Student tickets sold out... in 45 minutes

[Wild Heiny]

I don't like it that they have 1 game at IBA, much less all of them. A better solution mght be to tell your friends and neighbors to stop jumping on the bandwagon.

[1979Shocker]

Yeah this is also why people here have suggested raising the roof on Koch. It's just not quite big enough for the demand anymore. But I love Koch Arena still.

If the WSU enrollment is going to be increasing over the next few years, they'll need to do something.

[60Shock]

In 1953 the Roundhouse, which seated around 11,000 was built and often was sold out until the Valley dropped dead and we stayed.

Since then, the metro population of Wichita has nearly doubled. Obviously, that does not necessarily mean that would automatically result in 11,000 more BB fans. But the population is certainly there to support it. And no one can argue (except trolls perhaps) that the brand and quality of BB that GM offers today is exciting as hell and will continue to draw sell-out crowds.

Consider the following:

a. Dr. Bardo has stated that his goal is to increase the present enrollment from 20,000 -25,000 students. Obviously this will significantly result in increased student attendance. And haven't we already seen an approximate 1,000 student increase over the last two years?

b. Thanks to our recent success the caliber and quality of named schools on our OOC schedule has dramatically increased. This is virtually guaranteed to result in attracting larger BB audiences to once again get the chance to see well known BCS schools playing here in Wichita.

c. And if we ever leave the MVC and join a better conference, our home game attendance will expand as well, but only if we have a larger BB arena.

It is time to now seriously consider building a new BB arena. But lets not think small for once. Forget 15,000, go for at least 17,500 -20,000.

[ccrunner101]

If the WSU enrollment is going to be increasing over the next few years,they'll need to do something.

Anyone know when the student fee agreement to not charge for student tickets and provide a certain allotment ends? I think charging $150 a student ticket/per yr would narrow it down some.

[Rocky Mountain Shock]

The annual "Koch Expansion/Move to IBA" debate is here!

Koch and IBA complement each other well. Koch has the roaring on campus tradition-filled atmosphere, IBA has the big-time blue chip program feel. There is room for both. So I hope in the short term, more games during the season at IBA is an option--for big name non-con opponents or for MVC games with championship implications.

I hope that the long term vision for the athletic department is to consider expansion of Koch to at least 12,000--with suites for the corporate types who sit during the game to quietly contemplate how much money they have to donate to the program, while the loud and unruly types in the seats below actively cheer and contribute to Koch's reputation as one of the best venues in CBB.

[ShockerDropOut]

I don't like it that they have 1 game at IBA, much less all of them. A better solution mght be to tell your friends and neighbors to stop jumping on the bandwagon.

I love that they play one game at IBA. It is my one chance to see them each year, as I doubt I will ever have season tickets. That being said, I would never like all the games to be at IBA. I have been to games in the past at HLA and CKA, this is a special place. Rabid, wild, LOUD! I used to do some behind the scenes work at CKA during various events. You can feel the arena shake during a MBB game, from the tunnels under the arena! WSU has one of the greatest home-court advantages in the nation. I wouldn't do anything to spoil that. College basketball games should be played on a college campus.

[wufan]

I think the answer to continual sell outs is to increase the cost per seat. The size is just about right. It's packed. Tickets are hard to come by. Students are dying to get in the door. Does 2000 extra people stuffed in make it more exciting? I wouldn't think so. Yes, a couple of luxury boxes would be great, but I love the atmosphere of CKA packed to roof!

[wufan]

IBA ought to try and host a WSU/KU or WSU/KSU game. Another option would be a tourney between former Valley teams such as WSU/Tulsa/Louisville/Memphis

[Shocker-maniac]

Curiosity Question.

The non-con games that are carried on ESPN/2/U - Does WSU get TV revenue for those? Or, do they fall under the MVC TV contract which from what I understand there is no revenue?

[WuDrWu]

Does anyone know how long the students are paying for the last CKA improvement?

I'm with most that the size is right but the average fan is being pushed out. The corporations are forced almost to take over because they have the $

How many here have been, or know someone that has been relocated to a less desirable seat? Well I can promise you it's about to happen again in a couple of years. And @60Shock: is mostly right...the time is upon us to make a change before CKA becomes an aged and outdated HLA.

I'm all for tearing down CKA and building a house that Gregg built. We all know where the money is going to come from for the most part, no matter what we do. Why not be ahead of the game? Let's build a palace that makes a conference stand up and take notice that we're serious long term. Let's put Gregg's name on the court. We'll play a year at Intrust (not a bad thing at all) unlike the year at the KC. Build all the sky boxes you want and the upper bowl can be for all of us that want to go every game but can't afford the 4k+ it's soon going to take to get a decent seat. That way you can always build the fan base and even put extra students there if the demand exists. Just make sure 12k is in the lower bowl and 5k is upstairs. Fix the office situation, build all the support places we NEED, get a parking garage and we'll be the envy of everyone. And put it right where it is today. That's the formula.

[Mr. Pickle]

They need to start charging for student season tickets. Maybe $100.

[Shox1979]

I've already seen tickets in Row 32 for sale online for $120-$175 depending on the game. I'm glad there's a game at IBA so at least I can see the men play in person once a year.

[SHOCKvalue]

They need to start charging for student season tickets. Maybe $100.

I would have happily paid that or more when I was a student, as opposed to the "free" tickets via pick up date windows.

[WuDrWu]

Don't the students pay with their fees, whether they want to or not?

[wufan]

Don't the students pay with their fees, whether they want to or not?

They do. However, they pay far less at WSU than at many institutions.