Why at the Expo?

[OffTheHook]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[Junk Yard Dog]

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 :)

[lpd826]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

...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.

...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?

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

:) 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]

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]

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*]

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]

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]

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]

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]

[/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]

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.

[uk96]

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....

[PC_You_Know]

What about like a playoff? The top teams get home court until the championship which is at the expo?

[EOE]

Who ever wins the 15th sure dont care to drive to Lexington. So why should the top dogs of the districts care to migrate to the Expo?

[Redneck]

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.

Like someone said earlier, havin the region tourney at the Expo gives all the Pike County schools a home court advantage because it is in Pike County. The region tourney is played at the Expo because it is big enough to accomodate all the fans and it was thought to bring in more money. IDK if it has brought in more money or not. But I doubt home court advantage had anything to do with it. If you think back, how many teams in the last 10-15 years have won the region tourney on their home floor.

[Redneck]

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.

Good point. Not only does it get them ready to play infront of a much bigger crowd in a bigger arena, it also gets them ready for the bigger floor. For those who don't know, the college floor is longer than high school, maybe a lil wider too.

[Redneck]

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!

I may be wrong but I find it very hard to believe that Pburg holds more than PC or JC. Allen Central is pretty darn big too.

[SportsKrazee]

I personally love the region at the Expo. And, not every school has the best parking or the best seating. And if the tournament did go back to the schools that is how it would be. A different school each year and not always a good outcome for the fans or players.

[SeeBlue]

I Like it..gives the team a feel of what its like to play in a bigger arena such as Rupp

[Larry Legend]

I think it would be an absolute injustice to have this type of facility in the 15th region and not utilize it... No other gym in the area gives the kids the kind of preparation for Rupp that the Expo does. I played in Rupp twice and it is not the same as playing on a hanging goal. All that space behind the goal makes shooting way different and the Expo does a great job of preparing our kids for that experience. Plus how can you argue against a higher average attendance. That in itself says that no one cares to make the drive.

[Redneck]

I think it would be an absolute injustice to have this type of facility in the 15th region and not utilize it... No other gym in the area gives the kids the kind of preparation for Rupp that the Expo does. I played in Rupp twice and it is not the same as playing on a hanging goal. All that space behind the goal makes shooting way different and the Expo does a great job of preparing our kids for that experience. Plus how can you argue against a higher average attendance. That in itself says that no one cares to make the drive.

That's what I said when we played at EKU. Aside from the bigger floor gettin the boys prepared you make a good point about the goals.

[Fiddler]

I think the Expo is a great enviroment and gives a big game feel to the tourny.

[BlackcatAlum]

I may be wrong but I find it very hard to believe that Pburg holds more than PC or JC. Allen Central is pretty darn big too.

Have a look for yourself...


http://www.khsaa.org/directory/

[Sportsfan54]

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.

I see your point but there are at least 5 or 6 other schools that would have them traveling farther. IMO leave the regional at the expo. its a great place for the tournament. Like someone else said its about as neutral as your going to find. And i've never liked the home court advantage in a district or regional. Just my opinion though.

[HoRnEt4EvEr]

I think it should def be at the expo.

[EKY Sportster]

I do like the feel of a packed high school gym, BUT ........ you can't go back to that system. It just isn't fair to the majority of schools in the 15th that don't have the size to host. There are only a handful of schools large enough to host the regional and that leaves most out. Plus, even those schools with larger gyms can't compete with the Expo on size. With the size of the Expo Center, there is NO REASON that anyone should not be able to see their team play and see them play in a comfortable setting. As for travel, yeah it is not centrally located, but I mean how long of a drive is it. The longest drive for a team is probably Lawrence and they can still get there as quick or quicker than they could Morehead when they were in the 16th. I have been to the 16th Regional at MSU and I can say that the comfort for the fans is much better at the Expo. But until the high schools can match what the Expo offers, WHY would anyone want to go back to the old system.

Plus the Rupp Arena feel of the site helps to prepare our regional winner for the Rupp experience.

I vote to stick with the Expo! The 45 minute drive is well worth it! Most every school is within an hour drive. And if ppl can't come out once a year and drive to Pikeville to support their team, then let them stay home!

[FOX SPORTS]

Each school gets a share of NET profits from the regional tournament and The EXPO Center has returned RECORD $$$ to the schools in each of the past two years.

Hard to imagine any of the school administrators voting to move away from record money with the current financial crunch many of the schools are in.

[Mr.Kimball]

Played on the home floor and won the region as a player. Watched a son win the region at the Expo as a parent.

Leave it at the Expo.

[Redneck]

Have a look for yourself...


http://www.khsaa.org/directory/

That may be right, it's just hard to believe...

[More Cowbell]

I vote to have it at the Expo. My reasons...
1) It has much more comfortable seating and you don't have to feel 'packed like sardines', as others have said.
2) It prepares the kids for the experience of playing in a bigger arena for whatever team advances to Rupp.
3) It eliminates homecourt advantage by being on a neutral court. As others have mentioned, not every school has the facility to host the regional, so even on a rotating system those schools (Betsy Layne, Paintsville, etc.) would get left out. This is more fair.

I will say that I do think one drawback is the loss of that special kind of atmosphere you got from being in a packed gymnasium, but the feeling in the Expo each of the last two years for the championship game was pretty amazing too.

[5timechamp]

I guess I have watched or played in every 15th regional tournament since the early 80's and this is a no brainer to LEAVE THE TOURNEY AT THE EXPO.

[EagleMom]

The Expo is a wonderful facility...no doubt. However, I do not like having the Regional Tournament there. I agree with the posters who have stated that it is giving the Pike County teams a "home court" feel even though each school is given equal number of tickets.

My big problem with the Expo Center is simply the fact that they will not allow the fans on the floor to celebrate with their players. When Johnson Central won the tournament in 2006, the floor was roped off 3 minutes prior to the end of the game and the fans were not allowed to run onto the floor to be with the team. In a high school setting....as soon as that buzzer sounds the floor is covered with screaming fans hugging, high fiving and celebrating with their team. In my opinion, you are robbing these teams of that experience.

Put the Regional Tournament back on a rotation.

[FOX SPORTS]

In a high school setting....as soon as that buzzer sounds the floor is covered with screaming fans hugging, high fiving and celebrating with their team. In my opinion, you are robbing these teams of that experience.

Put the Regional Tournament back on a rotation.
Can't run onto the floor at Rupp Arena to celebrate either...Should the sweet sixteen be moved???

Maybe it's just me, but I need a better reason to move it back to the schools, IMHO.

[Panther Thunder]

I vote to have it at the Expo. My reasons...
1) It has much more comfortable seating and you don't have to feel 'packed like sardines', as others have said.
2) It prepares the kids for the experience of playing in a bigger arena for whatever team advances to Rupp.
3) It eliminates homecourt advantage by being on a neutral court. As others have mentioned, not every school has the facility to host the regional, so even on a rotating system those schools (Betsy Layne, Paintsville, etc.) would get left out. This is more fair.

I will say that I do think one drawback is the loss of that special kind of atmosphere you got from being in a packed gymnasium, but the feeling in the Expo each of the last two years for the championship game was pretty amazing too.
It was the best feeling as a fan I've ever had!!

[uk96]

You are lucky to have the expo.......Some people are never satisfied ...........

[EagleMom]

Can't run onto the floor at Rupp Arena to celebrate either...Should the sweet sixteen be moved???

Maybe it's just me, but I need a better reason to move it back to the schools, IMHO.


Why not? Has there ever been a capacity crowd a Rupp Arena for the Sweet Sixteen? I kinda think not. There are plenty of large schools in the central part of the state that can host the sweet sixteen without having it at Rupp.

[Panther Thunder]

Why not? Has there ever been a capacity crowd a Rupp Arena for the Sweet Sixteen? I kinda think not. There are plenty of large schools in the central part of the state that can host the sweet sixteen without having it at Rupp.
I go every year and there is no high school gym in the untied states of America that could hold that crowd! There are usually at least 20,000+ at the championship games.

[vundy33]

I would rather it be at the schools...there was nothing better than the 03-04 tourney at Prestonsburg HS...

[FOX SPORTS]

Why not? Has there ever been a capacity crowd a Rupp Arena for the Sweet Sixteen? I kinda think not. There are plenty of large schools in the central part of the state that can host the sweet sixteen without having it at Rupp.
Actually, Yes there have been near capacity crowds.

If I'm not mistaken...average attendance last year(2007) was about 15,000.
Where else in central KY can handle that type of crowd?

[crawdad]

I vote to have it at the Expo. My reasons...
1) It has much more comfortable seating and you don't have to feel 'packed like sardines', as others have said.
2) It prepares the kids for the experience of playing in a bigger arena for whatever team advances to Rupp.
3) It eliminates homecourt advantage by being on a neutral court. As others have mentioned, not every school has the facility to host the regional, so even on a rotating system those schools (Betsy Layne, Paintsville, etc.) would get left out. This is more fair.

I will say that I do think one drawback is the loss of that special kind of atmosphere you got from being in a packed gymnasium, but the feeling in the Expo each of the last two years for the championship game was pretty amazing too.

well said. i would add that "making it to the expo" is a goal now just like "making it to rupp or diddle" its a great opportunity for these youngsters and there is absolutely no home court advantage. the team from the 15th best equipped to handle the bigger stage moves on to represent us.