Assembly Hall

[TomPritchard25 526]

I love tradition & assembly halls and I know we won't be getting a new arena anytime soon, but I like to fantasize. I think it would be viable; more seating, better w recruits, modern commentities, etc etc. What do you think? Pros and Cons?


Once again, I love assembly hall. Please don't stone me.

[yogisballin 2,305]

Uh oh, this could get ugly!! However I agree. Needs to happen! Don't tear down assembly hall, maybe still play a game or two a year there. I love assembly hall btw!!! The traditionalists are getting ready to come out of the woodwork. Get ready Pritch!!

[CR3AMnCR1MS0N 1,867]

I'm 16, and I love the nostalgic, traditional factor of assembly hall, but like a friend of mine says, the big time recruits want flashy and new, not tradition.

[davewood 119]

Isn't the hall getting an upgrade. Start winning and recruits will come.

[OliviaPope40 6,482]

Isn't the hall getting an upgrade. Start winning and recruits will come.

Yes there is a plan in place for that.

[GloryDays 5,918]

I've always loved the place, weird architecture,bad seating and all.

That being said, the last few times Ive been there it's really struck me how yellow and dingy the panels on the walls are.

Kind of like a house where  smoker's have spewed nicotine for 50 years. Plus the water damage on the ceiling looks horrible.

 It gives it the appearance of being neglected & dirty.

  More than anything else in this 40 Mill renovation I hope they buy some fresh paint and fix leaks.

[IU Bud 445]

AH is different than most arenas. It is recognizable without seeing the logo on the floor. It is truly an iconic venue and recruits should be excited to see it and be in attendance for a big game with a rowdy crowd. I have always thought the way the fans seem to be on top of the court would be difficult for the opposing teams when the crowd is at full song. The planned upgrades will make it more modern without changing the overall feeling of the arena.

 

A time will come when AH should be replaced. Nothing lasts forever. I don't think we are there unless the renovation doesn't go far enough.

 

Improved living quarters would do more to bring in recruits than a new arena. I think that should be looked at. The quarters can't be for athletes only, but other schools are showing off plush accommodations and that has to be an huge advantage.

[TomPritchard25 526]

AH is different than most arenas. It is recognizable without seeing the logo on the floor. It is truly an iconic venue and recruits should be excited to see it and be in attendance for a big game with a rowdy crowd. I have always thought the way the fans seem to be on top of the court would be difficult for the opposing teams when the crowd is at full song. The planned upgrades will make it more modern without changing the overall feeling of the arena.

A time will come when AH should be replaced. Nothing lasts forever. I don't think we are there unless the renovation doesn't go far enough.

Improved living quarters would do more to bring in recruits than a new arena. I think that should be looked at. The quarters can't be for athletes only, but other schools are showing off plush accommodations and that has to be an huge advantage.

UK's dorms for basketball players are nicer than most of our homes on average. Talk about sleek & modern!!!

[IU Bud 445]

UK's dorms for basketball players are nicer than most of our homes on average. Talk about sleek & modern!!!

Exactly! Wildcat Lodge was too nice and they had to allow non-athletes to live there. It was in existence over 25 years ago when I lived in the area. The non-athletes are probably the kids that do their papers and take their tests, but that is a topic for another thread.  I believe among other things, WL has its own chef. For kids wanting to live a life in the NBA, having this to show recruits has to make an impact over McNutt or one of our dorms.

[southernindianahoosier 422]

I wish we would channel Allen Fieldhouse, or Hinkle and play 1-2 games a year in a renovated Wildermuth Center (hyper). Does anyone else feel the same?

[FKfootball 1,046]

Recruits dont care about the Arena. They care about our mediocre head coach. HS coaches have told me its the coach that scares off kids.

[Crimson and Cream 5,782]

Bob Knight called it an architectural disaster. Now I love the tradition as much as the next guy, but it does have a weird feel to it and is getting a bit old looking.

[Crimson and Cream 5,782]

And I would love for the students to be on the floor. Always wished we did that.

[87ashtonhoosier 150]

I'm down with taking the wrecking ball to the hall. Seating is horrible, the steepness of the balcony(suprised no one has fallen to their death) is rediculous, especially since is does little to improve ones view. Looks like a mini Memorial Stadium without the great view.
Contrasted with Notre Dame's ACC, where there is no bad seat, and fans feel close to the floor, no doubt we need a better venue for basketball. As an old timer who's constantly reminded that this is not thirty years ago, let's dump this dump and start fresh. May as well start with a fresh coach, just as Assembly Hall did!

[mamasa 15,244]

Recruits dont care about the Arena. They care about our mediocre head coach. HS coaches have told me its the coach that scares off kids.

I'm down with taking the wrecking ball to the hall. Seating is horrible, the steepness of the balcony(suprised no one has fallen to their death) is rediculous, especially since is does little to improve ones view. Looks like a mini Memorial Stadium without the great view.
Contrasted with Notre Dame's ACC, where there is no bad seat, and fans feel close to the floor, no doubt we need a better venue for basketball. As an old timer who's constantly reminded that this is not thirty years ago, let's dump this dump and start fresh. May as well start with a fresh coach, just as Assembly Hall did!

Let's keep this about Assembly Hall, not coaching

[Alford Bailey 12,373]

I'm probably considered a traditionalist but I have said many times I want  new arena. Yea, I love the history and the home court advantage AH has brought but it just looks like 1975 in there. Much more pressing issues with the program right now to worry about a building. Get things right in the program and  factor in the I69 expansion which may cause Btown to boom and a new arena could be a huge draw.

[theriverpilot 5,593]

Maybe add a football spin on this.  Isn't Notre Dame stadium 80 years old or something?  Penn St and Michigan have super old stadiums as well and still get the recruits.  I'd think it's more the facilities around the stadium VS the stadium itself that would be attractive to a recruit.  I went to ND stadium as an 18 yr old on a visit and I was immediately impressed with the stadium.  This was before it's renovations in the 90s.

[coonhounds 8,857]

There is no chance at a new stadium any time soon with the renovation that is being done. Or am I crazy

[Alford Bailey 12,373]

There is no chance at a new stadium any time soon with the renovation that is being done. Or am I crazy

Agree

[TomPritchard25 526]

And I would love for the students to be on the floor. Always wished we did that.

I like what Michigan and Michigan state do. Have the students surround or partially surround the floor, especially behind the benches :)