College Avenue Gym

[SHUSource]

Jerry Carino mentioned the possibility of playing a game next year at the Barn. What is the seating capacity there? I was only inside the building once, and I might've been the only person inside for all I know, and I loved the old-time feel. As someone who wasn't really old enough to have seen a hoops game there (I was just 7 or 8 when the LBAC opened), I'd love to have the chance.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

Capacity is 1,200, according to the article. Actually, I think it can fit at least twice that many.

http://blogs.mycentraljersey.com/hoopshaven/

The main problem with a game at the Barn... where would everyone park? The game would have to be during break when students aren't around.

 

[bac2therac]

I don't see the big deal in this and I don't see a lot of our fans clamoring for this

if you want to see how it is go to a volleyball or wrestling match

 

[SHUSource]

At lot of us at Seton Hall had said for years that it would be great to play the occasional game again at Walsh Gym, and it was, but eventually the novelty wore off to a large extent. I suppose the same would happen at The Barn, but I do think it would be kind of exciting once or twice.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

I like the idea. an issue would be I think our season ticket base in greater or close to equal the capacity which would leave no room for students or walk up.

It would be loud, full, historic. The CCSU game would have been full.

 

[Local Shill]

I like the idea. an issue would be I think our season ticket base in greater or close to equal the capacity which would leave no room for students or walk up.

It would be loud, full, historic. The CCSU game would have been full.

It was mentioned that it would have to be excluded from the season ticket package.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

It was mentioned that it would have to be excluded from the season ticket package.

It would then probably become a revenue loser and potentially alienate season ticket holders

 

[ColonelRutgers]

It's a dumb idea. From what Carino said the capacity is down to around 1200 from around 2800 to start with so it wouldn't be like the old environment under a best case scenario. Do they even have bleachers around the perimeter on the floor anymore or did they take them out? The ones that used to be there we're practically on the court so if they are still there then I could see someone crashing into the bleachers and breaking a leg or something. If they aren't still there then the fans would be up in the rafters and then what's the point? A scrimmage of some kind. A regular season game would be asinine. Especially if that didn't sell out!

 

[Scarlet Shack]

Midnight Madness like when Bob was the coach

 

[ScarletDave]

Currently all the upper seats are still there but at the court level the only seats are bleachers in one endzone. For the sideline and other endzone they would have to bring in bleachers from somewhere else. We do have a nice set in the Livi Rec Center for gymnastics. And I agree, the old-time feel would be amazing. The original signage is still there for the sections/restrooms and stuff like that. Would really be a fun throwback game.

In regards to do we have to have all the season ticket holders have seats - well when they do games on the air craft carriers or when we had home games at the Garden, do they worry about season ticket holders? They should have first priority to buy but it should not be exclusive.

 

[RUSONIC]

Its just a dumb idea period! Its a high school gym, not even that nice. Lets show the rest of the country that we are regressing. Maybe the team could travel to away games in a yellow school buss and we can all follow in our 1957 Chevy station wagons.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Its just a dumb idea period! Its a high school gym, not even that nice. Lets show the rest of the country that we are regressing. Maybe the team could travel to away games in a yellow school buss and we can all follow in our 1957 Chevy station wagons.

Exactly. We're a huge state university but we can't attract 2,000 people for a 6:00 pm game in our decrepit outdated arena so let's advertise how pathetic we are by playing in something that was decrepit and obsolete 40 years ago!

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

It's about history. Next year is 40 year anniversary and Jordan is coach.

 

[bac2therac]

Currently all the upper seats are still there but at the court level the only seats are bleachers in one endzone. For the sideline and other endzone they would have to bring in bleachers from somewhere else. We do have a nice set in the Livi Rec Center for gymnastics. And I agree, the old-time feel would be amazing. The original signage is still there for the sections/restrooms and stuff like that. Would really be a fun throwback game.

In regards to do we have to have all the season ticket holders have seats - well when they do games on the air craft carriers or when we had home games at the Garden, do they worry about season ticket holders? They should have first priority to buy but it should not be exclusive.

Great idea...lets reward those who want to go for novelties sake and dont bother to go any other time while excluding the loyal season ticket base who has been supporting a terrible program for over 2 decades

 

[RU-ROCS]

Wow. The barn used to fit 3,000. How has its capacity shrunk to 1,200?

 

[knights1212]

I think the Barn sat 2,800-3,000 in the 75-76 season. I have attended several state tournament games there as well as quite a few RU games in the 70's. I also went to Midnight Madness there at least 4 times over the years. I know Mike Rice had this about 3 times and Wenzel had it at least once at the Barn too. It would be nice to have a Exhibition there but the season ticket holders would have to get first crack at seats. That is only fair as they are the once supporting the team through thick and thin.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Is there anybody talking about a real game there other than Jerry Carino? Love ya, Jerry, but "no".

 

[BoroKnight]

Midnight Madness like when Bob was the coach

Bob was the first one to move it to the RAC. I remember having this argument with someone at the time, and the thinking was he wanted to get the students in the habit of going to the RAC.

Why an intrasquad scrimmage the The Barn would affect that, I don't know. But that was the logic.

 

[bac2therac]

Bob was the first one to move it to the RAC. I remember having this argument with someone at the time, and the thinking was he wanted to get the students in the habit of going to the RAC.

Why an intrasquad scrimmage the The Barn would affect that, I don't know. But that was the logic.

probably because it got them in the habit of making a point to travel to the RAC...today kids cant even bothered to walk 5 minutes from the new Livingston dorms...

this is a bad idea because there is virtually no interest in the program so its not exactly going to be exciting and the gimmick will wear off quick if its one of those usual life and death struggles

 

[bethlehemfan]

It was either 2600 or 2800. Loved watching games there. The good old days!

 

[DennisHajekRC84]

I thought this was a great idea and even suggested it in a thread the other day..but that was BEFORE I read here it is only 1200..I thought it was still around 2800 or so. Never mind.

 

[ColonelRutgers]

The women don't draw at all and can't have much of a season ticket base. If they hadn't torn out so many bleachers and reduced capacity so much, an early season women's game might have been a better idea as a special event. Or maybe we should just let this topic die.

 

[RU-ROCS]

The Men's attendance is so bad they no longer sell out Section 114 at the RAC to season ticket holders. That's the center court court level section and you can buy single game tickets there and in all of the other court level sectionseven today. It's very sad, as all of those sections used to sellout even in the Fred Hill error.

 

[RUfromSoCal?]

about 2,800. EJ mentioned he'd like to play a scrimmage or pre-season game each year at The Barn.

 

[PiscatawayMike]

...today kids cant even bothered to walk 5 minutes from the new Livingston dorms...

So true, bac. I thought the new Livingston dorms would boost student attendance. It hasn't. Students would rather play video games than support their school's basketball program. Sad.

 

[BKIn118]

There have been attempts made to schedule games at the Barn as recently as last season...

The problem is that the tech the Barn is capable of isn't quite up to snuff for today's power or broadcast needs.

Ticketing is not the issue holding this idea back.

 

[ruman]

So true, bac. I thought the new Livingston dorms would boost student attendance. It hasn't. Students would rather play video games than support their school's basketball program. Sad.

The video game doesn't lose by 25

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Video game also doesn't have dollar dog night.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Is there a button to jump and get a rebound.

 

[yellowlot]

Its a great idea! Play it early in year on thurs nite vs a jersey school. Fdu. St petes rider etc. have a big screen outside as well with a fair and festival atmosphere on college ave with food etc...throwback nite

 

[RUJMM78]

Exactly. We're a huge state university but we can't attract 2,000 people for a 6:00 pm game in our decrepit outdated arena so let's advertise how pathetic we are by playing in something that was decrepit and obsolete 40 years ago!

Its difficult to attract 2000 people in a state of approximately 9 million potential fans in NJ.