Hot Springs Gets 2Year Extension

[NT03]

Burn The Horse

Good News !

[Mean Green Matt]

Great News! I love Hot Springs. I was worried they were going to move it somehwere that unfairly benefitted the fans from WKU and MTSU. This almost makes up for Wright Waters' utter inability to properly seed the basketball tournament...almost.

[CMJ]

They're definitely not happy about it on the Haven.

[TheTastyGreek]

They're definitely not happy about it on the Haven.

Every year, on every forum other than UALR and Arkansas State, people who don't attend complain about the Hot Springs location.

Any fan from any school who complains because they can't drive there and back the same night so they can occasionally go watch games if their team happens to be good is not who we ought to be tailoring this event towards.

People who really give a crap and can make it, make it. People who would find some damn excuse not to go anyway, don't go.

I haven't heard many complaints from people who bother to make the trip, no matter what school they represent. If WKU fans (or USA fans, or anyone else) want to complain because they can't get a web stream because their team was on the secondary court... Too bad. Show up and you don't need to depend on the internet.

If you only want to go when it's within a 60 minute drive, or if you only want to go when it's the semis or the finals (and only if those games are on a weekend)... Keep goddamn whining. I, for one, don't care what anyone who puts out terms and conditions like that has to say about venue. In a perfect world, every game would be played on a court set up in my back yard so I could watch from my porch or out the window if the weather was bad. And they'd play them all in the daytime, so as to avoid running up my electric bill. Blah, blah, blah, whine, whine, whine.

Hot Springs still isn't tapped out for our group as a vacation destination city. Two years, never missed a day, but I still haven't been to the casino, or the horse track, or the lake, or gone hiking, or actually gone bathing on bathhouse row, or done a lot of the prominent stuff they advertise as tourist activities. I know there's a theme park there, but we've never even looked into going to that. I've meant to do most of those things, but I keep skipping those activities because I'm generally going to WATCH BASKETBALL.

Two years, no chain restaurants. Two years, still have a lot of tourist bases to cover. There's no shortage of options for anyone who isn't using the city as an excuse not to go. Quite the opposite.

If Memphis or New Orleans or any of those other cities people like to bring up as alternate sites gave a damn about bringing us in, they'd make a competitive bid for the tournament. Hot Springs offers the best terms and the greatest flexibility around varying formats. Three years, three notably different tournament structures, but the people at the Summit Arena and the city of Hot Springs keep bending over backwards to do what the conference needs and wants. Hot Springs treats this tournament like a major event, even if the fans of our member schools don't.

Not a knock on any fan base in particular, because the bitching and moaning on Hilltopper Haven right now pops up everywhere (other than Denver fans, because there aren't even enough of them to maintain a messageboard). I sure as hell never had any desire to take a vacation in Arkansas (or Mobile, or Lafayette) but I went because I wanted to watch the tournament. And damned if I didn't have a really good time, two years in a row, with all the stuff there was to see and do in Hot Springs.

Anyway... Start planning now. Make the weekend day trip for an early round game, put in for vacation to get the whole 4 days off and see it all... Do whatever you can and will and want to do. I hope this year we can make another huge jump in North Texas attendance like we did last year, and I hope that by the time the 2012 tournament rolls around, we can bring the biggest traveling fan contingent of all the non-Arkansas schools.

If you go, I think you'll enjoy it. I don't know anyone that's gone, either for a game or the whole thing, that didn't love it and either go back again or plan on going this year.

[Censored by Laurie]

Every year, on every forum other than UALR and Arkansas State, people who don't attend complain about the Hot Springs location.

Any fan from any school who complains because they can't drive there and back the same night so they can occasionally go watch games if their team happens to be good is not who we ought to be tailoring this event towards.

People who really give a crap and can make it, make it. People who would find some damn excuse not to go anyway, don't go.

I haven't heard many complaints from people who bother to make the trip, no matter what school they represent. If WKU fans (or USA fans, or anyone else) want to complain because they can't get a web stream because their team was on the secondary court... Too bad. Show up and you don't need to depend on the internet.

If you only want to go when it's within a 60 minute drive, or if you only want to go when it's the semis or the finals (and only if those games are on a weekend)... Keep goddamn whining. I, for one, don't care what anyone who puts out terms and conditions like that has to say about venue. In a perfect world, every game would be played on a court set up in my back yard so I could watch from my porch or out the window if the weather was bad. And they'd play them all in the daytime, so as to avoid running up my electric bill. Blah, blah, blah, whine, whine, whine.

Hot Springs still isn't tapped out for our group as a vacation destination city. Two years, never missed a day, but I still haven't been to the casino, or the horse track, or the lake, or gone hiking, or actually gone bathing on bathhouse row, or done a lot of the prominent stuff they advertise as tourist activities. I know there's a theme park there, but we've never even looked into going to that. I've meant to do most of those things, but I keep skipping those activities because I'm generally going to WATCH BASKETBALL.

Two years, no chain restaurants. Two years, still have a lot of tourist bases to cover. There's no shortage of options for anyone who isn't using the city as an excuse not to go. Quite the opposite.

If Memphis or New Orleans or any of those other cities people like to bring up as alternate sites gave a damn about bringing us in, they'd make a competitive bid for the tournament. Hot Springs offers the best terms and the greatest flexibility around varying formats. Three years, three notably different tournament structures, but the people at the Summit Arena and the city of Hot Springs keep bending over backwards to do what the conference needs and wants. Hot Springs treats this tournament like a major event, even if the fans of our member schools don't.

Not a knock on any fan base in particular, because the bitching and moaning on Hilltopper Haven right now pops up everywhere (other than Denver fans, because there aren't even enough of them to maintain a messageboard). I sure as hell never had any desire to take a vacation in Arkansas (or Mobile, or Lafayette) but I went because I wanted to watch the tournament. And damned if I didn't have a really good time, two years in a row, with all the stuff there was to see and do in Hot Springs.

Anyway... Start planning now. Make the weekend day trip for an early round game, put in for vacation to get the whole 4 days off and see it all... Do whatever you can and will and want to do. I hope this year we can make another huge jump in North Texas attendance like we did last year, and I hope that by the time the 2012 tournament rolls around, we can bring the biggest traveling fan contingent of all the non-Arkansas schools.

If you go, I think you'll enjoy it. I don't know anyone that's gone, either for a game or the whole thing, that didn't love it and either go back again or plan on going this year.

I was really hoping for MSG.

[SUMG]

It's so nice to be in a city that wants us. I'm thrilled about this news.....and have already made my hotel reservations for the 2011 tourney.

[Hilltopper2k]

Look, I respect you guys and I am willing to stipulate that Hot Springs is a nice town and has nice whatever there. Like you I would be more interested in the basketball than I would be the tourist attractions.

But with all due respect, of course you like Hot Springs. It is 150 miles closer for you. Is it too much to ask to swap it up every once in a while? Cleveland, OH and Chicago, IL are about the same distance from BG as hot springs (I don't want to go to those places either).

They made a cheap bid. Great. I guess you drive a Hyundai Accent since it is the cheapest car on the market?

A South Alabama fan justly pointed out that Hot Springs is not a central location.

Credit to SkullyMaroo:

Schools West of Hot Springs:

UNT

Denver

Schools East of Hot Springs:

USA

MTSU

WKU

Troy

FIU

FAU

UALR

ASU

ULL

ULM

Look like the location should be pulled a little eastward, more towards the geographic center of the conference.

What would be wrong with a three year rotation of Hot Springs, Huntsville, and Biloxi?

Edited October 22, 2010 by Hilltopper2k

[CMJ]

Look, I respect you guys and I am willing to stipulate that Hot Springs is a nice town and has nice whatever there. Like you I would be more interested in the basketball than I would be the tourist attractions.

But with all due respect, of course you like Hot Springs. It is 150 miles closer for you. Is it too much to ask to swap it up every once in a while? Cleveland, OH and Chicago, IL are about the same distance from BG as hot springs (I don't want to go to those places either).

They made a cheap bid. Great. I guess you drive a Hyundai Accent since it is the cheapest car on the market?

A South Alabama fan justly pointed out that Hot Springs is not a central location.

Credit to SkullyMaroo:

What would be wrong with a three year rotation of Hot Springs, Huntsville, and Biloxi?

Nothing, if they made competitive bids. Look, anywhere the tournament is - I have to fly halfway across the country or more. I haven't been able to goto Hot Springs the last 2 years because of various things (unless they had it at somewhere like Staples Center I wouldn't have), but I just like the fact the tournament is in a location that wants us. It's better to be wanted than to beg.

[Censored by Laurie]

Nothing, if they made competitive bids. Look, anywhere the tournament is - I have to fly halfway across the country or more. I haven't been able to goto Hot Springs the last 2 years because of various things (unless they had it at somewhere like Staples Center I wouldn't have), but I just like the fact the tournament is in a location that wants us. It's better to be wanted than to beg.

Me too. At least one of us has done it too...

[CMJ]

Me too. At least one of us has done it too...

Quit busting my chops bro - I had kind of a once in a lifetime thing in March last year, and no money the previous! Provided I have no family deaths to attend or anything, I am TRYING to go this time.

[Censored by Laurie]

Quit busting my chops bro - I had kind of a once in a lifetime thing in March last year, and no money the previous! Provided I have no family deaths to attend or anything, I am TRYING to go this time.

Don't bro me, brah.

[Army of Dad]

Look, I respect you guys and I am willing to stipulate that Hot Springs is a nice town and has nice whatever there. Like you I would be more interested in the basketball than I would be the tourist attractions.

But with all due respect, of course you like Hot Springs. It is 150 miles closer for you. Is it too much to ask to swap it up every once in a while? Cleveland, OH and Chicago, IL are about the same distance from BG as hot springs (I don't want to go to those places either).

They made a cheap bid. Great. I guess you drive a Hyundai Accent since it is the cheapest car on the market?

A South Alabama fan justly pointed out that Hot Springs is not a central location.

Credit to SkullyMaroo:

What would be wrong with a three year rotation of Hot Springs, Huntsville, and Biloxi?

Says the guy whose team never have to come out west to play us in Denton...

[Green Lantern]

Don't bro me, brah.

Woah, woah, woah! Let's take it down a notch in here fellas. Broing and Brahing isn't necessary.

Let's focus on the important things in the thread ie. Tasty's amazing rant. I for one welcome our Hot Springs CVB overlords.

[CMJ]

Tasty's rant was legendary.

[GrandGreen]

WKU and MTSU; seem to think the basketball world revolves around them. WKU definitely has the historically best bb program, while the Muts have a great WBB program. Based on their fans participation in the Belt tournament; they should also get more attention than the other Belt schools. Frankly, although much closer and having a high caliber BB team, NT's fan response has been disappointing. Much better last year, then NT first Belt tournament win in Lafayette when the NT fans were practically non-existent; but still needs to be vastly improved. All that being said, there still has to be a site that actually bids and offers something comparable to Hot Springs and apparently that has not happened.

I am not as enamored as many with Hot Springs. It is a easy travel location and is small enough that it is easy to get around, but for a half a##ed bb fan like me that doesn't have a great interest in watching non-NT games; it doesn't have a lot of attractions. A Memphis, Nashville, Mobil, New Orleans and even Biloxi would be more centrally located and offer far more then Hot Springs. However, the Belt is not going to get near the focus at any of these places with the exception of Mobile, and that is not a neutral site.

Hot Springs is overall a great location for NT fans and we should take advantage of it for the next three years. The weekday games are tough for most to make, but if MTSU and WKU can do it, why can't NT. We are much closer and there are potentially a lot more of us.

[UNTFan23]

North Texas has steadily been increasing attendance at the HS tournament. Last year was our best year yet and if this season we do what we need to, this year's attendance could be even better.

[TheTastyGreek]

Look, I respect you guys and I am willing to stipulate that Hot Springs is a nice town and has nice whatever there. Like you I would be more interested in the basketball than I would be the tourist attractions.

[...]

I heart you, too. I didn't mean to take a shot at you, you're a reasonable guy.

CMJ already covered the fact that none of the other proposed locations have expressed the interest or willingness to even work the tournament around the schedule we need, much less offer the financial incentives that Hot Springs has been willing to put on the table.

As for the East/West list... For Hot Springs, it's a bullshit and misleading division. ASU and UALR may be "east" of Hot Springs, but I don't think location is a problem for them. ULM is a shorter drive to Hot Springs than Denton or Dallas are. And if ULL or USA fans are upset about the distance, none of them shed any tears for me in 2007 or 2008. We drove longer distances the years they hosted than what it would take them to get to Hot Springs from their campuses.

If Huntsville or Biloxi make competitive bids in a few years, I'll be there, too. Not that either holds any tourist appeal to me.

[SUMG]

We're The Belt....not The ACC, Big XII, SEC or some big, coveted conference.

So when we have a neutral site place that wants us.....it is a big deal.

And I think if you put the tourney in a neutral site.....you should leave it there for several years...and let it grow.

Because of that, I think a rotation deal....wouldn't work well. I can't see HS/Biloxi/Huntsville pulling out all stops....if they know that they're gonna get the tourney every three years. (using your example).

Just saying that if you want another neutral site....pick one....keep it there for 3-4-5 years. I don't think a rotation would work well. Hot Springs is gung ho, about The SBC tourney....because they want fans back NEXT YEAR...not in three years. And I think that would apply to any other neutral site.

Just my opinion.....

[NT80]

What would be wrong with a three year rotation of Hot Springs, Huntsville, and Biloxi?

Have they made competitive bids similar to Hot Springs'? I'm sure the league made the decison based on $$ and not because it was closer to UNT. How about Dallas or Ft. Worth thrown into the rotation too?

[NTEdgex2]

Made our hotel reservations for the tournament. We went to Hot Springs last March and had a great time. FYI, the Embassy Suites and Austin are already booked solid.

GMG!

[NT03]

They're definitely not happy about it on the Haven.

Well Hot Springs does have that law about goats..

Edited October 23, 2010 by NT03

[Keith7]

I'm saving vacation days so I can make it this year

[UNTflyer]

The rotating tournament site plan was tried and it was an abyssmal failure. Attendance was bad.

Having the tournament in a family friendly city that is easy to get around in makes a huge difference. So does the double court format.

The Sun Belt is spread out from Denver to Miami. Nobody is going to be happy with any location. And if we move the tournament anywhere, it should be moved to the home of the Sun Belt, New Orleans.