Grading IBA

[SB Shock]

Evidently IBA is not media friendly.

WSU leads 39-37 at halftime. Apologies for no updates. The Internet connection is sketchy here, so I can’t promise more in the second half.

Read more: http://blogs.kansas.com/shockwaves/#ixzz18oXlQQC2

How do you screw this up in a new facility?

[Aargh]

It is possible to play basketball at IBA. If CKA is 100 - IBA is 60. Putting basketball there seemed more like it could be made to work rather than looking natural. Maybe I'm spoiled by the RoundHouse.

I thought it seemed "cozy" for 15,000. It doesn't appear to hold 5K more than CKA, but with the upper seats overhanging the lower seats, the distance to the court is reduced, but the angle is changed - as others have noted.

I realize it didn't sell out, but it really looks like it should have been built bigger. Put one level of suites on each side, raise the roof about 20' and fill out the upper level above the suites on both sides would produce a great looking arena and hold about 17K for basketball. I would have gladly paid another 3 months of taxes for that type of an upgrade to the facility.

It got fairly loud in the lower levels. I was in a corner area about 10 rows off the floor. The atmosphere from the crowd carried through and it got almost as loud as CKA. The noise level for what went on in that game would have been insane at CKA. It was loud at IBA, but maybe 80% of what it would have been at CKA.

I parked at Lawrence Dumont. I will gladly pay any amount to not do that again. 100 yard line at LD. 300 yard line at IBA. At CKA games when I park by the baseball stadium, Kennedy's post-game show isn't over when I get home (about 8 miles through town). By the time I got to my car tonight, the call-in show from AJ's was on. I'm still chilled from standing in line waiting on the shuttle.

[wsushox1]

The production of music was awful.


The played pump up music and "get the crowd louder music" before WE shot a free throw out of a timeout.

Terrible timing.

[ShockerFever]

Evidently IBA is not media friendly.

WSU leads 39-37 at halftime. Apologies for no updates. The Internet connection is sketchy here, so I can’t promise more in the second half.

Read more: http://blogs.kansas.com/shockwaves/#ixzz18oXlQQC2

How do you screw this up in a new facility?

That is pathetic. If the NCAA ever finds out about that one, we are doomed.

[ShockerFever]

There's a lot of facilities where frisking is required. Take your lumps. I don't know how anyone can complain about safety.

I wasn't frisked at all, of course, I didn't look like I was stocked with an arsenal of weapons either.. :good:

[wu_shizzle]

Evidently IBA is not media friendly.

WSU leads 39-37 at halftime. Apologies for no updates. The Internet connection is sketchy here, so I can’t promise more in the second half.

Read more: http://blogs.kansas.com/shockwaves/#ixzz18oXlQQC2

How do you screw this up in a new facility?

Do they intentionally block data connections?

[1972Shocker]

I'm with Aargh. I found myself thinking this is a nice arena and worth a game or two a year for select opponents, but it also made we realize what a great college basketball venue we have in Koch arena.

Tonight was made particularly enjoyable by the quality of the game the two teams gave us.

[Shocker85]

IBA is a very good multipurpose arena and mostly well done. I've been to a few of the larger events (Billy Joel/Elton John, Eagles, Thunder opener, and a couple other concerts). I have been pleased with the experience for those events overall. Parking has never been an issue. The distance you walk is deceptive. Sure you're two or three blocks away, but at the Colesium or CKA, it is really that far too, just seems different with no buildings around.

For basketball, HOWEVER, it is less than ideal with a large crowd. I didn't expect to be seated in a similar position, and was not. I was 2 rows from the court on the baseline corner - couldn't see a damn thing except from the free throw line to the baseline on the Tulsa bench end. I feel sorry for the people buried even further down in the corner and about 75% of the students. I'm sure they watched most of the game on the video board. Of 15,000 seats, I'd wager 5,000 sucked or more.

The no scoreboard live stats or updates deal needs to be fixed. I had no idea Stutz had 20 points or that #15 had 33. And the fouls, OMG, I can't remember them all. I think some sort of upgrade should be considered to get at least a few live stats. Maybe the city or county would do that - they seem to be in the mood to give away money right now. I will say, from our vantage point, the resolution and quality of the video was far superior to the CKA video board. Maybe it was an angle thing, I dunno.

The sound system seems quite a bit better at IBA than CKA. I mostly can't understand Don Hall from midway up in CKA section 121. I could hear every word tonight. I will say, this is something the arena has worked on. The first event I attended there (Globetrotters), the sound was horrible. Couldn't understand a word then.

The seats vary in IBA just like CKA. Our seats at CKA are my biggest complaint, too narrow and not enough legroom. Our seats at IBA were very comfortable and spacious. The lower level seats at IBA are more roomy than the upper level.

The crowd noise was just OK. Even when the place got really jazzed after the Shocks finally made a couple stops and retook the lead, it was pretty loud, but CKA would have had the roof blown off at that point. Many people in our area were sitting on their hands, which isn't uncommon for the bluehairs.

I had a blast, and I think some things would improve as the IBA staff and WSU staff work through the kinks. I love the intimacy of CKA, but if playing a rival or a big name opponent who could draw 14,000-15,000 I'll take IBA every so often.

--'85.

[shox1989]

Evidently IBA is not media friendly.

WSU leads 39-37 at halftime. Apologies for no updates. The Internet connection is sketchy here, so I can’t promise more in the second half.

Read more: http://blogs.kansas.com/shockwaves/#ixzz18oXlQQC2

How do you screw this up in a new facility?

There really is no excuse for this. An arena built these days should be very internet and tech savvy.

Someone really messed up on that one.

I was disappointed in the arena not being more "basketball friendly". It really felt like I was watching basketball in a hockey arena. The scoreboard was disappointing too.

Having said all of that, the fans were great. It was electric. I would like to see WSU play at least 2 games a year there. The game had a real big time atmosphere to it.

[kawwsu77]

I give the arena an A-. The concession food is better than at Koch. It is easier to get out of than Koch. The parking is closer than Koch. Overall I liked the atmosphere better at Intrust. Plus it seemed that they had more seating for the students so I didn't have to arrive an hour before to get a decent seat in the student section. I could care less about the scoreboard but I am not a stat guy. At least they updated the score faster tonight than anytime at Koch. I hope that WSU continues playing a game downtown. Of course you can't please everyone.

[Rosewood]

Evidently IBA is not media friendly.

WSU leads 39-37 at halftime. Apologies for no updates. The Internet connection is sketchy here, so I can’t promise more in the second half.

Read more: http://blogs.kansas.com/shockwaves/#ixzz18oXlQQC2

How do you screw this up in a new facility?

There really is no excuse for this. An arena built these days should be very internet and tech savvy.

Someone really messed up on that one.

I was disappointed in the arena not being more "basketball friendly". It really felt like I was watching basketball in a hockey arena. The scoreboard was disappointing too.

Having said all of that, the fans were great. It was electric. I would like to see WSU play at least 2 games a year there. The game had a real big time atmosphere to it.

There basically was no real tech contract there. Cox is behind it all but no effort has ever been put into a real Wi-Fi mesh, and more importantly femtocells for the major carriers.

[wu_shizzle]

Do you think this is on purpose to limit video streaming of the event?

[wsushox1]

Just another thing of Nit Picking.


The media table will have to be rearranged for the NCAA Tournament. Probably Needs to be moved to the South Sideline with potentially 2-3 Rows of Media Tables.

All tables will need to have access to the Internet whether it be Wi-Fi or ethernet.

The table Bruce and Craig broadcast from seemed extremely flimsy, I was concerned that If A player hit the table the table would completely collapse.

If I remember correctly, the media/interview room is supposed to have Wi-Fi in it so that won't be a problem.


The transparent shot clocks are great and up to standard.

[DPruett2333]

The only thing I can really complain about is the lack of stats/valuable game information...

Overall Grade: Kick A

[kstarheel]

IBA will tweak a lot of these problems, I think. Hopefully they can get a better scoreboard, internet reception, etc. My cell never connected, but I wasn't really there to talk on my cell phone. :-)