Ryan Center In-Game Experience - Issues and Upgrades

[RF1]

Though alcohol is not high on my personal list, I filled out the survey as if it was for those that very much desire easy access. It at least will provide a boost in revenue and bring the Ryan Center in line with peer venues (VCU, Richmond, and UMass added alcohol this season and other A-10 schools such as Dayton and St Louis have had it for some time).

[Taylor Swift]

At every professional sports venue I've been to, there is someone to stop you from entering the seating area until a stoppage.

Not Fenway park. Can't stand going to games there. People are constantly up and down. Actually wrote to them and in their arrogance they ignored me. Sit at the end of row at Ryan center and am constantly up and down letting people through. I can't imagine what it will be like with beer sales and I like my beer.... Lots of people just don't get it.

I have a massive bruise on my thigh from mistakenly bumping into the armrest at the Mullins Center last weekend letting someone back into the row to get their Bud Lite. Oh sorry, I am sitting in your way watching the game. Let me move for you since you need to get to your seat so quickly, sir.

Also, about the Ryan Center "ushers" I love the women who constantly stomp around making laps around the perimeter of the court with their walkie talkies hanging off their belts. OMG, YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT!! I'm still unclear on what any of them do since there's usually a detail of ~5 SK cops, multiple URI PD, and those other dudes that sit around the court as "security".

Funny, I have thought the same. Vinny Turco does the same - here, there and everywhere. He is non-stop walking. They all must get some good fitbit numbers.

My understanding is Vinny’s title is something like “Facilities” I definitely saw him on TV in Hawaii. Would love his job when he retires.

[Taylor Swift]

Id like to make a quick comment about our fans leaving before the game ends. I was at the VCU game, tight game down to the final minute or so with tons of exciting moments. Fans were leaving at the 3 min mark. Pathetic. They'd rather beat the traffic then see the Rams finish a great game. Half the building misses the starting lineups too. It was a little embarrassing.

It’s so asinine. One thing I could never imagine doing.

[Taylor Swift]

There's one usher down by the URI bench that must have some kind of radar. As soon as someone sits down in the 100 level sections behind the bench she's on them like a hawk checking their tickets. It doesn't matter how many empty seats there are or at what point in the game it is.

My eyes are rolling in the back of my head

[Taylor Swift]

I got the email & I am not a season ticket holder. Although I do buy the miniplans each year.
I am more concerned about wifi than beer in the seats.

Also, in the Keaney lot, why the f did they put that barrier down the middle of it?

Don't most of us have unlimited data on our phones now? I get unlimited everything on 3 lines for 80 all fees/taxes included.

I have unlimited data but my phone doesn’t work in the rC which makes it imossible to use data. It all has to do with the towers in the area and the demand (people) using their phones. Like I’ve said I’ve been to other events and same thing.

[PeteRI]

A few thoughts from me:

- Wi-fi does stink, but I figured out a work-around. Don't quote me on this, but I believe the URI_Open network lets me use a limited access setting for Wi-fi.
- I'm in Section 205 and the food choices near me are pathetic. But the survey email mentioned some other options I'm not familiar with, since this is my first year as a season ticket holder. If any folks here have opinions on those options, I'd love to hear them.
- Traffic and parking aren't bad at all provided I arrive at least a half an hour before tip-off. I come from Providence, take Rte. 2 to 138, then park near the hockey rink.

All in all, as a Ryan Center newbie I'm thrilled. Wonderful sight lines, good PA system (although this old fart could do with less volume) and comfortable seats. Of course, if we can play more consistent basketball that will make my experience even more enjoyable.

[ATPTourFan]

She hasn’t stopped me yet from going into 105 a few games.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Though alcohol is not high on my personal list, I filled out the survey as if it was for those that very much desire easy access. It at least will provide a boost in revenue and bring the Ryan Center in line with peer venues (VCU, Richmond, and UMass added alcohol this season and other A-10 schools such as Dayton have had it for some time).

You are one fine American.

[Taylor Swift]

She hasn’t stopped me yet from going into 105 a few games.

Your timing has been right.

[section(105)]

.......there was, today on CBS, a pre Super Bowl segment on cheaper “ fan pricing” in many venues around the county; good simple food/drinks, cheap prices, quickly accessible as opposed to crazy high prices in long line lines.....hhhhhuuummmmm, maybe RC management should take note.....

[Rhodyram]

There's one usher down by the URI bench that must have some kind of radar. As soon as someone sits down in the 100 level sections behind the bench she's on them like a hawk checking their tickets. It doesn't matter how many empty seats there are or at what point in the game it is.

I watch this woman work often as my seats are in 208 looking at the Rhody bench. I believe a lot of that section is for friends/family of the team. Anybody that is young gets pounced on when they go into that section.

[ATPTourFan]

.......there was, today on CBS, a pre Super Bowl segment on cheaper “ fan pricing” in many venues around the county; good simple food/drinks, cheap prices, quickly accessible as opposed to crazy high prices in long line lines.....hhhhhuuummmmm, maybe RC management should take note.....

They do plenty of family 4 packs and $10 tickets and other offers.

What else do you recommend?

[Rhodymob05]

Groupon has some nice deals on tickets.

[EZBuckets]

My understanding is Vinny’s title is something like “Facilities” I definitely saw him on TV in Hawaii. Would love his job when he retires.

As someone who’s at the arena hours before tipoff & witnesses firsthand - Vinny and many others who may appear to be “just watching” the games handle 90% of their responsibilities before any fan steps foot into the arena. I may be a little partial, but I think the Ryan Center & Athletics/Operations staff do an amazing job to make sure games run smoothly.

The marketing staff alone has a team of people “in the shadows” who break their backs to make sure I don’t look like an idiot out there (even though I do a decent job of doing that myself).

It’s all largely thankless work by dozens of people who just want to make sure our fans enjoy themselves.

[theblueram]

.......there was, today on CBS, a pre Super Bowl segment on cheaper “ fan pricing” in many venues around the county; good simple food/drinks, cheap prices, quickly accessible as opposed to crazy high prices in long line lines.....hhhhhuuummmmm, maybe RC management should take note.....

They do plenty of family 4 packs and $10 tickets and other offers.

What else do you recommend?

Cheaper beer? 8 bucks for a beer is a bit much for a college basketball game not in a city.

[sandman012]

More drum core

[sandman012]

And play ‘7 nation army’ over the PA , the band’s rendition is sad.

[ramster]

Same old things:

Quality of Food
Lines for Food
WIFI is terrible or nonexistent
Sound system is inadequate - difficult to understand the announcer

[Taylor Swift]

My understanding is Vinny’s title is something like “Facilities” I definitely saw him on TV in Hawaii. Would love his job when he retires.

As someone who’s at the arena hours before tipoff & witnesses firsthand - Vinny and many others who may appear to be “just watching” the games handle 90% of their responsibilities before any fan steps foot into the arena. I may be a little partial, but I think the Ryan Center & Athletics/Operations staff do an amazing job to make sure games run smoothly.

The marketing staff alone has a team of people “in the shadows” who break their backs to make sure I don’t look like an idiot out there (even though I do a decent job of doing that myself).

It’s all largely thankless work by dozens of people who just want to make sure our fans enjoy themselves.

Lol I’d never doubt the man isn’t working.

[Taylor Swift]

.......there was, today on CBS, a pre Super Bowl segment on cheaper “ fan pricing” in many venues around the county; good simple food/drinks, cheap prices, quickly accessible as opposed to crazy high prices in long line lines.....hhhhhuuummmmm, maybe RC management should take note.....

They do plenty of family 4 packs and $10 tickets and other offers.

What else do you recommend?

Crazy high prices? I believe it’s cheaper to take a family to a game than it is to see a movie for what it’s worth.

[Iggy1979]

I've complained about them before so I have to say: this year's pep band is the best ever.

[Iggy1979]

I'm actually against beer sales at the concession stands, but I think they could improve the pub experience:
1. Don't close for private parties; do that somewhere else.
2. More space/more tables.
3. Better food
4. Don't treat the people there like second-class citizens; why does a coach only appear in the donor's lounge?
5. Big screen TV that shows highlights from current and past years.

[Rhodymob05]

Honestly, I think this program/fanbase is beginning to outgrow the Ryan Center. I'd love to see the pubs expanded, but how?

[ElmCityRhody]

i answered this question for the past 2 years.. LOL

[ElmCityRhody]

THINK BIG I DO

[Rhodyram]

Honestly, I think this program/fanbase is beginning to outgrow the Ryan Center. I'd love to see the pubs expanded, but how?

Not even close to outgrowing the Ryan Center- can't sell it out (minus the every-other year PC game and the 1 or 2 well timed/scheduled big A-10 games per season)

[section(105)]

Honestly, I think this program/fanbase is beginning to outgrow the Ryan Center. I'd love to see the pubs expanded, but how?

......not being an engineer, nor stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last nite, but maybe that dead air void behind the railing of the end zone pub areas could be designed into more/better Pub space or event space......get ready for another Pub area closure for the Alumni Big Chill Weekend game.......put a real sports bar atmosphere there......we are a good engineering school, no?

[Rhodymob05]

Honestly, I think this program/fanbase is beginning to outgrow the Ryan Center. I'd love to see the pubs expanded, but how?

Not even close to outgrowing the Ryan Center- can't sell it out (minus the every-other year PC game and the 1 or 2 well timed/scheduled big A-10 games per season)

I think the capacity is sufficient, but the concourse with the pubs, concessions, trophy case, alumni lounge ect. Not much real-estate left.

[Rhodymob05]

Honestly, I think this program/fanbase is beginning to outgrow the Ryan Center. I'd love to see the pubs expanded, but how?

......not being an engineer, nor stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last nite, but maybe that dead air void behind the railing of the end zone pub areas could be designed into more/better Pub space or event space......get ready for another Pub area closure for the Alumni Big Chill Weekend game.......put a real sports bar atmosphere there......we are a good engineering school, no?

I think you nailed it, send that idea to Thor because as of now, its a wasted roped off location for a camera.

[ElmCityRhody]

Ummm.. hello.. I’ve been saying this for years

Look st my past posts

It’s a no brainer

THING BIG DO WE

[Rhody Guy]

There's one usher down by the URI bench that must have some kind of radar. As soon as someone sits down in the 100 level sections behind the bench she's on them like a hawk checking their tickets. It doesn't matter how many empty seats there are or at what point in the game it is.

The ticket nazi! Had a few run ins with her over the years. Takes the job too seriously and is just a rude person.

[Rhodyram]

Yesterday they had an elevated second row of padded seats behind the baseline.

[Taylor Swift]

There's one usher down by the URI bench that must have some kind of radar. As soon as someone sits down in the 100 level sections behind the bench she's on them like a hawk checking their tickets. It doesn't matter how many empty seats there are or at what point in the game it is.

The ticket nazi! Had a few run ins with her over the years. Takes the job too seriously and is just a rude person.

Saw her reviewing Jimmy Baron’s and his wife’s ticket to make sure they were legit.

[Taylor Swift]

Yesterday they had an elevated second row of padded seats behind the baseline.

I bet the second row folks were glad to be able to see over someone’s head.

[hrstrat57]

There's one usher down by the URI bench that must have some kind of radar. As soon as someone sits down in the 100 level sections behind the bench she's on them like a hawk checking their tickets. It doesn't matter how many empty seats there are or at what point in the game it is.

The ticket nazi! Had a few run ins with her over the years. Takes the job too seriously and is just a rude person.

Saw her reviewing Jimmy Baron’s and his wife’s ticket to make sure they were legit.

[EGram]

So I got invited to a luxury box for a work thing to watch the PC/Gtown game the other night. Really brought to light some goods/bads of the situation.


Firstly, I was shocked at how little noise the crowd was... it was a fairly close game and I feel like the Friars had almost no hometown advantage. Gtown often seemed to get bigger cheers from a rather large contingent. The most excitement I was the entire time from the PC student section was in getting in the busses (they all left with 3-5 mins left in a 10 point or so game). The Crowd noise/interest differential between the dunk and the RC was honestly shocking. the other two big URI fans in my box with me all mentioned it.

The most embarrassing thing was some PC player almost deadpanning and rolling his eyes with clapping and saying "Let go Friars!" on the big screen/loudspeaker. I honestly don't know if this was supposed to be a legit pump up the crowd thing or some silly post-modern meme that fell on its face. The young man clearly did not feel comfortable doing this...

On the downside: the new Dunk does make the Ryan center seem a bit second rate in many ways... and I think being in the middle of a bustling downtown creates an atmosphere that appeals to modern students more so then a campus arena in the comparative rural Kingston. The corporate box differential was also big on the side of PC. They have 20 boxes all filled to the brim on a weeknight. We were there because of the Civic center, but it was still the Providence-Warwick convention bureau technically.. Maybe URI could use the RC for more trade shows/events? Or build an exhibit hall into the complex? Wishful thinking I know...


PS: the MC had nothing on EZ buckets. At the end of the game, someone mentioned him on the loudspeaker and I recall thinking "Wait, They had an MC?"

[The Dude]

Still need a new announcer. York almost swallowed the mic again.

[Rhodymob05]

If Uri was located in Providence with the same amount of success /same conference etc, they would attract at least another 3-4 thousand fans because of the location. Can’t match that obviously. I think Uri can have more trade shows etc once the new on campus hotel is built.

[Taylor Swift]

If Uri was located in Providence with the same amount of success /same conference etc, they would attract at least another 3-4 thousand fans because of the location. Can’t match that obviously. I think Uri can have more trade shows etc once the new on campus hotel is built.

The hotel is going to be a game changer.

[Obadiah]

AngloRam. On Wednesday, I was in town with my wife and a business friend from Berkshire County, Mass. and had dinner at il Massimo on Atwells Avenue in Providence. The restaurant was very crowded which was explained when I learned there was a PC game at the Dunk that evening. My friend remarked about how sleazy some of the crowd looked. My wife retorted what do you expect, they're PC fans!. So that compliments your Dunk experience.

[Taylor Swift]

AngloRam. On Wednesday, I was in town with my wife and a business friend from Berkshire County, Mass. and had dinner at il Massimo on Atwells Avenue in Providence. The restaurant was very crowded which was explained when I learned there was a PC game at the Dunk that evening. My friend remarked about how sleazy some of the crowd looked. My wife retorted what do you expect, they're PC fans!. So that compliments your Dunk experience.

Sleazy.

[rhodyrudder]

There's one usher down by the URI bench that must have some kind of radar. As soon as someone sits down in the 100 level sections behind the bench she's on them like a hawk checking their tickets. It doesn't matter how many empty seats there are or at what point in the game it is.

The ticket nazi! Had a few run ins with her over the years. Takes the job too seriously and is just a rude person.

Saw her reviewing Jimmy Baron’s and his wife’s ticket to make sure they were legit.

gtfo!!!

[rhodyruckus]

There's one usher down by the URI bench that must have some kind of radar. As soon as someone sits down in the 100 level sections behind the bench she's on them like a hawk checking their tickets. It doesn't matter how many empty seats there are or at what point in the game it is.

The ticket nazi! Had a few run ins with her over the years. Takes the job too seriously and is just a rude person.

Saw her reviewing Jimmy Baron’s and his wife’s ticket to make sure they were legit.

Jesus, need an FBI Wanted poster except have photos of "former players who should be given front row seats no questions asked". If I was Jimmy I'd be like hmm I have a donor check right here but can't hand it over right now need to make sure it's legit. Or I see your knowledge of alumni is as good as the team's 3-point shooting this year.

[Taylor Swift]

The ticket nazi! Had a few run ins with her over the years. Takes the job too seriously and is just a rude person.

Saw her reviewing Jimmy Baron’s and his wife’s ticket to make sure they were legit.

Jesus, need an FBI Wanted poster except have photos of "former players who should be given front row seats no questions asked". If I was Jimmy I'd be like hmm I have a donor check right here but can't hand it over right now need to make sure it's legit. Or I see your knowledge of alumni is as good as the team's 3-point shooting this year.

I get someone “doing their job”, however, the demeanor and body language is where I’m lost with this individual. Maybe some people have been hungry for the least bit of “authority” in their life and this is their one shining moment checking tickets in south county...

[Taylor Swift]

By the way has anyone heard anything on the reason for the midseason change of the Alex and Ani Court to Bank RI?

[section(105)]

By the way has anyone heard anything on the reason for the midseason change of the Alex and Ani Court to Bank RI?

.......go back some pages in this thread......it was discussed.....

[Taylor Swift]

By the way has anyone heard anything on the reason for the midseason change of the Alex and Ani Court to Bank RI?

.......go back some pages in this thread......it was discussed.....

Saw and wrote about seeing it, but didn’t see anything on the thread for the reason yet?

[RhowdyRam02]

I think Alex and Ani are moving their operations to NY, so that might have something to do with it. As far as I know, no reason has been publicly offered.

[Obadiah]

It was reported in a January ProJo article that Alex and Ani are moving their HQ to Providence, not NYC, sometime in March-April time frame.

[Rhodymob05]

"The Alex and Ani Dunkin Center"