The only team in town?

[SJHornet]

I was always under the impression that college sports flourish under a strong alumni backing. Not sure that losing the Kings has anything to do with how much the alumni backs Sac State. I have enough room in my sports world to follow Sac State and an NBA team, and so do most. The only way that you start getting fans of Sac State beyond alumni is when they start playing on a national stage on ESPN. Either in the playoffs or if they were to move up to FBS and are part of a TV contract. Until then, it doesn't matter if the Kings are here or not. One of those catch-22 situations.

I don't think the Hornets simply take over the market. That would be a feat of magic. The Kings leaving opens up the opportunity to capture more attention and new fans. Increased marketing and exposure will be critical in capturing the fan base, students and alumni. The absence also allows the Hornets to try and secure a deal with Comcast or another media outlet, getting the Hornets into the households of metro Sacramento. I think it will be a short window, so Sac State needs to act fast. If we can up our fan base and attendance by 30%, I'd call it a success. Plus, increased exposure and bein the focus of the region will aid in getting stronger alumni support and backing.

 

[SDHornet]

We don’t have the facilities to capture anyone if the Kings leave. 30% more people won’t be coming to The Nest regardless of what happens with the Kings so long as this hoops program continues to flounder under Katz. Since the on-campus events center seems to be stuck in limbo, the key to gaining more fans will be getting off campus games in Arco or preferably in the new arena that would house the Kings if they were to stay. The admin also needs to step up its game wrt marketing and alumni/fan support (donations, ticket sales, etc).

Something that has been in the back of my head while all of the Kings stuff has been going on is this point in the strategic plan:

Explore the possibility of playing in an alternate venue for basketball for the 2014‐15 basketball season.

I wonder if this was put in there with the thought that a new downtown arena would be up by then?

 

[SJHornet]

We don’t have the facilities to capture anyone if the Kings leave. 30% more people won’t be coming to The Nest regardless of what happens with the Kings so long as this hoops program continues to flounder under Katz. Since the on-campus events center seems to be stuck in limbo, the key to gaining more fans will be getting off campus games in Arco or preferably in the new arena that would house the Kings if they were to stay. The admin also needs to step up its game wrt marketing and alumni/fan support (donations, ticket sales, etc).

Something that has been in the back of my head while all of the Kings stuff has been going on is this point in the strategic plan:

Explore the possibility of playing in an alternate venue for basketball for the 2014‐15 basketball season.

I wonder if this was put in there with the thought that a new downtown arena would be up by then?

An alternate venue is desperately needed whether the Kings stay or go. I'm sure the new arena, and its proximity, were eyed with great interest by those who wrote up the strategic plan. If the Kings cease to be, I wonder if Sac State reaches out to the city and third parties in an effort to build a new downtown arena? Obviously with the goal to lure an expansion or relocation franchise, that can also serve as home for Hornet basketball (much like Memphis or Marquette). I think the only other options out there for Sac State is a return to Memorial Auditorium (not sure how viable that will be after their renovation) or a temporary venue. I've often thought a venue like the Santa Cruz Warriors have come up with would be a great alternative for Sac State.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site6/2012/1220/20121220__sscs1221amwarriors~4.JPG
https://www.google.com/search?q=kai...Mn3igKXHg&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=480&bih=268#i=6

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

We don’t have the facilities to capture anyone if the Kings leave. 30% more people won’t be coming to The Nest regardless of what happens with the Kings so long as this hoops program continues to flounder under Katz. Since the on-campus events center seems to be stuck in limbo, the key to gaining more fans will be getting off campus games in Arco or preferably in the new arena that would house the Kings if they were to stay. The admin also needs to step up its game wrt marketing and alumni/fan support (donations, ticket sales, etc).

Something that has been in the back of my head while all of the Kings stuff has been going on is this point in the strategic plan:

Explore the possibility of playing in an alternate venue for basketball for the 2014‐15 basketball season.

I wonder if this was put in there with the thought that a new downtown arena would be up by then?

This.

Kings fans want comfort, sitting on a metal foldout bleacher wont cut it.

Also, this caught my eye in the Strategic Plan......

"Develop a comprehensive multi-­‐purpose arena plan that includes costs, revenue options, a feasibility study, land siting, and facility programming by spring 2014"

Wonder if they knew something was brewing and they (administration) need to act now. To have these benchmarks completed in essentially one year is aggressive and it shows that commitment is being made. Now the real question is do they adhere to this, change the date or hope no one read it and silently make it disappear?

 

[Hornet25]

I'd like Sac State to be thinking proactively, but if they were, we would have already heard their names in all of this as an investment partner with the city. At least a commitment to rent time in the arena when built, to help the city make the finances work for the arena plan.

Maybe it's just the fact that it's a state school and we must be conservative in our approach to things so as not to offend tax payers, but I'd like for Sac State to be more aggressive with these opportunities.

 

[SDHornet]

I'd like Sac State to be thinking proactively, but if they were, we would have already heard their names in all of this as an investment partner with the city. At least a commitment to rent time in the arena when built, to help the city make the finances work for the arena plan.

Maybe it's just the fact that it's a state school and we must be conservative in our approach to things so as not to offend tax payers, but I'd like for Sac State to be more aggressive with these opportunities.

The downtown arena deal needs to get hashed out by City leaders and private investors (and the potential Kings owners). Sac State is in no position to offer much aside from renting the venue a handful of times in any given year. So long as the admin is exploring the possibility of using an off campus venue, I think the right position is to sit back and let it all play out.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

Maybe it's just the fact that it's a state school and we must be conservative in our approach to things so as not to offend tax payers, but I'd like for Sac State to be more aggressive with these opportunities.

I've often thought that too, but SDSU, Fresnot and SJSU promote themselves to the public nicely. I dont understand why the administration has identified areas it would like to expand/promote, but then they never have a public announcement, fund raising campaign specific for athletic facility construction projects or in general communicate what they are thinking and would like to achieve.

Makes it hard for the public to notice when all they play with is smoke and mirrors. When the KINGS sale was announced recently, why didnt Gonzo rent air time and tell the Sacto public that Sac State is here and will NEVER relocate, if they want to support a local athletic team, support the Hornets.

 

[SJHornet]

Maybe it's just the fact that it's a state school and we must be conservative in our approach to things so as not to offend tax payers, but I'd like for Sac State to be more aggressive with these opportunities.

I've often thought that too, but SDSU, Fresnot and SJSU promote themselves to the public nicely. I dont understand why the administration has identified areas it would like to expand/promote, but then they never have a public announcement, fund raising campaign specific for athletic facility construction projects or in general communicate what they are thinking and would like to achieve.

Makes it hard for the public to notice when all they play with is smoke and mirrors. When the KINGS sale was announced recently, why didnt Gonzo rent air time and tell the Sacto public that Sac State is here and will NEVER relocate, if they want to support a local athletic team, support the Hornets.

Its different for Sac State. SJSU, SDSU and Fresno have been members of D1 far longer, and have the historical and name recognition advantage. Plus, Those institutions existed long before the CSU system was created, and those schools and programs operated, somewhat, and identified much differently from those schools who came after the war/advent of the CSU. Sac State has only been D1 since '96, and has only recently decided it wants to expand its fan base and brand, and become a more prevalent presence in the Sacramento region. I think Sac State has to make baby steps in this regard. This is why I initially thought the Kings exit would benefit the program. The increased exposure would help get Sac State on the map, thereby allowing the university to raise funds more easily for future projects like the Events Center or re-modeled Hornet Stadium.

The Hornets have never been in a position where the department caught the attention of the public at-large. Spending its first 50 years at the lower level of collegiate competition, and the next 17 at a lower D1 level with little to no outside marketing or exposure, has put the program in a position where we need to basically start from the bottom, and sell ourselves as if we were the new guys in town. The univerities reputation, and large alumni base, help the jump start, but the Hornets as a major D1 program is a foreign concept that needs to be sold. If the department can actively sell itself to the networks, sponsors and a portion of the sports-crazy fan base now teamless, they can start to become a relevant presence in Sacramento.

I also think, judging from reports and emails from the administration, that funding is becoming less of an issue, and the university may be poised to undergo a major effort to boost the program. I think we are about to find out whether Sac State will be a real player in D1, or mediocrity reigns supreme.

 

[Scaattack]

Sac bee did not even mention there was a game at sac state last night...and last nights game was best time.
That game was awesome it had everything you could want in a game...

 

[SJHornet]

As the King's fate is down to the wire, I figured I'd take a minute and express how impressed I've been with KJ and Sacramento. The effort they've put forth, and the plan they've been able to generate, have beeen anything short of heroic. I've followed it rather closely, and they have me excited. And while we won't be the only team in town, or be able to benifit from it, Sac deserves to keep this team, and the passion is nice to see. The Sacramento Live concept and Monarchs announcement are also great additions, and reasons for this city to get excited and keep this team. Anyway, just had to give a kudos.

If anyone's interested, a lot of discussion on this topic going on at skyscrapercity. (I'm SJAnfield if anyone is on there)

 

[Hornet25]

As the King's fate is down to the wire, I figured I'd take a minute and express how impressed I've been with KJ and Sacramento. The effort they've put forth, and the plan they've been able to generate, have beeen anything short of heroic. I've followed it rather closely, and they have me excited. And while we won't be the only team in town, or be able to benifit from it, Sac deserves to keep this team, and the passion is nice to see. The Sacramento Live concept and Monarchs announcement are also great additions, and reasons for this city to get excited and keep this team. Anyway, just had to give a kudos.

If anyone's interested, a lot of discussion on this topic going on at skyscrapercity. (I'm SJAnfield if anyone is on there)

I agree that KJ has been masterful. Couldn't want anything more of a mayor in this particular situation. Even if Sac State doesn't benefit from it directly, we could benefit simply by having our downtown/city revitalized. Making our city more attractive to young people benefits in recruiting efforts.

 

[josephpoint]

http://hsujacks.com/sports/2008/7/27/newgym.aspx?&tab=4" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Even constructing something as nice as Lumberjack Arena that was completed at Humbodlt State would be a vast improvement over Hornet Gym. How did a small Division II CSU get this done in a small town? And just 5 yrs. ago.

 

[Hornet25]

We need about an 8,000+ seat stadium if we want to be a legit D1 destination. In addition, an 8-10k arena can serve more purposes and generate more revenue. It can do things like host graduation ceremonies for one. Small concerts or live shows. 2,000 seats won't cut it. There needs to be something to bridge the gap between the Kings arena and Memorial auditorium. Let's hope that Sac State keeps to their 5 year plan and we start seeing some movement on facility improvements in the next couple of years.

 

[superhornet]

We need about an 8,000+ seat stadium if we want to be a legit D1 destination. In addition, an 8-10k arena can serve more purposes and generate more revenue. It can do things like host graduation ceremonies for one. Small concerts or live shows. 2,000 seats won't cut it. There needs to be something to bridge the gap between the Kings arena and Memorial auditorium. Let's hope that Sac State keeps to their 5 year plan and we start seeing some movement on facility improvements in the next couple of years.

Say what?

 

[Hornet25]

We need about an 8,000+ seat stadium if we want to be a legit D1 destination. In addition, an 8-10k arena can serve more purposes and generate more revenue. It can do things like host graduation ceremonies for one. Small concerts or live shows. 2,000 seats won't cut it. There needs to be something to bridge the gap between the Kings arena and Memorial auditorium. Let's hope that Sac State keeps to their 5 year plan and we start seeing some movement on facility improvements in the next couple of years.

Say what?

What

 

[superhornet]

No legit D-I school has a stadium holding only 8K. Heck, our erector set stadium holds 21,195*, as has already been cited in this thread.

* http://www.hornetsports.com/athletic_dept/AthleticsFacilities.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Hornet25]

8,000+ seat arena. For basketball.

 

[superhornet]

8,000+ seat arena. For basketball.

That I can agree with, though I'd prefer 10K+. Maybe 8K+ expandable to 10K+. The problem with that is, at many places, the "expandable to X" never happens.