Second question: The NJCAA has told Hutch they have to spend 29 million to upgrade the Sports Arena or they will likely lose the Natl Tourney for men. I attended the Women's Juco finals in Salina this year to watch Hutch finish second. There was prob 3000-3500 in attendance and it was 95% Hutch people. They played a Florida team with about 50 fans there for the natl championship. I was told the NJCAA moved the natl womens tourney to Lubbock, Tx because of 1 )inferior facility in Salina (It seats 7500) 2) lack of community support from Salina. Do they really truly think Lubbock, Tx is going to support Juco womens BB any better than Salina? Kansas is a hotbed for Juco BB. Lubbuck, Tx?
And in Hutch, the Juco tourney generates 1.3 million in economic benefit for the community per year. The state AAA tourney generates about 200-300,000 of economic benefit per year. So the citizens of Hutch are being asked to pony up 29 mill to upgrade that tourney building or they will move it. Really? Move it where? Its been in Hutch 68 years. Yes, attendance has waned in the past 10-15 years but there isnt one location in the US that will support it better than Hutch. Avg attendance at Juco BB games across the country is very weak and their fans will NOT travel long distances to the natl tourney. I've been to hundreds of natl tourney games in Hutch and there aren't ANY out of state teams that bring more than 200 fans and the vast majority bring 40-50 if that many. Hutch fans have made that tourney. I attended the quarter final games this year to watch Hutch and there was about 6500 fans. Hutch lost and the next night there was about 4000 fans, 95% from Hutch. Moving it would be a disaster for the NJCAA. And if I was a Hutch tax payer I would vote no on that 29 million dollar bond issue. No way it will ever pay for itself. Please correct any of my statements or add addl insights.
And in Hutch, the Juco tourney generates 1.3 million in economic benefit for the community per year. The state AAA tourney generates about 200-300,000 of economic benefit per year. So the citizens of Hutch are being asked to pony up 29 mill to upgrade that tourney building or they will move it. Really? Move it where? Its been in Hutch 68 years. Yes, attendance has waned in the past 10-15 years but there isnt one location in the US that will support it better than Hutch. Avg attendance at Juco BB games across the country is very weak and their fans will NOT travel long distances to the natl tourney. I've been to hundreds of natl tourney games in Hutch and there aren't ANY out of state teams that bring more than 200 fans and the vast majority bring 40-50 if that many. Hutch fans have made that tourney. I attended the quarter final games this year to watch Hutch and there was about 6500 fans. Hutch lost and the next night there was about 4000 fans, 95% from Hutch. Moving it would be a disaster for the NJCAA. And if I was a Hutch tax payer I would vote no on that 29 million dollar bond issue. No way it will ever pay for itself. Please correct any of my statements or add addl insights.
