Why at the Expo?

**OffTheHook** · (This post was last modified: 01-14-2008, 07:22 PM by FOX SPORTS.)

Now that everyone has got to go to the Expo for the last couple of years. How does everyone feel about them hosting the Regional Tourney?
I for one don't care for it. I feel that it is much more of a home court advantage for the Pike County teams due to the distance to travel for everyone else. I know that NOT every school can host the Regional due to size and parking. But every district has at least one school that CAN host the Regional and would much rather see it done like they used to. This gives other schools at least a feel of some kind of home court advantage. Plus you would have people coming out to the games that normally wouldn't travel to Pikeville. Just my opinion and was wondering what everyone else thought. Thanks for you input.

*Central_Cheer_Chick · 01-13-2008, 08:52 AM

I agree completely. Just because we have an Expo doesn't mean we have to use it for everything. Yeah it might be a neutral place, but I liked it ALOT better when it was at schools.

SpyDa · 01-13-2008, 09:12 AM

The Expo is great.. Why would have a place that is available and gives you the feel of Rupp Arena and not use it. Build one (EXPO) in Johnson and Floyd Counties and then talk about rotating. We are doing the kids a disservice if we play anywhere besides the Expo

**Lisa Douglas** · 01-13-2008, 09:32 AM

I've spoken with folks from the schools, who have been the "host" schools @ the Expo, and the set up to raise money @ concessions is hardly worth the effort. I know I'll get this wrong... but if someone knows the deal, please "chime right in". Something about the host school must provide the concession workers for the whole tournament, then if they go over a certain amount, they get a % of what is made..... I believe after it's all "said & done", that amount is not what has been expected. (again,if someone knows... please feel free to share) It's a great facility and the area is fortunate to have it, however, (and this is just my opinion) I liked it best on a rotation of schools because it gave the tournament a high school flavor. When it was first discussed & polled elsewhere, before BGR was a site... I was not a proponent then either. It does give the kids a "Ruppesque" type of experience... so I guess it's 6 of one and half a dozen of the other!

**Batpuff** · (This post was last modified: 01-13-2008, 10:03 AM by Batpuff.)

Well I would much rather have it at the High Schools. I know I have seen the crowds that were at the Expo center and needless to say it was far from being packed. I have also heard a few say it isnt worth the headache and that schools did not get the amount of money they were getting. Yea so true that it doesnt give you that tourney feel there. I know when LC was in the 16th Region and we played at Morehead it packed every night and you couldnt hear yourself in there and the students were closer to the floor as well. Until they can get that feeling and the schools that are hoasting get the amount of money there were getting then it should go back to the rotation.

gotcha2 · 01-13-2008, 10:19 AM

Last year would have the 58th districts turn to host and it Betsy Layne's year. So BL was resp. for concession. The EXPO had 4 concession sites open and each of the 4 58th district schools worked one of the 4 stands each night. One school didn't have enough workers show up one evening- so the EXPO officials pulled workers from another school stand. So technically that school worked 2 booths that night. But it didn't matter- each of the 4 schools shared the money that night. AC's JROTC worked 2 nights and earned about $500.00 total. These parents were out gas, parking fee's etc.... I know the schools also had to send representatives to sale T-shirts and programs. Not sure what kind of profit was made or how the set up was.

As far as playing at the EXPO- it was nice. But I still prefer the packed high school gym.

rallo316 · 01-13-2008, 10:43 AM

if it is done right i say leave it but they manage to mess it up every year somehow.

Junk Yard Dog · 01-13-2008, 10:54 AM

IMO, the regional tournament should go back to a rotation of each district. Each school gets more money, the gyms are packed and has more of a high school atmosphere, and most importantly everyone is out less money to attend the games Smile

lpd826 · 01-13-2008, 11:03 AM

keep it at the schools....with alot of countys having large gyms there is plenty of room to keep it in the schools, plus thats the point of having home court advantage

**Playboy5** · 01-13-2008, 11:13 AM

I think it is great for the players, students, and fans. But for some reason I like the high school gym atmosphere. It is what high school basketball is all about, to have your signs hung up, the closeness of the fans and the louder echo from the smaller gyms. I say keep it rotating between high schools. Although I do understand the usage of the Expo. I guess what I am trying to say is I am 50/50, lol.

Diogenes · 01-13-2008, 11:54 AM

Keep it at the Expo. It's as neutral a floor as you're going to get in the 15th Region. And it's not a great advantage for the Pike County schools either - you can get there about as fast from Johnson or Floyd County as you can from Elkhorn or Phelps.

Elwayfan · 01-13-2008, 12:06 PM

I love it being at the Expo. I agree with what someone else said about it giving the teams a sense of playing at Rupp. It should help teams when they get to state.

UKRULES · 01-13-2008, 12:16 PM

I love the Expo for this event. Plenty of GOOD seats with backs! Most gyms do not have this. Plenty of parking within a short distance (parking garage, vocational school, etc), plenty of dressing rooms(although they're small), plenty of room to move around, etc. etc.

And don't forget, plenty of money to be shared. Bottom line folks, these schools are pressed for money to run their entire sports programs, including those that don't make money. Last year more money was given to the schools of the 15th Region than ever before, after the bills were paid.

Next week the girls All A will be held at Phelps, I think. How many will go? No disrespect to Phelps, but I don't think their will be crowds. Where will you eat? The Hornets Den? How far is Phelps from South Floyd?

Keep the Region centrally located where people can be comfortable, park without worry, and eat if they decide to.

Just my two pennies.

**Batpuff** · (This post was last modified: 01-13-2008, 01:55 PM by Beef.)

Diogenes Wrote:Keep it at the Expo. It's as neutral a floor as you're going to get in the 15th Region. And it's not a great advantage for the Pike County schools either - you can get there about as fast from Johnson or Floyd County as you can from Elkhorn or Phelps.

Well you know there is Martin and Lawrence Co that has to drive there as well and it is just not right if there not going to get there cut they would get if it was at one of the two schools turn.

**BasketBallonlyfan** · 01-13-2008, 01:08 PM

Batpuff Wrote:...I know I have seen the crowds that were at the Expo center and needless to say it was far from being packed...

the students were closer to the floor as well....

There isnt a gym in East Kentucky that could hold the average attendance for the regions last year. Bigger arena means it takes more to fill it up. At least in the Expo you have room to sit and not be packed in like sardines. Each school is alloted a the same amount of tickets. If that school decides to put the students in the upper area and allow the old people to sit in the lower arena, that is the schools fault, not the Expos. Talk to the principal at your school about that situation.

OffTheHook Wrote:...I know that NOT every school can host the Regional due to size and parking. But eveery District has at least one school that CAN host the Regional and would much rather see it done like they used to. This gives other shools at least a feel of some kind of home court advantage...

Wouldnt that be better for the schools with the larger gyms and just the same for the ones with the smaller ones? Who would get the home court advantage? The team that the regionals are being played at?

Junk Yard Dog Wrote:IMO, the regional tournament should go back to a rotation of each district. Each school gets more money, the gyms are packed and has more of a high school atmosphere, and most importantly everyone is out less money to attend the games

It cost 1 dollar more to go to the regional games at the Expo. That is comparing prices to regular games during the season. I will have to say that consessions are higher. But you can eat before or after the game and many different restaurants cheaper than you can at any gyms concession stand.

I will admit, the atmosphere was great at the high school gyms. Even more so before all the consolidation started taking place. Having it at the Expo is good in the sense that it gets players more adapted to playing in Rupp. For example, goals are 50 feet from the wall which messes with your depth perception.

**Redneck** · 01-13-2008, 01:17 PM

I would rather see it go back to the way it use to be and play the region tourney in the high schools. I know there has been region championship games in the past where the Expo would have come in handy (2003 Region champ. at JC sold out, people were turned away) but some of the area high schools are plenty big enough. I do think everything is more organized at the Expo than it is at the high schools.

**PC_You_Know** · 01-13-2008, 01:24 PM

It's at the expo for a simple fact, rotating gives a home court advantage, last time region was at Valley, Valley won region.

**Scotty doesn't know** · 01-13-2008, 01:25 PM

I loved the games rotating schools but for some reason the tourney at the expo has a certain feel to it that I love.

**Redneck** · 01-13-2008, 01:27 PM

PC_You_Know Wrote:It's at the expo for a simple fact, rotating gives a home court advantage, last time region was at Valley, Valley won region.

That's not why they started havin the region tourney at the Expo.

**Batpuff** · 01-13-2008, 01:29 PM

PC_You_Know Wrote:It's at the expo for a simple fact, rotating gives a home court advantage, last time region was at Valley, Valley won region.

Thats the great advantage of having it at your house. Thats what High School Basketball is all about small gyms Packed to the rafters with fans. A

**PC_You_Know** · 01-13-2008, 01:52 PM

Redneck Wrote: That's not why they started havin the region tourney at the Expo.

So you don't think it was a factor brought up when they had the idea of having it there, I would put money on it that someone brought that up.

**PC_You_Know** · 01-13-2008, 01:53 PM

Batpuff Wrote:Thats the great advantage of having it at your house. Thats what High School Basketball is all about small gyms Packed to the rafters with fans. A

Okay, so then if you don't have a problem with it, lets just bring region back to Valley this year.

**BasketBallonlyfan** · 01-13-2008, 01:57 PM

Batpuff Wrote:Thats the great advantage of having it at your house. Thats what High School Basketball is all about small gyms Packed to the rafters with fans. A

If that is the case, why is the Sweet 16 always in Rupp? The Expo center gets teams ready for the showcase in my opinion. When they move the Sweet 16 to a high school gym, then get the regions back in one too.

*SC*Cards*FaNaTiC* · 01-13-2008, 02:00 PM

Batpuff Wrote:Thats the great advantage of having it at your house. Thats what High School Basketball is all about small gyms Packed to the rafters with fans. A

I totally agree! It's more fun at the schools. I've heard alot of people around here saying they would rather have it at the schools. And I don't think Valley won just because it was at their school, they were a good team. It probably helped for them to play on their own court and have something to prove to their fans. The year it was at Prestonsburg, they didn't win, East Ridge did.

Running Man · 01-13-2008, 02:31 PM

I think the atmosphere that the players and fans get from playing in high school gyms is great.
The Expo may have better seating, parking, concessions and what not, but there's nothing like having a highschool gym filled to the ceiling with basketball maniacs.
I for one would like it to be kept on a rotating schedule, though I can also see why it's held at the Expo.

**BlackcatAlum** · 01-13-2008, 03:17 PM

I'd love to have it at the high schools. I'd rather be crammed in like a bunch of sardines than be spread out. Thats where the atmosphere is at, and thats how you get the feel for the game.

There are some pretty good size gyms in the region that would have a much better atmosphere than say the Expo Center and fit only just under the Expo Center's capacity.

Example: Prestonsburg 4500, Pike County Central 4200, Johnson Central 3500, thats three pretty centralized locations that I would be much more suitable for a good atmosphere.

BRING IT BACK TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS!

**OffTheHook** · (This post was last modified: 01-13-2008, 03:49 PM by OffTheHook.)

Basketballonlyfan
"Wouldnt that be better for the schools with the larger gyms and just the same for the ones with the smaller ones? Who would get the home court advantage? The team that the regionals are being played at?

It cost 1 dollar more to go to the regional games at the Expo. That is comparing prices to regular games during the season. I will have to say that consessions are higher. But you can eat before or after the game and many different restaurants cheaper than you can at any gyms concession stand."

I said some kind of feel of Home Court. As far as the small school goes..They can still provide the workers at the large school, the same as they do at the EXPO and I bet they show up to work then.

As far as only costing a buck more. When you have a family of 5 and travel every night that your school plays (If you make it to the ship) that's $15 more at the gate alone. Not counting the gas used each night, parking and the prices of just a soda and popcorn. When it was at the schools, I got a soda and a popcorn for $2.50 at the most. NOT $5. Now add all that together for a family of 5.

Of course if I lived in Pike County I am all for the Expo. That way I save a fortune in travel and I have a larger fan support. And don't say it aint true. Because quite a few fans that normally follow the schools in the District, do NOT travel all the way to Pikeville.

If it's the 59th or 60th's turn to host and they want to have it at the Expo, that's fine and dandy. But, when the it's the 57th and 58th's turn. Let them host it at the school they wish in their own district.

**BasketBallonlyfan** · (This post was last modified: 01-15-2008, 02:01 AM by More Cowbell.)

[/quote]I said some kind of feel of Home Court. As far as the small school goes..They can still provide the workers at the large school, the same as they do at the EXPO and I bet they show up to work then.

As far as only costing a buck more. When you have a family of 5 and travel every night that your school plays (If you make it to the ship) that's $15 more at the gate alone. Not counting the gas used each night, parking and the prices of just a soda and popcorn. When it was at the schools, I got a soda and a popcorn for $2.50 at the most. NOT $5. Now add all that together for a family of 5.

Of course if I lived in Pike County I am all for the Expo. That way I save a fortune in travel and I have a larger fan support. And don't say it aint true. Because quite a few fans that normally follow the schools in the District, do NOT travel all the way to Pikeville.

If it's the 59th or 60th's turn to host and they want to have it at the Expo, that's fine and dandy. But, when the it's the 57th and 58th's turn. Let them host it at the school they wish in their own district.[/quote]

Parking is free at the parking garage, all the city streets, court house parking lot, bank parking lot, anywhere but over at the technical school and fire department. Parking is closer than what it would be for that many people an any school in the area. I do agree with the concession stand being higher. As far as the extra 15 dollars at the gate for a family of 5 for all sessions, that really isnt a bad price to have your family of 5 not crammed into a space for 3 is it?

**BasketBallonlyfan** · 01-13-2008, 04:14 PM

blackcat_student Wrote:I'd love to have it at the high schools. I'd rather be crammed in like a bunch of sardines than be spread out. Thats where the atmosphere is at, and thats how you get the feel for the game.

There are some pretty good size gyms in the region that would have a much better atmosphere than say the Expo Center and fit only just under the Expo Center's capacity.

Example: Prestonsburg 4500, Pike County Central 4200, Johnson Central 3500, thats three pretty centralized locations that I would be much more suitable for a good atmosphere.

BRING IT BACK TO THE HIGH SCHOOLS!

Neither of those high school gyms would have held the crowd for most of the games. I know not for the semi's and championship game.

01-13-2008, 04:21 PM

I am not from the 15th but I wish that every region had a expo center to use as a neutral court. The problem with rotating schools is that it brings politics into the mix. THe reason alot of people would like to see it at schools is that they think they can control the situation better. Why would anyone want to play in a smaller gym with inadequate facilities compared to the expo want to ever move it back. I could care less myself what happens but it would be purely politics if it was ever moved back and that would be sad....