uvm4life20

That's compared to Burlington. It's a lot more than a couple schools driving 3 more hours compared to other locations.

mainejeff

Well........they don't seem to care as much as you guys in Burlington. So that is what we are focusing on Burlington vs. Bangor. Burlington is a non-starter (facility-less). Sorry.

usslider

I would have loved to go to a tournament in Maine - either Portland or Bangor

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Bearcats Faithful

I 100% agree with you. After having been to tournaments in Binghamton, Boston, Albany and Hartford I think it would be cool to give Maine a shot. Although, I will admit that living in Boston makes it a whole lot easier. If I were still in Binghamton or working in NYC, then there's a chance that I might feel differently.

ccd494

I still think Portland would be your ideal Maine host, but that new Red Claws arena hasn't had shovel put to dirt yet and who knows when that will happen. The Expo isn't ready for prime time, and the CCCC a.) is a dump, b.) will still be a dump when they finish the renovations, and c.) maybe too big, so that's out.

I think Bangor is worth a shot at least.

I also would like to see UNH give it a go either in Manchester or the Whittemore Center.

UVM Hoop Cat

Portland would work. I think Orono would be a non-starter unless Maine/local community could guarantee it would be supported. That's why it worked in Binghamton and you could hold it in Vestal- Bing had highest attendance in conference/community support which made up for the lack of fans that could travel that far away.

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Rhett1

I don't think the casino accommodations would be an impediment to having a conference tourney. As averse as the NCAA itself is to having major events in cities/arenas with relationships to gambling, it doesn't seem to stop conferences/schools from playing in those locations. The A-10 hoops and ECAC Hockey have had conference tourneys in AC; the WCC, WAC, and Mountain West play their hoops tourneys in Vegas. The Mohegan Sun arena has been unsuccessful in getting a conference tourney in their arena, but they've hosted the Connecticut 6.

On the NH venue suggestions, the Whitt would be better than the VWA in Manchester. The VWA is a 10K seater that supposedly has very high overhead. I don't think the AEC tourney would be able to make up the costs & I think the high ceiling, two tiered arena would feel cavernous and lack atmosphere even with a good (for AEC) turnout. It's a really nice building, but loses everything when it's not close to filled.

mainejeff

True about the other casino examples........there is no sports betting there, so that is a plus in its favor. I'm guessing that Penn Gaming may throw some pretty decent sponsorship money at Cross Center potential events.......being across the street, it is inevitable that some event patrons make their way over to the casino or stay in their hotel.

Also agree about Manchester......especially considering the minuscule support for UNH hoops. The new arena in Bangor is the perfect size for an AE basketball tourney........5,800 give or take. And it will have MAJOR amenities for an arena its size.

Alumni96

Frankly,after 2 years, anything will seem better than CementCU Arena

mainejeff

And yet another video tour...........shows even more details from this beautiful facility........

http://www.wabi.tv/news/36659/tv5-ta...surance-center

umainealum

Damn...that really is a great facility.

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Nostrajimus

Portland has been voted one of the top 10 vacation areas in the country the last few years, so if they ever build that Red Claws Arena with adjacent amtrak station plus hotel & restaurants, it would be the perfect venue. That won't happen for a few years it appears.

http://www.pressherald.com/news/buil...pe=mobile&id=1

Here's the drawings and description

umainealum

Portland really is a great city...this, added to all the other great features they have to offer really makes this a great place to host a conference tournament.

Thanks for sharing that article...hadn't seen that.

If only the division I school in the state was there...would be awesome.

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lsbal84

I would love to have an excuse to spend a long weekend in Portland (never have been there). I have been to Bangor a few times (even saw Jay Leno do stand up at UMaine about 25 years ago). If Bangor ever got the tourney we could all take tours of the batted gates at Steven Kings home. I must say I do like the golf courses (specifically Penobscott) there though they obviously would not be playable tourney time of the year.

Rhett1

It's a shame USM is D-III. Over 10K students in a metro area of 500K and no other D-I teams.