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Post by JG Panthers on Jun 27, 2012 9:04:53 GMT -6
I go to Wisconsin Football games and if I couldn't party before the games I would still go because I am a big fan of Wisconsin Football. Likewise if we are playing at the KC instead of downtown I am still going to the game because I am a big fan of Milwaukee Basketball. I agree that it is nice to have something to do before and after games. The real question is are those fans that come only because the games are downtown do they make up the $230,000 cost of renting the Cell? I think it is a smart move to save some money until the University can build an on campus facility. This. This. This. This. 1000 times over.... |
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Post by ricestillfumbled on Jun 27, 2012 9:12:56 GMT -6
A few serious points
- first off I am not a season ticket holder I go to games based on performance. If they are tied for first ill go to every game if they are in last ill go to one game. I live walking distance to the cell so obviously I am a little disappointed from a personal stand point but I understand the thinking behind the decision. I won't let this be the reason for me to go to less games.
-someone earlier said he would go to all the badger football games even without the before and after parties but I highly doubt 90% of students would say the same thing. We need the games to be events that are bigger than just basketball games...especially on Saturday games. Your guess is as good as mine as to how to create this atmosphere. It would be nice if Uwm security and police let a little more go on gamedays but I know that's wishful thinking.
-why does everyone hate the gasthaus? That place is huge and it's not arm/leg expensive. I know some on this board hate the fact that they don't have time Warner so they can't put on many panther games but they get huge crowds on Sundays because of Sunday ticket. Can't expect them to pay for two cable providers.
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Post by uwmfansince1997 on Jun 27, 2012 9:14:54 GMT -6
"Franklyn Gimbel, the chairman of the Wisconsin Center District board, was not happy  to hear the news", isn't this the same f*&^'n clown who had Disney on Ice occupy the time slotted for a potential Horizon League Championship game last year...really? Oh, how easily we remember the importance of an occupant at The Cell once they don't renew there lease, a#$hole!  |
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Post by JG Panthers on Jun 27, 2012 9:45:06 GMT -6
why does everyone hate the gasthaus? That place is huge and it's not arm/leg expensive. I know some on this board hate the fact that they don't have time Warner so they can't put on many panther games but they get huge crowds on Sundays because of Sunday ticket. Can't expect them to pay for two cable providers. Service sucks. Atmosphere is non-existent. There's never anybody there. I went there before the Nebraska-Omaha game last year. It was the most disappointed I've ever been in it. |
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Post by uwmplanner on Jun 27, 2012 10:00:09 GMT -6
A few serious points - first off I am not a season ticket holder I go to games based on performance. If they are tied for first ill go to every game if they are in last ill go to one game. I live walking distance to the cell so obviously I am a little disappointed from a personal stand point but I understand the thinking behind the decision. I won't let this be the reason for me to go to less games. -someone earlier said he would go to all the badger football games even without the before and after parties but I highly doubt 90% of students would say the same thing. We need the games to be events that are bigger than just basketball games...especially on Saturday games. Your guess is as good as mine as to how to create this atmosphere. It would be nice if Uwm security and police let a little more go on gamedays but I know that's wishful thinking. -why does everyone hate the gasthaus? That place is huge and it's not arm/leg expensive. I know some on this board hate the fact that they don't have time Warner so they can't put on many panther games but they get huge crowds on Sundays because of Sunday ticket. Can't expect them to pay for two cable providers. I doubt students would stop going as they do most of there partying in their front yards instead of bars but I get what your saying though. I went to Michigan vs Wisconsin football game in 2010 in Ann Arbor. It was pretty tame party compared to Madison gameday and yet they get 110,000. Its nice to have that pre game experience and I know the KC is not a great facility but IMO this is a positive move because to me it signals an on campus arena will be coming. |
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Post by uwmfutbol on Jun 27, 2012 10:52:21 GMT -6
Now that I've had a night to sleep on this, I've decided this may be the last straw for UWM as a D1 program. It has been pointed out that the new Union will take priority over this new arena, and that won't be completed for nearly six years. The University is already moving forward with its three new graduate schools, and I'm sure they're going to keep expanding their PhD programs. This is all excellent from an academic standpoint, but I just don't see how athletics are going to be a priority going forward. There's too little interest in the area, and even the die hard fans on this board are now questioning whether or not they'll show up. That's all you really need to know. There aren't enough pure fans who want to watch the team just to support them. I think we're too spoiled by environments like the BC for Marquette, anything Wisconsin related, Miller Park, and Lambeau.
I hope I'm wrong. It's insane how successful UWM athletics are despite a non-existent fan following and pitiful resources. It'd be a shame to squander it. But perhaps Lovell sees this University as a UC-San Diego: a major research university without the athletics.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2012 10:54:22 GMT -6
"But perhaps Lovell sees this University as a UC-San Diego: a major research university without the athletics."
Maybe, but he wouldn't have hired one of the best in the business to build the program. Its certainly a tough period after sweeping success in the early 2000s.
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Post by uwmfutbol on Jun 27, 2012 10:54:50 GMT -6
"But perhaps Lovell sees this University as a UC-San Diego: a major research university without the athletics." Maybe, but he wouldn't have hired one of the best in the business to build the program. Its certainly a tough period after sweeping success in the early 2000s. Agreed. I think this is a last-ditch effort to get something going. |
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Post by blackcatinorange on Jun 27, 2012 11:05:16 GMT -6
"But perhaps Lovell sees this University as a UC-San Diego: a major research university without the athletics." Maybe, but he wouldn't have hired one of the best in the business to build the program. Its certainly a tough period after sweeping success in the early 2000s. Agreed. I think this is a last-ditch effort to get something going. I'm just anxious to see how the school handles the ticket situation with the existing season ticket holders, and how they (hopefully) drastically improve the venue. Right now the KC is a practice facility....it is not a venue for a D1 program. |
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Post by A Statement By SHAUN on Jun 27, 2012 11:18:46 GMT -6
I personally am excited! We have to remember that we have ANDY GEIGER as our AD. He isn't going to make dumb moves without purpose. I am glad he is the AD and not some of the people posting in this thread.
Regarding that, it makes me sick that some of you attempt to call yourselves fans of UWM and then say that you will stop buying season tickets??? This is a time that UWM basketball needs the most support it can get. If you are not buying season tickets anymore because you don't like the move then you are essentially saying that you no longer want UWM basketball.
Plus the Klotche center ought to be loud if everyone who bought season tickets continues to do so. I'm sure that our AD has thought about and considered the implications of this move more than any of you. So try having some faith for once and wait to see what happens. For a large part of UWM's D1 existence, haven't we been playing in the cell?
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Post by kingsteve on Jun 27, 2012 11:42:53 GMT -6
A lot of mixed emotions and concern today. Would not think Geiger would be brought in to oversee a funeral. Hopefully there is a master plan we do not know about because there just plain has not been an athletics master plan. It is sometimes darkest before the dawn as they say but this is concerning. I would feel much better if the announcement was connected with something a bit more hopeful and specifically encourageing about a new arena on campus. Absent of this just saying want to give the students more of an experience rings hollow because when we were Sweet 16 and playing at Klotsche hardly any students came. So what is going to happen? We get 100 instead of 75 ??
I am a bit sore right now but likely will renew my season tickets but for sure will blow off more games. Does make me want to recall my recent Panther fund donation. Nice young lady was all excited on the phone about Andy Geiger and this is what we get?? If we are there after a year and no specific plans for a new arena to justify putting up with this garbage in the meantime I am done.
If there are no definite plans forthcoming in the meantime this is horrible for our image. Makes it look like we have accepted mediocrity and taken a step backward. First Butler leaves the Horizon and now we are playing in a high school gym again. Brutal. . no bathrooms, minimal concessions, uncomfortable crappy seats, little kids runninga round behind the bleachers like at a high school venue, minimal amenities, no scoreboard...most importantly how is this going to affect recruiting??? Other schools moving ahead not backwards and this facility sucks...hopefully with definite promise of new arena we could prevail but no guarantee of that.....say we get in the HO tourney??? Are we going to host that in the Klotschei??? Second choice now likely out.. Even if available U S Cell would tell us to pound sand and I could not blame them frankly...
Bottomline without assurances that there is a long term reason and benefit for doing this could be sign of a downward death spiral for UWM Athletics at maybe D 2 or D 3. Again, can not believe Geiger would want to come in to be a part of that. Will renew my season tickets, go to less games and then after one year if no sign whatsover of a master plan that is it ...I am done..
Last thought, another reaons why I am so disgusted with the mediorce results of Jeter regime . This is where he got us?? Had a great chance to strike while the iron was hot and capitalize on the Sweeet 16 and national MOJO (remember UWM as headline in national sports page of USA today in 2005 March madness ).. now we are happy with so called padded 20 win seasons, quick exit or CBI...this is a major reason we are now taking a step backward as our flagshiip sport stagnated and seems to be going down...lnice...thanks Jeter...although he was not the only culpa le reasons,,,ie UWM administration and revolving door of athletic directors. Best hope is new arena combined with new coaching regime .
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Post by repoman on Jun 27, 2012 11:45:26 GMT -6
When I was at UWM, both grad school and undergrad, there was always a restaurant/bar on Downer Ave. I think that Quiznos is there now. At the time it was a series of Italian restaurant concepts and I know it changed hands at least 3 times but it was cool that there was a place right across the street from campus where you could go drink and get back to campus in a minute or two by foot. Maybe this move and a planned on-campus arena will be an impetus for some sort or bar/restaurant to move to Downter Ave.
As for pre-game brews, I am going to miss Goolsbys but I am sure we'll make do with Harry's or the Gasthaus...heck maybe I'll just go to Axels and grab a gyro from OG before the games.
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Post by 96brew on Jun 27, 2012 12:12:24 GMT -6
kingsteve just said it best. I'm not renewing but agree with everything else he said. I do think there has to be some other stadium plan coming soon. I just have no interest in going back to KC more than once or twice a year.
And hearing that the students and Marketing have to step up? People on this board have been after that for years, and results have been mixed at the very best.
Still have hope.
Go Panthers!
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Post by milwsport on Jun 27, 2012 12:27:16 GMT -6
First off, I don't think the U is giving up on D-1. They aren't paying t his guy $200,000 plus to shut it down. Second, I don't like t his move AT ALL. I wasn't convinced that moving back to campus even WITH a new arena was the answer.
However, if they are going to say they're building a new facility soon, I think people will be patient. If there's no word on that for a prolonged period of time...
At work this morning, people were asking me about it. NO ONE said it was a good idea. Even some who live near the campus said they wouldn't go to the KC for games (and that includes one or two who went to the Cell at least a few times a year).
Bottom line, give us something to hope for in the future.
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Post by PANTHERfan on Jun 27, 2012 12:30:20 GMT -6
I've been a cheerleader for UWM bball for a long time now, and when I think back to how I've sold many on the experience, it's mainly come down to a certain confidence in knowing that the Cell was simply a great place to watch basketball. Maybe the student section would be thin to non-existent during winter break, or the crowd would barely crack 2,500 because we were playing Cupcake U, but you could always count on the venue having a good feel --- a nice big video screen, great viewing lines (in my case - nearly front row seats), and extremely walkable access to a variety of great pre and post game venues.
I'm not sure what I would sell a skeptic on now. As kingsteve states, this has been tried before to woeful results. This was tried during the team's heyday and very few students showed up.
The one thing Panther bball has had going for it during the last 6 years of decline has been a very dedicated, albeit small following. In many ways I feel like the University has turned its back on these supporters, and that's really disappointing. Maybe that's just the emotion of everything, but I don't think anyone could argue that this venue transition has been handled well from a PR perspective. If you can't sell to your diehards, how can you sell to the newcomers? Why would a student or prospective player want any part of the Klotsche Center? That's an answer that needed to be in the press releases. Not maybes and possibilities.
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to hear the news", isn't this the same f*&^'n clown who had Disney on Ice occupy the time slotted for a potential Horizon League Championship game last year...really? Oh, how easily we remember the importance of an occupant at The Cell once they don't renew there lease, a#$hole! 
