So I am building a new arena for Rutgers...

[50 yd line RR]

B1G 2014-15 Home Basketball Attendance & Stadium Capacities

Wisconsin 17,279 of 17,279
Indiana 16,288 of 17,472
Nebraska 15,569 of 16,000
Michigan St 14,797 of 15,000
Illinois 14,652 of 17,000
Ohio St 14,648 of 19,049
Iowa 14,101 of 15,500
Maryland 12,695 of 17,950
Michigan 12,316 of 13,751
Minnesota 12,188 of 14,625
Purdue 11,523 of 14,846
Penn St 8,044 of 15,261
Northwestern 6,914 of 8,117
RUTGERS 5,770 of 8,000

If you build IT, they will come !
Nebraska is proof of that.
IT means a good Basketball team that plays in a nice,
big facility that people want to go to.

Rutgers is located in a great area for B1G Basketball and the B1G is
the best conference in College Basketball.

There are 21 million people who reside within 50 miles of the RAC.
In comparison, only 1 million people reside within 50 miles of the
Bryce Jordan Center.

PSU Power I agree with you . The Ferren Deck location would be great. Fans could take the train. A short walk from college ave.for students.
I would build it for 10,000, to start, but design and build it so it could expand to 18,000 seats in the future.
Build it for hoops,hockey,major wrestling matches, and concerts. Keep the rac for wrestling.

 

[G- RUnit]

Can't see an arena next to a major Hospital. NJ Transit is not a subway station and controlled by Amtrak. Multi-purpose arenas are soul less for hoops.

 

[OTBOTOR]

There is a very easy to use free shuttle from the train to football games... Maybe there is one for bb as well?

Yeah the football shuttle is great. No such shuttle for bb games, though. Scarletknights.com suggests taking a taxi from the train station.

 

[soundcrib]

PSU Power I agree with you . The Ferren Deck location would be great. Fans could take the train. A short walk from college ave.for students.
I would build it for 10,000, to start, but design and build it so it could expand to 18,000 seats in the future.
Build it for hoops,hockey,major wrestling matches, and concerts. Keep the rac for wrestling.

And volleyball. Crazy what the other B1G schools have for volleyball.

 

[bac2therac]

B1G 2014-15 Home Basketball Attendance & Stadium Capacities

Wisconsin 17,279 of 17,279
Indiana 16,288 of 17,472
Nebraska 15,569 of 16,000
Michigan St 14,797 of 15,000
Illinois 14,652 of 17,000
Ohio St 14,648 of 19,049
Iowa 14,101 of 15,500
Maryland 12,695 of 17,950
Michigan 12,316 of 13,751
Minnesota 12,188 of 14,625
Purdue 11,523 of 14,846
Penn St 8,044 of 15,261
Northwestern 6,914 of 8,117
RUTGERS 5,770 of 8,000

If you build IT, they will come !
Nebraska is proof of that.
IT means a good Basketball team that plays in a nice,
big facility that people want to go to.

Rutgers is located in a great area for B1G Basketball and the B1G is
the best conference in College Basketball.

There are 21 million people who reside within 50 miles of the RAC.
In comparison, only 1 million people reside within 50 miles of the
Bryce Jordan Center.

sorry not in NJ they wont...most comparable situation is Maryland who only gets 12600. First of all the program is at least a decade away from the point of thinking its a stable program that can draw over 10k fans. Building a 18000 seat arena for a terrible basketball program is a joke.

 

[PSUPOWER]

sorry not in NJ they wont...most comparable situation is Maryland who only gets 12600. First of all the program is at least a decade away from the point of thinking its a stable program that can draw over 10k fans. Building a 18000 seat arena for a terrible basketball program is a joke.

Nebraska had a 13,000 seat arena that wasn't as bad as the RAC at one time and some people used to say that the Lincoln, NE market didn't need a bigger and better arena for their Basketball program.

2010/2011 Nebraska 9,964 of 13,000 at Bob Devaney Sports Center
2011-2012 Nebraska 9,395 of 13,000 at Bob Devaney Sports Center
2012-2013 Nebraska 10,019 of 13,000 at Bob Devaney Sports Center

But, Nebraska had the foresight to upgrade to a 16,000 seat arena.

2013-2014 Nebraska 15,419 of 16,000 at Pinnacle Bank Arena
2014-2015 Nebraska 15,569 of 16,000 at Pinnacle Bank Arena

If Lincoln, NE can do it, Central Jersey can do it.

If Maryland is the most comparable situation from your point of view,
Maryland has sold out most of their Men's Basketball home games
this year at the 17,950 seat Xfinity Center.

Central Jersey and RUTGERS need a bigger and better indoor sports facility to maximize their potential. Don't underestimate the number of Basketball enthusiasts that Central Jersey has. In my opinion, Central Jersey has a lot more College Basketball fans than Lincoln, NE.

 

[Proud NJ Sports Fan]

Nebraska had a 13,000 seat arena that wasn't as bad as the RAC at one time and some people used to say that the Lincoln, NE market didn't need a bigger and better arena for their Basketball program.

2010/2011 Nebraska 9,964 of 13,000 at Bob Devaney Sports Center
2011-2012 Nebraska 9,395 of 13,000 at Bob Devaney Sports Center
2012-2013 Nebraska 10,019 of 13,000 at Bob Devaney Sports Center

But, Nebraska had the foresight to upgrade to a 16,000 seat arena.

2013-2014 Nebraska 15,419 of 16,000 at Pinnacle Bank Arena
2014-2015 Nebraska 15,569 of 16,000 at Pinnacle Bank Arena

If Lincoln, NE can do it, Central Jersey can do it.

If Maryland is the most comparable situation from your point of view,
Maryland has sold out most of their Men's Basketball home games
this year at the 17,950 seat Xfinity Center.

Central Jersey and RUTGERS need a bigger and better indoor sports facility to maximize their potential. Don't underestimate the number of Basketball enthusiasts that Central Jersey has. In my opinion, Central Jersey has a lot more College Basketball fans than Lincoln, NE.

You make a lot of good points that I agree with but, in the Lincoln area and all through the state, 99.9% of the population is a Nebraska fan.

In NJ, there are many different loyalties and right now RU mens hoops popularity is at an all-time low.
Locally, Seton Hall and even Monmouth have better fan support right now and then you have the fans of out of state teams like Duke, UNC, Kentucky, etc...

Rutgers can announce that the next home game is free to the public and The RAC would still not be packed.

The program can be turned around and I think it will with the next coaching regime, but if a new arena is going to be built I think Hobbs and the university should partner with the NJ Devils billionaire owners so they can bring their minor league team from Albany, NY to Downtown New Brunswick.

Build a nice Downtown multi-purpose arena that Central Jersey can be proud of.
10.5k seating

 

[wheezer]

When we expanded the football stadium we had the short lived excuse of a waiting list...... With basketball it is tougher sell to build anything that is multiple times our attendance. I know it makes sense if you want a good shot At a good bb team in the future, but still tough to explain to the masses.

 

[PSUPOWER]

You make a lot of good points that I agree with but, in the Lincoln area and all through the state, 99.9% of the population is a Nebraska fan.

In NJ, there are many different loyalties and right now RU mens hoops popularity is at an all-time low.
Locally, Seton Hall and even Monmouth have better fan support right now and then you have the fans of out of state teams like Duke, UNC, Kentucky, etc...

Rutgers can announce that the next home game is free to the public and The RAC would still not be packed.

The program can be turned around and I think it will with the next coaching regime, but if a new arena is going to be built I think Hobbs and the university should partner with the NJ Devils billionaire owners so they can bring their minor league team from Albany, NY to Downtown New Brunswick.

Build a nice Downtown multi-purpose arena that Central Jersey can be proud of.

99.9% of the Nebraska population or close to it may be a Nebraska fan when it comes to College Football. But, that is not the case with College Basketball.

The Creighton Blue Jays play their home games at the Century Link Center in Omaha, NE, which is located about 50 miles Northeast of Lincoln, NE.

2014-2015 Creighton 17,048 of 18,320
2013-2014 Creighton 17,896 of 18,320
2012-2013 Creighton 17,155 of 18,320

More people attend Creighton Blue Jay Men's Basketball games in Nebraska than Nebraska Cornhusker Men's Basketball games.

The technology exists today to build a multi-purpose arena that can seat
15,000 for big events and be sectioned off to seat half that for other events,
while keeping a smaller look at feel and reduced maintenance costs for
the smaller events.

 

[PaKnight]

When we expanded the football stadium we had the short lived excuse of a waiting list...... With basketball it is tougher sell to build anything that is multiple times our attendance. I know it makes sense if you want a good shot At a good bb team in the future, but still tough to explain to the masses.

You have to remember that the OP offered to pay for the facility. If you are going to spend a lot of money for a facility, you don't want it to be obsolete, even if you have to curtain off some seats in the present.

 

[StyleKnight]

I don't want a large facility ever. I like smaller intimate arenas. I prefer Cameron indoor arena or the palaestra. 10k-12k is perfect.

 

[wheezer]

I don't want a large facility ever. I like smaller intimate arenas. I prefer Cameron indoor arena or the palaestra. 10k-12k is perfect.

----
Funny how Cameron is considered a cool arena and outsiders criticize our place, and the capacity is not much different.

 

[wheezer]

You have to remember that the OP offered to pay for the facility. If you are going to spend a lot of money for a facility, you don't want it to be obsolete, even if you have to curtain off some seats in the present.

----
Yeah, I was figuring he was gonna stiff us with the bill at the end..... Or the truth, forgot the premise

 

[PSUPOWER]

----
Funny how Cameron is considered a cool arena and outsiders criticize our place, and the capacity is not much different.

Cameron Indoor Arena is an anomaly. While many people in Central Jersey would like to watch Rutgers Basketball in a great facility, few would be willing to pay $500 for a ticket. Duke alumni are very wealthy.
(see link below)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jessela...-1700-average-price/#2715e4857a0b7f28618c39fe

 

[Rt18traffic]

New Jersey politics have screwed this up forever. TD Bank ball park houses one primary tenant and cost 18 million to build. It's 6 less than 10 miles from RU. Sun Bank Center has no primary tenant, cost 53 million to build and sits less than 30 miles from RU.

I know why they were built, but it's frustrating when you think about how much better the use of tax payer funds would have been to put them where the people (and need) already were instead of building them hoping people would show up.

On that note, if Heaven is buying, I want a new basketball arena on Livingston and I want the RAC completely re-purposed for hockey. I also want an indoor training facility with a top flight track - look at Ocean Breeze in Staten Island as an example. 400 or 500 million and we're all good

 

[judsonSAblue]

Tear the RAC down, build 12,000 seat facility there.

Tear the RAC down, build 12,000 seat facility there.

12,000 seat facility sound about right, but I would not tell it on the RAC I will convert it into a volleyball/wrestling only venue. Similar to Nebraska and the DeVaney Center

 

[rutgersal]

Nebraska had a 13,000 seat arena that wasn't as bad as the RAC at one time and some people used to say that the Lincoln, NE market didn't need a bigger and better arena for their Basketball program.

2010/2011 Nebraska 9,964 of 13,000 at Bob Devaney Sports Center
2011-2012 Nebraska 9,395 of 13,000 at Bob Devaney Sports Center
2012-2013 Nebraska 10,019 of 13,000 at Bob Devaney Sports Center

But, Nebraska had the foresight to upgrade to a 16,000 seat arena.

2013-2014 Nebraska 15,419 of 16,000 at Pinnacle Bank Arena
2014-2015 Nebraska 15,569 of 16,000 at Pinnacle Bank Arena

If Lincoln, NE can do it, Central Jersey can do it.

If Maryland is the most comparable situation from your point of view,
Maryland has sold out most of their Men's Basketball home games
this year at the 17,950 seat Xfinity Center.

Central Jersey and RUTGERS need a bigger and better indoor sports facility to maximize their potential. Don't underestimate the number of Basketball enthusiasts that Central Jersey has. In my opinion, Central Jersey has a lot more College Basketball fans than Lincoln, NE.

Totally agree with this. It's like in football where we built a 42K stadium instead of a 31K stadium which would have accommodated our attendance from the '90s till '05. We're closing in on 600 K living alumni. If the product is good, people will show up with their scarlet Pom-poms. Syracuse averaged 23K in attendance last year because the product is good. Maryland gets close to 18K. Rutgers has the same type of potential. A successful men's program can help carry the whole athletic department along with football. Bigger arena means you can hire a better coach. We need an 18K arena on Busch.

 

[dconifer]

The RAC isn't the disaster that some of you think it is. It's fine for a D1 program, in my opinion.

 

[bac2therac]

put down the pipe Al

 

[Miramar-RU]

Seating capacity should be 17,660 in honor of the year of our founding.

 

[derleider]

I am footing the bill,so don't take money into consideration. Which of the following options do you want---

Location--Next to The Rac,Camp Kilmer area,Next to the stadium,downtown New Brunswick,buy the Sears land back and build there,location adjacent to Route 287,other

Do you want one arena for basketball/hockey or two arenas

Arena(s) capacity--10,000,12,000-15,000,15,000-18,000

If money were no object, I would say d next to the stadium, with hockey (I mean assume money is something of an issue) with 13,500 seats.

Going off campus is a loser - its hard enough to get students to go on campus. Downtown I used to be into, but I would rather see all of athletics moved to Busch over time- create an athletics village.

 

[HeavenUniv.]

I know all of you have missed countless hours of sleep wondering what my preference is,so basically I want a carbon copy of this arena(sitelines are supposed to be VERY good for both sports)--- in location order of near to the stadium(wish there was a way we could buy or lease land in Johnson Park), next to the RAC,Kilmer,Sears site,off Route 287,downtown New Brunswick---http://www.uwbadgers.com/sports/2015/8/21/GEN_2014010135.aspx

 

[PSUPOWER]

The RAC isn't the disaster that some of you think it is. It's fine for a D1 program, in my opinion.

I've always enjoyed going to the RAC and it does suffice as a winter sports facility for a D1 program that doesn't want to generate much revenue or compete at a high level. But, Rutgers needs revenue from winter sports programs badly and Rutgers competes in the B1G now.

The entire state of New Jersey needs to support Central Jersey and this opportunity that Rutgers has now to compete in the B1G needs to be capitalized on in a timely manner. Rutgers winter sports deserve to be given a fighting chance.

Central Jersey can support College Basketball, Ice Hockey and Wrestling for both Men & Women well, but, ONLY if they have the right facilities.

 

[ru8081]

NJ should look at New Brunswick as the unofficial capital of NJ. It is the best large city in NJ. It has Rutgers, J&J, theater, great place to eat. It makes all the sense in the world to invest in New Brunswick. I remember NB in the late 70s, it is a model of urban renewal. Only stupid NJ politicians would not see it's potential.

 

[PSUPOWER]

NJ should look at New Brunswick as the unofficial capital of NJ. It is the best large city in NJ. It has Rutgers, J&J, theater, great place to eat. It makes all the sense in the world to invest in New Brunswick. I remember NB in the late 70s, it is a model of urban renewal. Only stupid NJ politicians would not see it's potential.

Rutgers announced, in a video sent via email to more than 190,000 Rutgers alumni and supporters on Wednesday, that Chris Ash, Eddie Jordan and Patrick Hobbs were donating $50,000 each to help fund the effort to bring Rutgers' venues, practice facilities and locker rooms up to Big Ten quality.

Thanks to Chris Ash, Eddie Jordan and Patrick Hobbs for their very generous gifts to a very important cause !

These three men are all in and deserve all the credit that can be given for that !

 

[e5fdny]

Central Jersey can support College Basketball, Ice Hockey and Wrestling for both Men & Women well, but, ONLY if they have the right facilities.

There are places right now available for this.

People keep talking about using PSU and their $100M for hockey as the blueprint. Wrong.

We should be using the UConn model for now.

 

[PSUPOWER]

There are places right now available for this.

People keep talking about using PSU and their $100M for hockey as the blueprint. Wrong.

We should be using the UConn model for now.

There are places right now available for this.

People keep talking about using PSU and their $100M for hockey as the blueprint. Wrong.

We should be using the UConn model for now.

The main campuses of Penn State in State College, PA and Rutgers in New Brunswick, NJ have a lot more students than the main campus of Connecticut, in Storrs, CT.

State College, PA and New Brunswick, NJ also have a lot more people than Storrs, CT.

On campus facilities also add to the overall prestige of Flagship Universities.

Due to those three facts, a more centralized approach would be more beneficial to Rutgers in my opinion as opposed to the more distributed approach that Connecticut has adopted.

 

[RUaMoose]

Money not a factor? Build a 10-12k arena above the NB TS, a mini MSG if you will. Attract a minor league hockey team to go along with RU BB, shows, concerts, ect

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Keep the RAC where it is, use it for Hockey/Wrestling/Practice etc.

Build a new arena with street-facing retail/restaurants across the way between the student center and Henry's diner..

look here

Allow the new RAC to be used for many purposes on a daily basis by students. Livingston Campus has made great strides and can become a great destination with something like this. For daily foot-traffic of students, the RAC is on the periphery. Moving it more toward campus center or over to college ave/downtown is a good idea, though I fear the parking/entry/exit problem downtown.

 

[e5fdny]

The main campuses of Penn State in State College, PA and Rutgers in New Brunswick, NJ have a lot more students than the main campus of Connecticut, in Storrs, CT.

State College, PA and New Brunswick, NJ also have a lot more people than Storrs, CT.

On campus facilities also add to the overall prestige of Flagship Universities.

Due to those three facts, a more centralized approach would be more beneficial to Rutgers in my opinion as opposed to the more distributed approach that Connecticut has adopted.

Love your enthusiasm on this topic but I think you missed my point.

Could your idea work down the road...sure can. And I would prefer it that way too.