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Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:47 am
by RF1
UConn $40M


UMass hoops practice facility under construction

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 10:53 am
by RF1
UMass $30M


Re: UConn's new hoops practice facility

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 11:07 am
by TruePoint
Maybe this will help them get into a real conference?

VCU's new hoops practice facility

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 11:12 am
by RF1
VCU $25M





VCU Practice Center tour after opening


Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 1:17 pm
by ATPTourFan
Good thing we have the combination of the Ryan Center (where the teams rarely have to be kicked out or share it) and the connected Ryan Family Student Athlete Development Center.

Now we just have to work on getting some fresh banners to hang in the Ryan Center. Hopefully this Fall is the last year where we "update" the NIT banner. That's gotten a workout the past decade.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 1:36 pm
by TruePoint
God these threads are tedious. At some point when I have some down time, I will combine all these facilities posts into one thread. There are hundreds of colleges in America. We don't need a new thread every time one of them builds a damn building.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 1:41 pm
by ATPTourFan
Yeah, that was my idea of changing the thread title. Merge, baby, merge!!

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 1:46 pm
by Seawrightspostgame
HAHA SOMEBODY BUILT A BUILDING! Not to discourage someone from starting a thread.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 3:40 pm
by rambone 78
Who cares, at least when it comes to us.

We have the new athletic center, plus Keaney etc.

There won't be any fancy $20 million "practice" center built at URI for a long time, if ever.

The next big project might be new stands at Meade. Maybe.....

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 4:54 pm
by RF1
These facilities matter in the recruiting battle for players. Kids are very impressionable and these practice venues wow them. This is what Hurley is up against when he has to pitch URI.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 5:06 pm
by TruePoint
RF1 wrote:These facilities matter in the recruiting battle for players. Kids are very impressionable and these practice venues wow them. This is what Hurley is up against when he has to pitch URI.
Cool. Let's pretend that point had never been brought up before. Now it has been said. So can we stop doing this every time a shovel hits dirt on a college campus? Not to mention, URI has made an investment in its facilities recently. If anyone deems that inadequate, have a car wash or set up a lemonade stand. Or donate your own money. Whatever. I just don't think all of these projects warrant their own threads.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 5:19 pm
by RF1
TruePoint wrote:
RF1 wrote:These facilities matter in the recruiting battle for players. Kids are very impressionable and these practice venues wow them. This is what Hurley is up against when he has to pitch URI.
Cool. Let's pretend that point had never been brought up before. Now it has been said. So can we stop doing this every time a shovel hits dirt on a college campus? Not to mention, URI has made an investment in its facilities recently. If anyone deems that inadequate, have a car wash or set up a lemonade stand. Or donate your own money. Whatever. I just don't think all of these projects warrant their own threads.
I guess you would rather live in a URI centered cocoon and be oblivious to all that happens elsewhere. It is said that ignorance is bliss.

It appears that I should instead post about Notre Dame football. Unlike facilities posts, that seems to be ok on the URI message board. Relevance here seems to be rather arbitrary.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Oct 18, 2015 5:40 pm
by TruePoint
You can talk about whatever you want. You just don't need to start a new thread every time some other school does a building. There is no cocoon. The reality is that if URI had 20M to do something, we would be dumb to build a practice facility given what we already have for facilities and all the other needs we have as a program and an athletic department. If Tom Ryan or some other donor wants to build us a practice facility, I wouldn't turn it down. I also think it is unnecessary and would advise any donor to spend their money on any number of other more pressing projects.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:07 am
by ATPTourFan
UMass basketball doesn't have access to Mullins virtually anytime they want, like URI does with the Ryan Center. The combination of Ryan Center and Ryan Family SADC (and Keaney) puts us in good standing vs similar schools where we'd recruit directly against.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 9:57 am
by RF1
ATPTourFan wrote:UMass basketball doesn't have access to Mullins virtually anytime they want, like URI does with the Ryan Center. The combination of Ryan Center and Ryan Family SADC (and Keaney) puts us in good standing vs similar schools where we'd recruit directly against.

That might be partially true. The arena is used for hockey. The Mullins however does have a separate full size hockey rink attached to the main building for practice. I therefore think the ice configuration is only up for actual games.

The Siegel Center at VCU has no such hockey issues. The school however decided to build a basketball only practice facility directly across the street. UConn is similar as Gampel is basketball only. They built their practice facility right next to Gampel on what used to be Memorial Stadium (former home of UConn football).

I don't think these facilities are must haves in regards to being able to practice. They are more about the wow factor for recruiting and having unrestricted 24/7 access. This is sold to recruits and they can't help but be impressed when they see these.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 12:32 pm
by rjsuperfly66
People like amenities. Reality is that football schools will always dominate the money pool if they choose to allocate money to the football programs. Most schools won't be able to compete with the financial backing places like Kentucky or Kansas have. First it was state of the art practice facilities, now it's state of the art apartment complexes. And as more schools start building their practice facilities, the power programs will be remodeling or rebuiding theres. And as more schools start to scrap money together for apartment complexes, Kentucky will have a bigger palacial estate for theirs. All you can do is utilize the funds at your disposal to the best of your ability to keep up.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:28 am
by RF1
Bill Koch thinks Hurley may want a practice facility:



Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:33 am
by Seawrightspostgame
He didn't pick URI #1, what does he know??

Providence College Announces New Practice Facility

Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 2:42 pm
by RF1
PC $37.5M


Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80, PC’s president, announced today that the College will begin construction on Phase I in 2016, to include a new two-story structure attached to Alumni Hall. That facility will include a basketball practice facility and space for associated Department of Athletics activities.

Link:
http://www.providence.edu/alumni/suppor ... e-fdc.aspx

Re: Providence College Announces New Practice Facility

Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 3:41 pm
by steviep123
RF1 wrote:Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80, PC’s president, announced today that the College will begin construction on Phase I in 2016, to include a new two-story structure attached to Alumni Hall. That facility will include a basketball practice facility and space for associated Department of Athletics activities.

Link:
http://www.providence.edu/alumni/suppor ... e-fdc.aspx
Thankfully the state isn't kicking in any $$$ like they did for the glorified paint job known as the Dunk renovation.

Re: Providence College Announces New Practice Facility

Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 8:59 pm
by woodennickel1
steviep123 wrote:
RF1 wrote:Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80, PC’s president, announced today that the College will begin construction on Phase I in 2016, to include a new two-story structure attached to Alumni Hall. That facility will include a basketball practice facility and space for associated Department of Athletics activities.

Link:
http://www.providence.edu/alumni/suppor ... e-fdc.aspx
Thankfully the state isn't kicking in any $$$ like they did for the glorified paint job known as the Dunk renovation.
Guess your not a big college basketball fan.Because without the so called glorified paint job there is no NCAA tournament at the dunk this year.

Re: Providence College Announces New Practice Facility

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 9:41 am
by RF1
woodennickel1 wrote:
steviep123 wrote:
RF1 wrote:Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. ’80, PC’s president, announced today that the College will begin construction on Phase I in 2016, to include a new two-story structure attached to Alumni Hall. That facility will include a basketball practice facility and space for associated Department of Athletics activities.

Link:
http://www.providence.edu/alumni/suppor ... e-fdc.aspx
Thankfully the state isn't kicking in any $$$ like they did for the glorified paint job known as the Dunk renovation.
Guess your not a big college basketball fan.Because without the so called glorified paint job there is no NCAA tournament at the dunk this year.

If that is your argument, spending nearly 100 million to host the NCAA twice in a decade is a pretty poor investment.

From what I have read, the building has failed in attracting a significant increase in bookings. RI taxpayers continue to subsidize each and every year helping to pay off its debt.

I get that Friar fans love it. This welfare project for PC has allowed the school to spend monies on other athletic facilities on campus. There is money for these type projects when you don't have to spend a dime on an arena.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Wed Dec 16, 2015 3:46 pm
by rjsuperfly66
The Dunk's bookings are low, because financially they aren't viable.
How much money did they lose on Barry Manilow a few years ago?
I don't know how someone could forecast it because of evolution of the industry.
Seems the Dunk too big for smaller-artists, but too small for bigger-artists.
Big shows are headed to Boston, or Mansfield.
The big names cost too much, ticket prices are high, people don't show up, and they lose money.
Ryan Center is the perfect size for the smaller shows.

I agree with you about PC.
They had a horse in the race, to push to get the upgrades.
That frees up their operating budget on campus, and Alumni is just fine for many events on campus.
But let's not pretend the upgrades were done just to benefit PC.
They were a piece, sure.
But the DDC makes more money off the P-Bruins.
They make more money off of huge concerts.
And they benefit greatly from larger events like NCAA in basketball and hockey.
I'm sure they also make $$ of off guaranteed luxury box sales, boxes purchased year round by corporations.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Tue Dec 22, 2015 3:57 pm
by OBRAM
I don't agree. If not for PC (Gavitt, Constantino), Dunk project never would have happened, or at the very least, it would have been a $20 million upgrade to the City, not a purchase and another $85 million upgrade. Also, if a Bond issue were held now, it would not be approved. Would it have been approved in 2005? Maybe, but not a slam dunk.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2016 1:12 pm
by RF1
Even some New England high schools are getting in on the act. Check out this 24.9M facility for St. John's Prep High School in Danvers, MA.

http://www.salemnews.com/news/local_new ... f2b82.html

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2016 7:06 pm
by rambone 78
Why are we even talking about this?

It's not happening here, especially now.

Dan has used up his leverage for any more upgrades.

It's win now, or where's the money?

No NCAA's, no more money.

Looks like all that money that was supposed to start flowing in, might have to wait a while longer. Maybe a lot longer.

The money might even shrink, what with the attendance at the Ryan lately.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Wed May 10, 2017 7:36 pm
by ramster
UCONN Coach Fired Up about Facilities and losing the arms race

http://www.theuconnblog.com/2017/5/9/15 ... t-hartford

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Wed May 10, 2017 8:28 pm
by rambone 78
Cry me a river.........poor babies......they have a brand new 40 million dollar practice facility that is the Taj Mahal of practice facilities......split between the men and women......

Geno is right though....when the women stop winning titles [after he retires] it will be too late.....being in the AAC doesn't help either program and the football program too....TV revenue is nothing compared to the P5 conferences.

Maybe Geno and Haystack Calhoun can donate a few dollars from their own pockets.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 11:35 am
by RF1
NEW DETAILS: UD Arena’s $72 million upgrade biggest project in university history
Will Garbe Staff Writer
6:57 p.m Thursday, May 11, 2017
Dayton Daily News

http://www.daytondailynews.com/news/loc ... gGEFdwrGM/


Dayton already has a basketball facility attached to UD Arena. It underwent a 4M renovation back in 2015.
http://daytonflyers.com/news/2015/5/28/ ... 52442.aspx


Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Thu May 18, 2017 8:31 pm
by rambone 78
Now who's paying for all this?

Out of our league, that's for sure.

The disparity of facilities from the top to the bottom of the A10 is staggering.

Even with an increased budget down the road, due to either donations, ticket revenue, or TV money, we can't compete with stuff like this.

As was mentioned, we're destined to remain around 4th-5th in the conference when it comes to resources.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 7:11 pm
by ATPTourFan
ugh....


Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Fri May 19, 2017 10:39 pm
by Seawrightspostgame
Stupid. How did they build the Ryan Center? Or any of the other 100s of buildings down in Kingston.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Wed May 24, 2017 6:47 pm
by Ramulous
Win 28 games a year for five years....get to the sweet 16 or elite 8 a few times.....won't need a fancy facility....

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2017 9:18 pm
by Rhodymob05

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 7:52 am
by rambone 78
What Mason is doing we will have to do at some point.....have to keep up with the Joneses......at least they are upgrading existing facilities instead of building a stand alone facility.

If the A10 wants to stay at the top of the mid major heap, more of it's schools will have to follow suit.

And URI will have to be one of them, or possibly fall to mid pack status down the road.

Again, agree with ramster on this.....plans should be in the works to do this in the not very distant future.....

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:20 am
by Seawrightspostgame
I cant see why they couldn't do it if they really wanted to.

You could do a private fundraiser. Have big donors match small donors. Or some creative initiative. Then take that cash to the GA and get the public to throw in cash.

Pretty much any well connected and funded lobby in RI gets what it wants. If they wanted it and it was at the top of the School's list I would be surprised if they couldn't get it.

LSU's football stadium was built as dorms to circumvent people that would object to it.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:53 am
by rambone 78
It will happen within a few years...count on it. Of course the longer it takes, the more it will cost.....

Just add it to the tab along with 25 million or so for Meade......

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 9:03 am
by ramster
Agree that it will happen here. It's good news for the A10 to have Schools like George Mason (besides Dayton, VCU, St Louis, UMASS) investing like this. The more schools in the A10 who do this, the pressure on the remaining schools will increase. Duquesne also recently announced very significant capital improvements to their Basketball Facilities.
URI needs to come close behind this group - not too far behind.

I read the George Mason article when it came out several days ago and was very impressed with the plan, wishing we had a similar plan for Basketball and how wonderful it would be to have a vision for Football. No doubt Thor and President Dooley are aware of what the competition is up to.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2017 9:17 am
by rambone 78
I'm sure that Thorr, Dooley et al would rather not have to spend this kind of money to keep up, but what choice do they have?

If you want to be like Gonzaga, it's not going to happen without the necessary Gonzaga-like expenditures. Want to land 4 star recruits on a consistent basis? Like it or not, it's a fact of life nowadays.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2017 11:54 am
by ATPTourFan
You grow into a Gonzaga like program from sustained winning. There's no light switch to go from where URI is today to what Gonzaga is today.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2017 12:27 pm
by Rhodymob05
I would think theres an option to renovate and add on to either keaney or tootel. AS URI did wit the new workout rooms.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2017 12:36 pm
by rjsuperfly66
ATP is right ... I believe I read an article that discussed the big donors for the new basketball facility at Gonzaga.
I believe they just became fans 5 years ago, after seeing them play in Arizona.
I don't believe they have any previous affiliation with the school.
In the last 20 years, school enrollment has doubled, endowment has skyrocketed, budget has grown 300% in 20 years, built a new arena in 2004, a new practice facility on the way up, and in 2015, they started fundraising to try to raise $250 million, and had received $240 as of March.
And you want to know what people close to the school believe it's all tied too?
Basketball and their consistent success.
It started in '99, when they made the Elite 8.
Including '99, they have won tournament games in 16 out of 19 seasons.
They have made 8 Sweet 16's, 3 Elite 8's, and this year added in the Final Four and Championship game.
It's a hard bar to reach, not that it can't, but a track record like that is quite impressive.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2017 5:40 pm
by rambone 78
I know URI isn't going to reach a Gonzaga type level without sustained winning first.

With winning comes the money. Both have to happen.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2017 5:43 pm
by Ramulous
Plus Gonzaga is a private Catholic school....they appeal to different demographics than the "second-class citizen in our own state" type of State University that we are....

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Fri Jul 07, 2017 11:49 pm
by ramster
Thread is about practice facilities.
UMASS, Dayton, St Louis, Duquesne, PC (in Progress with Roane Center and I know, not A10), Now George Mason.........all investing significantly in Basketball Facilities including practice centers.
Not all had to experience Gonzaga like success before making these investing decisions
I think the George Mason announcement this week has the most similarity to what URI could announce plans for - take some of what already exists and make it sparkle - the George Mason plans look great and not outrageously expensive. Fundraising in progress that does not look insurmountable for a school like URI

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2017 2:34 pm
by hrstrat57
Not gonna happen.....

Zero chance, none

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 1:23 pm
by OBRAM
http://gmuhoops.co/2016/02/07/george-ma ... AhQgT.dpbs

Here is a link.
I say, URI build a new Pool complex, uses the Tootell Area for Practice facility.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 4:06 pm
by Rhodymob05
I believe fans/donors are all in for the idea after last season, and will be even more so with another successful season in 2017-2018. As a matter of fact, this should be a poll.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2017 11:08 am
by rambone 78
Like it or not, there is and will always be an arms race when it comes to facilities.

URI HAS to continue to upgrade in all areas in order to compete. The question isn't if, it's when these things will happen.

Or else become second class, even in our own conference.

It's tougher here of course, with almost everything requiring private [or NCAA] money.....state funding is a pipe dream.....but that's the reality.

Re: Basketball Practice Facilities Review

Posted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 10:25 am
by Everett_Rob
I'm preparing to the new season, exited