Fling out the Purple and the Gold, We're Marching On.
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https://www.leathernecknation.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2547
It is not the quality of the arena that really bothers me. As is, it should be the best home court advantage in all of D1. Most places people sit on concrete. Try stomping your feet on that to make noise. Western Hall has good old-fashioned plywood throughout the lower bowl. More importantly, people are very close to the action. That place should be rockin' if you could get enough students to show up now and then. I wish we had video of the EIU games (same conference then) from the 70s. 7000 people who were glad to be there. You could not hear yourself think, it was that loud.Western_101 wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:28 am Sure would be nice if Western had an arena as nice as USI's. I would say we play in a D-II caliber/type arena, however, most D-II facilities are significantly nicer than Western Hall as evidenced by the image Scott posted.
Seal, you are talking about plywood being great and events that took place over 40 years ago?sealhall74 wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 9:48 amIt is not the quality of the arena that really bothers me. As is, it should be the best home court advantage in all of D1. Most places people sit on concrete. Try stomping your feet on that to make noise. Western Hall has good old-fashioned plywood throughout the lower bowl. More importantly, people are very close to the action. That place should be rockin' if you could get enough students to show up now and then. I wish we had video of the EIU games (same conference then) from the 70s. 7000 people who were glad to be there. You could not hear yourself think, it was that loud.Western_101 wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 2:28 am Sure would be nice if Western had an arena as nice as USI's. I would say we play in a D-II caliber/type arena, however, most D-II facilities are significantly nicer than Western Hall as evidenced by the image Scott posted.
Update: The record book says all-time attendance record is 8003 from the 80-81 season. I think I was there for that one. I think there was a sign hanging from the rafters. "WE GOT THAT OLD JACK MAGIC" and yes they did.
Another benefit of football in the OVC, non-conf scheduling becomes a whole lot easier. I assume The Birds and The Dogs would gladly play the Neck each and every year. Within season, you could even have a "Which Valley is Best" Illinois school "mini-tournament" (2 out of conference games, 1 in conference game). Winner (probably need a tiebreaker or two) hangs on to the trophy until dethroned.sealhall74 wrote: Wed Feb 23, 2022 8:41 am An SIUE and Lindenwood road trip to STL would be the ideal long weekend sports getaway. Close to home, good shopping in the area. Sign me up for the first charter. Back to back mens and womens hoops games one would hope. None of this Summit nonsense with mirrored scheduling home and away.
And might as well add I would rather do a long weekend football road trip to Charleston SC than Fargo ND. An overnight stay in the The Smokies would be perfect halfway point. Well, maybe a little further than half.