fifth third renovation

[JasonS]

I agree with your question about student support if it's moved downtown. As a current student I am at every game at 5/3rd and I find it very annoying if we have to drive downtown to see any team play, football or basketball. I understand most adults like it downtown because of the bar scene and what not, but most students wouldn't appreciate having to drive AND pay for parking to see them play.

When I was a student, the University bused us down to Paul Brown when we played against Ohio State. I am assuming that will be done next year for football and would also be done for basketball should they move that downtown. I get that it is an inconvenience for the students, but as an alum, I also see how inconvenient getting to Clifton and finding parking can be. The students are important, no doubt about it, but the paying customer may actually be more important to the athletic department in these times. I think they need to do whatever it takes to get the students to the games but ultimately look at the bigger picture for the paying public.

 

[JasonS]

No. The current $86 million renovation of Nippert is priority number one. Babcock in a recent tweet was asked about 5/3rd and replied that while they are looking at it, it will be tough to do.

Yeah, I asked him that tweet. I think it is important that we keep this issue on the forefront of his mind. I think something could be announced but it will be at least 2 years.

 

[nkywestside]

A little bit of an older thread but I saw where Gov. Beshear from Ky just budgeted $65 million into Ky's annual budget to help pay for Rupp Arena's renovations. Could this be an avenue for UC to explore? Couple this with Naming rights to the Renovation of 5th/3rd or Naming rights to US Bank, I would we would be well on our way to something. I am of the belief that the Arena issue is paramount going forward. It has to be the number one issue for UC athletics. Ono will undoubtebly want to give Mick a raise to try and keep him at bay but I believe no raise will be enough unless this issue is resolved.

 

[LaxCat31]

A little bit of an older thread but I saw where Gov. Beshear from Ky just budgeted $65 million into Ky's annual budget to help pay for Rupp Arena's renovations. Could this be an avenue for UC to explore? Couple this with Naming rights to the Renovation of 5th/3rd or Naming rights to US Bank, I would we would be well on our way to something. I am of the belief that the Arena issue is paramount going forward. It has to be the number one issue for UC athletics. Ono will undoubtebly want to give Mick a raise to try and keep him at bay but I believe no raise will be enough unless this issue is resolved.

While everyone on this board, and most (if not all) UC fans want to see 5/3rd renovated, it is just not in the cards for UC right now. The taxpayers would never allow more funds to be drawn to be paid for a college arena. The money would have to come straight from the athletic dept and the university itself. The renovation of 5/3rd is at least 10 years away.

 

[nkywestside]

While everyone on this board, and most (if not all) UC fans want to see 5/3rd renovated, it is just not in the cards for UC right now. The taxpayers would never allow more funds to be drawn to be paid for a college arena. The money would have to come straight from the athletic dept and the university itself. The renovation of 5/3rd is at least 10 years away.

Well I can tell you this.. If the renovation is that far away I hope to God that they are working other avenues. Personally, I want UC downtown tomorrow. Taxpayers in Ky seem to not mind. Why not Ohio? Doesn't matter. They need to make this work. 5th/3rd arena is not good enough and Mick is getting increasingly disturbed by this. Just look at the Arenas is the AAC. All of them I would argue is a better venue than ours. We play in a glorified High School gym right now. US Bank wants our business down there and are willing to help with the renovation. I believe Mick has stated he would prefer to even be downtown. I would love to know what the hell is going on with this Arena situation. Does anybody know?

 

[BearcatsHoops]

Well I can tell you this.. If the renovation is that far away I hope to God that they are working other avenues. Personally, I want UC downtown tomorrow. Taxpayers in Ky seem to not mind. Why not Ohio? Doesn't matter. They need to make this work. 5th/3rd arena is not good enough and Mick is getting increasingly disturbed by this. Just look at the Arenas is the AAC. All of them I would argue is a better venue than ours. We play in a glorified High School gym right now. US Bank wants our business down there and are willing to help with the renovation. I believe Mick has stated he would prefer to even be downtown. I would love to know what the hell is going on with this Arena situation. Does anybody know?

My concern with moving downtown is how it will affect the student attendance. I know some will say Louisville pulls it off (and I'm not positive the distance from Yum to campus), but the reality is, their following is much stronger than UCs. What are your thoughts on attendance? My initial reaction is that it MAY boost the non-student attendance (I have my doubts), but decrease student attendance. Agree/disagree?

My hope that continued success will also get the UC basketball following back to where it should be and area location makes no difference. With less than impressive non-conference attendance the past few years, I worry students won't make the effort to get downtown. Not to mention other fans will still have the lame excuse of "it's too hard to park downtown (as they say for Clifton now)."

All in all, my preference is to stay on campus. Ideally, with a renovated 5/3 Arena. Something about college athletics, I just think games should be on campus.

 

[HoosierCat]

I hate to say it, but it appears that UC is stuck with what they have arena wise for a while.

 

[TheLongHaul]

Well I can tell you this.. If the renovation is that far away I hope to God that they are working other avenues. Personally, I want UC downtown tomorrow. Taxpayers in Ky seem to not mind. Why not Ohio? Doesn't matter. They need to make this work. 5th/3rd arena is not good enough and Mick is getting increasingly disturbed by this. Just look at the Arenas is the AAC. All of them I would argue is a better venue than ours. We play in a glorified High School gym right now. US Bank wants our business down there and are willing to help with the renovation. I believe Mick has stated he would prefer to even be downtown. I would love to know what the hell is going on with this Arena situation. Does anybody know?

Taxpayers will not support this. Nor will the governor of Ohio. Ohio and KY are completely different.

And why is the Shoe a glorified high school gym? Sure, a new arena would be nice, but I don't get the pressing need. Other than the locker rooms, what is holding the program back? I don't want to hear about sight lines and bench seating because that is an issue with the fans, not the players, coaches or recruits.

Also, when did Mick state he'd prefer to be downtown. I doubt that would be his opinion, and I know it's not the opinion of Ono. Sports should remain on campus unless there is no other option.

 

[HoosierCat]

Taxpayers will not support this. Nor will the governor of Ohio. Ohio and KY are completely different.

And why is the Shoe a glorified high school gym? Sure, a new arena would be nice, but I don't get the pressing need. Other than the locker rooms, what is holding the program back? I don't want to hear about sight lines and bench seating because that is an issue with the fans, not the players, coaches or recruits.

Also, when did Mick state he'd prefer to be downtown. I doubt that would be his opinion, and I know it's not the opinion of Ono. Sports should remain on campus unless there is no other option.

When one of the reasons the fans don't show up is because of the sight lines and benches, then it becomes a player/coach problem. Do you want 5000 fans in the stands when you have a recruit visiting? I have been a frequent complainer of 5/3, but in the end, it is what it is and you have to support them no matter where they are. I realized this and have bought tix to the remaining games. At some point you just gotta step up as a fan and fill the place to show that the program is worth investing in at some point in the future.

 

[TheLongHaul]

When one of the reasons the fans don't show up is because of the sight lines and benches, then it becomes a player/coach problem. Do you want 5000 fans in the stands when you have a recruit visiting? I have been a frequent complainer of 5/3, but in the end, it is what it is and you have to support them no matter where they are. I realized this and have bought tix to the remaining games. At some point you just gotta step up as a fan and fill the place to show that the program is worth investing in at some point in the future.

Fans also don't show up because of parking, times of games, yada yada yada. You think with a brand new arena that 13,000 would show up to watch NC Centeral?

It's been proven just about everywhere, including UC, that if you win fans will show up. Put an exciting product on the court and fans will show up. Again, while a nice new arena would be great, I don't think it's holding this program back.

 

[JasonS]

Fans also don't show up because of parking, times of games, yada yada yada. You think with a brand new arena that 13,000 would show up to watch NC Centeral?

It's been proven just about everywhere, including UC, that if you win fans will show up. Put an exciting product on the court and fans will show up. Again, while a nice new arena would be great, I don't think it's holding this program back.

Actually, yes. I do think 13,000 will show up to a new arena. I can't take my 4 year old to the games now unless I get lower bowl seats because she can't see anything in the upper level. How many other parents face the same issue with young children? I bet it is quite a few.

 

[Bearcat Rob]

Actually, yes. I do think 13,000 will show up to a new arena. I can't take my 4 year old to the games now unless I get lower bowl seats because she can't see anything in the upper level. How many other parents face the same issue with young children? I bet it is quite a few.

Did u go to the uconn game? This gym is more than fine i love.

 

[JackBauer151]

Did u go to the uconn game? This gym is more than fine i love.

It is nowhere near fine. It is outdated, lacks an experience, terrible parking options, bad sight lines, and most of all and I mean most of all it hinders recruiting. You cant out recruit a lot of other schools that have NBA like facilities. The reason Cronin prefers downtown. Two reasons. One is that it makes Cincinnati basketball bigger. They become Cincinnati's team. More casual fans, produces a younger crowd because it will be downtown, entertainment everywhere. They will be like the NBA team of Cincinnati. If they can maintain a top 15 standing year in and out it becomes a hot ticket again. Especially if its in a brand new arena in a super hot part of town that is continuing to grow. Two is that because it is the only option that is realistic in the next 5 years. 5/3 simply is not getting renovated. They dont have the money. A partnership with the city and US Bank is the most viable option. If cincy wants the Republican National Convention, Final 4's/ NCAA tournaments, major conventions, concerts, and other major events in Cincinnati then they need a big time facility. It's a major opportunity for the city to bring a ton of money to Cincinnati businesses. It just might be the stars aligning for Cincinnati basketball to take advantage of. If you can go downtown with an updated arena you do it.

 

[#BearcatNation]

Did u go to the uconn game? This gym is more than fine i love.

I agree that the product on the court is more vital to an antendance than the state of the arena, but without a doubt, if that UConn game was in a renovated arena, it would've sold out. A while ago too.

I don't really have high demands for a renovated Fifth Third, but I believe there are two things that NEED to be fixed:

1. The lower area needs to become a bowl. We are one of the only arenas that I know of that do not have a bowl. It looks really goofy and there's a lot of wasted space.

2. The uppers are awful, for a couple reasons. One is the backless benches. Wipe those out and either add seats, or backs to the bench at minimum. The rafters also hang way too low. When you're halfway up the nosebleeds, you can't even see straight across anymore. All you can see is the court. I wonder if there's a way to fix that. I personally never buy upper tickets it's that bad. I either buy lower levels (or chairbacks of the upper), or just watch at home or from a bar.

 

[Bearcat Rob]

It is nowhere near fine. It is outdated, lacks an experience, terrible parking options, bad sight lines, and most of all and I mean most of all it hinders recruiting. You cant out recruit a lot of other schools that have NBA like facilities. The reason Cronin prefers downtown. Two reasons. One is that it makes Cincinnati basketball bigger. They become Cincinnati's team. More casual fans, produces a younger crowd because it will be downtown, entertainment everywhere. They will be like the NBA team of Cincinnati. If they can maintain a top 15 standing year in and out it becomes a hot ticket again. Especially if its in a brand new arena in a super hot part of town that is continuing to grow. Two is that because it is the only option that is realistic in the next 5 years. 5/3 simply is not getting renovated. They dont have the money. A partnership with the city and US Bank is the most viable option. If cincy wants the Republican National Convention, Final 4's/ NCAA tournaments, major conventions, concerts, and other major events in Cincinnati then they need a big time facility. It's a major opportunity for the city to bring a ton of money to Cincinnati businesses. It just might be the stars aligning for Cincinnati basketball to take advantage of. If you can go downtown with an updated arena you do it.

"Lacks an expiernce"- I have had great experiences at fifth third, especially against uconn. 5/3 is great gym to watch a game in, go to the Louisville or Memphis game and sit wherever and u will have a great experience. 10 thousand showed up downtown this year for the uc-xu game and that is with two fan bases, moving to downtown is terrible idea, and students will skip the lesser games, especially on week nights. 5/3 is great and is in the middle of campus, stop complaining, every 13k seat stadium has some bad sight lines.

 

[JackBauer151]

"Lacks an expiernce"- I have had great experiences at fifth third, especially against uconn. 5/3 is great gym to watch a game in, go to the Louisville or Memphis game and sit wherever and u will have a great experience. 10 thousand showed up downtown this year for the uc-xu game and that is with two fan bases, moving to downtown is terrible idea, and students will skip the lesser games, especially on week nights. 5/3 is great and is in the middle of campus, stop complaining, every 13k seat stadium has some bad sight lines.

The games are a great experience but that is all there is. The casual fan wants more. The casual fan expects more. Sit your ass up in the corners if you have a bad back and tell me the "experience" was awesome! You wont. Your opinion lacks vision. If you want Cincinnati basketball to be as big as it can be under Mick Cronin 5/3 arena is not a viable option. That is a fact. My complaints are valid. The head coach agrees with me as do many other fans. This is not about us, the die hard fans. This is about the casual fan. Getting the person who does not have a huge allegiance to UC to show up and spend their money. A new arena downtown gives them the reason they need. As for the students Im really sick of that bullshit argument. The students seem to make it to arenas off campus for Louisville, Kentucky, Connecticut, Memphis, and many others across the country. They will make it here too. As for the lesser games. SOME OF THE DAMN SEASON TICKET HOLDERS DONT EVEN SHOW UP. That is why experience is so important. That no matter who you are playing on whatever night there is a reason to come to a UC basketball game. Contests, happy hours, things for kids, music, an MC, games, autograph sessions, halftime shows, and the list goes on and on. You lack vision sir. I want Cincinnati to be BIG TIME.

 

[Bearcat_NTS]

"Lacks an expiernce"- I have had great experiences at fifth third, especially against uconn. 5/3 is great gym to watch a game in, go to the Louisville or Memphis game and sit wherever and u will have a great experience. 10 thousand showed up downtown this year for the uc-xu game and that is with two fan bases, moving to downtown is terrible idea, and students will skip the lesser games, especially on week nights. 5/3 is great and is in the middle of campus, stop complaining, every 13k seat stadium has some bad sight lines.

The fan experience is dismal. Sometimes I feel like they just flip the lights on an hour before the game. The concessions situation is embarrassing, the lines are borderline unbearable.

The modern day arenas don't need to focus on number of seats but rather the quality of the seats (more revenue $$$) and the fan experience for the average ticket holder. You have to get the fans off the couch somehow. I can only pray that someday UC can get a nice arena...

 

[UCalum08]

The fan experience is dismal. Sometimes I feel like they just flip the lights on an hour before the game. The concessions situation is embarrassing, the lines are borderline unbearable.

The modern day arenas don't need to focus on number of seats but rather the quality of the seats (more revenue $$$) and the fan experience for the average ticket holder. You have to get the fans off the couch somehow. I can only pray that someday UC can get a nice arena...

Besides the obvious with the seating. Little things like the concessions\concourse is down right embarrassing. I consider Cincy a foodie city. There are a ton of great local pubs/eateries. Farms markets and Findlay market are in our backyard. It would not be difficult to step the concessions up a notch and get fresh local food for 15 games out of the year.

It wouldn't be a wallet buster to replace the square box TVs in the concourse with some $200 HD flat screens. I mean the university blatantly ignore basic updates of 5/3rd arena. Its down right embarrassing and insultly to the basketball program and the fans who support the program.

 

[waterhead]

It seems like fans are so polar opposite on this issue of renovating 5th Third or Downtown or if the current venue is fine as is. Comparatively speaking the venue is not fine. As a big fan I hardly ever sat up in the nose bleeds when I was in town...but when I did it kinda sucked.

The concourse and concessions are very boring and not well layed out. The experience is non existent outside of actual gametime. The seating (without a lower bowl) is a bad use of space. Parking...comfortability. What I DO like is that we have student sections right near the court. That's one of our best advantages at home court and I think Pitino knows that best of all. Other than that I have seen much better venues.

Can we fill it consistently? Hell yes. Is it optimal? Hell no. In which direction should we go? I have no clue. I don't want to give up the student section advantage but the facility we play in needs attention.

 

[BDcats]

It's a multipurpose arena and for go or for bad it's not the number 1 priority atm. I would love to see a refurb (lower bowl) update confessions and bathrooms etc but going downtown I feel is a mistake. I was at US bank and it's worse and you lose the students. Yep parking is a pain, I sat in gridlock for 35 min for Uconn so I had to go straight in and drink 7 dollar beer rather than a few at keystone or Bw3s but it's a urban campus and we should cherish that environment. It's part of what makes UC great. Hopefully once Nippert is done 53 is on the list but I have to say I have been to 5 games this year and have had a wonderful time. I go for the game, a few beers and to support the program.