Is it time to consider a Cintas / Yum Center ?

[Marcellis]

Given the recent trend in Basketball Recruiting (Both men's and women's), and the fact we keep losing key in state recruits to schools we seldom if ever did before like Louisville (minus the Jerome Harmon thing back in the 80s), Xavier..etc..., its got me wondering if the recent practice facility upgrades simply are not enough to keep up with other nearby schools that made larger investments. I know we have also lost kids to other schools for other reasons where those schools may not have built new arenas recently, but to me when you are in Purdue's position of needing to give kids a reason to choose your school, I just wonder if for many the 'commitment' other schools show recruits with their new arenas may be a deciding factor more often that I would have otherwise thought. I love Mackey Arena, and the fact that it is loud/intimidating with the people so close to the court, but its not new or really very distinctive to those without pre-existing Purdue ties. Bobinski seemed to turn the tied at Xavier with the new arena he raised funds to build, and given what is happening in our Basketball recruiting recently, I wonder if its not time to at least start having a discussion about the potential impacts of doing the same at Purdue. I would guess this could be one of those issues that might bring out strong emotions (maybe on both sides), but thought I would see if there is interest in starting a conversation.

Thoughts?

 

[B-Westy]

I feel like Mackey is the least of our worries.

 

[boilerpt]

A good recruiter would be a lot less expensive than a new arena.

 

[BoilerBiker]

We need to figure out and complete Ross ade upgrades before already thinking about Mackey again

 

[nagemj02]

Given the recent trend in Basketball Recruiting (Both men's and women's), and the fact we keep losing key in state recruits to schools we seldom if ever did before like Louisville (minus the Jerome Harmon thing back in the 80s), Xavier..etc..., its got me wondering if the recent practice facility upgrades simply are not enough to keep up with other nearby schools that made larger investments. I know we have also lost kids to other schools for other reasons where those schools may not have built new arenas recently, but to me when you are in Purdue's position of needing to give kids a reason to choose your school, I just wonder if for many the 'commitment' other schools show recruits with their new arenas may be a deciding factor more often that I would have otherwise thought. I love Mackey Arena, and the fact that it is loud/intimidating with the people so close to the court, but its not new or really very distinctive to those without pre-existing Purdue ties. Bobinski seemed to turn the tied at Xavier with the new arena he raised funds to build, and given what is happening in our Basketball recruiting recently, I wonder if its not time to at least start having a discussion about the potential impacts of doing the same at Purdue. I would guess this could be one of those issues that might bring out strong emotions (maybe on both sides), but thought I would see if there is interest in starting a conversation.

Thoughts?

A new coaching staff will probably end up being more crucial to success than a new arena in the long run. It's not a bad idea, but as long as Mackey can stay "up-to-date", it will continue to be a very good home venue.

 

[TwinDegrees2]

Given the recent trend in Basketball Recruiting (Both men's and women's), and the fact we keep losing key in state recruits to schools we seldom if ever did before like Louisville (minus the Jerome Harmon thing back in the 80s), Xavier..etc..., its got me wondering if the recent practice facility upgrades simply are not enough to keep up with other nearby schools that made larger investments. I know we have also lost kids to other schools for other reasons where those schools may not have built new arenas recently, but to me when you are in Purdue's position of needing to give kids a reason to choose your school, I just wonder if for many the 'commitment' other schools show recruits with their new arenas may be a deciding factor more often that I would have otherwise thought. I love Mackey Arena, and the fact that it is loud/intimidating with the people so close to the court, but its not new or really very distinctive to those without pre-existing Purdue ties. Bobinski seemed to turn the tied at Xavier with the new arena he raised funds to build, and given what is happening in our Basketball recruiting recently, I wonder if its not time to at least start having a discussion about the potential impacts of doing the same at Purdue. I would guess this could be one of those issues that might bring out strong emotions (maybe on both sides), but thought I would see if there is interest in starting a conversation.

Thoughts?

Is it Mackey, or is it West Laffy? West Lafayette is not a destination city for anyone I've ever known. Dirty, grungy....even some call it a dark. The Purdue campus is "nice", but it's not spectacular when compared to UNC, IU, Wake, and even some smaller schools and their surrounding environment. It's viewed as an educational institution first.

So is it the arena/facilities/coach, or is it the entire community that houses Purdue University.

My opinion is that it's not Painter, though if he were to take PU to a final four it would bode much better for recruiting, as it is the surroundings.

 

[Purdue Grad in Texas]

Some other interesting points, but it would seem tough to sell this now after the recent $100 million + upgrade....JMO.

Some might argue that's part of the issue of Purdue's decision with facilities......you're always playing "catch-up" with other institutions. In this ever increasing technological age, you need more of a forward-looking mindset and commitments at the forefront rather than.....what appears to be "looks like we better do something to keep up with the competition."

That takes the BOT, the Athletic Department, the Administration, and key donors all to be on the same page. A lot to ask from a self-funding athletic department, but it can be done.

I agree that Mackey is right now and can continue to be a very good home venue and positive impact for recruits.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Given the recent trend in Basketball Recruiting (Both men's and women's), and the fact we keep losing key in state recruits to schools we seldom if ever did before like Louisville (minus the Jerome Harmon thing back in the 80s), Xavier..etc..., its got me wondering if the recent practice facility upgrades simply are not enough to keep up with other nearby schools that made larger investments. I know we have also lost kids to other schools for other reasons where those schools may not have built new arenas recently, but to me when you are in Purdue's position of needing to give kids a reason to choose your school, I just wonder if for many the 'commitment' other schools show recruits with their new arenas may be a deciding factor more often that I would have otherwise thought. I love Mackey Arena, and the fact that it is loud/intimidating with the people so close to the court, but its not new or really very distinctive to those without pre-existing Purdue ties. Bobinski seemed to turn the tied at Xavier with the new arena he raised funds to build, and given what is happening in our Basketball recruiting recently, I wonder if its not time to at least start having a discussion about the potential impacts of doing the same at Purdue. I would guess this could be one of those issues that might bring out strong emotions (maybe on both sides), but thought I would see if there is interest in starting a conversation.

Thoughts?

If that was the case, there would be no way Butler would be able to haul in their recruits.

Now, I had said about 2-3 years ago that it would be much smarter for Purdue to search out a company that would be willing to front some of the money to build a new football stadium by 2020. As much as we all love the press box, it would constitute that pressbox being nearly 20 years old in 2020. The stadium could be built on the Intramural fields located across from Hillenbrand and just off of McCormick Road (by Purdue West). This centralized location to dorms, the airfield/IM lot, and the new 231 corridor, would provide a great place to build a new football stadium. With a new stadium, Ross-Ade could be demolished and eventually a new basketball arena could be built while retrofitting/consolidating Mackey in to a new volleyball/wrestling arena. Raise the floor and reduce the seating to around 5k would see appropriate as you could also use it concerts as well. The retrofit of the new practice facilities at Mackey could be outfitted for volleyball/wrestling/cheer/etc.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

If that was the case, there would be no way Butler would be able to haul in their recruits.

Now, I had said about 2-3 years ago that it would be much smarter for Purdue to search out a company that would be willing to front some of the money to build a new football stadium by 2020. As much as we all love the press box, it would constitute that pressbox being nearly 20 years old in 2020. The stadium could be built on the Intramural fields located across from Hillenbrand and just off of McCormick Road (by Purdue West). This centralized location to dorms, the airfield/IM lot, and the new 231 corridor, would provide a great place to build a new football stadium. With a new stadium, Ross-Ade could be demolished and eventually a new basketball arena could be built while retrofitting/consolidating Mackey in to a new volleyball/wrestling arena. Raise the floor and reduce the seating to around 5k would see appropriate as you could also use it concerts as well. The retrofit of the new practice facilities at Mackey could be outfitted for volleyball/wrestling/cheer/etc.

NO NO NO NO! this makes way too much sense. We must do things the hard way!