Problems with games at the Convo

[Pol pot]

First off you need to back off on your language and tone partner unless you wanna come out from behind your screen name. You could had said that stuff without being so disrespectful, I don't talk to people that way and you won't talk to me that way. I do know OU doesn't set the prices and they don't get the gate. Thats not my grip. OU charging the pep bus is my biggest grip. Who makes the call about the bleachers if its not OU? So since you know so much are you gonna say OU doesn't get the parking, concession and not to mention the money from the group that rented the facility? As far as them clearing the gym, I think if they don't clear the gym they have more people stick around and have a better atmosphere. JMO. If you wanna have an opinion thats cool but don't bad mouth me about mine pol pot.

My problem is you get on here, you spout half truths and judgments without knowing the facts. Sorry if I offended you, but it just gets old having people spout and go off about things they do not know! On parking, I called parking services this morning. They charge $20 because a bus takes up 4 parking spaces, and the occupants of that bus are paying customers. I may not like it, but there are the facts, I did not post half truths, I went and found out the truth. As for the bleachers, I clearly stated who makes that call the group or organization that rents the facility makes that call. I am not going to say that OU does not get parking, they do, I never said the didn't so maybe you should READ! Concessions is a contract basis, OU gets a % of concessions, same as any other real sporting venue you go to. Concessions are ran by an outside vendor who contracts with the University. Facility rental is very minor and is in fact cheaper than what some high schools charge for their facilities. As for more people sticking around if the gym is not cleared, again you are missing the issue. The issue is about the finances and the accounting. Also please do not forget that their has to be some money made on these events by the organizer or they would not be able to put on other tournaments that do not make money such as Softball, Cross Country, Golf, Bowling, and provide those opportunities for every student Athlete. As well several sectional sites in the smaller divisions and especially in the girls side LOSE money, so something has to MAKE money to subsidize these events.

[Pol pot]

Not sure what the parking price or the concessions at the Schott or the Barn in Columbus have to do with the Convo but the reality is that most fans won't ever know. I agree the convo is a great place to watch games. The comfort there is amazing for the casual fan who wants to sit and watch b ball all day long. I do think however that OU does try to gouge people on parking and concessions. I took my family of four to watch Eastern last night. That was a close and exciting game that if played at Waverly would have been amazing not to mention the fact that it cost me 50 bucks! $5 to park, $24 for tickets (4 of us) 2 pepsi's $6 2 water's $6 and 3 popcorn's $9 for a total of $50. I know we did not need to buy the popcorn and drinks but it's kind of a "family ritual" at high school games for us. That same amount of snacks would have cost $6.25 at my high school. I am not broke or poor because of this but it does seem a little bit much to me. This is Southeastern Ohio not Columbus!

At Waverly you have gas at $2.65 a gallon, there goes your $5.00 to park not to mention the extra two hours of on the road driving that you saved by only traveling to Athens. As for concessions Ohio University is a University with Division I facilities and their cost are very much in line with it's competition. If you go to a HS football game played at Paul Brown Stadium, you will pay whatever prices the contract vendor has, and those prices will be the same as what is sold at Bengals games. Simply how the business is done.

[Pol pot]

Something else that is very funny is that some are complaining about clearing the gym but at the same time would like to be at Waverly where for a big game they have to clear the gym. Hence you just spent $12.00 where you were only paying $6.00 at OU.

Parking at OU has been $5.00 for over 20 years. Speaking for Inflation parking fees have not kept up.

As for "this is Southeastern Ohio" That is exactly the small time thinking that keeps this area in the dark, too many do not expect much and hence do not get much because "we are from SE Ohio". Ohio University might be in SE Ohio, but it competes on the national level in academics and athletics, and they have to spend the same dollar and raise the same dollar that their competition does. OU can not cry whoa is me because I am from SE Ohio. Rise up! Be accountable, and expect more.

[ervbaseball13]

I will start by saying I did read what you wrote, but apparently you didn't READ what I wrote. Buses park for $20 cars park for $5 (fact). Bleachers not being pulled out (fact). Clearing the gym after the last girls game (fact). I knew all those facts before I started this topic. The fact that I know about the bleachers is that until this year at the Hoops Inv. that Alexander host, they (OU) WOULD NOT let them have the option to pull out the bottom bleachers. They have said its for crowd control (fact). I got my facts from the horses mouth and not once put on here half truths. If OU needs money, maybe they should snag up some of this SE OHIO or locaL talent and maybe more local people would go out and support the sports at OU more.

[300]

Great post Erv! Sounds like you did do your homework on this one. I think pol pot is out of touch with reality about southeastern Ohio. Since he is so interested in facts then here is one: southeastern Ohio is the poorest area in Ohio period. I love it here and am very proud of where I'm from. I would just like to see prices a little more reasonable at the convo that's all.

As for OU I'm not sure that "compete" is the right word to use when describing athletics nationally! Academics I agree.

[Pol pot]

I can assure you Ervy that the decision to not pull out the bleachers is not soley OU's in this event. You did state facts but for 90% of the reasoning behind your facts was false, and you have a distinct way of just WHINE about you. You did not have one good thing to say, it's too this, it's too that, it's not this. Maybe you are in the wrong line of work, maybe you should be a Division I Athletic Director or an Event planner for major operations.

[Pol pot]

Great post Erv! Sounds like you did do your homework on this one. I think pol pot is out of touch with reality about southeastern Ohio. Since he is so interested in facts then here is one: southeastern Ohio is the poorest area in Ohio period. I love it here and am very proud of where I'm from. I would just like to see prices a little more reasonable at the convo that's all.

As for OU I'm not sure that "compete" is the right word to use when describing athletics nationally! Academics I agree.

Poorest area in OHIO, you are correct, are you missing that on Saturday the BEST PRICES IN THE STATE OF OHIO IS IN ATHENS, AND PEOPLE ARE STILL BITCHING ABOUT IT BEING TOOOOO EXPENSIVE!

As for being concerned about homework, maybe you should do a little:
FACT: As for OU and competing, their football team has won two MAC EAST titles in four years, the basketball team is doing well and improving, the Volleyball team is Nationally Ranked, Wrestling is nationally ranked, the Field Hockey Team is nationally Ranked, the Soccer team is consistantely at the top of the MAC, the Swimming and Diving team is a constant MAC competitor, Women's CC treats the MAC like it's B$tch.......Maybe you should actually attend an Ohio University Athletic Event sometime.

[Pol pot]

OU is again not gonna pull the bleachers out taking the high school atmosphere away. They are gonna charge Pep buses $20 to park and charge everyone else $5. The gym will be cleared at the end of the girls games. I wonder if they are told to do this by the OHSSA or is OU being greedy again. Not to mention letting talented athletes get away from this area and play against them in the MAC when not very many of the programs at OU are any good anyway. Take for instance Butcher (Kent State), King (Akron),Cook (UC) and I could go on and may later. Imagine the money they would make at the gate just having those local kids around. I think they should keep these games at Waverly or find some place else. The atmosphere at Waverly is unreal, all the kids love playing there and as a fan I like it too.

An example of just throwing crap on the walls and taking pot shots without knowing what is really going on.

[300]

Since you know so much about OU then tell everyone why they are so reluctant to look at or sign any local talent. Why are these kids going elsewhere to play?

[johndeere]

All of you who are griping about the Convo, just stay home!!! This is great for all of our Southern Ohio kids who get the chance to play there. Some never get the chance and would love too. If you don't like how it is done then stay at home!!!!!!!!!

[Pol pot]

Since you know so much about OU then tell everyone why they are so reluctant to look at or sign any local talent. Why are these kids going elsewhere to play?

I can not answer for or speak for the Women's basketball staff at Ohio University. I do not know if or how hard they recurited any of the young ladies (Cook, Butcher, King, or the two girls from Tri-Valley). I do have my suspicions as to "how hard", or maybe "how little" would be an appropriate term. I wish Ohio University would have gotten some of those girls, All of them are going to schools that Ohio University must compete against., and in all honesty have had trouble beating.

[boomer633]

All of you who are griping about the Convo, just stay home!!! This is great for all of our Southern Ohio kids who get the chance to play there. Some never get the chance and would love too. If you don't like how it is done then stay at home!!!!!!!!!

That's true. This is the only chance most of these kids are ever going to have to play in a college arena.

[Jughe@d]

Waverly nor Lancaster charge you to park and to charge a pep bus.

This is true, but they are also not college arenas. I cannot think of any D-1 College/University that doesn't collect tolls on parking.

All this will do is take more of the atmosphere away from the game because some of these schools might say the heck with it meaning less people (students) to come to the games.

I don't know about this one. I've been to some snoozefests at the CONVO, yet I've seen my fair share of high school games in there that could be classified as "barn burners". This includes volleyball, boys basketball, and the few girls basketball games that have occurred.

The bleachers are always talked about this time of the year, I know it won't change but IMO it takes away so much about the game.

Agreed with you here as well. I never said that I was for keeping the bleachers in, just stating that I haven't seen them pulled out in nearly 20 years.

As far as telling you my source, NO WAY but its an inside source ;)

Ok then, I practically live in the building because I'm down there so often. I hadn't heard that they were clearing the building until you posted it here. I agree, it is a shame that they are clearing the CONVO after the girls' games. But as someone else mentioned, they are two separate tournaments so I can understand why they would clear it.

[300]

I can not answer for or speak for the Women's basketball staff at Ohio University. I do not know if or how hard they recurited any of the young ladies (Cook, Butcher, King, or the two girls from Tri-Valley). I do have my suspicions as to "how hard", or maybe "how little" would be an appropriate term. I wish Ohio University would have gotten some of those girls, All of them are going to schools that Ohio University must compete against., and in all honesty have had trouble beating.

I am with you on this matter. I have my suspicions too. There is no doubt these girls that you mentioned are good enough to play here. I know I would attend more OU sporting events if there was some local flavor and not just in Women's basketball in all the sports. I personally know 2 kids from my area that played baseball (1 drafted and the other at Ohio State) and neither were givin the time of day from OU. I just don't understand it.

[Pol pot]

I can not answer for or speak for the Women's basketball staff at Ohio University. I do not know if or how hard they recurited any of the young ladies (Cook, Butcher, King, or the two girls from Tri-Valley). I do have my suspicions as to "how hard", or maybe "how little" would be an appropriate term. I wish Ohio University would have gotten some of those girls, All of them are going to schools that Ohio University must compete against., and in all honesty have had trouble beating.

I am with you on this matter. I have my suspicions too. There is no doubt these girls that you mentioned are good enough to play here. I know I would attend more OU sporting events if there was some local flavor and not just in Women's basketball in all the sports. I personally know 2 kids from my area that played baseball (1 drafted and the other at Ohio State) and neither were givin the time of day from OU. I just don't understand it.

One thing with the Women's program is that Coach Randall has a big time background and I am sure she has an idea of what she wants to build the program out of, I may not agree but it is not my job and if she does not succeed it will be her job.

As for baseball, the two situations you mention are tough. I do not care what the sport is Ohio University is rarely ever going to get a kid over Ohio State, that is just simple fact and many Ohio Coaches and a lot of mid-major and mid budget programs will simply back off when a big boy comes calling. As for the professional ranks many times the same situation as OSU, it is hard to compete with the money of professional baseball, and thanks to collective bargaining agreement these kids that come out of high school get money set aside for college, and that money is more that what most college baseball players receive. Currently DI baseball programs can only give 11.7 scholarships and this is for a 40 person roster. Very few college baseball players are on full athletic scholarships, and the average athletic award for a baseball player is the minimum of 25% (which is up from 10% a few years ago).

[300]

Thanks for the info! I had know idea baseball can only give 11.7 scholarships for a 40 man roster. Thats horrible!!

Anyway I will be at the convo twice this Saturday blowing money and rooting on my Spartans!
Good Luck to both boys and girls teams!!

[Pol pot]

300: Sorry I actually forgot about a recent change. Baseball rosters have been cut to 35 from 40 but there is still 11.7 scholarships allowed. Interesting note on baseball the 11.7 scholarships can be spread out to no more than 26 Student Athletes at the minimum of 25%.

[buddyholly]

I've been attending high school tourney games at the Convo since they began hosting them over 40 years ago. It is a great place to watch basketball but it would be even a greater place to watch , IF THE FANS WERE ALLOWED TO BE CLOSE TO THE GAME!!!! Having the team and fans celebrate on the floor would be so much more exciting and rewarding!!! I wish that those who have the power or control over the bleachers situation , WOULD STEP-UP and LET THE FANS SIT IN THE BLEACHERS !!!! PLEASE!!! If this would happen, I'm sure that all the gripping about this year after year would STOP!! But if not, the complaining will CONTINUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ervbaseball13]

I struck a nerve with you huh Pot. Well sorry that I did. As far as throwing crap out on the wall and not knowing, sorry I did know exactly what crap I was slingin and hit where I was throwing at too. I did state facts and took a shot at OU knowing why they had to clear the gym. As far as my reasonings, no way should OU charge a pep bus to come and park IMO. $5 parking for the cars thats cool whatever but to charge a school bus carring a bunch of students that are coming to cheer on there team. They will probably park those buses down by the Ping Center too. Nothin positive huh, well the seats are comfy and its real close for me. The bleachers not being pulled out takes away from the game and us talking one here will never change it but you did say its not solely OUs, so they do have some say. As far as baseball is concerned, they are starting to finally get a kid or two locally to come there. Chadwell from Fed Hock and I heard the signed the catcher from Athens. Good for them, its about time. Those other boys they let go to OSU or where ever, you would think they would have the upper hand being that they are playin in OUs back yard. I am sure that most schools are on the same scholarship totals as OU. The baseball at OU has way too many kids get out of here thats for sure not to mention losing the State Legion Tourney which is a close and great way to recruit. You calling me Ervy, I have to say its weird being only women have ever called me that.

[Pol pot]

I struck a nerve with you huh Pot. Well sorry that I did. As far as throwing crap out on the wall and not knowing, sorry I did know exactly what crap I was slingin and hit where I was throwing at too. I did state facts and took a shot at OU knowing why they had to clear the gym. As far as my reasonings, no way should OU charge a pep bus to come and park IMO. $5 parking for the cars thats cool whatever but to charge a school bus carring a bunch of students that are coming to cheer on there team. They will probably park those buses down by the Ping Center too. Nothin positive huh, well the seats are comfy and its real close for me. The bleachers not being pulled out takes away from the game and us talking one here will never change it but you did say its not solely OUs, so they do have some say. As far as baseball is concerned, they are starting to finally get a kid or two locally to come there. Chadwell from Fed Hock and I heard the signed the catcher from Athens. Good for them, its about time. Those other boys they let go to OSU or where ever, you would think they would have the upper hand being that they are playin in OUs back yard. I am sure that most schools are on the same scholarship totals as OU. The baseball at OU has way too many kids get out of here thats for sure not to mention losing the State Legion Tourney which is a close and great way to recruit. You calling me Ervy, I have to say its weird being only women have ever called me that.

Do you really think a kid would choose Ohio University over Ohio State if scholarship money is involved?

Didn't hit a nerve with me, I find this type of action fun and could do it all day

As for the bleachers if those who rented the facility for this event wanted to pull the bleachers out they would be able to do it.