Arch Madness Future

[ChiRedbirdfan]

I know this was a big discussion on the old board. I know that St. Louis has faults. I just don't know if the perfect location exists. If others feel different, would love to hear specific locations you have in mind.

The cities that seem like a reasonable host for the tournament are St Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago and possible Des Moines?

Agree it will be tough to find a city where fans can stay in hotels at a reasonable rate and walk to the tournament like STL offers. Chicago would be great in many ways but it will be expensive and difficult in its own way too. Many Big Ten fans were anti-Chicago for the Big Ten basketball tourney due to the cost. Indianapolis does a nice job with tournaments and is reasonably priced but there would be a lot of empty seats at Bankers Life. I actually like the idea of rotating the tournament between STL/Indy/Chicago but that may not be feasible when trying to negotiate good terms with the host city.

 

[BirdFan10]

I think if it's "Chicago" the Allstate would be the best location. Unfortunately the Big Ten is located right there.

 

[isuquinndog]

Must have been a dud of a press conference because Google News finds nothing relevant or recent when I search for "Arch Madness" or "Missouri Valley Conference"

 

[MPE773]

I think if it's "Chicago" the Allstate would be the best location. Unfortunately the Big Ten is located right there.

All State is a dump. Wintrust is perfect. If you're going to move it to Chicago, don't put it in the Burbs. People want to be downtown.

 

[BIRDFANATIC78]

I know this was a big discussion on the old board. I know that St. Louis has faults. I just don't know if the perfect location exists. If others feel different, would love to hear specific locations you have in mind.

The cities that seem like a reasonable host for the tournament are St Louis, Indianapolis, Chicago and possible Des Moines?

Agree it will be tough to find a city where fans can stay in hotels at a reasonable rate and walk to the tournament like STL offers. Chicago would be great in many ways but it will be expensive and difficult in its own way too. Many Big Ten fans were anti-Chicago for the Big Ten basketball tourney due to the cost. Indianapolis does a nice job with tournaments and is reasonably priced but there would be a lot of empty seats at Bankers Life. I actually like the idea of rotating the tournament between STL/Indy/Chicago but that may not be feasible when trying to negotiate good terms with the host city.

I-WIRELESS, Moline...for selfish reasons.

 

[SgtHulka]

If the tourney is moving, why would they be holding the press conference at the current building?

They wouldn't. Clear indication it ain't going anywhere...

Agree 100%. I think it would be hard to fairly criticize the MVC for not moving the conference tournament away from STL at this time even though the conference membership is shifting away from STL. That said I also think it would be a mistake for the MVC to commit long term to STL until more can be learned about fan attendance at the conference tournament given new conference dynamics. If the announcement is for a commitment to STL for an extended period of time I would like to know the logic behind doing that at this time.

How does adding 2 Chicago adjacent schools to replace one from Nebraska and one from Kansas shift the membership away from STL exactly?

If they do end up moving some day, it needs to maintain the "eat, sleep, party and watch" in walking distance for the entirety that we enjoy now. Becoming a commuter based experience would chase many away. If I have to drive to the games, It's gonna be in doubt if I'm going to the games ISU isn't in.

 

[ThisIsTheLineup]

They wouldn't. Clear indication it ain't going anywhere...

Agree 100%. I think it would be hard to fairly criticize the MVC for not moving the conference tournament away from STL at this time even though the conference membership is shifting away from STL. That said I also think it would be a mistake for the MVC to commit long term to STL until more can be learned about fan attendance at the conference tournament given new conference dynamics. If the announcement is for a commitment to STL for an extended period of time I would like to know the logic behind doing that at this time.

How does adding 2 Chicago adjacent schools to replace one from Nebraska and one from Kansas shift the membership away from STL exactly?

If they do end up moving some day, it needs to maintain the "eat, sleep, party and watch" in walking distance for the entirety that we enjoy now. Becoming a commuter based experience would chase many away. If I have to drive to the games, It's gonna be in doubt if I'm going to the games ISU isn't in.

What Hulka said.
You put the tournament in the new Depaul arena - you are driving/cabbing/lyfting/ubering to anywhere. In STL you are within walking distance to so much more.

 

[Reggie Redbird]

A question: do we want the MVC tournament to be a vacation destination or do we want to have the most fans possible there to cheer on our Birds?

I would prefer it to be in Chicago, but I see it staying in StL as long as Viverito is associated with the conference and her husband is with the StL Sports Commission. I would also think there would be several hundred, if not 1,000+ more Redbird fans at games because you could have a lot of students from the City/Suburbs on Spring break willing to come to games if they aren't away. You would also have many, many thousands of alumni living in the area up there who might be willing to come to a game.

Cedar Falls is about 20 or so min closer to Chicago than StL. Des Moines is about 15 min closer to Chicago than StL. I doubt there would be much pushback from the Iowa schools. The pushback would likely come from SIU, MSU, and Evansville.

 

[SgtHulka]

Considering the last time ISU was in a tournament in Chicago about 12 of us went, I don't know that a change in locale will cure anything. If people want to come they'll come, if they want an excuse not to go they can easily find one.

 

[RedbirdFan9906]

I think there is this big dream that if MVC was in Chicago, there would be tons of ISU students there. Why would they go to a tournament in Chicago when the student attendance is not always the greatest at home games?

I agree with several posts about transportation in Chicago and getting to arena. It would be a pain.

 

[Redbirdwarrior]

Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates is perfect. You wont need more than 12,000 seats and the location.

 

[MPE773]

I think there is this big dream that if MVC was in Chicago, there would be tons of ISU students there. Why would they go to a tournament in Chicago when the student attendance is not always the greatest at home games?

I agree with several posts about transportation in Chicago and getting to arena. It would be a pain.

You are aware of the enormous alumni base in Chicago right?

 

[Source]

I think the MVC realizes that the tournament is much more than just basketball. It is an experience. As previously stated, everything is in walking distance in STL, the city welcomes MVC fans, and the night life is great. All other cities will have other things going on that weekend. If it were to move to Chicago, I'm confident the city would not recognize the MVC's presence. I also do not think it would move to Chicago because it would quite literally be a "home game" for Loyola (despite their attendance woes).

 

[ThisIsTheLineup]

Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates is perfect. You wont need more than 12,000 seats and the location.

Where would you want to eat at if it were at the Sears Centre? Is it within walking distance?

 

[MPE773]

Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates is perfect. You wont need more than 12,000 seats and the location.

Where would you want to eat at if it were at the Sears Centre? Is it within walking distance?

Also, where are the hotels to accommodate 10,000 people? Little logistics problem with a 4 day event there.

 

[ThisIsTheLineup]

The Sears Centre is in an industrial park. It will not be there.

 

[isuquinndog]

Staying in STL through 2020 extension of two years.

 

[isuquinndog]

2020 will be the 30th year of Arch Madness
They did put out RFP twice to move it, but arena upgrades have swayed them to stay

 

[ThisIsTheLineup]

I wonder where those RFP's were sent to...

 

[Baltimore Bird]

As someone who travels on Friday morning to the event, I am super happy it is staying St. Louis. SW Air from BWI, train downtown, drop off bags and I had my 1st beer before 11AM. I never need a car and walked everywhere. TRADITION!

Happy Redbird Fan!!