey.
Otherwise, welcome to the Bryce Jordan Center at Rutgers.
Everyone knows I’m the biggest hockey proponent in the thread and I agree 100% with@ColonelRutgers
I would want a RAC and a RIC. Not one in the same.
I’ve been to a basketball game in Trenton, the girls TOC game a few years ago, and it was awful.
Just as a reminder... the RAC will have these new seats this season. I'm not keen on them. I understand that they are a money-maker, but it'll make the lobby/ticket window area even more crammed than it is now.
https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/t...premium-seating-locations-for-2021-22.211807/
https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/t...premium-seating-locations-for-2021-22.211807/
I know we addressed this but I can’t remember the answer…are there less handicap seats now or were they moved?Just as a reminder... the RAC will have these new seats this season. I'm not keen on them. I understand that they are a money-maker, but it'll make the lobby/ticket window area even more crammed than it is now.
https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/t...premium-seating-locations-for-2021-22.211807/
I don't think an architect who is also an acoustics expert could design a new facility that would have the same effect. I think the RAC was pure serendipity. Don't screw with the acoustics! The building helps us win. We spend millions of dollars on coaches, practice facilities etc in order to get more wins. Put all the lipstick on it you want
I remember a rumor about 10-15 years ago, New Brunswick was supposed to build a new arena by the train station on the corner of Rt 18 and Rt 27 that was supposed to be the home of Rutgers basketball and minor league hockey that fell through because of RWJ and NB city council. Not sure how close it really got to happening.
I have never felt we need a new arena. I would like a bit of a renovation with the lobby becoming much larger and expanded forward plus maybe adding more seats above 118 and curving around to give us perhaps 10,000 to as many as 12,000 seating which might require adding seats in the corners of the opposite side as well. I doubt though if I will see this during my lifetime. Adding hockey which several guys have been pushing for years I think is ridiculous. We have to start reducing our debt right now. I know hockey would cost a small fortune and with 4 pro hockey teams near us i think it would be a huge mistake.
These plans are at least a few years old (Rutgers is listed on their client page from a cached version from 2019, can't check back further than that). I assume it's much older since it includes language about the practice facility. Perkins-Eastman wound up being the architect for the APC.
DESCRIPTION:
Lead Designer for the first phase of an $80M arena expansion that includes reconstructing the existing seating bowl and adding premium seating including 6 suites, clubs and loge boxes. Additionally, the project will provide new or renovated practice courts and gyms, locker rooms, strength and conditioning, training and rehabilitation, training table, coaches offices, media, equipment, lobby, and retail.KEY COMPONENTS:
- arena seating
- luxury suites
- club seating
- basketball practice facility
- team locker room
- strength and conditioning
- training and rehabilitation
- concessions
- retail
- toilets
With you on the first part but not the second.
In the B1G an on campus facility for hockey gets you a $1-2M a year stipend to help pay the bills. It’s also broadcast on multiple platforms (BTN, CBS SportsNetwork) and soon to be more (Peacock) as the content is wanted. We don’t need an MSG or Roc type building either. The “other” one Wisky uses would be more than enough for something here.
A downtown arena with a successful team like we have now would have been really great for RU, RU Basketball, downtown New Brunswick, and Rutgers and CBB fans. REALLY GREAT.
I always thought it wouldn’t happen because it is such a big project. And thought if the building didn’t have any “college charm” and was cookie cutter it would be a bit of a shame. But if the team was good consistently the benefits of having it downtown would be great and I would say do it.
If I could take the train minutes from the arena I would attend most games and I only attend a few a year as it stands based on other commitments. I would eat and drink in downtown NB all the time. I’m sure others would do the same, plus, the building of all the appemtnets of late and influx of working people in town doesn’t hurt.
I always thought it wouldn’t happen because it is such a big project. And thought if the building didn’t have any “college charm” and was cookie cutter it would be a bit of a shame. But if the team was good consistently the benefits of having it downtown would be great and I would say do it.
If I could take the train minutes from the arena I would attend most games and I only attend a few a year as it stands based on other commitments. I would eat and drink in downtown NB all the time. I’m sure others would do the same, plus, the building of all the appemtnets of late and influx of working people in town doesn’t hurt.
And for us spoiled suburbanites a downtown arena would suck.
Just like downtown shopping, dealing with increased density for parking, traffic,...etc... could turn off as many as it attracts
Take it for what it’s worth but someone in the Rutgers Foundation told me that in the Jersey Mike’s contract there is a clause stating improvements must be made to the RAC over time for the naming rights to continue. Don’t know what those improvements are but I took from that the RAC for hoops is not going anywhere
What is the status with fielding an Ice Hockey team for RU? Any serious discussion going on? I would definitely watch RU Ice Hockey.
Everyone knows I want a specific sport to be added to Athletics but do NOT want the RAC to go away because of it.
Although I do hope Jersey Mike’s does lean on Rutgers to do something but nothing too drastic.
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Although Bryce Jordan Center can accommodate hockey, Penn State has a separate facility for hockey: the Pegula Ice Arena.
its a nice thought but IMO the core of the fanbase is from the burbs not along train lines. It would be a negative for the hardcore fan having to deal with the hassles of parking and getting around New Brunswick. Can you imagine the traffic? Plus how deep in New Brunswick would the arena be, if its not very close to College Ave its not a good idea, there is still a disconnect between Rutgers and New Brunswick itself. If they were able to put right in the middle of College Ave/George St which of course is impossible, yeah it would be awesome but that aint happening