Omaha WH's Tom Shatel offers his take on the Des Moines Tourney Site

ImJustKCClone

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Can Drake do it?

Iowa could also...and UNI. Drake has proximity and infrastructure (due to the relays), Iowa (supposedly) has the wealthy AD; UNI is the least likely option - low funds and distance. With three conferences represented in this state (Big 12, MVC & B1G), it would be nice if we could get a conference involved in hosting...
 

Gunnerclone

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Iowa could also...and UNI. Drake has proximity and infrastructure (due to the relays), Iowa (supposedly) has the wealthy AD; UNI is the least likely option - low funds and distance. With three conferences represented in this state (Big 12, MVC & B1G), it would be nice if we could get a conference involved in hosting...

Or they could just change the rules and make it easy on everyone.
 

HardcoreClone

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I don't think he said much that most of us would disagree with. I remember thinking the first time I went to an ISU game shortly after WFA was built thinking that it looked a lot older than a brand new building. Dark, narrow concourses, and that concrete floor. Working as media for just the girls state tourney this year, I saw what he was talking about with cramped conditions, and that was with just a couple thousand people around. Then seeing the Pepsi Center this weekend and the awesome setup they had and how new everything looked and felt, and the huge scoreboard.
That's not to take away from anything that went on this weekend. I think the city was on full display and highlighted all the good things we've got going, and I really believe our best days are to come. Its just not there yet. I was downtown all of Thursday and most of friday and the atmosphere was special.

I didn't read the article yet, but I completely agree with you, I've never been impressed with WFA. Specifically compared to Midwest venules like CenturyLink in Omaha or Sprint in KC, it's not even close to those two. I've been to other large arenas as well that are better.

It was something that Des Moines needed, so obviously it's been better than the old alternative of Vets. But when you are going to build a brand new arena that costs so much money and will be a huge entertainment piece to central Iowa for sports, concerts, etc, why wouldn't you make sure it's top quality? What's another $20-$50Million? Don't take shortcuts.

I don't want to sound like a debbie downer, just speaking of the venue itself I wish WFA was designed and constructed better. By all accounts Des Moines hosting was a success and hopefully we get these games back regularly. There will continue to be more hotel and restaurant options downtown in the future to make the whole experience better as well. And a bit warmer weather wouldn't hurt too!
 

aeroclone

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Iowa could also...and UNI. Drake has proximity and infrastructure (due to the relays), Iowa (supposedly) has the wealthy AD; UNI is the least likely option - low funds and distance. With three conferences represented in this state (Big 12, MVC & B1G), it would be nice if we could get a conference involved in hosting...

What does it take to get the conference to host? Watching the games this week, the breakdown looked like 4 sites hosted by conferences, 2 by mid-majors, and 2 by P5 schools. So of course, ISU was the only P5 school hosting and also playing this year, and thus the only school screwed by our inability to play at our host site. I believe the hosts were as follows

Spokane - University of Idaho
Denver - Mountain West Conference
OKC - Big 12 Conference
Des Moines - ISU
St Louis - Missouri Valley Conference
Raleigh - NC State
Providence - Procidence
Brooklyn - A10 Conference

What would it take to get the B12/B1G/MVC to host next time in Des Moines? Or if not, is there any solid evidence that Drake or UNI could do it in the future, or would it always require the pull of UI or ISU to get the bid?
 

Three4Cy

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What does it take to get the conference to host? Watching the games this week, the breakdown looked like 4 sites hosted by conferences, 2 by mid-majors, and 2 by P5 schools. So of course, ISU was the only P5 school hosting and also playing this year, and thus the only school screwed by our inability to play at our host site. I believe the hosts were as follows

Spokane - University of Idaho
Denver - Mountain West Conference
OKC - Big 12 Conference
Des Moines - ISU
St Louis - Missouri Valley Conference
Raleigh - NC State
Providence - Procidence
Brooklyn - A10 Conference

What would it take to get the B12/B1G/MVC to host next time in Des Moines? Or if not, is there any solid evidence that Drake or UNI could do it in the future, or would it always require the pull of UI or ISU to get the bid?

It would be my guess with conferences that the Missouri Valley will always bid for St. Louis where their offices are located. The Big Ten is going to go to either Indy or Chicago (they are the host for the Midwest Regional) and the Big 12 is going to stay in OKC or KC or be the final four host in Dallas.
 

ImJustKCClone

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Drake tried before and failed at securing the bid.

Per what was discussed when we made (and were awarded) the bid, the idea was to get our foot in the NCAA door as a state, as a city, and as a host. We needed to prove that Des Moines was a viable option for hosting. The city stepped up much more than in the past, and ISU was riding the Hoiberg wave of new-found relevance. The combination of the two is why we (ISU & Des Moines) won the bid. It was important for us to create a good atmosphere and prove that Des Moines had the necessary facilities and infrastructure...and they stepped up BIG time.

Now that NCAA has seen we can handle the event (and I'm assuming we passed the test), it's more likely that Drake or UI could step up and win another bid. I certainly hope so. Based on your other comment, you're probably right about one of the conferences hosting. :(
 

1Nation

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I'd just like to add that I'm also on the side that Wells Fargo is a horrible facility....that's where my agreement with the article ends.

Century Link is also a ran down, dark sh*thole with tiny outdated concourses. The outside looks nice, but it's makeup on a pig. The only thing they have going for them is their beer garden in the endzone.
 

NickTheGreat

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Shatel was a hack "journalist" when I read that paper growing up, 20 years ago. Surprisingly hasn't changed much, except for the dapper hat. :jimlad:

He's got a small point about Wells Fargo Arena. It's in an odd spot, and the parking isn't great. I think people dealt with it fine, especially with the weather being like it was. It's a little unfortunate that DSM is known for the skywalks, and the genius in charge decided to remove that from the equation. I know it's not that simple of a thing to work around, but they knew about the tourney a bit in advance.

But I can't think of any of this that Omaha has a leg up on Des Moines, though. I mean, Century Link Event Center isn't great, and no closer to the Old Market than WFA is to Court Ave. Though Old Market has probably 3x the things to do as Court.
 
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Gunnerclone

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Shatel was a hack "journalist" when I read that paper growing up, 20 years ago. Surprisingly hasn't changed much, except for the dapper hat. :jimlad:

He's got a small point about Wells Fargo Arena. It's in an odd spot, and the parking isn't great. I think people dealt with it fine, especially with the weather being like it was. It's a little unfortunate that DSM is known for the skywalks, and the genius in charge decided to remove that from the equation. I know it's not that simple of a thing to work around, but they knew about the tourney a bit in advance.

But I can't think of any of this that Omaha has a leg up on Des Moines, though. I mean, Century Link Event Center isn't great, and no closer to the Old Market than WFA is to Court Ave. Though Old Market has probably 3x the things to do as Court.

The skywalks are disgusting. I'm glad that wasn't an option for the most part.
 

19clone91

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The skywalks are disgusting. I'm glad that wasn't an option for the most part.

So true. Skywalks kill street activity and business. Every urban study ever done proves that they kill cities. They only make sense on campuses such as Principal Financial. Take Court Ave out of downtown Des Moines and its as dead as a town a 10th its size. If all the restaurants and stores within the skywalk were located on the street, theyd be able to stay open all weekend and activate the streets again.
 

HFCS

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Omaha has done very well for itself hosting the CWS and NCAA tournaments in basketball and the Final Four in volleyball. Omaha has also sold out Olympic Swim trials several times. The city does a very, very good job at running big time sporting events.

DM has done just as well any time given the opportunity...without running articles justifying how Iowa is better than Nebraska. This is Nebraska doing their big fish in little pond arrogant thing.
 

kingcy

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Iowa could also...and UNI. Drake has proximity and infrastructure (due to the relays), Iowa (supposedly) has the wealthy AD; UNI is the least likely option - low funds and distance. With three conferences represented in this state (Big 12, MVC & B1G), it would be nice if we could get a conference involved in hosting...


I am not sure if Iowa or UNI can. I think I heard there was a rule you have to be within 90 miles of the arena to host. Drake could but they would find a way to mess it up. The Big 12, Big 10, or MVC could also host it.
 

Gunnerclone

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So true. Skywalks kill street activity and business. Every urban study ever done proves that they kill cities. They only make sense on campuses such as Principal Financial. Take Court Ave out of downtown Des Moines and its as dead as a town a 10th its size. If all the restaurants and stores within the skywalk were located on the street, theyd be able to stay open all weekend and activate the streets again.

I agree with all of this but I mean they are also disgusting. Any time there is a decent rain they have to put buckets out to catch the downpour in every skywalk. "carpet" that hasn't been updated since the early 90's. The windows are filthy. 75% of the skywalk system is gross.
 

k123

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I think it is fair to say Omaha's Old Market is more charming than the Court Avenue District or East Village of Des Moines, but in terms of proximity it is the same distance (~2500 ft or half mile, both through easy to navigate downtown street grids) from the arena to "entertainment" in Omaha or Des Moines...

So I'm guessing 'ol Tom looked down the hill, decided he didn't want to walk back up, and never left WF Arena.
 

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