MEAC Leaving Raleigh

[jaffejoffa]

MEAC Likely Leaving Raleigh

Raleigh — The future of the MEAC basketball tournament in Raleigh is in doubt because the operators of the RBC Center have told city officials they won’t allow the tournament to be held at the arena rent-free.

“They notified the mayor they would not be able to support the tournament with free rental,” City Manager Russell Allen said.

Allen said Gale Force Holdings, which operates the RBC Center, has released the March dates usually occupied by the tournament to the NHL for the 2009 season rather than reserve them for the MEAC.

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference has a three-year deal that runs through the 2008 tournament, and Commissioner Dennis Thomas said he is eager to remain in Raleigh. But free rent is a huge cost-saver for organizers of the six-day tournament, which is supported financially by the city and the Wake County.

Mayor Charles Meeker wrote the MEAC saying another bid was unlikely, Allen said.

“The mayor, after consulting with the other partners, has written to Dr. Thomas, essentially informing him of the letter from Gale Force and that he could not recommend the partners proceed with another three-year bid,” Allen said.

Dudley Flood, the chairman of the local MEAC steering committee, also said it was doubtful the tournament would remain in Raleigh.

“I would be surprised if there is a bid put forth,” Flood said. “As of this minute, the arena is not available to us. We don’t have a viable option unless there is something to make the arena available.”

Flood said his committee is looking to raise $940,000 for the 2008 tournament, with $200,000 coming from both the city and county. The rest has to be raised from private sources.

“We’ve tapped all the sources imaginable for that sort of support,” he said.

Dave Olsen, general manager of Gale Force, said in an e-mail, “It's my understanding that negotiations are still under way.”
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Can one of the shoe companies sponsor the tourney ? I'm sure it'd be a great tax write off for someone.

[dj98]

The MEAC does not have any money... I don't beleive that!!!!!!!!!

[AggieWJM]

jaffejoffa said:

Can one of the shoe companies sponsor the tourney ? I'm sure it'd be a great tax write off for someone.

Nike is already a tournament sponsor.

[Aggie Monster]

It was a bad time for the MEAC to come to Raliegh. If WSSU and NCCU had already been in the tournament along with A&T the attendence would have been much better. Now that they will be playing the tournament will be in Richmond somewhere again. Shame.

The RBC Center might be trying to make a play for the Women's ACC tournament. I think thats ini G'boro right now. Maybe we can switch and the MEAC play in Greeensboro.

[@ProfBellamy]

Now, we all know the Greensboro and ACC are in bed together like Bush and Condi (yes, I said it.). Its possible that Raleigh might make the rotation. However, the relationship with Greensboro is eternal...and its been highlighted in numerous articles as they plan to continue coming back to Greensboro a few times in each decade for both the mens and womens tourneys.

We need to go to Winston's Joel. Its the only venue in North Carolina worthwhile going to, and we have the possible of selling out. I mean, we could look at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, but why???

If we're not staying in the state...can we say Norfolk???

[Aggie One]

Can't draw flies in Norfolk or Hampton. They are still in the CIAA realm and always will be.

The RBC has no shot at the Women's ACC tourney at all. The Greensboro Coliseum and Director Matt Brown have made it an oasis for not only that tourney but for the NCAA as well when it comes to women's basketball.

You're right, the ideal place is the Joel. With A&T and WSSU within walking distance and NCCU less than 2 hours away it would probably guarantee a minimum of 9,000 each day if 2 of the 3 teams are competitive each year in the conference.

[@ProfBellamy]

aggieone said:

Can't draw flies in Norfolk or Hampton. They are still in the CIAA realm and always will be.

The RBC has no shot at the Women's ACC tourney at all. The Greensboro Coliseum and Director Matt Brown have made it an oasis for not only that tourney but for the NCAA as well when it comes to women's basketball.

You're right, the ideal place is the Joel. With A&T and WSSU within walking distance and NCCU less than 2 hours away it would probably guarantee a minimum of 9,000 each day if 2 of the 3 teams are competitive each year in the conference.

I think Norfolk could have a chance now is because their downtown, like Winston has begun redevelopment. There are a decent number of hotels down there and like Raleigh, I beleive Norfolk (with their outdated arena and lack of luxury boxes) may put some money towards the MEAC. Its right down the street from the headquarters.

But Winston would be great...nice environment. Could play the early games in the Annex...or have some type of even in there.

www.ljvm.com/mainarena.html

[aggiejazz]

Just play the MEAC Tournament in a local gym. Maybe it will fill up, maybe

[Aggie Monster]

Just read in Raleigh's newspaper that rent for those 6 days would be $300,000 at the RBC Center. They footed the bill for this MEAC contract and the CIAA when it was there.

The owner was quoted as saying that they could have a 1 day concert that pulls more. It was purely a business decision.

i'm going to keep it real and say that the MEAC wasn't deserving of such a facility with the numbers that they brought in. RBC is state-of-the-art with several skyboxes and if you ever ate in the "Champions Club" buffet area during a Hurricanes game then you haven't eaten. I'm not surpised at this at all.

Oh, and I had to get creative on yall with my personalized Avatar. Dont Hate! LOL

[Trueaggie]

I believe the MEAC needs to do better as a conference; look at how our refs represented during the App football game. I don't believe the MEAC has helped the schools build themselves like I believe they should have. This is just another showing of the MEAC not doing what it can to ensure good opportunities come to our HBCU schools. By the way the MEAC made the decision to have the basketball games at 4pm on Saturdays; I really question the leadership. My biggest fear is that the leaders are enjoying all the benefits and prestige that come with the job and not taking care of the basics. The MEAC needs some stronger leaders in the organization; with some solid goals for improving the conference.

[aahhbigboy]

ATL is an obvious choice to me. Tons of stuff to do when your team isn't playing and the locals will come out and support. You would get a larger following from the FAM, Bethune, and SC St faithfuls also. Furthermore, it's a city where people would be more motivated to save all year and make a road trip for. Who would do that for Raleigh, Richmond, or even Winston? There are also more venues for private and public parties etc. It must be a reason why they haven't gone there though. Just a thought.

[Tee-Sharp]

I never liked Raleigh in the first place. Those bustas over there would rather let Shaw go play in Durham than build a stadium in Raleigh that could also be used by the city. Even when the CIAA was there many complained about what they were "handing out" to those folk. If it was the ACC, it wouldn't have been an issue. I thought the idea was to grow the tourney. There were some unreal expectations on Raleigh’s part and I also fault the MEAC for grabbing too much at the start.

I think the Gboro Coliseum, Atlanta, and even Lawrence Joel in Winston are too large for the MEAC tourney. Forget all of these plush oversized arenas. The MEAC tourney needs to go back to the basics, which means playing in a smaller more basic arena and lowering ticket prices. The Norfolk Scope may be ideal.

What may work even better is a small (9000 seat) arena like Cameron Indoor on Dukes campus. Yes, I know….fat chance that Duke would let the MEAC use it but you never know until you negotiate. If the MEAC approached the city of Durham and asked them to negotiate there may be a chance.

Another alternative would be to rotate the tourney amongst the MEAC schools with the largest gyms. This keeps the collegiate atmosphere and the championship attendance would look a lot better on TV.

On last thought on Atlanta. I could see that place working BUT the MEAC would have to turn the tourney into a giant east coast party similar to what the CIAA has done. Let’s face it, we aren’t attracting anyone with our basketball skills, even if they are superior to the CIAA. Perhaps the giant party would help recruiting thus raising the level of play for the entire conference.

[aggiechamp]

To clear the record, Raleigh discussed building a stadium that could be used for football for Shaw and At. Aug. St. Aug killed the idea and insisted that they wanted a separate stadium for their football team. St. Aug then asked the city to contribute money to build their stadium.

[Aggie Monster]

I live in Raleigh and I cant hate on the city for snubbing Shaw and St Aug. Attendence at those games would be futile unless they played each other. Raleigh already has enough venues to host "small time" ball games without building another. Some of the high school stadiums have massive seating. Shaw could work that out with one of them. Some of the high school ADs would be glad to take some of that money from those games. They got Garner and SE Raleigh right down the road on that side of town.

As far as the MEAC tourney goes I do like the idea of using a DIV1 schools gym in a big city. I really think it should stay in a city the size of Raleigh or larger. Duke's Cameron would be perfect size. It holds more than Corbett, but isn't nearly as big as the Dean Dome or RBC.

[dj98]

(To clear the record, Raleigh discussed building a stadium that could be used for football for Shaw and At. Aug. St. Aug killed the idea and insisted that they wanted a separate stadium for their football team. St. Aug then asked the city to contribute money to build their stadium.)

You are right!!!!! But there are always two sides to a story..... Who knows who said no but they are paying for it right now... Shaw has to ride all the way to Durham to pracitce and play their football games..... St. Aug palys at Broughton High School in Raleigh....... Go figure?!?!?!?!