Why didn't the Big 4 Classic work?
- Thread starter ChrisMWilliams
- Start date
Not really. You seem to be one of a very few who see it that way. Look, I get that you're a DSM homer...but not every venue there is perfect for every event, not everything that happens in the city is "the best ever", and not everything needs to continue in perpetuity.
It's not a personal attack on you or your city.
Not enough people care about Drake and Northern Iowa... and, if we're being honest, Iowa (just look at the average game night at CHA). And, if we're being honest, Ames is so close to Des Moines that most ISU fans would rather play at Hilton than Wells Fargo. It's considered one of the best environments and home court advantages in all of college basketball and most Cyclones fans would rather not give that up to play in a sterile environment like Wells Fargo.
I wouldn't watch Iowa play in my living room if i was paid $30.00.
What do you think Mr. Connolly is going to say..."this event blows"? Dan McCarney use to declare victory for playing good in the third quarter even though the scoreboard said ISU lost, okay? You need to let this go or before you know it, you are going to start blaming the people who had the audacity to move to the suburbs for ending this event.
There are a lot of reasons the Big 4 failed:
Personally, I think Des Moines would be better hosting a 4-8 team tournament. Maybe play round 1 at campus sites and then have 2 Friday night games and consolation/championship games on Saturday. I would have more interest in watching and paying for a second game if the winner of that game was going to play the Cyclones the next day.
I thought he US Bank Classic was an interesting concept of inviting teams of all levels for a 3 day event. Not sure how attendance was, but it sounded like a fun concept.
- Drake has been a pretty bad program the last 10 years. If you are an Iowa State or Iowa fan- why would you pay $50 to watch your team play Drake?
- As a Cyclone season ticket holder, I would rather see the UNI or Drake games at Hilton. IMO by playing the Big 4 Classic devalued my season ticket, especially the years when UNI came to Hilton. Even though Drake hasn't been a great team, the fact they are a local team is more interesting than watching ISU play Eastern Illinois, Southern, etc.
- Most fans aren't interested in hanging out at Wells Fargo for close to 5 hours to watch 2 games. I think they made a mistake and should have sold single session tickets and maybe a reduced priced for both sessions.
- Timing is also tough. If it is early December the Big 4 Classic competes against Conference Championship games. Closer to Christmas and it is tough to give up a big part of the day to watch basketball. Again lots of competition- early family Christmas celebrations, company holiday parties, Christmas shopping, etc.
Personally, I think Des Moines would be better hosting a 4-8 team tournament. Maybe play round 1 at campus sites and then have 2 Friday night games and consolation/championship games on Saturday. I would have more interest in watching and paying for a second game if the winner of that game was going to play the Cyclones the next day.
I thought he US Bank Classic was an interesting concept of inviting teams of all levels for a 3 day event. Not sure how attendance was, but it sounded like a fun concept.
IF they made this a two day tournament and gave season ticket holders a discount towards their teams allotment, it would be a sellout and crazy fun. But then you run into the possibility of UNI and Drake having to play 3 times...maybe 4 if they meet in their conference tourney. I guess we are looking at playing those two in Hilton or nothing. I do like the idea of UNI at Hilton, Drake at WF one year and Drake at Hilton, UNI in CR the next. Seems like a nice compromise that the MVC teams could be up for.
Didn’t read the thread. Did anyone answer because there’s no ******* way we should ever play Drake or UNI anywhere else other than Hilton?
I think it's a situation where none of the four fan bases is particularly excited about it. Drake and UNI fans no longer get home games. ISU and Iowa fans aren't thrilled about a neutral site game against mid major instate schools. Might have worked better if they made it a two day tournament and billed it as the state championship (but the home and home between Iowa and ISU would go away. Not sure either school would want to give up a well attended home game every other year for that).
Pretty sure having a true tournament would be problematic. It might count as the one tournament teams are allowed to have.
I don't think an actual tournament would make sense. You could make it a two day event with Iowa State and Iowa each playing Drake and UNI.
It's not really back to square one since it would still be a neutral site event. This is more for the people that want to make it a two day event.
If people want somebody to blame, blame the hawks. They are the ones who quit it.
I wouldn't say it didnt work. The main reason its over is crybaby Fran was too scared to play UNI anywhere but Iowa City right?
Living 10 minutes from the arena Ive been to the classic every year. I think its a great thing for the city of Des Moines. Up until the last year or 2 the crowds were great, alot of that has to do with the teams being down also.
I think it definitely had some negatives though, the crowds Drake and UNI brought could barely fill one section. I would say in my experience the crowds have been 60% Iowa State. The atmosphere in there is lacking also compared to Hilton. This may come as a shock to some of you, but fans of the four teams normally get along at this thing. Ive never seen one incident in 6 years and I enjoy talking basketball with fans of opposing teams.
I'm personally sad to see it go, it would be great though if Iowa State could still get a yearly game here and possibly bring in a good opponent. I think I remember them playing Ohio State and Bradley in the early days of WFA.
Living 10 minutes from the arena Ive been to the classic every year. I think its a great thing for the city of Des Moines. Up until the last year or 2 the crowds were great, alot of that has to do with the teams being down also.
I think it definitely had some negatives though, the crowds Drake and UNI brought could barely fill one section. I would say in my experience the crowds have been 60% Iowa State. The atmosphere in there is lacking also compared to Hilton. This may come as a shock to some of you, but fans of the four teams normally get along at this thing. Ive never seen one incident in 6 years and I enjoy talking basketball with fans of opposing teams.
I'm personally sad to see it go, it would be great though if Iowa State could still get a yearly game here and possibly bring in a good opponent. I think I remember them playing Ohio State and Bradley in the early days of WFA.
Arena was too loud. They prefer quieter places to play so the players can hear Fran yell his ramblings at them.