2024 Finals Location

[jets]

SO - sounds as if it is down to Purdue or the Ford Center? 

 

Pros/Cons of each?? Obviously the first one everyone will cite is the geography. Being from Southern Indiana I was pumped to hear the Ford Center...but if it is up in Lafayette, more than likely won't make the trek up. 

 

Who has more seating? Parking? Hotels? 

 

Places of interest in the downtown area?? Evansville has a ton of restaurants, bars, and even a casino. I have to imagine that would be hard to top...but I know nothing of the Lafayette area - being a college town, I imagine there is some night-life as well. (Not that this should factor into any kid of decision) 

 

 

[GenHeavyHandz]

42 minutes ago, ILUV2PIN said:

Super big bummer if it is held in Evansville. 

[GenHeavyHandz]

48 minutes ago, julio said:

Here is the secret, most of you will not like it but I try to fix a problem not complain about it. 

Keep Sectionals the same date.

Move Regionals to the following Wednesday, it is only 3 rounds.

Semi-State is the week of Regionals

State is the week of Semi State, 1 week before All Star Weekend and rooms are not $500.

 

You want it in the best Venue for the kids, this is the way to do it.  But like I said, people will complain instead of coming up with a solution.

 

 

29 minutes ago, Y2CJ41 said:

Wow, it's almost as if that has been addressed before. Are you really that dense or is this a schtick of yours? 

[Wrestling Scholar]

1 hour ago, aoberlin said:

So.... I shouldn't have used Priceline without insurance? 

Better reserve a room in the Lafayette area now,   or you guys might be staying at the "Lincoln Lodge Hotel".   I dont think they're a Priceline Insurance affiliate.   Because the insurance cost more then the hotel room.

Edited March 1, 2023 by Wrestling Scholar

[Y2CJ41]

33 minutes ago, Wrestling Scholar said:

Better reserve a room in the Lafayette area now,   or you guys might be staying at the "Lincoln Lodge Hotel".   I dont think they're a Priceline Insurance affiliate.   Because the insurance cost more then the hotel room.

You're not opening the Wrestling Scholar Bed and Breakfast with all you can eat tacos? You're missing out on a great opportunity!

[julio]

Just Like I said.

[Y2CJ41]

11 minutes ago, julio said:

Just Like I said.

As suspected too dense. this has been gone over ad nauseum on this thread. However you refused to acknowledge or most likely read it because it would take effort on your end. 

 

 

On 1/15/2023 at 11:04 PM, Y2CJ41 said:

On 1/15/2023 at 9:08 AM, Thor said:

You could even move the season forward or back a week, but that gets shot down immediately every time and I’m not sure why. 

Other IHSAA state tournaments are around the same time. They do not like to have multiple state championships on the same weekend. Reading between the lines, the IHSAA brass all want to go to wrestling and wouldn't want to go to a different event that weekend.

 

[Wrestling Scholar]

59 minutes ago, jets said:

SO - sounds as if it is down to Purdue or the Ford Center? 

 

Pros/Cons of each?? Obviously the first one everyone will cite is the geography. Being from Southern Indiana I was pumped to hear the Ford Center...but if it is up in Lafayette, more than likely won't make the trek up. 

 

Who has more seating? Parking? Hotels? 

 

Places of interest in the downtown area?? Evansville has a ton of restaurants, bars, and even a casino. I have to imagine that would be hard to top...but I know nothing of the Lafayette area - being a college town, I imagine there is some night-life as well. (Not that this should factor into any kid of decision) 

 

 

Lets give an objective view of the seating and parking:    Mackey holds 14,240 salable seats, buts that:s for a basketball game.  As Joe pointed out,  Mackey would institute a platform setup to get 4 mats.   This would take out the really cushy premium seats and would also eliminate real seating.  I estimate, under the wrestling setup, Mackey could get over 13,000 still pretty easliy which is more then the Gainbridge current setup..    One of the Cons as as Joe pointed out, earlier is that most of these are old wooden benches.   Lower level sections 9, 10, 11 and12 are the only stadium seats which would be around 1000 seats with the other 12K being uncomfortable wooden benches.  Of course, they sell the portable seat cushions with nice Boiler train logo.    Also, there are no suites or boxes at Mackey, so those groups that like to do that would be without that amenity.    Quite of bit of parking is available albeit a patchwork.  3 Parking garages are within walking distance at a cost of $5.  Also, there's some football field parking lots close that might have a higher price.  Note just East of Mackey, is mostly residential housing with plenty of free parking but you might have  a few blocks.   On a side note, the parking garages near the stadium have plenty of EV chargers. West Lafayette,  is EV charger friendly.  I was in Evansville last week, and based on the chargers available, the town in not EV friendly.

 

Look at the Ford Center:  It can hold over 11K in seating capacity,  but looking at the website, the Hockey capacity is 9,437.  Ill assume the seating would be the similar to the Hockey setup.    The Ford Center has a big advantage in premium seating, as it has over 30-40 suites of multiple sizes and all the other seating would be stadium seats which beats Mackey.  Still cant believe Purdue hasn't upgraded Mackey with their athletic budget.  Anyway,  Ford Center appears to have multiple garages near it with City lots costing $7 and private lots up to $20.  Maybe lots at Ford Center are in closer proximity, but Purdue overall would have more parking.  The Ford Center is a newer more modern facility,  and probably has a more modern concourse area.  But Purdue did upgrade Mackey a few years ago.  The Ford Center has 22 bathrooms, couldnt find how many Mackey has.

 

[casualwrestlingfan]

Just got word we are hosting it in Columbus Ohio for 1 year only. IHSAA wants to see how far schools really will travel to look at instituting a new travel rule to put in place. Heard Evansville, West Lafayette, Louisville, St. Louis, & Detroit just missed out! 

Edited March 1, 2023 by casualwrestlingfan

[Galagore]

35 minutes ago, casualwrestlingfan said:

Just got word we are hosting it in Columbus Ohio for 1 year only. IHSAA wants to see how far schools really will travel to look at instituting a new travel rule to put in place. Heard Evansville, West Lafayette, Louisville, St. Louis, & Detroit just missed out! 

 

[M109R]

4 hours ago, GenHeavyHandz said:

You thought there were a lot of MD fans that attend yearly in Indy . No one else might get a seat if it's in Evansville . 

[AJ]

Some quick info about Evansville...  

 

https://www.movoto.com/guide/evansville-in/moving-to-evansville/

[Silence Dogood]

12 minutes ago, AJ said:

Some quick info about Evansville...  

 

https://www.movoto.com/guide/evansville-in/moving-to-evansville/

I did find a positive in there ... Central time means I'll get an extra hour of sleep. 

[AndyStJ]

1 hour ago, casualwrestlingfan said:

Just got word we are hosting it in Columbus Ohio for 1 year only. IHSAA wants to see how far schools really will travel to look at instituting a new travel rule to put in place. Heard Evansville, West Lafayette, Louisville, St. Louis, & Detroit just missed out! 

Alright, this is nonsense, IHSAA would never hold the finals out of state. 

 

But there is word that a very late in-state entry with 23,500 seats is now in play, many luxury suites, and fantastic restaurants nearby: The United Center. The only possible hitch is if the Bulls are so bad that they are not invited to the All-Star weekend, and hang around home pretending to practice.

[patriotfan]

I can't speak on hotels near Purdue, but Evansville has a nice assortment of hotels...

 

The Drury Inn right off the highway offers free breakfast/dinner and is wrestling-friendly (we've stayed there for semi-state at least the last 12 years) and is only 10 minutes from the Ford Center.

[Wrestling Scholar]

13 minutes ago, AndyStJ said:

Alright, this is nonsense, IHSAA would never hold the finals out of state. 

 

But there is word that a very late in-state entry with 23,500 seats is now in play, many luxury suites, and fantastic restaurants nearby: The United Center. The only possible hitch is if the Bulls are so bad that they are not invited to the All-Star weekend, and hang around home pretending to practice.

Is Evansville  in Indiana????

[Disco]

1 hour ago, M109R said:

You thought there were a lot of MD fans that attend yearly in Indy . No one else might get a seat if it's in Evansville . 

Not the case this year, at semi state. Hardly knew they were there. (Except at the scorers tables) 

[bbulldog152]

23 hours ago, jets said:

SO - sounds as if it is down to Purdue or the Ford Center? 

 

Pros/Cons of each?? Obviously the first one everyone will cite is the geography. Being from Southern Indiana I was pumped to hear the Ford Center...but if it is up in Lafayette, more than likely won't make the trek up. 

 

Who has more seating? Parking? Hotels? 

 

Places of interest in the downtown area?? Evansville has a ton of restaurants, bars, and even a casino. I have to imagine that would be hard to top...but I know nothing of the Lafayette area - being a college town, I imagine there is some night-life as well. (Not that this should factor into any kid of decision) 

 

 

But geography wise it makes more sense for most of the state to go to Purdue. From the Ford center it's only 1 hour farther to go to Mackey than Gainbridge. Where with Fort Wayne and East Chicago Area its 2 and a half to 3 hour gain to go to evansville. Moving to to Evansville only benefits. the school close to Evansville travel wise. 

[Ahawkeye]

3 minutes ago, bbulldog152 said:

But geography wise it makes more sense for most of the state to go to Purdue. From the Ford center it's only 1 hour farther to go to Mackey than Gainbridge. Where with Fort Wayne and East Chicago Area its 2 and a half to 3 hour gain to go to evansville. Moving to to Evansville only benefits. the school close to Evansville travel wise. 

Someone is going to get a "bad deal" out of this no matter where it's at. I'd like to see Evansville get it but if it's in FW or at Purdue the prople in the south will be working extra hard to get there if it's in Evansville the northerners will have to work harder, there will be no easy fix. As stated above northerners will gain an hour coming down to Evansville. As little as that seems it migh help some.

[bbulldog152]

2 minutes ago, Ahawkeye said:

Someone is going to get a "bad deal" out of this no matter where it's at. I'd like to see Evansville get it but if it's in FW or at Purdue the prople in the south will be working extra hard to get there if it's in Evansville the northerners will have to work harder, there will be no easy fix. As stated above northerners will gain an hour coming down to Evansville. As little as that seems it migh help some.

But it's not just an hour gain for them it's a 2-3 hour gain. In fact. Theres schools in Evansville Semi-state that are closer to Purdue than Evansville. The fact is majority of the state gets a "bad deal" going to Evansville over Purdue. This Changes when compared to Fort Wayne. Of the 3 Purdue is the the closest to being centrally located. 

[AJ]

only 22 more days until we find out...   hopefully

[aoberlin]

Is it too late to just say this is bullpucky that we even have to move it? It's what contracts are meant for. I would like to see the clause that says. "If there is something better that weekend you guys can't have it."  What lawyer looked at the contract that was originally signed or who created the contract? Did the IHSAA at least get some kick back for being thrown out next year or at least a discount for the year after? I hope so because it is just bad business. Don't worry about the loyal 13000 wrestling fans that have supported your facility and downtown district for many decades. 

[casualwrestlingfan]

2 minutes ago, aoberlin said:

Is it too late to just say this is bullpucky that we even have to move it? It's what contracts are meant for. I would like to see the clause that says. "If there is something better that weekend you guys can't have it."  What lawyer looked at the contract that was originally signed or who created the contract? Did the IHSAA at least get some kick back for being thrown out next year or at least a discount for the year after? I hope so because it is just bad business.

Don't want to get political but maybe the Governor's stance on certain issues could get the NBA to reconsider and move on like they did to Charlotte if I'm not mistaken. 

[jets]

1 hour ago, aoberlin said:

Is it too late to just say this is bullpucky that we even have to move it? It's what contracts are meant for. I would like to see the clause that says. "If there is something better that weekend you guys can't have it."  What lawyer looked at the contract that was originally signed or who created the contract? Did the IHSAA at least get some kick back for being thrown out next year or at least a discount for the year after? I hope so because it is just bad business. Don't worry about the loyal 13000 wrestling fans that have supported your facility and downtown district for many decades. 

I don't think it would be "good business"  for the IHSAA to get into a pis#$ing match with the local PRO sports team that has been willing to schedule games around a weekend of events (not just wrestling, but basketball as well). Our kids are fortunate to be able to play at such venues like Lukas and Gainbridge. This all-star thing sucks...but I'm not sure how you could have avoided it. (I'm actually in favor of moving the State Series, but I know it's not that simple) 

 

2 hours ago, bbulldog152 said:

But it's not just an hour gain for them it's a 2-3 hour gain. In fact. Theres schools in Evansville Semi-state that are closer to Purdue than Evansville. The fact is majority of the state gets a "bad deal" going to Evansville over Purdue. This Changes when compared to Fort Wayne. Of the 3 Purdue is the the closest to being centrally located. 

So it basically all comes down to being more "centrally located?" - If that is the parameters, then Evansville should probably never be in the conversation. 

[aoberlin]

20 minutes ago, jets said:

I don't think it would be "good business"  for the IHSAA to get into a pis#$ing match with the local PRO sports team that has been willing to schedule games around a weekend of events (not just wrestling, but basketball as well). Our kids are fortunate to be able to play at such venues like Lukas and Gainbridge. This all-star thing sucks...but I'm not sure how you could have avoided it. (I'm actually in favor of moving the State Series, but I know it's not that simple) 

I disagree. I am sure the facility was subsidized and has been given tax breaks to be there. To my knowledge Gainbridge is a fieldhouse used for many different things. Basketball being the main one. IHSAA is a non-profit that promotes amateur youth sports in the State of Indiana. Our tax dollars help keep that place alive. I am sure they make plenty of money for IHSAA State wrestling and have over the years. Just because they can make more money than what they make on us doesn't make it right. I guess choose your battles but as a tax payer and someone that has spent a ton of money in Indy over the last 30 years during this weekend I feel slighted. Also I have sour grapes because I know Fort Wayne was not really considered in this process so I am being petty.

 

To add to that the IHSAA is no joke. They hold real weight. Youth sports is a huge money maker for local businesses. They have levers they can use for sure.