The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(02-06-2024 07:42 PM)WesternDave Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 02:04 PM)Brownandgoldlaker Wrote:  I never would have believed we would actually have Bronco Fans who be complaining about anything, after receiving an $300 mil gift to build, quite possibly, the premier college hockey venue.

You guys probably take your wife/girl friend out on a date Friday nights to Mac McDonalds for a Big Mac, Large Fry and Super Sized Coke, then back home to watch re-runs of In the Heat of the Night. That's your idea of Fine Dinning and Entertainment. The good news is, you didn't pay for parking, so I guess you can now splurge and have that Apple Pie.

WMU won't own the arena. It might be a sweetheart deal at first, but what happens in 20 years when it gets old and it needs updating? WMU boosters going to pay for upgrades? The ownership group? Everyone here making the decision now will be long gone by then getting their promotions up the college athletics food chain. What does WMU athletics do when they're renting an older off campus arena from an unknown arena ownership group? What if your basketball and hockey teams are bad? Do they get cut because of cost containment? This is the can of worms it opens up since WMU won't own the facility.

Ok Chicken Little, the sky isn't falling.

I'm pretty sure people smarter than you and I will make sure WMU interests will be protected, both now and for the future, starting with the doner.

This Event Center needs WMU more than WMU needs the event center. And who said anything about WMU renting??

Upgrades? Well, seeing this building is being built with 100% donations, any upgrades will probably be absorbed through taxes and WMU donations. But we are talking 20-30 yrs down the road. And how much money is WMU/City/County saving in the interim?

The Duluth Amsoil Arena ($80 mil) was built in 2010. It's off campus and UMD Does Not own the arena, though they did contribute 12% to the construction. They have figured out how to "manage" the arena. Here is what a she looks like today, 14 years later:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqUAywmTvRI

(02-06-2024 01:21 PM)Brownandgoldlaker Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 01:15 PM)BroncoMinor Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 12:53 PM)HeatherF Wrote:  Why are we building a bigger arena ?

Doesn't make any sense to me either. Lawson is our best arena with our best team & there are still consistently empty seats at an arena with a capacity of 3,667.

Because we are not attracting the corporate ticket and casual fan with our current arena....

Would we really attract that many more corporate tickets and casual fans for bronco hockey in this new arena? We would be fighting for the same fan with the Kwings to now get them into the same building. I don’t see the SW Michigan hockey market being that large for two hockey teams in the same building

(02-06-2024 11:30 PM)Cocksman Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 01:21 PM)Brownandgoldlaker Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 01:15 PM)BroncoMinor Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 12:53 PM)HeatherF Wrote:  Why are we building a bigger arena ?

Doesn't make any sense to me either. Lawson is our best arena with our best team & there are still consistently empty seats at an arena with a capacity of 3,667.

Because we are not attracting the corporate ticket and casual fan with our current arena....

Would we really attract that many more corporate tickets and casual fans for bronco hockey in this new arena? We would be fighting for the same fan with the Kwings to now get them into the same building. I don’t see the SW Michigan hockey market being that large for two hockey teams in the same building

We have not heard about the breakdown of seating types, but I'd estimate they'll have between 750-1,000 new seats in suites. I also think you will see a new premium seating section which will include some kind of exclusive benefits. This type of seating is currently not being offered by the Lawson arena and you will start seeing these types of fans who are not currently attending our games now.

Kwings and WMU have managed to co-exist for years. and attendance for both should improve. The best marketing tool for both programs is winning!

(02-06-2024 05:21 PM)Broncos83 Wrote:  Oops! Didn’t mean to open up a can of worms with this thread! Just wanted to let fans know about some tickets being available. I got mine for this Friday. Looking forward to it…Go Broncos!!!

I just asked a question...have fun, was just there last weekend, hope you get a better result! Go Broncos!

(02-07-2024 08:19 AM)Brownandgoldlaker Wrote:  The best marketing tool for both programs is winning!

We are pretty much in the middle of one of the best 4 year runs in program history and running flash sales to sell tickets.

(02-06-2024 11:30 PM)Cocksman Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 01:21 PM)Brownandgoldlaker Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 01:15 PM)BroncoMinor Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 12:53 PM)HeatherF Wrote:  Why are we building a bigger arena ?

Doesn't make any sense to me either. Lawson is our best arena with our best team & there are still consistently empty seats at an arena with a capacity of 3,667.

Because we are not attracting the corporate ticket and casual fan with our current arena....

Would we really attract that many more corporate tickets and casual fans for bronco hockey in this new arena? We would be fighting for the same fan with the Kwings to now get them into the same building. I don’t see the SW Michigan hockey market being that large for two hockey teams in the same building

If Western wants to increase their casual fanbase, they need to put the games on TV with HD broadcasts that has audio for all 3 periods.

I want an arena with much better concessions and not have bleachers to sit in . I go to many hockey games in lots of different leagues but the ones I go back to the most are the ones with comfort and amenities.

Lawson has a great atmosphere but the rest sucks .

(02-07-2024 11:55 AM)BroncoMinor Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 11:30 PM)Cocksman Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 01:21 PM)Brownandgoldlaker Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 01:15 PM)BroncoMinor Wrote:  

(02-06-2024 12:53 PM)HeatherF Wrote:  Why are we building a bigger arena ?

Doesn't make any sense to me either. Lawson is our best arena with our best team & there are still consistently empty seats at an arena with a capacity of 3,667.

Because we are not attracting the corporate ticket and casual fan with our current arena....

Would we really attract that many more corporate tickets and casual fans for bronco hockey in this new arena? We would be fighting for the same fan with the Kwings to now get them into the same building. I don’t see the SW Michigan hockey market being that large for two hockey teams in the same building

If Western wants to increase their casual fanbase, they need to put the games on TV with HD broadcasts that has audio for all 3 periods.

yep and I'm pretty sure with the new arena you will also see a brand new broadcast production suite with HD cameras through out. Not sure you will see it broadcast on local stations though...

Guys,

I won 4 free tickets for Friday nights game vs Omaha. I played for fun on Facebook and actually won, knowing I cannot go since I live in houston lol. I checked with them and they said I could give them to someone to pick up in will call.

I would love to give them to a bronco fan. Please send me a PM on here with your name and I’ll tell wmu staff and they’ll be in will call.

I’ll need a person by tomorrow no later than noon.

(02-07-2024 08:41 PM)Broncodan Wrote:  Guys,

I won 4 free tickets for Friday nights game vs Omaha. I played for fun on Facebook and actually won, knowing I cannot go since I live in houston lol. I checked with them and they said I could give them to someone to pick up in will call.

I would love to give them to a bronco fan. Please send me a PM on here with your name and I’ll tell wmu staff and they’ll be in will call.

I’ll need a person by tomorrow no later than noon.

I can not go as i live to far away but thanks for thinking of us that's a great gesture .