OT: River Rats gone to Charlotte

[GreatDanes06]

Sad day for Albany sports. Another professional franchise bites the dust. Wonder what type of impact this can have on UA, but most interesting, or Siena. Just interesting.

[UAalum72]

Maybe not much effect, if it's true as Wyland's been reporting that Billy Fucillo is buying the Bridgeport franchise to move it to Albany.

[GreatDanes06]

That would be weird if the Soundtigers moved out of Bridgeport. I always thought the Islanders loved have the franchise so close to LI. Has Bridgeport had attendance issues? Don't they play at a pretty descent arena?

[danefan]

I don't think it has any impact on UA, just like the Conquest folding has zero impact on UA.

 

[rant]

Albany is a college sports town. These rich guys and their minor-league sports teams are nothing more than a money wasting hobby.

 

The Capital Region has two great Division I hockey programs it could support if it was in such dire need of hockey.

 

My feelings are the same with the Patroons and Conquest.

 

Why does the CR need the Conquest? Support UA football.

Why does the CR need the Patroons? Support Siena and UA basketball.

 

I understand NY Penn baseball as the bulk of the season is during the summer when there are no college sports.

 

[/rant]

 

Sorry.

[bob87]

That would be weird if the Soundtigers moved out of Bridgeport. I always thought the Islanders loved have the franchise so close to LI. Has Bridgeport had attendance issues? Don't they play at a pretty descent arena?

 

I don't follow Bridgeport or the AHL that closely to answer most of your question such as attendance issues. I have been to the arena once for a Soundtiger game and it is much nicer than the Knick as are most arenas I have been to.

[B9j2j6s]

Wasn't able to find any figures for the Bridgeport soundtigers game by game but SI did have figures for all the games.

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/hockey/ahl/stats/2003/ahlbridgeportatt/

 

Now I'm not in favor of this but would we benefit from moving to the TUC?

[Clickclack]

I don't like it one bit...maybe a game here or there just to perhaps sell it to recruits but otherwise...NO!

[B9j2j6s]

Does anyone know of any colleges that share a facility for basketball?

[UAalum72]

Does anyone know of any colleges that share a facility for basketball?

Not only do the Philadelphia Big Five play against each other at the Palestra, Temple plays some OOC home games there (VaTech and St. John's this year), and the Palestra is owned by the University of Pennsylvania, not a public facility like the TUC.

 

But I don't know if any two colleges share an arena as the designated full-time home court for both teams.

[WCDBvoiceofUA]

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=mlh/stat/ahl-attendance.htm

 

All of these reports of teams coming to Albany to replace the Rats are all very fishy. Why would a Hartford or Bridgeport move to Albany when they are closer to their affiliates now where they are rather than go further north and Albany has drawn the fourth worst in the league? I think the current brass of the Rats are trying to keep people coming by reassuring them.

 

The only hope for Albany is if Portland, ME moves in because it would be closer to Buffalo and in their TV market.

 

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/story/955028.html

 

As for Albany basketball moving to the TU to fill the void. I'm sure a 6-21 basketball team will be a huge draw for people to come to downtown Albany.