gotta admit. I think that's a pretty nice looking facility. do you know what it holds? (sorrry, I know I could google).Although Bryce Jordan Center can accommodate hockey, Penn State has a separate facility for hockey: the Pegula Ice Arena.
Interesting rumor I heard today
- Thread starter ouchmyknee
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I'd love going back to downtown for the games but you make good points. Rutgers has simply got to develop some food and beverage watering holes in and around the RAC. They could also serve as pre-game spots for those taking the bus from there for football.
Difficulty proposition without outside of campus population foot traffic. Livingston and Busch would both benefit from that kind of development just don’t know if it’s feasible.
Could be some seasonal venue(s) operated by Rutgers like the Rutgers Club which is hidden over in the middle of Livingston Campus.
agree....it really sucks that Rutgers just has failed to develop a true college feel...the demo probably has something to do with it and that fact that alot go home. It would be nice if there was an establishment that sold alcohol outside the rac, could be used during football and hoops season but how about just in use for those living on livingston or busch to head down to....i mean even an applebees type place would work
I wish that those of you hoping for a hockey arena would realize how much of a debt we have. I don't see that happening during my lifetime. We must be realistic, hockey would be a major financial investment and there are 4 pro hockey teams in Philly, NJ and two in New York. I just don't see how we would draw thousands and thousands of fans.
Starting a 1A hockey program would be one of the worst things Rutgers Athletics could do. A financial horror show. We would be so far behind our Big Ten brethren we would never catch up.
Keep in mind the PSU story - before Pegula was built they were a club level program who did not play on campus at the BJS but played at a rink off campus. Pegula (owner of the Buffalo Sabers and Bills) donated in excess of $100 million to build the arena and fund the step up in competition. PSU sells out every game (at least pre COVID) but keep in mind they have a large population locally who have nothing to do in the winter except attend PSU sports. I just doubt we could come up with money and support like that so the last thing we need is a negative cash draw on our limited athletic department funds.
Everytime this conversation comes up, i internally debate myself.
New arena or refurbish the RAC ?
Keep on Livingston or downtown?
Bells & whistles or the old school feel ?
Multi-use facility or specific for bball and entertainment?
All really though questions because there's legitimate valuable trade-offs on both sides.
The conclusion though is the same. Something has to be done .. very soon .. to improve the basketball game day facilities. The existing RAC is just outdated in far too many ways and missing basic utilities. Fan experience and revenue are suffering because of the lack of decision here.
To me .. I think the Pernetti plans for the RAC were great.
- Create the expansive, impressive looking grand lobby. Improves the curb appeal of the place tremendously.
- If its possible to find a way to get some more general seating, thats great.
- Need high end accomodations inside the RAC. Box suites + a high end bar/food/entertainment lounge.
- Expand and massively improve the corridors on the wings. With new and improved food and beverage stands which look and function more professionally. More restrooms. More athletic apparel options.
New arena or refurbish the RAC ?
Keep on Livingston or downtown?
Bells & whistles or the old school feel ?
Multi-use facility or specific for bball and entertainment?
All really though questions because there's legitimate valuable trade-offs on both sides.
The conclusion though is the same. Something has to be done .. very soon .. to improve the basketball game day facilities. The existing RAC is just outdated in far too many ways and missing basic utilities. Fan experience and revenue are suffering because of the lack of decision here.
To me .. I think the Pernetti plans for the RAC were great.
- Create the expansive, impressive looking grand lobby. Improves the curb appeal of the place tremendously.
- If its possible to find a way to get some more general seating, thats great.
- Need high end accomodations inside the RAC. Box suites + a high end bar/food/entertainment lounge.
- Expand and massively improve the corridors on the wings. With new and improved food and beverage stands which look and function more professionally. More restrooms. More athletic apparel options.
Disagree.. hockey makes money on Big Ten campuses and would at Rutgers as well.. hell, we probably have enough hockey-fans alums of other Big Ten schools in the area who could help it turn a profit. And positive revenue from Basketball, Hockey and Wrestling could really help the overall budget and the cost of such a facility could be used for many sports.
Of course, civilization is ending so your mileage may vary.
I don't know... but I think you need to show your work on that one before we start building anything.
What the heck... let's go for it
I've been to BJA not the Pergula.Although Bryce Jordan Center can accommodate hockey, Penn State has a separate facility for hockey: the Pegula Ice Arena.
I think the point remains BJA is the sort of multi-purpose arena that in not very good at anything, but can do anything. Monster Truck shows, Country Music concerts, Professional Wrestling, Farm Equipment trade shows, whatever.
But it is entirely underwhelming as a college hoops venue.
While the Pegula is purpose built for hockey I believe? Looks good to my not very hockey attuned gaze.
Look at the Trenton Cure Arena. A real dud even before all the pro-tenants pulled out. A generic hall like so many others. If there had been a downtown NB arena it almost certainly would have been pretty much the same. We dodged that bullet.
So does Volleyball…but look at us. And I’m a Volleyball fan. The biggest sport in the B1G outside of Football, M Basketball, and Wrestling is Volleyball and we are struggling badly. They should’ve been added to the APC too, but I guess Gymnastics has deeper pockets.
What other sports would be able to use a hockey facility? Do we have a Curling team?
yes we do
c'mon.. is that a real question from someone who lives so close to so many multi-use arenas for professional teams?
5 of the 7 Big Ten hockey teams play in hockey only facilities. If your suggesting that Rutgers build a multi sport facility to replace the RAC you just killed one of the best home court advantages in NCAA basketball.
The facility next to the Kohl Center at Wisky is all we would need.
An on campus hockey building gets you a 7 figure stipend from the B1G. Also, the NHL wants more college hockey not less…they are behind the scenes of the push for Illinois to revive their program.
Someone mentioned WVolleyball, Iowa has a new facility that can do both sports. Right now they don’t have varsity hockey (it will be the home for a ECHL team-two levels below the NHL) but now there is a building…we’ll see.
An on campus hockey building gets you a 7 figure stipend from the B1G. Also, the NHL wants more college hockey not less…they are behind the scenes of the push for Illinois to revive their program.
Someone mentioned WVolleyball, Iowa has a new facility that can do both sports. Right now they don’t have varsity hockey (it will be the home for a ECHL team-two levels below the NHL) but now there is a building…we’ll see.
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Labahn Arena is where the woman's team plays. The men's team has its locker room there and maybe practices. The men's games are played at the Kohl Center.
By the way, the Wisconsin woman's coach is Mark Johnson from the 1980 Olympic Team.
I know. All of it.
The Minny Women's rink isn't too shabby either (for us)...
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