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Post by ideamark on Mar 18, 2007 15:25:00 GMT -5
Before the 2007 NCAAs, it seemed there was some carping about the location of the Palace of Auburn Hills -- "Too far from the airport" "You have to drive to get something to eat" "Hotels are too expensive."
For those of you who were there, whadya think? Were these pre-NCAA concerns real... or not? Overall, how would you compare the experience with other recent sites (Oklahoma City, St Louis, Kansas City, etc.)?
Mark
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Post by Wrestling Terp on Mar 18, 2007 18:15:20 GMT -5
Terrible location. The actual Palace itself was fine, but you can ONLY drive to the arena, parking was a royal pain, fans are spread to all points of the compass as far as where they are staying. The local Detroit area hardly knew we were there. Did anyone else notice how many empty seats there were for the finals? Worst attendance I've ever seen.
I'm going to contact my people in the athletic department to see if they can get the financials together again with the Verizon Center in DC to put in a bid. City locations are much better. Hotels, restaurants, and gathering places close by. Sight seeing is easier.
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TLV
Round of 12
the Bass Section of "The Grey, the Bald, and the Ugly' Motorcycle Club
Posts: 481
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Post by TLV on Mar 18, 2007 18:35:21 GMT -5
IN the sticks........not within walking distance of anything, but nice facility and parking free and very easy for those of us with cars.
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Post by ideamark on Mar 18, 2007 21:20:12 GMT -5
Terp,
Interesting RE the finals attendance. I never heard a number for Session 6... but the NCAA claimed an attendance record was set for Session 5.
Mark
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ezra
Round of 12
Posts: 249
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Post by ezra on Mar 19, 2007 14:58:22 GMT -5
I find the attendance record the NCAA announced really hard to believe. There were just too many open seats throughout all 3 days including finals... Session 5 was one of the most empty sessions of the week. Location sucked, everything was a 30 minute drive.
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Post by chetsmith on Mar 19, 2007 15:37:49 GMT -5
Ezra,
Also a no show for the party (LOL) The Palace holds, I think, 23,000 people according to a local. The Ford Center in OKC was not nearly that large.
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Post by fanforlife on Mar 19, 2007 20:38:36 GMT -5
I thought the location was horrible. It was at least a 30 minute commute from our hotel to the venue. By the time we got home from sessions, barely anywhere was serving food.
The Palace was a nice venue once you were inside, minus the lack of floor space. The parking was a pain, getting in and out however.
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Post by DartSharkimus Prime on Mar 20, 2007 10:46:59 GMT -5
Albany was the worst I'd been to, but I was broke, saw Cael win the fourth, but roomate went from the #5 seed to 2-2 and DNP, good friend was the #1 and went 1-2.
Some real dives that weren't worth attending that year and a foot of snow.
KC's arena was away from things, but the town had a lot to do in two major places ... plaza and westin/westport.. whatever it was called.
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Post by homerdindon on Mar 20, 2007 11:38:13 GMT -5
This and Oklahoma City were the only NCAA's I've been to as just a spectator, and Oklahoma City obviously blew Detroit away. I had a lot more friends with me in Detroit though, so that made it fun regardless.
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Post by Trusty on Mar 20, 2007 11:43:21 GMT -5
From what I've heard, not many fans were fond of the location. I had a feeling and one of the reason's I didn't attend this year.
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Post by goferphan on Mar 20, 2007 23:12:55 GMT -5
you boys are going to love st. louis, i guarantee it...lots of places close by and lots of things to do...
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TLV
Round of 12
the Bass Section of "The Grey, the Bald, and the Ugly' Motorcycle Club
Posts: 481
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Post by TLV on Mar 21, 2007 8:30:49 GMT -5
Yep, you can park your car and walk everyplace. Good restaurants.......terrific view of the Gateway Arch.........I'm looking forward to it already
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Post by ideamark on Mar 21, 2007 16:37:23 GMT -5
St Louis is hard to beat -- easy access to the arena from the freeway or MetroLink light rail system that links downtown to the airport and Illinois. Lots of eats and drinks within easy walk of the arena, or a quick ride on MetroLink to LeClede's Landing. My only criticism: The folks manning the visitors' booth at the arena seemed to be clueless about food and things to do in the city both years and on multiple visits to their booth. One admitted "I'm from the suburbs, I don't come downtown much." In this regard Oklahoma City topped STL. The folks at the visitor booth at Ford Center were not only knowledgeable, but sincerely friendly. I remember asking for lunch recommendations and one woman actually called the place, told them I was coming... then made a point of asking me what I thought of it when I came back! That kind of hospitality scores a tech fall (if not outright pin) in my book!
Mark
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