TheWiseOne
Sophomore
"Potential doesn't win ball games" - Me
Posts: 164
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Post by TheWiseOne on Sept 14, 2004 13:17:31 GMT -5
I am curious to know what most people think are the best college volleyball venues in the country. What are your opinions on this?
Factors should include: 1. spaciousness/appearance of the facility. 2. percentage of facility capacity that usually attends 3. fan-friendliness of the events 4. etc.
Having given that criteria and being bias to the Big Ten, I would have to say that Minnesota is definitely the best venue in the midwest, with Wisconsin not too far behind.
And of course, Hawaii would have to definitely be one. Seen many matches of theirs on television.
I know there are others... so chime in!
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Post by Wolfgang on Sept 14, 2004 14:22:20 GMT -5
1. For volleyball and game atmosphere: Nebraska Coliseum.
2. For comfort and good food: Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu
3. For convenience and good parking near the facilities: Maples Pavilion (I live near in the area and nothing beats free parking right across a non-busy street from Maples. Stan Sheriff Center also.
4. Worst parking: Cal's Haas Pavilion
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Post by ESTRELLA on Sept 14, 2004 14:30:03 GMT -5
I will say Wichita State facility. Has it all!!! Estrella
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Post by 7thWoman on Sept 14, 2004 14:34:41 GMT -5
I really liked UOP. The arena was pretty big and pretty new, with rowdy fans during the game who become totally civil after the game, a mascot who understands the risk associated with taunting opposing teams' fans who just spent 6 hours in a car on the I5 but has the courage to do so anyway. And the Lions Club guys doing the ticket taking was a nice touch. Too bad it's in Stockton.
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Post by BearClause on Sept 14, 2004 14:48:08 GMT -5
1. For volleyball and game atmosphere: Nebraska Coliseum. 2. For comfort and good food: Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu 3. For convenience and good parking near the facilities: Maples Pavilion (I live near in the area and nothing beats free parking right across a non-busy street from Maples. Stan Sheriff Center also. Parking isn't nearly as good as at Pacific. One big parking lot across the road, and you don't have to navigate through the campus to get in or out. Not even close - University of San Francisco. Parking around the Hilltop absolutely blows. Around the Cal campus, there are private parking garages/lots close to the gym, and as a last resort one can buy a $7 permit to park after hours on campus. At USF, you almost need a blessing from the Pope to get a visitor's parking permit, or you search for that coveted San Francisco street parking space. The Downtown Berkeley BART station is a reasonable walk to Haas Pavilion, while public transportation to USF is beyond bad.
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Post by BearClause on Sept 14, 2004 14:56:09 GMT -5
I really liked UOP. The arena was pretty big and pretty new, with rowdy fans during the game who become totally civil after the game, a mascot who understands the risk associated with taunting opposing teams' fans who just spent 6 hours in a car on the I5 but has the courage to do so anyway. And the Lions Club guys doing the ticket taking was a nice touch. Too bad it's in Stockton. Power Cat (their mascot) didn't take a liking to the the Cal hat on my head, and tried ripping it off. I couldn't figure it out, since UOP was playing Washington that night.
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Post by Serendipity on Sept 14, 2004 15:12:33 GMT -5
I'd go for lack of spaciousness as a category as well, as in the fans being close to the court. Illinois is right up there in that one. When the band starts singing the Smurf song when a DS goes in, it's great. For sure Wisconsin and Minnesota, and I'd have to add Penn State in there as well. That place can get nuts. But, all of those schools also have great, volleyball-knowledgable fans that make it better. As do Nebraska and Hawaii.
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Post by Gorf on Sept 14, 2004 16:00:09 GMT -5
Parking at Minnesota costs more than the tickets for the matches if you use one of the official / campus lots (or ramps) rather than parking further away and walking to the Sports Pavilion.
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Post by WSUsuperfan on Sept 14, 2004 17:27:39 GMT -5
*screaming* BOHLER GYM! WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY's BOHLER GYM! *pants excitedly* 1. Bohler Gym is not spacious at all, which is excellent. The fans sit nearly on top of the court. The end lines have a lot of depth but the sidelines are very close. The floor is beautiful hardwood painted specifically for volleyball (and some very understated lines for basketball practice). Views are close from even the upstairs. I've HEARD that Bohler can fit 3,500, but when we had our record turnout vs. Stanford in 2002 it was absolutely stuffed with 2,600 people. The facilty is kept in excellent condition (was remodeled prior to 2000 season). The lighting is fantastic and the new scoreboard displays kill and dig statistics. 2. WSU averages about 1000 per match. Pretty solid when max capacity is around 2500. Bohler rarely "feels" empty. 3. Not that I'm biased on this one, but I think Bohler has premiere fan atmosphere. The marketing department does a great job with game promotions usually having the "best seat in the house" contest, a 2-3 break relay/game, "name that tune" contests, etc. Butch the Cougar is ALWAYS at the games and the cheer squad and dance team are always alternately present. The pep band also is in attendance at 95% of the matches. Student attendance is huge. Volleyball is "hip" in Pullman. Beyond that, student participation is feverish. But that's another rant entirely. 4. I honestly have never checked out the concessions at Bohler. So that could be a limiting factor. The bathroom facilities are very clean though and there are enough stalls that I have never had to wait in line to relieve myself. I'm such a shill.
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Post by WSUsuperfan on Sept 14, 2004 17:32:33 GMT -5
And to qualify my own thread... Oregon State plays in basketball arenas that feel very empty. No mascot participation to my knowledge. Fans are far away from the court. This is also the case with Washington, but not quite as severe as the big orange and black house. Oregon has an awesome venue in McArthur Court, but their team has struggled for so long that there is virtually zero student support. Great cheerleaders though. Idaho has one of the most unusual venues in the world. There are these weird overhangs on the sideline and if you sit on the sideline you feel like you're in the back of a garage watching a game in the street. The court is a roll out mat of some kind. The lighting is orangey and dim in my recollection. The band is great at Idaho and they stay very involved in the game. Student involvement is pretty solid at UI. That's what I know.
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Post by Mumsie on Sept 14, 2004 17:43:37 GMT -5
Idaho has one of the most unusual venues in the world. There are these weird overhangs on the sideline and if you sit on the sideline you feel like you're in the back of a garage watching a game in the street. The court is a roll out mat of some kind. The lighting is orangey and dim in my recollection. The band is great at Idaho and they stay very involved in the game. Student involvement is pretty solid at UI. That's what I know. Ha ha. Orangey and dim lighting. So true! I do love the band at Idaho. And they stay on the stage, so they are out of the way. They are awesome! The band at Pacific drives me nuts. They are so loud and so close to the players and make obnoxious comments to the visiting team. I don't know why they can't sit in the bleachers. I guess because the seats are reserved. Every year, as visitors, they give us seat numbers that are right behind our players. Well, who can see when the girls stand up the whole match! Crummy seats! So, of course, we ignore the seat number (they're bleachers with numbers on them!) and move up some rows. Well, every year, some die hard Pacific fan tells us to move because we are sitting in his seat! And, this is the visitors section! It makes me feel so welcome. This year I'm going to sit on Pacific Girls lap!
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Post by eastcoaster on Sept 14, 2004 17:50:15 GMT -5
I don' think there are many great venues on the east coast - The O'Dome is very nice in Florida, but what make Florida special is the practice facility. An awesome 3 court layout. The O'Dome is to big for Volleyball.
Georgia Tech has a very cozy building, it seats maybe 1800 hundred and the pack it in there. Good student suppot. Gets very hot in the build. Crowd is very into it.
Clemson has a decent facility except the ceiling is a little low for my tasting. And there is a glare issue during day games.
Carolina has been in the procees of renovating Carmichael Auditorium - putting individual sits in the lower level. Very nice play to actually play
I have heard good things about the Annex at Comcast Center for Maryland - It only holds 1,500 but that should be good. Have not seen it yet.
Thats my east coast take ... don't know about smaller schools
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Post by plm on Sept 14, 2004 23:51:08 GMT -5
The percentage of the facility capacity that attends the NU coliseum is 100% or at least right close to that figure as there are always a few no-shows at any facility. The coliseum has been sold out for every match since 9/25/01. The sell out crowds is all done without any gimmicks to entice the people to attend any matches. This is all done while charging $12 for the best reserved seats, $10 for the other reserved seats and I believe $6 for what few general admission tickets there are. Heck, the red-white scrimmage drew 2880 fans even at $6/ticket. With some of the friendliest fans and volleyball knowledgable fans in the country this truly makes the NU coliseum one of the best volleyball venues in the country.
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Post by bucky415 on Sept 15, 2004 0:02:08 GMT -5
I am partial to the Wisconsin Field House, despite its lack of amenities and climate control. You are right on top of the game, especially in the end zones, where I prefer to sit. Huff at Illinois is a little smaller, but similar. I was kind of annoyed that I couldn't sit near the court the last time, even though a lot of the reserved seats were empty. The upper seats are a little far away there. I would guess Nebraska is pretty nice. One question: can you get tickets there? I know they sell out, but can you get tickets by showing up early?
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Post by tigfan on Sept 15, 2004 1:07:02 GMT -5
The Spanos Center at Pacific is really a great place to watch games. The seats close to the floor allow fans to get right into the action. With good lighting, plenty of room to play, and 360 degree viewing, it's a wonderful place for volleyball. I just wish the team gave fans a reason to attend....
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