Right now, I'm watching the NCAA men's basketball tournament - specifically the game between Xavier and West Virginia - at US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix. And while I know it's a shame that both the men's and ladies' Sun Devils basketball teams have been eliminated, we should look ahead to next season.
The Sun Devils play at the Wells Fargo Arena on the campus of Arizona State University. The facility opened in 1974 (as the ASU Activity Center) and seats 14,198. In addition to basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and wrestling, Wells Fargo Arena hosts ASU's convocation (graduation) ceremonies as well as lectures and other events.
Having been to a few games and events at Wells Fargo Arena, the facility is a top-class college facility. Recent investments in the 34-year-old facility have made it even better - like the center-hung scoreboard and information boards at the east and west ends of the arena.
With ASU's push to be "one university in many places" and with ASU's objective to make the Downtown Phoenix Campus the second-largest campus at ASU, perhaps ASU should consider playing one or two home games of each basketball season - men's and ladies' - at US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix. The obvious reason is capacity: US Airways Center holds 4,224 more people than Wells Fargo Arena.
The point at which I'm driving is that it would give ASU athletics a broader reach in the Phoenix metropolitan area than just being isolated to the ASU Tempe campus. ASU is the university (geographically) for the Phoenix metropolitan area. But we should recognize and realize that Phoenix is the home for alumni of many colleges and universities in the state/nation/world. Maybe US Airways Center should host the ASU vs. University of Arizona basketball game when it's Tempe's turn to host the match (both men's and ladies'). Now, the NCAA might have some rule of playing regular-season games at professional sports venues. But if the NCAA choose to play some of its big matches at professional sports stadia, then maybe there isn't a problem.
Also, ASU Tempe and US Airways Center are on the light rail line, so getting from Tempe to downtown Phoenix would be easy. ASU fans could tailgate (do you do this for a basketball game?) in Lot 59 (northeast corner of the Tempe campus) and, in 23 minutes, be at US Airways Center for the game.
One of ASU's objectives is to be embedded into the community. It is more than just its research and how ASU gives back to the community. It is about being in the community, and that includes its athletics.
It's just food for thought.
-Edward Jensen
2 comments:
Especially after the Light Rail goes in. It would be a snap to get downtown for those living in Tempe. And selfishly, I could walk to the games!
By the way, what a great game! I was listening to it on the radio. So jealous you got to be there.
That would be a lot of fun! I was at the ASU game last week and sat right next to the student section. We had a great time! The outcome wasn't perfect but we will survive. :-) The downtown campus is growing like crazy. We would love to see the two use light rail to it's full potential! If we don't tailgate, we could all go to Sam's house instead. :-)
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