State Tournament Location!

**RavenBoy** · 03-23-2008, 11:32 PM

I know Rupp is a great place to play the Tourny but IMO I think they should rotate between EKU,WKU,UofL, and UK.

Might sound crazy but it would help out different teams certain years with the distance with the fans. With the players, I would rather play and watch it at Rupp than anywhere though.

**Redneck** · 03-23-2008, 11:37 PM

RavenBoy Wrote:I know Rupp is a great place to play the Tourny but IMO I think they should rotate between EKU,WKU,UofL, and UK.

Might sound crazy but it would help out different teams certain years with the distance with the fans. With the players, I would rather play and watch it at Rupp than anywhere though.

I can tell ya this much, if Lex Cath woulda won in the semi's, Rupp prolly would have sold out saturday night. I think Rupp Arena is the only play it can be to accommodate all the fans. Lexington is the only place with enough lodgin close enough to the gym. The biggest reason, kids dream their whole life of playin in the storied and traditioned Rupp Arena.

**BlackcatAlum** · 03-23-2008, 11:39 PM

Redneck Wrote:I can tell ya this much, if Lex Cath woulda won in the semi's, Rupp prolly would have sold out saturday night. I think Rupp Arena is the only play it can be to accommodate all the fans. Lexington is the only place with enough lodgin close enough to the gym. The biggest reason, kids dream their whole life of playin in the storied and traditioned Rupp Arena.

I completely agree!

It may be a good idea but EKU's arena just simply doesn't hold enough people in it, even if it were to sale out, it would be very uncomfortable. Now playing at WKU, U of L, and Rupp makes sense.

**RavenBoy** · 03-23-2008, 11:40 PM

blackcat_student Wrote:It may be a good idea but EKU's arena just simply doesn't hold enough people in it, even if it were to sale out, it would be very uncomfortable. Now playing at WKU, U of L, and Rupp makes sense.

I know it will never happen, it might rotate with Rupp and Freedom Hall but I doubt it.

**RavenBoy** · 03-23-2008, 11:41 PM

You really wouldnt need to have it at EKU since its only like 30 miles south of Lexington.

DALE · 03-23-2008, 11:42 PM

WKU would not hold a boy's state tournament crowd in my opinion. When Louisville's new arena gets finished, if it ever does, then maybe take it there one year to see how it goes. I agree though, everyone dreams of playing in the same house as the UK legends, not to mention all the other stars that have played there during the NCAA Tournament.

Brooks4Prez · 03-23-2008, 11:55 PM

RavenBoy Wrote:I know it will never happen, it might rotate with Rupp and Freedom Hall but I doubt it.

Freedom Hall seems like the only other option to me besides Rupp but I would like to see it stay in Rupp Arena.

**RavenBoy** · 03-23-2008, 11:57 PM

Now, I would like it to be held in Louisville since I live there but I get more excited when I walk into Rupp.

**Redneck** · 03-24-2008, 12:04 AM

To be honest, I wouldn't go watch the state tourney if it was in Louisville or Bowlin Green unless the team I support was playin in it. I hate Louisville, no offense Raven, and Bowlin Green is a terribly boring drive. I think there is ALOT more to do in Lexington as far as food, entertainment or anything else. There ain't NOTHIN to do in Bowlin Green, would have to drive to Nashville for any kinda entertainment besides basketball.

OMG · 03-24-2008, 12:04 AM

It use to rotate like that until the early 90's when they decided to just keep a continual contract with RUPP. However, it only rotated between Freedom Hall and RUPP Arena, and I think they found that because of the location and capacity that anywhere else just wouldn't make sense.

**Redneck** · 03-24-2008, 12:10 AM

OMG Wrote:It use to rotate like that until the early 90's when they decided to just keep a continual contract with RUPP. However, it only rotated between Freedom Hall and RUPP Arena, and I think they found that because of the location and capacity that anywhere else just wouldn't make sense.

It rotated with Memorial Coliseum years ago also, but much to small to hold the state tourney now days.

**RavenBoy** · 03-24-2008, 12:15 AM

Redneck Wrote:I hate Louisville, no offense Raven, .

None Takin.

**Redneck** · 03-24-2008, 12:25 AM

RavenBoy Wrote:None Takin.

My best friend went to UL for a year and half, I made two trips down there to hang out. He lives in Lex now (since Jan 08) and I have already been down there 6-7 times, lol.

**RavenBoy** · 03-24-2008, 12:32 AM

Redneck Wrote:My best friend went to UL for a year and half, I made two trips down there to hang out. He lives in Lex now (since Jan 08) and I have already been down there 6-7 times, lol.

Ive lived in Louisville for 1 year now and Lived in Lexington for 2 years. I liked Lexington a whole lot better but to me it seems like there is more to do in Louisville.

The real difference I can tell is that Lexington is a Young, College City. Louisville is more like a real city with your rich, poor, young, and old.

**Tomcat68** · 03-24-2008, 02:11 AM

2 Options in my eyes

1. Keep everything just how it is.

2. Rotate between UK and Louisville, but if you do, you MUST rotate the football state championships as well. Taking a ride to the Pizza Box is awfully long.

Personally, I'm much more fond of idea #2.

Blue-N-Gold · 03-24-2008, 02:21 AM

Redneck Wrote:It rotated with Memorial Coliseum years ago also, but much to small to hold the state tourney now days.

It was held at Memorial Coliseum, UK's home gym, before Rupp Arena was built. Hazard won the 1955 boys state championship at Memorial Coliseum.

OMG · 03-24-2008, 02:34 AM

Tomcat68 Wrote:2 Options in my eyes

1. Keep everything just how it is.

2. Rotate between UK and Louisville, but if you do, you MUST rotate the football state championships as well. Taking a ride to the Pizza Box is awfully long.

Personally, I'm much more fond of idea #2.

It's not a bad idea, but I just don't see Louisville giving up the football state championship, even if they are going to rotate. I would much rather have the basketball in lex. and the football in Louisville. It's a good compramise as is.

**Tomcat68** · 03-24-2008, 04:27 AM

OMG Wrote:It's not a bad idea, but I just don't see Louisville giving up the football state championship, even if they are going to rotate. I would much rather have the basketball in lex. and the football in Louisville. It's a good compramise as is.

I agree about Louisville not doing it, but I do not think it's a good system as is. If it weren't for the huge Louisville school dominance and crowds in the 6A Football State Championship, I believe they would in a heartbeat. I would think that the Sweet 16 vastly outdraws all of the football championships, especially if 6A was not counted.

rojas · 03-24-2008, 06:17 AM

Its all about $$$$. From 1978 to 1995 the Sweet 16 was held at Freedom Hall 6 times. The Ticket sales were generally $200,000 to $300,000 less at Freedom Hall. The boys Sweet 16 is the event that pays the bills at the KHSAA.

crazyfan4 · 03-24-2008, 01:29 PM

RavenBoy Wrote:I know Rupp is a great place to play the Tourny but IMO I think they should rotate between EKU,WKU,UofL, and UK.

Might sound crazy but it would help out different teams certain years with the distance with the fans. With the players, I would rather play and watch it at Rupp than anywhere though.

if the state tourney was rotated then i would suggest between rupp and freedom hall. There is no way that Eastern's Alumni can hold that many people and not enough parking. WKU would be a good place but they need to hold it in a central city. Rupp Arena has a lot of history in it though, it is the capitol of college basketball and holds a lot of traditions. So it would be a honor for any high school athlete to play in it.

#1ukfan · 03-24-2008, 07:39 PM

Why move it from Rupp? Folks dream about having a chance to play on that floor. That experiance would be much more special there than anywhere else in the state.

sidelinecoach · 03-24-2008, 08:55 PM

#1ukfan Wrote:Why move it from Rupp? Folks dream about having a chance to play on that floor. That experiance would be much more special there than anywhere else in the state.

Enuff said!! My son has played on that floor the last two years and would not trade it for anything in the world! He has always dreamed of making a "three" on the court that so many UK stars have been on. Big Grin

By the way he made quite a few!!:Clap:

Aristotle · 03-24-2008, 09:06 PM

Can you imagine how upset a kid would be if he waited his entire life to get to Rupp and the one year his team made it he had to play at Freedom Hall. Yuck!!

OMG · 03-24-2008, 09:30 PM

Aristotle Wrote:Can you imagine how upset a kid would be if he waited his entire life to get to Rupp and the one year his team made it he had to play at Freedom Hall. Yuck!!

That's a great point. I would be sooo ******!

**-STAT-** · 03-24-2008, 09:42 PM

I like it the way it is. Keep the basketball state tournament at Rupp, you see more dominant Basketball teams in the Lexington area (a few in Louisville). Also keep the football state championship in Louisville seeing there are more dominant football teams in the Louisville area.

OMG · 03-24-2008, 09:51 PM

-STAT- Wrote:I like it the way it is. Keep the basketball state tournament at Rupp, you see more dominant Basketball teams in the Lexington area (a few in Louisville). Also keep the football state championship in Louisville seeing there are more dominant football teams in the Louisville area.

I think it's the most sensible solution. It gives both cities a source of revenue with high school sports. It's also good because a lot of teams get the saying "RUPP" or something to that affect on their basketball shorts for practice and it would suck if you would have to keep changing it every year. haha

rojas · 03-24-2008, 10:55 PM

If you look at the chart on attendance and $$ of ticket sales in the state tournament program you will see why it does not go to Freedom Hall anymore. The KHSAA can not afford to give up $300,000 in ticket sales.

**Tomcat68** · 03-25-2008, 12:40 AM

rojas Wrote:If you look at the chart on attendance and $$ of ticket sales in the state tournament program you will see why it does not go to Freedom Hall anymore. The KHSAA can not afford to give up $300,000 in ticket sales.

Is there anywhere online that you know of to look up that information? I'd love to take a good long look at it.

bleedblue · 03-25-2008, 01:58 PM

I love the tourney where its currently played at Rupp..I don't see it changing anytime soon..

**RavenBoy** · 03-25-2008, 06:11 PM

When I lived in Lexington, I wanted it at Rupp. Now I live in Louisville, so I would rather it be in both. lol

You gotta also think, all the kids in western part of KY, their dream is to play at Freedom Hall.