State Tournament

[dwcherb]

I just checked the VHSL website to see how the state tournament is formatted...they have moved the semi final games back to the Seigel Center which I think was a wise decsion(attendance was down last yr), however, they have added more sessions...there are now 10 sessions total which means you will have to purchase 10 different tickets to see each one.
When u factor in the the cost of tickets(assuming still $10) plus parking(last yr was $8 I believe) that's $160 for each person, and if you stay most of the time, you more then likely gonna use the concessions which we all know is priced way to high..very easy can spend $25 per day which could amount to $150..so, you could very easily spend over $300 per person...which is more then you could very well spend for your lodging..I have checked some hotel/motel rates...granted these aren't Hyatts or Sheratons but rates under $60 for a decent room...either the Seigel has increased the rental fee or VHSL is just getting more and more greedy...they may very well be pricing themselves out of a decent attendance again this yr...if someone has some info for the reason of the increase in the number of sessions..please make a post....$10 isn't bad price to see four good teams go at it...it's the # of sessions that is my concern

 

[NNDman]

I'm pretty certain..............

It's because there are now 12 state championships (6 boys and 6 girls) versus 10 the last time the Siegel Center hosted semifinals and finals. That means there are six more games to be played: 2 semis for boys and girls and 2 title games.

 

[dwcherb]

Re: I'm pretty certain..............

I don't think that's the real reason(may be what VHSL is saying)for the simple fact that there have been 6 divisions in both boys and girls now for at least two if not three yrs...this yr, the second session starts on Wednesday with 3A playing and rest of week has two sessions...previously(two yrs ago last time semi/finals at Seigel)they had two sessions on thursday and Friday to have the 5/6A teams play and on Saturdays I believe 3/4A played finals, but only one session...some may ask what's the big deal? like I said perviously, two sessions per day means two tickets which means instead of paying $10 you pay $20..now perhaps this is VCU's doings...I know last yr. I noticed things that indicated management wasn't to keen on having VHSL there any longer ..ie-increase in parking fee, ushers being not as friendly. etc...I have attended state tournament every yr for 29 yrs except for three of em and this yr I probably won't be able to make it
I have noticed when the venue wasn't gonna be hosting the tournament again, those sorta things happened, except for UHall..but that was way back in late 80's...Unlike some posters on here, I have no real problem with the Seigel Center..it's a nice venue, ample parking, easy access, and if you're willing to walk a little, plenty of places to eat..granted no fast food joints, but, several others...Seigel is a little to small for the 6A schools, especially if the schools are from the Richmond/Tidewater area..that's my only real fault I find with it..granted, no matter where the tournament be held, someone isn't gonna be happy...I just pray to God they never go back to Norfolk and play in what used to be called The Scope
This post was edited on 2/1 2:51 PM by dwcherb

 

[OnceAKnight]

........it's all about the money!

Why else would they charge $20 to see a state swimming event. Yes u heard correctly. Went to watch the 2a state swim competition last year at the Christians bug aquatic center. Was charged $10 to watch preliminary/qualifying round then they cleared the building for lunch and charged u another $10 to come back to c ur kid swim again, VHSL are a bunch of Greedy a$&@#7's.

 

[NNDman]

Response.....

the 6 championships in each gender just started last year. There were 10 immediately prior to that as AAA did not have divisional play. Last year only finals were played at the Siegel Center. While I supported the super sites for semifinals, I don't think anyone realized how much travel there would be for some visiting teams like Colonial Beach having to travel to Wise County for a girls semifinal. I bet attendance at UVA-Wise was sparse.
I also like the Siegel Center. and yes the Scope was a terrible venue and I don't see that happending again although I think the old Eastern Region still utilizes it for regonal tournament play.

 

[dwcherb]

Re: Response.....

You're right on AAA, so I stand corrected, however they are gonna have two sessions starting Wednesday with D3 teams....just doesn't make sense except to generate more $$$, however, as I said in my first post, VHSL may very well be pricing themselves out of a good attendance, but, then again, it could be VCU behind it

 

[HokieTDTech]

Re: Response.....


I don't like the start times for 1A 10 am on a monday that's crazy . Then the state game is 10 am on thursday . You are forcing schools to close down for two days during the week and making people and kids tavel early in the mourning . I hate it.
This post was edited on 2/3 1:17 AM by HokieTDTech

 

[pawfan]

The Scope....

LOL!!!!! Terrible doesn't begin to describe the Norfolk Scope. Someone once told me that they had gone to the Thursday session and left a bowl of unfinished nachos under a seat..They said they later went back for the Saturday session and the same nachos were still there. Let's also not forget the floor that was imported in one of the years the tourney was played there from the Hampton Coliseum b/c of water damage to the Scope floor...You may remember...The one with the TAPED on three-point line!

Oh, I guess it had it's advantages...there was a McDonald's within spitting distance...

Did see the Pic and Vic Connection defend the world tag team titles there once when I was a kid in the old Mid-Atlantic days in a cage against the Anderson Brothers...what a night that was!

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Seigel Center Sucks


As I have posted every year since they moved the tournament to Richmond. Siegel Center is the worst venue in the state, other than Scope in Norfolk or George Mason in Fairfax.
Tournament should be in Lynchburg or Charlottesville, no questions asked. Also VHSL should not cram all the games into one week. Playing state championship games on a week day in daytime is stupid.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Re: The Scope....


The ONLY positive thing about the Scope was the McDonalds near-by. But heck the Seigel Center doesn't even have a McDonalds. I believe there's a Subway and a ABC store there.

 

[dwcherb]

Re: Seigel Center Sucks

HR6, how else can you play 12 championship games if you don't play some during the day? And what advantage does Vines Center have over the Seigel? they both hold about the same for basketball....also, if you play all night games, wouldn't that make it hard on some teams to travel back at night for class next day? We all would love to see it played at JPJ, but, like I have said yr after yr and others have said it also...you cannot force someone to rent their facilities if they're not inclined to do so

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Re: Seigel Center Sucks


The Vines Center is easier to reach from most parts of the state. There is ample lodging and eating places within walking distance of Vines Center. There is less chance of getting robbed in Lynchburg than Richmond. (streets are safer).
There is no reason to play all 12 games in one week. Spread them out.

 

[dwcherb]

Re: Seigel Center Sucks

Granted, it's been a few yrs. since I've been to the Vines...however, my best memory there was a restaurant beside the Super 8 and yes, there is perhaps more economical lodging closer to the Vines,,but as for being easier to reach?..I have to disagree on that 100%....Seigel Center is right on Broad St. which is easily access from either I-64 or 95...unless they have drastically changed the access road going into the Vines, it was harder to get off the Seigel and if you park at the parking decks, there is very little chance of being robbed, unless you wait over an hour to go to ur car..large crowds sorta discourage muggars...but we all have our preferences..for me, it's about the same distance..116 miles to Lynchburg and about 115 to hotel I usually stay at in Richmond..granted both are somewhat center of the state..also, unless they have improved the concessions at the Vines, the Seigel has much better concessions...as for walking to either one...that may not be a good idea...for one, it could be very nice weather when u go, but could be another story when you leave...March weather is very changeable

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Re: Seigel Center Sucks


I was in Richmond last week for a meeting "on Broad Street". Once I exited off "Toll Road", it took almost as long to reach Broad Street as it did to get from Lynchburg to Richmond. Traffic was a _______________. Not to mention red lights.

 

[white&blue]

Re: The Scope....


Pawfan...I think Thunderbolt Patterson v. Baron Von Rascke was on the card that night!

 

[HokieTDTech]

Re: The Scope....

Vine Center is way better place then VCU anyday. Why cant they do it like football ? Have all your single A DIV 1&2 in Lynchburg or Salem. Have all your DIV 3&4 AA in Lynchburg And have all your 5&6 AAA in Richmond would that make to much since? Your still getting your money either way All your AAA teams are from the area anyways. All your days AA are from the roanoke Harrisburg area and all your single A is out west or far east. Its nothing good about having it at VCU. Parking doe's suck up there too.The Vine center is one of the nicest Vunue around .Its a shame VHSL can't get there crap togehter and stop putting people and kids in bad situations.What's the thrill playing a game at 10 am on a monday? You doing the fans and parents wrong most people have to work and might not be able to get off of work .Wake up VHSL and stop looking out for your own self and start putting people and kids frist.
This post was edited on 2/3 3:40 AM by HokieTDTech

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Good Post


Good post HokieTDTech. The VHSL has zero common sense when it comes to VHSL tournament. I still recall the first time I went to Seigel Center in 2004. I was shocked as to how bad a venue it was then (and still is).
Parking sucks, food places suck, lodging sucks, traffic getting there sucks. I am still amazed at the number of Policemen they had guarding the VHSL Staff parking lot.
If I had to assist in picking a site for VHSL tournament, I'd put Seigel Center in same category as Pittsylvania County High School gyms. and we all know they're bad.

 

[monarch82]

Re: Seigel Center Sucks

The reason they hold all of the games in Richmond is that is the time they hold VHSL Principal and AD meetings, all during that week. They could move meetings to another city, but that is why they do not spread the games out like football.

Now as far as the Richmond goes, it is a city not a small town so yes you are going to have traffic and red lights and one way streets, that usually go in the one direction I do not need to go. The Vines Center is nice, but not that easy to get in and out of since you have to drive through campus, and parking is a pain most everywhere at Liberty. I went to the all star games last year and had trouble parking cannot imagine what it would be like for state basketball, you walk a god distance for the state football games at Liberty, at least I had to the 2X I went. The Robins Center is a nice place and for those of you scared of Broad Street, much safer neighborhood, but like Vines Center you will have to drive through campus, more parking than Liberty but not a lot more.

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Re: Seigel Center Sucks


The key to parking at LU is know where parking lots are located. Granted most require a little walking, but I rather walk on LU campus, than walk Broad Street in Richmond.
I attend numerous events at LU and never have trouble parking.

 

[dwcherb]

Re: The Scope....

Hokie..I'm gonna give u a few examples of what is wrong with your scenerio..say a Nandua(eastern shore) is in state tournament, they are either 1 or 2A..ok say my school-Page Co. is also in tournament and those teams play each other..where would u want the tournament held-Tidwater area or Harrisonburg area? either location and one team is gonna have to travel long ways...I'll even say if a team from Southwest Va. is in it with Nandua, then with your suggestion both teams are gonna have long ways to travel...for anyone to say with a straight face that Vines is much better then Seigel completly puzzles me...parking at Seigel is ample with one large deck across the street and another one behind it, beside Kroger's...HR6, you even said yourself that parking at Vines requires some walking and also you have may to wonder around...it's no fun walking to ur car in pouring rain and unless the concessions at Vines has vastly improved, Seigel has it beat there also...one of the things I enoy about going to the state tournament is seeing teams from other classifications play...Hokie, with your plan, that wouldn't happen..let's face it, there is no perfect location or solution...and to compare a arena of a college D-1 school to a high school gym is befuddling...but we have this same discussion yr after yr...lol...more things change, more they stay the same
Not all AAA teams are from Richmond...far from it...u have NOVA and Roanoke area...also, you have 1, 2, and 3A scattered now all over the state with the two division format...it's over 500 miles from the Eastern Shore to extreme Southwest Va.
Bristol area has some 3A schools...however, no matter where the tournament is held, those schools that make it that far are just glad to be there..and it makes perfect sense to try and keep it as near the center of the state as possible

This post was edited on 2/3 5:07 PM by dwcherb

 

[Hampton Roads 6]

Center of State


Lynchburg or Charlottesville. No other venue comes close.

 

[white&blue]

Re: The Scope....


Other than Abingdon, what other 3A school is near Bristol? I can't think of any.