MBB: St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[usee]

First, there are no "bad" seats in King arena. You can see the action from anywhere. Next, I would think its the job of the NCAA rep to make sure the arena and its host is in compliance with any "recommendations". Making a separate seating arrangement for another team is not rocket science and it clearly didn't happen last week (I was at the game). I don't know why but I would bet it wasn't anything intentional. If Wheaton knew it was supposed to happen, they would have made it happen. Mike McGrath (head coach at U Chicago) was the regional NCAA rep on site all weekend.

[sac]

First, there are no "bad" seats in King arena. You can see the action from anywhere. Next, I would think its the job of the NCAA rep to make sure the arena and its host is in compliance with any "recommendations". Making a separate seating arrangement for another team is not rocket science and it clearly didn't happen last week (I was at the game). I don't know why but I would bet it wasn't anything intentional. If Wheaton knew it was supposed to happen, they would have made it happen. Mike McGrath (head coach at U Chicago) was the regional NCAA rep on site all weekend.

Before this goes further, I just want to point out this was a farely minor inconvenience.  It was just surprising given the efforts I've seen at other schools to accomodate visiting fans. 

[Pat Coleman]

Agreed, it's definitely BOTH the school's and the rep's responsibility to make sure the guidelines are followed.

[fcnews]

As Sac stated this was minor. But, also uncalled for. The fans traveling with Fontbonne (all family members) arrived well before the first game started.

Alot of the nice Hope fans that gave up some seats, moved to watch the first half of our game. At halftime of the first game the Fontbonne families moved to the corner behind the visiting bench. This is the third of these in a row they've been to. Each other venue had room behind visiting bench and students with their sections accross the floor.

I will say that the Fontbonne Student charter bus did not arrive to just after the first game started. Due to the fact that they attend class till noon. Then left.

My last word on this matter. No, the Fontbonne Family was not expecting to find their seating  for the game behind the baskets and to the side. It was not that way at Wash U or Millsaps. There also was not one Wheaton rep. that stepped forward to say "anything". They could of at least informed the group that their seats were in the corner. Thus saving them the time of standing for an entire half and missing the next games warm ups. Fontbonne paid for each ticket sold and returned unused tickets well ahead of time.

Alot of these people were families watching their family members last game. Not the last memory you want. Mom and Dad behind the bench. Grandparents and kids in another location.

[Above The Rim]

last word from me is get there early so you dont have to cry about it later.

There were Fontbonne fans standing in the doorway for the entire second half of the first game.

Easier said than done when you are coming from several hundred miles/several hours away.
But, thank you for your courteous , thoughtful, and sportsmanlike response, Thunder!   

[formersliaccommish]

After playing in, coaching in, and administering college basketball games and tournaments for 47 years, I am absolutely astounded that Wheaton made no arrangements to set aside seating for the visiting teams. It should be one of the first things on a Tournament Director's to-do list.

Wheaton is a classy school with classy people so it would be even more astounding if it wasn't fixed for this weekend. The NCAA does indeed have a long memory over stuff like this. 

[Titan Q]

After playing in, coaching in, and administering college basketball games and tournaments for 47 years, I am absolutely astounded that Wheaton made no arrangements to set aside seating for the visiting teams. It should be one of the first things on a Tournament Director's to-do list.

Wheaton is a classy school with classy people so it would be even more astounding if it wasn't fixed for this weekend. The NCAA does indeed have a long memory over stuff like this. 

I am also very surprised that happened at Wheaton.  I've seen a few real debacles over seating in tournament games over the years, most notably at Wartburg in 2001.  Having designated seating areas is critcal in these events.

I wonder if this was the first time Wheaton hosted a 4-team NCAA tournament event?  I can't recall a Sectional they've hosted over the years, and I'm pretty sure they have not had a Regional since those started a few years ago.

Pretty surprising they would not have been organized though.  Everyone associated with Wheaton's athletic department is top-notch.

[fcnews]

Before things get much further let me say, every other aspect of the Wheaton experience was "Top Notch". The seating problem was just a huge part of the experience. Practices, shoot arounds, meetings. facilities,........... All were first rate. This I believe was a game management problem and could very well have been just overlooked.

Best case senario. There will be no need for this discussion next week.

Let me add, I was impressed with the size of crowd UWP brought. I know the big years with Coach Ryan and all. But, it was nice to see.

We are getting ready to watch the Big Boy's on TV for this years version of March Maddness. And, for all but maybe 16 teams the experience will be whats remembered. This poster has appreciated the past three I've experienced on our level. It's come along way from our first trip to Hanover way back in 96.

[sac]

I don't know what you're trying to prove.  Most D3 regionals are general admission.......most also designate areas for opposing teams to sit.

[Pat Coleman]

give me a break ok I am trying to say that we were wrong not to provide what people expected.

Is that the case? Because this reads like you are trying to say what people expected was wrong.

I for one am sorry that you felt you were supposed to be accomodated and were not. This is what the tournament site stated and that is what was available.

[izzy stradlin]

I don't know what you're trying to prove.  Most D3 regionals are general admission.......most also designate areas for opposing teams to sit.

Wheaton did have sign just outside King Arena designating UWP fans to sit on the west side of the gym and Wheaton fans on the east side on Saturday.  It wasn't a huge sign.   The east was close to full 15 min before tipoff, so many Wheaton fans ended up mixed in on the UWP side. 

Just my opinion, but in general admission, if your designated seating section is full and there are open seats anywhere in the gym, it's open season-  you paid your 6 bucks (though I am not saying that is what happened Friday and I am sorry that some fans here had a subpar experience). 

[fcnews]

Best case senario. There will be no need for this discussion next week.

Wow. lost 5 karma points on two posts discussing this topic. And, the last was about the positive aspects of Wheaton. No problem.

The sad note is. That some of the Wheaton fans were there on tickets they bought returned by Fontbonne. And, believe me these tickets were returned well before customary.

Let's just say, when Fontbonne Co-Hosts the 2010 and 11 DIII Women's Volleyball Championships, this won't be an issue.

[hopefan]

I'll be talking to Wash U this morning regarding what ticket alotment they receive and when they'll be on sale - will post here when I find out -

FC - I took a disappointing hit too

[larry_u]

give me a break ok I am trying to say that we were wrong not to provide what people expected. we have never hosted more than regionals and the last being 05 before they changed. within the CCIW we have never had any problem allowing guests to sit wherever they pleased and TQ will affirm this, because when the Titan Nation comes, you don't have any other choice but to let them sit where they want. ha ha ha. so we were wrong and we would ask that you forgive us.

Stop acting like a know it all better then thou and maybe people might...and I mean might...give you a break.

[hopefan]

Tickets for this weekend are only available at Wheaton - none have been sent down to Wash U.    However, if you are comfortable calling the Wash U athletic dept, they are maintaining a list of fans taking the trip up and holding tickets for purchase at Will call  -  the game is not expected to be sold out, but I still feel more comfortable having my name on a list....

Sorry if writing regarding Wash U on these pages rubs anyone the wrong way - I think most of the readers in this room have at least peripheral interest in 'the team next door'....