Once again... the state of our arena

[goldenshower]

The topic of our arena has been brought up many times on this discussion board and having a short break until the next game, I feel it is time to bring it up once again.

The US Cellular Arena, once known as the MECCA and home to the Milwaukee Bucks, has had a vibrant history since it opened in 1950. In 1998, the UWM men’s basketball team called the US Cell home and championship basketball returned to the arena. Its location in the entertainment district, parking availability compared to that of the East side, and great seating and sight lines make it a great home to the UWM men’s basketball team.

However, the time has come for some major renovations. If a team like the Milwaukee Bucks, who already have a great arena, but continues to lose money for their owner, has been seriously discussing rebuilding, it is about time we discuss renovating the Cell. The Cell is also home to the Wave, the new Milwaukee Bonecrushers, and other venues, and they would all benefit from renovations.

The problem is it is difficult to bring a fellow professional or friend, who has never been to a game, to see the dilapidated facilities and be impressed and truly want to return. This is a form of entertainment and extra comforts will help improve that and possibly increase attendance.

The following is a short list of things I would like to see (I understand that UWM does not have ownership of the building and changes are not up to them):

1. Design a new floor. This has been talked about several times. A floor, similar to the one in Klotsche, would make the Cell feel more at home and be the easiest way to add some flash to the building.

2. Add box seating. The building rarely fills to capacity, losing a few seats would not hurt. In fact, if just one side of the 400 level section was transformed into box seating people will be forced to move to different parts of the arena, and it would appear to be more full. This would also add a huge amount of class and attract higher end fan base.

3. Renovate the concessions/walkway area. I am disappointed when I order a hot dog and look to find my choices for condiments are ketchup packets and mustard packets. While they may fulfill the bare requirements for toppings they represent what we have to choose from: a low standard quality. Extensive renovations would be needed here.

4. Good halftime/break entertainment. Again, the entertainment issue. Not saying that our cheerleaders and dancers don’t cut it, but I think there is room for improvement. This is also something that was apparent after attending the Marquette game. I enjoyed mascot night during the Cleveland St game and I love the band. However, at the same time I do not want a college game to turn into a NBA game – Basketball itself is what is most important.

[thepantherfan]

Extensive renovations are needed to upgrade the hot dog condiments? What do you normally put on your hot dog, tenderloin and caviar?

I agree the cell could use some renovation, and you've got some pretty good ideas. But i dont think we'll see anything happen anytime soon. We need to find a way to consistantly put butts in the seats before renovation gets any consideration. IMO

[Kroener3535]

Concourses were widened 10 years ago...new seats were put in 10 years ago....realistically I think the only thing that could be improved is the new floor possibly, and your condiment bar....I guess I would like to see male cheerleaders and rifle some chicks 25 feet in the air...that would add to things

[writehooks]

hell yes kroener. guy cheerleaders would be great and add something to the arena that every other team in the league has. also i like the floor down at the cell a lot better the the one the girls play on. the blue in the lane.....i dont think blue is our color.

[jeff2bag]

The halftimes must be adjusted. There are too many games i have gone to this year and there is like 10 mins of absolutley nothing. The students all sit down the whole arena is quiet. I think what would be cool is to maybe reach out to old alum baskeball players and give fans an idea of the players that once suited up or have important athletes from the school, such as horizon league players of the week etc. and honor them during halftime. I wonder if we could do some sort of horizon league trivia on the TV screens that were just put up. Maybe some kind of quess the attendance or guess a famous panthers player. Give clues have like 3 to choose from. Kinda like they do at the Brewers.

[panthersteve]

I have to put in a positive vote for the U S Cellular Arena. I think it is an intimate, historic venue. The scoreboard and sound systems are quite good. The concession stands are fine. If the ketchup and mustard packets are the worst thing, so be it. . I think they did a very good job with the renovations. I have taken several people to games and they have remarked that they like the feel more than the big sterile building next door. When we get more people in there it is loud. We really need to get the students on board. I am continually dissapointed with the attendance. Should have been more there for Cleveland State. I have given up trying to understand where in a city of $1 mil plus, a huge alumni base, a great ticket price and product we continually to get a lot less bodies in the seats than what is announced in the paper. Do not see why we can not average $4,000 to $5,000 actual fannies in the seats and more for the marquis games. . I guess Rome was not built in a day. . .

Lastly, there are two things that really do need improvement at the Cell to make us look a bit more classy if not avoid actual embarassment:

<Understand we do not want to compete with the bookstore. But the few t shirts and sweatshirts are God awful. . Can't we get a few decent t shirts, one gold and one black, same for sweatshirts with the actual up to date Panther logo. It is horrible looking and an embarassment when you walk by and the the wrinkled out of date clearance sale crap hanging there. . no excuse.

<The arena floor is really cheesy. Not even asking for a Panther logo in the small center circle but that would be nice. If U S Cellular wants to be featured fine. I don't care if that is what stands out huge and we only have the Milwaukee's at the ends and the small cheesy conference and team logos. But for the love of God could the U S Cellular folks buy some bigger decals or one big decal and stick it at center court even if it just says U S Cellular. What we have now is really poor.

[nighthawk]

The floor was improved recently. The color scheme was redone to UWM colors, away from a red white a blue motif.

However, the remainder of the Cell needs a bit of attention. After 10 years, some new investment may be in order.

While I would love to see the addition of a club level in the 400 level on one side, unfortunately I can't see the Wisconsin Center District putting that type of money into the building.

I would hope they would be willing to at least recover the seats in a black and gold scheme, adding a touch more of the black and gold to the arena itself.

also, a larger logo on the floor is realistic and achievable, and should be aggressively pursued by the AD and the Administration of UWM. as a chief marketing vehicle, logo placement should be a high priority. If you care to notice, the TV spot the AD is running is actually filmed on the Klotsche floor, not in the Cell.

There could also be work done in the student section to more identify it as such. Things such as colored risers, signage, or the like would be a nice addition.

As for the concessions, I do not think enough attention is being paid by the contracted provider. for a month of games this season, they did not have Diet Dr. Pepper working in any of the stands. One night I can understand, but a month is unacceptable. The regular stand I use began comping me because they were so embarrassed.

I also think more effort could be put into the amenities for season ticket holders and donors in the Panther Pit. The move to the new location was a good idea, allowing for a more permanent presence. It would be nice if there were at least color appropriate dividers with a higher class appearance. Something rigid (while still temporary) would be a nice improvement. More luxurious amenities (seating etc.) would also be a nice improvement. I would also like to see a concession stand within it's confines, with some exclusive offerings not available in the rest of the Cell.

They could also look into adding a student lounge for a pregame/postgame gathering spot, rather than having the students show up and leave immediately before and after the games. It would also provide a convenient place for coaches and other AD reps to engage the students.

In both locations (or in a place connecting both), a merchandise stand should also be made available, targeting those most likely to purchase swag.

That entire side of the lower level should be used to host the Panther faithful.

Finally, I will not even discuss the farce that is the merchandise stand. That horse is dead. No sense beating it more.

[milwsport]

If you think the Cell is outdated try going to Butler's Hinkle fieldhouse sometime. We are light years ahead. But no one is calling for major renovations at Hinkle and rightfully so. There's something about an old basketball venue that many find attractive.

Putting in boxes at the Cell would cost millions. It's not like an outdoor stadium where just add on another tier (as they did at Camp Randall).

The bottom line is that we can all look at the negative or at the positive. The Cell has great sightlines from just about every seat. It's located right off the freeway. There are a number of nice restaurants and bars in the area for pre-and post- game get togethers.

The seats are comfortable, there are plenty of entrances and exits and the acoustics allow a smaller crowd to sound like a packed house. Plus it has a comfortable feel to it that newer facilities just don't generate.

Sure there could be some improvements, more ATM's, a better floor and concession stands that don't run out of stuff, but all in all it's a great place to attend a game.

[uwmfan04]

nighthawk said:

I would hope they would be willing to at least recover the seats in a black and gold scheme, adding a touch more of the black and gold to the arena itself.

There is NO way that they would change the seats to black and gold. If you do not already know, we are NOT the primary tenant at the Cell. The Milwaukee Wave (soccer) and Milwaukee Bonecrushers (football) also play at the Cell. The Wave are considered the primary tenant.

[bball30]

So this is a good start to the thread here, but one thing that should be kept in mind is the cost of all of this. Like Milwsport touched on, some of the above mentioned changes would cost Millions of dollars, which the program/University simply do not have. What ideas are out there which are financially and physically acheivable by next season?

Hawk's idea of a place downstairs for the students would be very nice, as you can't exactly control when the busses run, and it can be rather cold waiting outside for "X" amount of time.

I would imagine concessions improvements as well as the placement of extra ATM's should be attainable.

The things that need to be kept in mind are the cost, and with the funds that are available, are some of these things really where we want the money to be spent. Personally, I would rather have more of the available money put towards recruiting and amenities for the players, versus changing the color of the curtains in the Panther Pit.

[DunneDeal]

milwsport...all though I do like the Cell...please do not ever...EVER...compare the Cell to the Hinkle Field House, that place is legendary, the Hinkle doesnt even have an ATM in the place but who cares..they dont want to update it!

The Cell..is different it holds a college b-ball team, an MISL Powerhouse, and now will be home a new arena football team. It needs somethings..but not too much to make the US Cell a heck of a better place.

[milwsport]

The point I was making is that Hinkle proves being new and having loads of amenities isn't everything.

[nighthawk]

Hinkle is one of a kind. Just as Wrigley is one of a kind.

The Cell is not, nor ever will be, on a level even close to Hinkle for history or feel.

As for the costs of some of the renovations, upgrading the Pit may yield more donations from Alums. Nice amenities are pretty much all that are offered for Panther Fund donations. Might as well put your best foot forward. Changing dividers, and upgrading the internals are not huge costs. A concession stand would make money on it's own. so would a merch stand.

As for the student lounge, if cost is a concern, then charge a $5 fee for a year's pass to defray the costs. I'm sure many would part with $5 to gain access. Then those students are also more likely to become part of the Panther Fund after they leave. They will see what the Pit is like firsthand, and want to be a part of it someday.

Right now, unless you are a donor and have been informed of the Pit, you have no clue it even exists. Especially the students, who are you most likely new donor sources in the coming years.

And I think black seats are realistic. Maybe not gold, but certainly black instead of red and blue. the bonecrushers have no blue or red in their colors, and I'm sure the Wave could live with black.

Geez...think outside the box a bit. This stuff isn't rocket science.

[pantherpanther]

Some great ideas, I like them alot.

Don't know if the Arena is going to want to incur those costs for additional renovations. The AD certainly cannot, as they have their own money problems.

I definetely agree some changes could be made to the Panther Pit. Those discussions are already taking place I am sure. But keep in mind that the Panther Pit is for season ticket holders who also donate an additional amount of money (how much I am not sure). It is not for everyone, nor should it be. There are beer and concession stands located around the arena for everyone.

[PantherU]

Hold on...it's like Hawk said, "recover" the seats.

Instead of switching it all, isn't it possible for a vinyl or plastic cover that you can throw around the back of seats? Wouldn't that be cost-effective?