Johnny's at Hilton Coliseum

**GeronimusClone** · 08-26-2010, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by FarminCy

I still hope they put his name on the floor but the more I think about the sports bar idea the more I like it. I can remember as a kid on Saturday afternoon games going to Wallaby's with my dad and waiting for Johnny to show up about two hours after the game got over. It was always fun to just sit in the same area as Johnny and his group. I really hope they have it open to the public when games aren't going on. It would be a cool place to go and take friends and family when they are visiting. Plus really like the idea of a place to watch away games for all sports.

I have fond memories of Larry getting faced at Wallaby's and being asked to leave.

**Cysrevenge** · 08-26-2010, 01:11 PM

I'm a little confused over why some people are upset over this? whether we're putting a guys name on a floor or naming a donors club after him, either way we're honoring a great cyclone coach. can't we just be thankful that the athletic department is at least doing something special for him?

**WalkingCY** · 08-26-2010, 01:15 PM

I think this is an excellent idea. The statue...the bar....just cool. We have to honor him somehow....and this is excellent. Yeah Johnny! Woo-eee! Go Cyclones!

**jsmith86** · 08-26-2010, 01:18 PM

I was kinda bummed about this until I read the pdf and saw that they are going to hold game watches there. Now if they are really thinking, they will give this place an entrance from outside hilton so that it can be open all the time.

**theshadow** · 08-26-2010, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by jsmith86

I was kinda bummed about this until I read the pdf and saw that they are going to hold game watches there. Now if they are really thinking, they will give this place an entrance from outside hilton so that it can be open all the time.

It's in the old basketball offices, both of which had exterior entrances.

**Al_4_State** · 08-26-2010, 01:42 PM

I think this is great. The statue is an awesome touch.

I'm just wondering how we're going to honor McDermott?

**GeronimusClone** · 08-26-2010, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by Al_4_State

I think this is great. The statue is an awesome touch.

I'm just wondering how we're going to honor McDermott?

I christened a toilet in his name last winter after eating a batch of wings then stopping at King Buffet.

**vmbplayer** · 08-26-2010, 01:54 PM

How are people mad about this? This is fantastic!

LIFE SIZE STATUE of Johnny in the CONCOURSE. A whole section of the basketball arena named after Johnny that will be there forever. The floor from state gym being used (wow, even some neat tradition), trophy cases displaying notable things from the Orr era. God forbid that Iowa State has an area that can be used to showcase our basketball tradition! This is the beginnings of an area that highlights all Cyclone Basketball achievements (A Cyclone b-ball version of USC's Heritage Hall). Does anyone know where the Big 12 basketball trophies are ALREADY LOCATED? I'll give you a hint, it's at the entrance of the future Johnny's. This is putting all the basketball achievements that fans would go to see (trophies, memorabilia, statue of Orr) all in one place, and directly tying them to the name Johnny Orr because they are displayed at "Johnny's". Or by the entrance of Johnny's.

Fan 1: Where is the ISU men's Big 12 tournament basketball trophy?
Fan 2: In the display case at the entrance of Johnny's next to the statue of Orr in the Concourse of Hilton.

Yea, that doesn't do Orr justice. We should probably just get out a $10 can of paint and have someone write Johnny on the floor.

Not to mention that this is going to be a venue for things like Team functions (like the awards banquet). It is the epicenter of what is showcasing all things positive about ISU basketball.

Bring in a recruit and take them to see our basketball trophies. Currently displayed at the entrances to some offices. Now they will be in front of an area that is a shrine to a Cyclone great filled with memorabilia from Cyclone Basketball. Same thing for fans. Which is more exciting?

Don't hate this idea because you fell in love with the flORR.

End rant.

**CyAggie** · 08-26-2010, 01:55 PM

In the original master plan, they had a donor gathering area in the plan. As it was listed the last time I saw it, it would be for $5,000 dollar donor levels and above (if not higher). I heard some talk of it including Captains, but that would be to many.

The rest of CC would still be over at Schemman for Stage Door (again, this is what my understanding was and things still can change. But I am guessing not to much.

The last time I heard the numbers (its been a year or so), we just under a 100 Directors Level Donors ($12,500 and above). At the Victory Level ($5,000-$12,500) we have somewhere around 500 donors.

Given these numbers, and I can see where they might even limit Victory level.

Someone will have to be at a higher point in the food chain to use this bar on game day.

**isu200023** · 08-26-2010, 01:57 PM

Does the proposed statue float?

**Clonehomer** · 08-26-2010, 01:59 PM

I would have preferred to have the statue of Johnny outside on land at the top of the South side steps. It would be cool to see that as you are walking into Hilton. With it inside, it is going to be tough to get to before the games because of all of the traffic going through the concourse.

**Tornado man** · 08-26-2010, 02:00 PM

Originally Posted by DaddyMac

And I'm not opposed to the club, or the Jack Trice Club for that matter. I simply don't think it's a good way to honor the coach. Personal opinion.

I have to agree. What made Johnny such a great ambassador for ISU (and he has his faults) was his gift for connecting with the common fan, and enjoying it. Having him honored with an exclusive donors' club/bar doesn't do it for me either.

**vmbplayer** · 08-26-2010, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by Clonehomer

I would have preferred to have the statue of Johnny outside on land at the top of the South side steps. It would be cool to see that as you are walking into Hilton. With it inside, it is going to be tough to get to before the games because of all of the traffic going through the concourse.

I kinda like the idea outside as well, but then I thought about it this way. I've gone to stadiums that have statues outside, and fans always go take pictures with them. (ND football, Kaufmann field or Yankee Stadium come to mind). Outside Hilton there isn't a great place to put it that is both highly visible, and accessible to fans (especially when there is snow on the ground). You'd either have to put it down at the parking lot level where you don't see it as you approach because it's obscured by cars and the road, on the hill where you can't get to it for pictures, or at the top of the stairs where it would be in the way of people getting in and out of the arena. Short of designing a brand new plaza area outside, like was in the facilities master plan there isn't a good place to put it.

**CyAggie** · 08-26-2010, 02:04 PM

How many times do we hear on here that Cyclone fans need to step up and donate more if we want to be in the B12?
This is just targeting those who are most likely to be increasing or covering these costs.
I understand what you are saying, but if it is only a 500 seat facility, they will have to limit it by donor levels.

**GeronimusClone** · 08-26-2010, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Tornado man

I have to agree. What made Johnny such a great ambassador for ISU (and he has his faults) was his gift for connecting with the common fan, and enjoying it. Having him honored with an exclusive donors' club/bar doesn't do it for me either.

Exactly.