Why don't we have a nice hanging scoreboard in Holmes?

[ComebackShack]

Debt is not your friend, I hope you don't treat your personal finances in this manner. The money isn't available for a scoreboard of that nature.

Speaking from a coaching stand point, the hanging scoreboard is useless to the team. Have you ever tried to read the time remaining on that thing while dribbling down court? The only way it would be feasible would be to keep scores and game clock at each end of the court.

Yes but the recruits will find the stadium more legitimate and not like a huge highschool gym.

Syracuse, VCU, Gonzaga and Davidson do quite nice with. "High School gyms".

To be fair, Syracuse plays in literally a football stadium

[IGgreer]

Debt is not your friend, I hope you don't treat your personal finances in this manner. The money isn't available for a scoreboard of that nature.

Speaking from a coaching stand point, the hanging scoreboard is useless to the team. Have you ever tried to read the time remaining on that thing while dribbling down court? The only way it would be feasible would be to keep scores and game clock at each end of the court.

Yes but the recruits will find the stadium more legitimate and not like a huge highschool gym.

Syracuse, VCU, Gonzaga and Davidson do quite nice with. "High School gyms".

Huh?

[wb247]

Syracuse, VCU, Gonzaga and Davidson do quite nice with. "High School gyms".

I'm not advocating we get one, but VCU and Gonzaga have video screens on the ends and Syracuse has them in corners. If we still played in Varsity, Davidson would be a fair comparison. The "new" building does feel incomplete and has since it opened. If in the budget, video boards are one of many things that would improve the experience at Holmes.

The only thing I know about our basketball program is that is is impossible to discuss and prioritize needs without the conversation spiraling into a chicken/egg argument.

[asu66]

Think about it! It would add a lot to our arena and bring in fans!

We could get one like Tulsa, they cost maybe 2 million AT MOST!
https://www.google.com/search?q=tulsa+b ... 1200%3B800

Can anyone explain why we don't have one and if one is in our future? I already tweeted at coach fox about it.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh nooooooooooooooooooo, now you've touched a nerve with me. One of my all-time pet peeves with ASU; and I have many. How soon we forget; even though it has been nearly 16 years. Roachel Laney was our AD when HCC was built in 1998-2000. At the last minute during construction contract negotiations, Laney cut out the center court hanging scoreboard and went the bargain basement route with what we have now.

He then, when faced with questions, tried to use the excuse that the HCC ceiling was designed and built too low to install an arena class, state-of-the-art, mid-court scoreboard. No one believed him, but with Fran Borkowski as chancellor (completely oblivious to athletic issues and needs on campus), Laney was not held to account or seriously challenged to defend his positions, decisions and statements.

For the record, HCC was designed by the same architects that designed the Dean Smith Center at UNC-Cheat (Corley Redfoot Architects, Inc.). They knew and used correct design specifications for installation of an arena class scoreboard. Laney is responsible for the decision to go the cheap route.

http://corleyredfootarchitects.com/webp ... enter.html

If cost was an issue, the money would have been donated by private contributions with phone calls or visits to two or three frequent corporate or philanthropic donors to ASU. Fundraising from major donors was something Laney did not like and rarely ever attempted (even though he was a former ditrector of the Yosef Club). Lowe's Companies would have jumped at the chance to permanently hang their corporate name at center court in our facility. In fact, a Lowe's senior VP was a member of HCC's advisory committee in those days. He was never approached about sponsorship for this purpose.

When Jim Fox gets the BB team up to snuff, Lowe's still should be approached.

[HkyMtneer]

Re: Holmes Center To-Do Tasks (as they should be)

1.) Install winner

2.) Install fans (the butts-in-the-seats kind...not propellers of air flow)

3.) Install center-hung scoreboard

Being a self-proclaimed facilities evaluator I think a center-hung scoreboard is of utmost need, as you simply can't compete in today's sports market without one. It's just a fact of the world in which we now exist. It's the same reason the Panthers just finished spending $20+ mil. on new scoreboards, ribbon boards, and sound distribution. It's the same reason 3/4 other teams in the NFL will spend more than that to make theirs larger this next off-season (Panthers boards are now the third largest in the NFL in terms of sq. footage). It's keeping up with everyone else. Like it or not. And it's not just the NFL. It has reached Division 1 College football. The race is on. Texas A&M just upped the ante most recently. And no, I'm not comparing us to A&M but the trickle effect will not stop at the P5 level.

You have to have instant replay, you have to have boards to increase fan engagement. Simply put: people like seeing themselves on a big screen. Parents like seeing their kids dancing like a fool. Students like seeing their friends do dumb things like shave a big block 'A' into their back hair (FTR, I couldn't imagine but I like seeing him do it). We like to be able to post our messages to the video board via Twitter, or send along Instagram pics to the big board of our group having fun at that day's tailgate. It's all about immersion and in basketball, especially at the college level, it's a necessity.

I know a good many schools continue to not have center-hung boards, but most at least have video replay options via wall/rafter boards. The schools that don't have either tend to be the ones that lag. We've decided to go all in: being big-time in video immersion should be no different. If the structure simply, and truly, cannot support a good-sized center hung board then fine, other options exist. Take a look at the Robins Center at Richmond's corner board design http://collegebasketball.ap.org/boston/ ... ormation-0 That concept should work quite well in the HCC and it would also serve to reduce capacity a bit, which from a building demand perspective could be a good thing.

All that having been said I realize the biggest project is on the court, as fancy new boards will only do so much, especially when it comes to basketball. Accomplish the first two objectives I stated above and then the third, the center-hung scoreboard, becomes TPTB's A#1 task. If we're winning, and averaging 5K a night, which should be entirely feasible in Boone, then excuses to not do so will be non-existent as sponsors will be demanding big-time exposure via a quality board.

After the video board the HCC has a pretty long list of renovations and additions to become a true home court. I'm all for "multi-use", especially given the weather in Boone and space (and $) limitations, but if we're going to strive for higher then the HCC needs many improvements/customizations. Some of these fixes are relatively low-cost and it amazes me we haven't "finished" the building out a bit by this point, and it makes me wonder if our facilities guys are really that forward-thinking. I tend to think, and this is not a knock on anyone in particular and it simply may be the mandate, that the facilities department is more reactive with an old-school hammer and nail in wood approach than intuitive dream-to-paper go-getters who push the envelope, both creatively and financially...but alas, no one in the athletic department has offered me a job. Ha!

(Sidenote: A new scoreboard for KBS MUST be in included in the next wave of expansion/renovation, along with full-length facade boards. No if, ands, or buts. The current board is becoming painfully, literally if you have ever walked under it, antiquated. To stay with expectations many believe a board should be enlarged at minimum every 4/5 seasons in football. We're there).

[WVAPPeer]

I would venture to guess that the "numbers" on the scoreboard would be of more importance than the size, shape or placement ---

[districtballer]

Syracuse, VCU, Gonzaga and Davidson do quite nice with. "High School gyms".

I'm not advocating we get one, but VCU and Gonzaga have video screens on the ends and Syracuse has them in corners. If we still played in Varsity, Davidson would be a fair comparison. The "new" building does feel incomplete and has since it opened. If in the budget, video boards are one of many things that would improve the experience at Holmes.

The only thing I know about our basketball program is that is is impossible to discuss and prioritize needs without the conversation spiraling into a chicken/egg argument.

FWIW, VCU does have a center-hung video board now. It was just put up this offseason.

[hapapp]

I would venture to guess that the "numbers" on the scoreboard would be of more importance than the size, shape or placement ---

Agreed. Not once I have decided not to attend a game at the HCC because the scoreboard didn't hang down from the ceiling. We certainly have far more important things to worry about before we talk about the scoreboard. I have no objections to upgrading the facility to enhance the fan experience but lets not put the cart before the horse.

[AppinVA]

I agree we don't need to put the cart before the horse, but periodic updates, maintenance and upgrades need to be done in order for a facility to not fall too far behind the curve. Pro arenas have a 30 year lifespan and are torn down. I hate that, as I feel it's a waste. Luckily, College arenas generally last longer, but most receive a facelift or two along the way, which can extend the building for another 15-20 years (the remodeling of the Robbins Center at the University of Richmond turned it into a brand new showplace without full replacement, but the school hadn't touched it since the building was opened, causing the need for a major overhaul).

It's hard to believe, but the HCC is, what, 15 years old? It's a over a third of the way through its cycle, provided nothing is done to keep it up to date. Has anything really been done to update the facility since it has opened? I don't live up there, but I can't think of anything. We need to put some TLC into the place, so 15 years from now, we are not revisiting a new arena or at the very least, a major overhaul.

Long story short: Pay a little now and along the way, or pay nothing now and a lot later.

When these improvements hopefully do take place, a new, four-sided, center-hung scoreboard with full replay capability should be at the top of the list.

[JTApps1]

The Hornets are about to replace their scoreboard. Maybe we can get a deal? It might touch the court though.

[bigdaddyg]

what is the average attendance for home games (men's games)?

[HkyMtneer]

what is the average attendance for home games (men's games)?

You know the size of the crowd that will be lining up at various Best Buys around the country soon in the wee hours of Black Friday? About half the size of one of those.

In all seriousness, I'm thinking it was around 1,100/1,200-ish last year...but I'm sure someone has the exact number. If I'm off it's hopefully that I'm low. Though, I'm pretty sure that figure is of course tickets sold. I made it to 3 or 4 home games last year and I'd say the average actual number for the games I attended was around 650-700.

[ComebackShack]

Here was the email reply I got:

CBS,

Great to hear from you.

At this time, the Holmes Convocation Center does not have a video board
but the Holmes Center and Athletics have been working together for years
to make it a possibility for the future.

We would love to see you at Holmes this season for App State basketball
and think you will be pleasantly surprised with all of the new, fan
interactive-based promotions even without a video board.

Go Apps!
Ashley


Ashley Payne
Director of Promotions & Fan Engagement
Appalachian State Athletics
payneae1@appstate.edu
828.262.6554 <tel:828.262.6554> office
828.406.0556 <tel:828.406.0556> mobile

[bigdaddyg]

You know the size of the crowd that will be lining up at various Best Buys around the country soon in the wee hours of Black Friday? About half the size of one of those.

In all seriousness, I'm thinking it was around 1,100/1,200-ish last year...but I'm sure someone has the exact number. If I'm off it's hopefully that I'm low. Though, I'm pretty sure that figure is of course tickets sold. I made it to 3 or 4 home games last year and I'd say the average actual number for the games I attended was around 650-700.


Doesn't exactly justify a multi-million scoreboard. Would the addition of the scoreboard bring in another 4K in attendance? Do students regularly attend games? Those numbers are horribly low.

[AppinVA]

The Hornets are about to replace their scoreboard. Maybe we can get a deal? It might touch the court though.

Okay, a used, four-sided scoreboard.

Better ask Lameley if it's possible. I had heard from one of the @#I*+-shovelers, that the roof wouldn't support the weight. I just considered the source.

[AppHoops]

Not to totally break topic, but speaking of hanging things from the HCC ceiling, what are the qualifiers for App to retire a jersey? There are a few numbers up there, but unless I'm totally mistaken, none belong to men's basketball. I'd love a new video scoreboard, but I'd love to establish some tradition as well by cementing it for all to see and honoring players that come through. Not sure if there are qualifiers or not, but someone is bound to have done something to earn it.

Donald Sims, for example, won SoCon POY and is the all time leading scorer. Does that not qualify?

Agaian, appreciate the slight sidebar

[EastHallApp]

Not to totally break topic, but speaking of hanging things from the HCC ceiling, what are the qualifiers for App to retire a jersey? There are a few numbers up there, but unless I'm totally mistaken, none belong to men's basketball. I'd love a new video scoreboard, but I'd love to establish some tradition as well by cementing it for all to see and honoring players that come through. Not sure if there are qualifiers or not, but someone is bound to have done something to earn it.

Donald Sims, for example, won SoCon POY and is the all time leading scorer. Does that not qualify?

Agaian, appreciate the slight sidebar

Good question, but honestly I can't think of any, at least since I was a student in the late '90s, that would warrant retirement IMO. Conference POY isn't enough.

Now if we want to honor some jerseys (i.e., put them in the rafters but don't retire them), I think that would be fine. But retiring a jersey is a big deal.

[asu66]

Not to totally break topic, but speaking of hanging things from the HCC ceiling, what are the qualifiers for App to retire a jersey? There are a few numbers up there, but unless I'm totally mistaken, none belong to men's basketball. I'd love a new video scoreboard, but I'd love to establish some tradition as well by cementing it for all to see and honoring players that come through. Not sure if there are qualifiers or not, but someone is bound to have done something to earn it.

Donald Sims, for example, won SoCon POY and is the all time leading scorer. Does that not qualify?

Agaian, appreciate the slight sidebar

First, the player has to be a member of the ASU Athletics Hall of Fame. In order to qualify, one has to have had a tremendous playing career at Appalachian; must have been out of school for a minimum of five seasons; and must be nominated, then elected to membership by members of the Former Athletes Association. Honors beyond Hall of Fame membership are the prerogative of the Athletic Director and athletics council.

[wataugan03]

Debt is not your friend, I hope you don't treat your personal finances in this manner. The money isn't available for a scoreboard of that nature.

It will give us better recruits, more fans, and a prettier stadium. In the long run it makes 100% sense.

How about we start with granting access to our basketball teams for all practices. That makes sense, yet we don't do it.

Access for all practices would be nice. I would go further, the players should have access 24/7. There is limited practice time in the offseason and the players need a place where they can practice independently. The rec center is way too crowded for them to get basket to themselves. The quinn center has a bad dusty floor that they probably shouldn't be going full speed on. Varsity doesn't always have baskets up, and they have to compete for floor space with other teams and various other events.

[NewApp]

Debt is not your friend, I hope you don't treat your personal finances in this manner. The money isn't available for a scoreboard of that nature.

Maybe I'm mistaken, but I thought you were one of the ones rationalizing incurring more debt to expand KBS.