Return to Horton

[Phantom]

Sure attendance sucked last year. So did we. Everyone was tired of where the program fell to. Plus people were sick of wearing masks (which was still a requirement last year) and the word of a lack of atmosphere & shitty team spread fast. But we've all seen the opposite is true too.

As fun as it would be, we can't just move every game to Horton. We were lucky to get this one and will be lucky to get one per year. I get what people are saying, but that's just not realistic.

Nobody ever griped about attendance at RA during good years While we haven't averaged 8500 at Redbird Arena since the 08-09 season, you just can't let the arena sit there. It costs money. Furthermore, I don't claim to know the specifics but it's a fair bet that Horton isn't insured, equipped, or even (probably) legally able to host a whole season. It would take a lot of money, facilities work and red tape to accomplish that and what do you do with RA in the meantime?

When we are consistently good, and there's enough hype in town, attendance will go back up. It's ALWAYS like this. Sure, attendance has sucked ass the last couple years but it will go back up with winning. There's still a great atmosphere at RA when people are there...even as little as 6K gets the building rocking if they're enthused. And we all know how sellouts are there. It'll happen again. Don't let yesterday fool you, as great as it was. It's not going to be the norm. That's why it was a special day.

 

[ISU86]

If you read the rest of my post, I was clear that we would only do this/these games at Horton until we got to a point where we would sell out past capacity, then we would of course go to Redbird Arena. As I also mentioned as a caveat, my sense is that we could expand the north seating to match what the old days of Horton had. Our minimum seating capacity at Horton could be 8,500.

For context, last year's Bradley game at home had 4,072 in attendance. If this game was at Horton, we would have had more than 4,072 fans and even with the same number, the atmosphere would have been much better.

So far, our home attendance this year has been:
Wooster 1,010
Western Illinois 4,133
Northwestern State 3,098
Belmont 3,165
Eastern Michigan 3,331
SIUE 3,420

Ask any player or fan that has been to home games this year what game had the best atmosphere and I guarantee you that there isn't any hesitation to answer the game at Horton. Some of our kids said it's the best atmosphere they ever participated in.

Until we can consistently and reliably get more than 8,500 fans to pack Horton, I would much, much rather have a packed Horton with an incredible atmosphere and loud fans than to be in a half filled, lethargic Redbird Arena. The acoustics in Redbird Arena are not near as conducive to create a hostile environment for opposing teams. Yes, fans would have to give up the nicer bathrooms and concession area.

The question about whether a conference opponent (or any opponent) can dictate to us what facility we can use is a different question that I don't know the answer to.

Otherwise, 100% no question in my mind that if you asked the players, coaches and fans where they would rather watch or participate in a game for the biggest, most nostalgic rivalry game on our schedule in any year, it would be Bradley at Horton Field House over any other game or venue.

Again, as I said, once we build our program to the level that we are consistently selling out these games and we have no more capacity, absolutely positively move those games to Redbird and then find the next "tier" of opponent to play at Horton Field House.

Part of the reason the game was the event it was to us is because it was (at least going in) a one-off. Folks didn't know if/when it may occur again (if ever). I am sure this will become an annual game, at least for the near-term, but go to the well too often and it begins to lose its luster. Plus, would the current high school/transfer players view playing multiple games, let alone an entire season, inside Hotton with the same regard that we do? Just asking the question.

On TV, it looked (at least early on) there were empty seating areas in the upper corners, plus Kurt Pegler mentioned on the telecast that someone stepped up and purchased 500 tickets on Friday for distribution. Since I was unable to be in attendance, was it an actual "sellout"? Again, just asking.

The "Game Day" buzz seemed to build as the game progressed. Having a seemingly embraceable roster and a competitive game certainly helped.

Finally, we cannot get the likes of a Creighton or Wichita State to come to town now; they certainly aren't going to risk going into an environment we believe is even more of a home court advantage. Maybe make it a non-conference versus an in-state school every season (Eastern Illinois has a return game next season) or any former D-I conference member that played at Horton (Ball State/Northern Illinois from the Conference of Midwestern University days; Creighton/New Mexico State/Tulsa/Wichita State from the MVC ... although BSU/NMSU/NIU are the only "realistic" gets (right now)). If HCDM were still the coach, we could play former MVC (now D-II) member West Texas A&M (West Texas State in their D-I days) in his day after Thanksgiving game.

 

[Redbird222]

Part of the reason the game was the event it was to us is because it was (at least going in) a one-off. Folks didn't know if/when it may occur again (if ever). I am sure this will become an annual game, at least for the near-term, but go to the well too often and it begins to lose its luster. Plus, would the current high school/transfer players view playing multiple games, let alone an entire season, inside Hotton with the same regard that we do? Just asking the question.

On TV, it looked (at least early on) there were empty seating areas in the upper corners, plus Kurt Pegler mentioned on the telecast that someone stepped up and purchased 500 tickets on Friday for distribution. Since I was unable to be in attendance, was it an actual "sellout"? Again, just asking.

The "Game Day" buzz seemed to build as the game progressed. Having a seemingly embraceable roster and a competitive game certainly helped.

Finally, we cannot get the likes of a Creighton or Wichita State to come to town now; they certainly aren't going to risk going into an environment we believe is even more of a home court advantage. Maybe make it a non-conference versus an in-state school every season (Eastern Illinois has a return game next season) or any former D-I conference member that played at Horton (Ball State/Northern Illinois from the Conference of Midwestern University days; Creighton/New Mexico State/Tulsa/Wichita State from the MVC ... although BSU/NMSU/NIU are the only "realistic" gets (right now)). If HCDM were still the coach, we could play former MVC (now D-II) member West Texas A&M (West Texas State in their D-I days) in his day after Thanksgiving game.

They originally announced they were going to sell 3800 tickets so about 380 short. There was small amount of seats in upper corners but with bench seating there may have been seats here and there not filled.

 

[Dmills]

Part of the reason the game was the event it was to us is because it was (at least going in) a one-off. Folks didn't know if/when it may occur again (if ever). I am sure this will become an annual game, at least for the near-term, but go to the well too often and it begins to lose its luster. Plus, would the current high school/transfer players view playing multiple games, let alone an entire season, inside Hotton with the same regard that we do? Just asking the question.

On TV, it looked (at least early on) there were empty seating areas in the upper corners, plus Kurt Pegler mentioned on the telecast that someone stepped up and purchased 500 tickets on Friday for distribution. Since I was unable to be in attendance, was it an actual "sellout"? Again, just asking.

The "Game Day" buzz seemed to build as the game progressed. Having a seemingly embraceable roster and a competitive game certainly helped.

Finally, we cannot get the likes of a Creighton or Wichita State to come to town now; they certainly aren't going to risk going into an environment we believe is even more of a home court advantage. Maybe make it a non-conference versus an in-state school every season (Eastern Illinois has a return game next season) or any former D-I conference member that played at Horton (Ball State/Northern Illinois from the Conference of Midwestern University days; Creighton/New Mexico State/Tulsa/Wichita State from the MVC ... although BSU/NMSU/NIU are the only "realistic" gets (right now)). If HCDM were still the coach, we could play former MVC (now D-II) member West Texas A&M (West Texas State in their D-I days) in his day after Thanksgiving game.

I think any in-state OOC school would be a great fit for an annual game like this tbh. SIUE, EIU, WIU, NIU, Chicago St, maybe DePaul if they came to town.

 

[Bird Friend]

Just curious, does the visiting team have a choice as to where the home team chooses to play their home game?

We had to ask permission from SIU-E to play the game there. And I think we had to ask permission from the NCAA as Horton doesn’t meet current standards for games (like scoreboard, etc.). To make this more than a one-off, to make it an annual thing, will require money be put into bringing the facilities up to standards.

As for the north bleachers, I believe trying to get them to the same as they were for major opponents is not possible anymore due to current fire and safety codes. Those bleachers were truly flirting with disaster. They were not steady. And I’m pretty sure Horton doesn’t have sufficient access to exits with the bleachers taking up so much space.

Finally, accessibility would be a major concern. They had the accessibility seating in front of the student section for the SIU-E game, and technically they were saying that only persons needing those seats could sit there. People accompanying individuals needing accommodation were being told they had to sit with the rest of the gen admission. Which most of us accompanying those individuals promptly said F-that. They need to think thru accessibility before they do this again.

Okay, one more thing . . . A few of the students were trying to get the student section to storm the floor if we won. Fortunately some admins including our prez were quick to shut that down. That would have put a large number of those in accessibility seating at serious risk. Not to mention it’s stupid to storm the floor for a team we have no rivalry with and isn’t a national power.

 

[Tpguy]

I vote for bringing in Northwestern and Chris Collins

 

[gobirds85]

Kudos for ISU athletics for this event. Even while watching from the couch, you could feel the crowd energy. I regretted my decision to not attend in person right from tipoff, but a prior commitment wouldn't allow me to make the trek down to ISU. I think a double header would be fantastic and when they schedule this for next season I will be there.

GO BIRDS!!!

 

[Hrtnfldhse]

I have to say that game brought back a lot of memories of Horton and all the games I saw at the place in the early and mid 80's. You could feel the buzz when you walked in. The noise level in Horton is off the charts and the team fed off it. Great job to the athletic department to put this together, the students who brought a lot of energy and the team for embracing the history of ISU baseketball at Horton. Talking to a gentleman who sat near me, he told me it cost the school $200,000 to get the place ready including renting a lot of items. I'm not sure if that is true but reading some other comments that it cost a lot, it makes sense. I can't see where it would be feasible to hold a game there every year, however, they could do it every 5 years or so. I do wish they would have announced the ex-players at half-time. They earned the right to have their names announced. Overal a great job by everyone and the team played well and got the W, which was the cherry on top to a great day.

 

[Phantom]

Okay, one more thing . . . A few of the students were trying to get the student section to storm the floor if we won. Fortunately some admins including our prez were quick to shut that down. That would have put a large number of those in accessibility seating at serious risk. Not to mention it’s stupid to storm the floor for a team we have no rivalry with and isn’t a national power.

Thank God that was quashed. First and foremost for the reasons you mentioned but also, it would just be abhorrently dumb. I'm glad as all hell that our students were really into the game and loud (FINALLY) but there are rules to court rushing. You only do it if you beat a ranked opponent (and even then its hokey unless they're a top 10 team), or it's a crazy buzzer beater over a rival or in a title game. A regular season game, as great as this one was, does not in any way justify rushing the court.

 

[Buffett1]

I vote for bringing in Northwestern and Chris Collins

Chris won’t be there next year

 

[Redbirds24]

I have to say that game brought back a lot of memories of Horton and all the games I saw at the place in the early and mid 80's. You could feel the buzz when you walked in. The noise level in Horton is off the charts and the team fed off it. Great job to the athletic department to put this together, the students who brought a lot of energy and the team for embracing the history of ISU baseketball at Horton. Talking to a gentleman who sat near me, he told me it cost the school $200,000 to get the place ready including renting a lot of items. I'm not sure if that is true but reading some other comments that it cost a lot, it makes sense. I can't see where it would be feasible to hold a game there every year, however, they could do it every 5 years or so. I do wish they would have announced the ex-players at half-time. They earned the right to have their names announced. Overal a great job by everyone and the team played well and got the W, which was the cherry on top to a great day.

It should be done every 4 years so kids that stay with the program can play there once.

 

[stielowp]

I have to say that game brought back a lot of memories of Horton and all the games I saw at the place in the early and mid 80's. You could feel the buzz when you walked in. The noise level in Horton is off the charts and the team fed off it. Great job to the athletic department to put this together, the students who brought a lot of energy and the team for embracing the history of ISU baseketball at Horton. Talking to a gentleman who sat near me, he told me it cost the school $200,000 to get the place ready including renting a lot of items. I'm not sure if that is true but reading some other comments that it cost a lot, it makes sense. I can't see where it would be feasible to hold a game there every year, however, they could do it every 5 years or so. I do wish they would have announced the ex-players at half-time. They earned the right to have their names announced. Overal a great job by everyone and the team played well and got the W, which was the cherry on top to a great day.

Maybe the new PA announcer did read their names. He always talks so fast and not at the appropriate times. (Before anyone blasts me, I know that he didn't read them, I was sitting right behind him.) I wish they would have had Steve Adams come back at least to do the pre-game announcing. "This is Redbird Basketball". I heard that Luedtke did the first minutes of the game on WJBC.

A couple of other wishes, if they do it again (I know some of these are just a pipe dream)

1) No DJ!! Let the band play (and must do the Flaming Tubas, or at least get out there and dance)
2) Retro Court (with new 3-point line of course)
3) Dance line wearing the white boots and the fringe! (Fond memories from my more developmental years)

 

[Redbirds24]

Maybe the new PA announcer did read their names. He always talks so fast and not at the appropriate times. (Before anyone blasts me, I know that he didn't read them, I was sitting right behind him.) I wish they would have had Steve Adams come back at least to do the pre-game announcing. "This is Redbird Basketball". I heard that Luedtke did the first minutes of the game on WJBC.

A couple of other wishes, if they do it again (I know some of these are just a pipe dream)

1) No DJ!! Let the band play (and must do the Flaming Tubas, or at least get out there and dance)
2) Retro Court (with new 3-point line of course)
3) Dance line wearing the white boots and the fringe! (Fond memories from my more developmental years)

Would be a little difficult to bring back Steve Adams.

 

[PurpleRedbird]

Would be a little difficult to bring back Steve Adams.

Sadly very true.

 

[Hrtnfldhse]

Maybe the new PA announcer did read their names. He always talks so fast and not at the appropriate times. (Before anyone blasts me, I know that he didn't read them, I was sitting right behind him.) I wish they would have had Steve Adams come back at least to do the pre-game announcing. "This is Redbird Basketball". I heard that Luedtke did the first minutes of the game on WJBC.

A couple of other wishes, if they do it again (I know some of these are just a pipe dream)

1) No DJ!! Let the band play (and must do the Flaming Tubas, or at least get out there and dance)
2) Retro Court (with new 3-point line of course)
3) Dance line wearing the white boots and the fringe! (Fond memories from my more developmental years)

I was screaming for the Tuba players all game and yes a retro court would be awesome.

 

[DougSutton]

Would be a little difficult to bring back Steve Adams.

With the advances in AI technology, this will all be possible in the not so distant future and you'll never be able to know it's not the actual person. I've been working on some projects in this area and it's both fascinating and scary how this technology can change the world, for better or worse.

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

Horton works as an excellent 1-2X a year gimmick alternate site. I would personally love to see a game against Bradley in there and you might be able to get away with that for the next few years until ISU is competitive at the top of the conference and demand rises enough to fill at least most of RBA. This is a game that I hope had lots of recruits in attendance. The energy was probably the best I've seen out of an ISU crowd since Jackie Carmichael and Paris Lee helmed the birds. Getting that energy around a team every now and then could be great, but you CANNOT try to do this all the damn time and take away from it being a special event.

The find on all this was that, yes, Horton still works as a venue and that is a great thig for ISU.

 

[gobirds85]

Chris won’t be there next year

Porque?

 

[Hamdonger]

With the advances in AI technology, this will all be possible in the not so distant future and you'll never be able to know it's not the actual person. I've been working on some projects in this area and it's both fascinating and scary how this technology can change the world, for better or worse.

#1, yes indeed. Downfall of our society.
#2. Can you work on an AI project that'll put hair on a bald head? Asking for a very dear, ummm, friend.

 

[Buffett1]

Porque?

será despedido