Christy's post-game presser

[BenEClone]

The Nebraska Colosseum is the Armory, or a converted building that when built was virtually identical to the ISU Armory. The ISU Armory was the basketball facility before Hilton and would have made a great VBB facility, but, I agree that at this point, the cost of remodel and relocation suggest a new structure would serve better, if that is the way to go. Absent a special donor, I would guess the south end zone comes first.

 

[IcSyU]

The Nebraska Colosseum is the Armory, or a converted building that when built was virtually identical to the ISU Armory. The ISU Armory was the basketball facility before Hilton and would have made a great VBB facility, but, I agree that at this point, the cost of remodel and relocation suggest a new structure would serve better, if that is the way to go. Absent a special donor, I would guess the south end zone comes first.

That's it! An Olympic sports complex in the back of the south endzone.

 

[jay moe]

Definitely have a lot of line-up options for next year: I could see it like this in this order

Right side- Bigbee, Malloy, or Matlock
Second Middle(cuz first is Jamie's)- Matlock, Tory Knuth, and maybe Hannah Johnson
Outsides- Hurtt, Hockaday, Willms, and Kuhrt
Defensive Specialist- Nolan, or Goetz
Setter(if we run a 6-2)- Landweahr, Malloy, or Gallagher
And our libero will be Hahn since she's awesome and a vocal leader

Many options, but a good problem to have

I think next year will be an even better season.

 

[CarrollCyclone]

The Nebraska Colosseum is the Armory, or a converted building that when built was virtually identical to the ISU Armory. The ISU Armory was the basketball facility before Hilton and would have made a great VBB facility, but, I agree that at this point, the cost of remodel and relocation suggest a new structure would serve better, if that is the way to go. Absent a special donor, I would guess the south end zone comes first.

I think the NU Coliseum is also the student rec center at UNL.

In volleyball you want a tight space with an intimate atmosphere. You want the crowd in close to the court and on top of the action to make it a truly hostile environment for opposing teams. Playing in front of 3 to 5 thousand in a massive basketball arena kills a ton of the energy in a VB match.

 

[Kitkat]

Where is there money for ISU to build a stand alone arena for VB and wrestling? Yes both need and should be next in line for practice facalities. It just seems like such a waste to not use Hilton as much as it can be used.

A fair questions, no doubt. But private donors funded the new Southwest or East complex now being built at the corner of Ash and Mortensen; this will accommodate softball, soccer, and outdoor track. I believe the former, very successful track and field coach was the chief donor. It is my understanding that no state funds were used. So, as someone already said, where there's a will . . . .

 

[mred]

A fair questions, no doubt. But private donors funded the new Southwest or East complex now being built at the corner of Ash and Mortensen; this will accommodate softball, soccer, and outdoor track. I believe the former, very successful track and field coach was the chief donor. It is my understanding that no state funds were used. So, as someone already said, where there's a will . . . .

Right. Rich people who like wrestling and rich people who like volleyball need to pool some funds together and make this happen. Otherwise, it probably won't for a long time.

 

[cykadelic2]

A fair questions, no doubt. But private donors funded the new Southwest or East complex now being built at the corner of Ash and Mortensen; this will accommodate softball, soccer, and outdoor track. I believe the former, very successful track and field coach was the chief donor. It is my understanding that no state funds were used. So, as someone already said, where there's a will . . . .

One idea would be to partner with the City or a private outfit and construct a multi-purpose facility that can be used as a VB/Wrestling/Gymnastics competition arena and, with a mobile seating configuration, a facility with multiple courts to use for youth VB and BB tournaments. Youth tournaments bring in big bucks for local hotels and restaurants which could spur interest from the City and other private investors.

 

[Kitkat]

Right. Rich people who like wrestling and rich people who like volleyball need to pool some funds together and make this happen. Otherwise, it probably won't for a long time.

No, it probably will not happen for a good while, but it is possible. These days U. presidents spend a good bit of their time doing fund raising, and they do it all around the country. Unfortunately, a V-ball facility is not apt to be at the top of the prez's want-list --unless a certain donor likes the sport.

 

[mksmith2]

One idea would be to partner with the City or a private outfit and construct a multi-purpose facility that can be used as a VB/Wrestling/Gymnastics competition arena and, with a mobile seating configuration, a facility with multiple courts to use for youth VB and BB tournaments. Youth tournaments bring in big bucks for local hotels and restaurants which could spur interest from the City and other private investors.

This. Though I'm not sure how that would all work if they partnered with the city. It seems like the best idea though as it helps Ames, ISU and the local economy.

 

[mred]

I wonder if it'd be cheaper to attach a small arena to the east of Lied rather than put a standalone one somewhere. Wrestling is already housed there. If you can relocate the soccer field somewhere, you could convert the current soccer field area to a small arena plus a parking lot or ramp.

The primary issues (other than money):
1. Flooding (of course). There are ways to overcome this, but it'd take out some of the potential cost benefit of building there.
2. Where to put soccer. They have permanent lights and stands, so it's not a trivial problem.

Just brainstorming...

 

[CycloneJames]

I wonder if it'd be cheaper to attach a small arena to the east of Lied rather than put a standalone one somewhere. Wrestling is already housed there. If you can relocate the soccer field somewhere, you could convert the current soccer field area to a small arena plus a parking lot or ramp.

The primary issues (other than money):
1. Flooding (of course). There are ways to overcome this, but it'd take out some of the potential cost benefit of building there.
2. Where to put soccer. They have permanent lights and stands, so it's not a trivial problem.

Just brainstorming...

Isn't soccer already being relocated along with the track and softball complex? I could be wrong, but I thought CyRide wanted to take over that land anyway.

 

[IcSyU]

I wonder if it'd be cheaper to attach a small arena to the east of Lied rather than put a standalone one somewhere. Wrestling is already housed there. If you can relocate the soccer field somewhere, you could convert the current soccer field area to a small arena plus a parking lot or ramp.

The primary issues (other than money):
1. Flooding (of course). There are ways to overcome this, but it'd take out some of the potential cost benefit of building there.
2. Where to put soccer. They have permanent lights and stands, so it's not a trivial problem.

Just brainstorming...

That land belongs to rec services now. Soccer is for all intents and purposes moved out.

and there is no need for a venue for small kids tournaments. They already use Ames High and Ames MS for both of these. Ames High actually works great (reffed the booster club tournament there last weekend) with four courts in the same area. For bigger stuff like Attack tournaments they use Sukup, the other gym out there, Ames Middle School, and Ames High. I also would be willing to bet Rec Services would rent out State Gym or Beyer for the right price. Ames has zero need for any kind of gym.

 

[IcSyU]

Isn't soccer already being relocated along with the track and softball complex? I could be wrong, but I thought CyRide wanted to take over that land anyway.

No, Rec Services. It was swapped for the Towers athletic fields and the former soccer fields will be used for intramural semifinal and championship games (ultimate frisbee, flag football, soccer, as they can be played under the lights. Don't remember if they're putting in nicer sand volleyball courts or not for intramurals back there that would be covered when not in use.

 

[MNCyGuy]

That's it! An Olympic sports complex in the back of the south endzone.

Go on...



Actually, it would be sweet to somehow have a VB tailgating scene.

 

[cyspy]

One idea would be to partner with the City or a private outfit and construct a multi-purpose facility that can be used as a VB/Wrestling/Gymnastics competition arena and, with a mobile seating configuration, a facility with multiple courts to use for youth VB and BB tournaments. Youth tournaments bring in big bucks for local hotels and restaurants which could spur interest from the City and other private investors.

.

The Iowa Games could use another venue of this type for events too.

 

[IcSyU]

.

The Iowa Games could use another venue of this type for events too.

Why? State Gym has 5 basketball courts. Beyer Hall has 3 basketball courts. Ames Middle School has space. Ames High has more space. Forker Building has space. They use Sukup. There's another gym out in West Ames. That's just wasting taxpayer money when taxpayer money already funds Ames High and AMS. There isn't a shortage of facilities for the Iowa Games to use by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[tec71]

I believe as nice of a playing venue could be, it would be better to build a mirror of sukup and dedicate one have to vb and one to wrestling. To me the incremental "recruiting payback" on something like that would far outweigh the incremental value from the difference of playing in Hilton and playing in a 5000 seat Knapp Center type facility.

 

[CycloneErik]

Building another facility for a limited number of people seems like we're getting into diminishing returns, or the problem of investing so much to benefit so few.

I love volleyball, and I think season tickets are in store next year, but I'm not convinced that everything needs a building, either. At some point, the money doesn't add up.

 

[Go2Guy]

I'm really getting into Volleyball - ever since the Olympics and ISU's first deep NCAA run. I bought season tickets last two seasons.

 

[MNCyGuy]

Building another facility for a limited number of people seems like we're getting into diminishing returns, or the problem of investing so much to benefit so few.

I love volleyball, and I think season tickets are in store next year, but I'm not convinced that everything needs a building, either. At some point, the money doesn't add up.

Yea, I think that one gets filed easily under "It would be nice if we had the money, but we don't".

That being said, is there anything that could be done to make Hilton a better VB environment? (other than just getting more people in the door)