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Topic: Akron studying arena changes
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UpSan Bobcat
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Posted: 2/16/2012 10:05 AM
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OU_Country
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Posted: 2/16/2012 12:17 PM
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Is this really a question?  I grant you, I've not yet been there, but it would seem they could do better.   Maybe they can just trade with EMU on arenas.
Mark Lembright '85
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Posted: 2/16/2012 12:35 PM
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Where does Akron get the $ to do all of this??? They've had a ton of new construction on their campus for the last decade.
anorris
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Posted: 2/16/2012 12:41 PM
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Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more
Where does Akron get the $ to do all of this??? They've had a ton of new construction on their campus for the last decade.
Apparently it comes out of the faculty budget.
bornacatfan
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Posted: 2/16/2012 1:05 PM
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Mark Lembright '85 wrote:expand_more
Where does Akron get the $ to do all of this??? They've had a ton of new construction on their campus for the last decade.


Pretty sure they can find ways to attract donors past the LeBron connection. Tressel being hired can't hurt donations.

Seeing the benefits of the King james Tourneys and Elite Hoops summits with recruits being able to see the campus and facilities. Going to be eeven better with major facelifts of replacement. Why did Brian Walsh end up there again? And why would you name your  football stadium something that conjures up visions of a post birth painful experience?
SBH
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Posted: 2/16/2012 3:19 PM
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King James tourney has moved to Las Vegas.  He has no connections with Akron and has not donated any money.


Donuts
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Posted: 2/16/2012 4:35 PM
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SBH wrote:expand_more
King James tourney has moved to Las Vegas.  He has no connections with Akron and has not donated any money.


He moved it to Vegas this season because he can't get away during Olympic training. Also, for someone with "no connections" you would think he'd tell Nike to stop making special University of Akron shoes for the team.

Burden of proof is on you that Lebron has never donated any money as well. Even if it is true, he's brought in all sorts of revenue for that school. That's just as good as donating.
DelBobcat
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Posted: 2/16/2012 5:24 PM
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SBH wrote:expand_more
King James tourney has moved to Las Vegas.  He has no connections with Akron and has not donated any money.


I would say that going to their practices and open gyms is a connection.
ts1227
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Posted: 2/16/2012 5:54 PM
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OU_Country wrote:expand_more
Is this really a question?  I grant you, I've not yet been there, but it would seem they could do better.   Maybe they can just trade with EMU on arenas.


It's basically a high school gym with a bigger maintenance budget.
JSF
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Posted: 2/16/2012 6:22 PM
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There are many high school gyms in the area that are way better than the JAR.
OUcats82
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Posted: 2/16/2012 6:49 PM
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The only things I think the Convo are missing to make it the best in the MAC is a suspended scoreboard from the ceiling and a ribbon banner.  The former would be easier than the ladder to install I think.  I also have never been a big fan of the lighting.  Always seems too bright. I like when the light is focused more on the court and less in the upper decks.

Add some warmth to the concourse too......kind of stark.
bornacatfan
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Posted: 2/16/2012 7:10 PM
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SBH wrote:expand_more
King James tourney has moved to Las Vegas.  He has no connections with Akron and has not donated any money.


This tourney is on several high level summer ball schedules. Did they move it? NOthing worse than getting to Akron from Long Island, Baltimore, Indiana etc and having nothing to do.

PDF of The facilities  used by the teams in 2011 from far and wide who visited  the area for the KIng James Tourney..... Pretty sure most of those 500 plus teams that show up annually get on campus at one time or another. Like the tourneys at IU, Carolina, NC State etc that host tourneys the players all get to see the arenas and facilities. Cant convince me there is no benefit

The Elite Camp is moved to take place at while he is there preparing for the Olympics
Last Edited: 2/16/2012 8:07:42 PM by bornacatfan
Panda
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Posted: 2/16/2012 7:28 PM
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They sold bonds and I have a good number
JSF
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Posted: 2/16/2012 7:35 PM
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James moved the tournament to San Diego for a year once, I believe. It'll be back in Akron.

Quote:expand_more
NOthing worse than getting to Akron from Long Island, Baltimore, Indiana etc and having nothing to do.


What? There are malls!
Last Edited: 2/16/2012 7:40:22 PM by JSF
bornacatfan
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Posted: 2/16/2012 8:17 PM
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The tournament and the skills academy are seperate entities hosted by his sponsored AAU teams and James himself and catering to differnt constituencies. The tournament gets a few hundred teams with 8-15 kids each traipsing through the facilities while the Skills academy is attended by high level players. Quality over quantity for the latter.
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Posted: 2/16/2012 8:41 PM
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Even hard-core Akron fans have complained that he has not been supportive of their program.

I have a good friend who has links in Akron's athletic department. He has not given a dollar to the school - he does make sure they get free shoes, etc for the players.  Incidentally, he has never given a penny to St. Vincent St. Mary high school, either - claims they "exploited" him and his teammates during their years of success.  Yes, they exploited him all the way to the number one pick in the NBA draft.  He's an ungrateful punk who refuses to pay restaurant and bar tabs and NEVER tips.  He was asked a couple of weeks ago if he would bring the King James tournament back to Akron and he said no.





MedinaCat
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Posted: 2/16/2012 8:44 PM
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JSF wrote:expand_more
There are many high school gyms in the area that are way better than the JAR.


Really, besides Barberton I can't think of any.  I suppose you will have to define "way better."
bornacatfan
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Posted: 2/16/2012 9:23 PM
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SBH wrote:expand_more
Even hard-core Akron fans have complained that he has not been supportive of their program.

I have a good friend who has links in Akron's athletic department. He has not given a dollar to the school - he does make sure they get free shoes, etc for the players.  Incidentally, he has never given a penny to St. Vincent St. Mary high school, either - claims they "exploited" him and his teammates during their years of success.  Yes, they exploited him all the way to the number one pick in the NBA draft.  He's an ungrateful punk who refuses to pay restaurant and bar tabs and NEVER tips.  He was asked a couple of weeks ago if he would bring the King James tournament back to Akron and he said no.


There is no disagreement with any of what you have said. Perception and reality are often different animals. University of Akron serves as the HQ of the King James Tournament. They use the facilities and have a couple hundred 15, 16 qnd 17 year old teams walking through their facilities as they attend and play in the KING JAMES Shooting Stars Tournament. The goal of every team there is to get to the finals games played in the JAR.......To say there is not a benefit to the program is just ignoring how superficial teenagers tend to be. If you are from there or know the structure that is fine, but those kids with their beats headphones and shoes that look like the latest Akron offerings in the King James line think they have arrived at the Mecca and Akron does nothing that says "we are in no way associated with LBJ and he does not support us" ...could be construed as a a bit deceptive eh?

If this tourney came to Ohio we would be ecstatic for our facilities to be showcased.....especially if the King James Shooting Stars or another team like Eric Gordon All Stars  were to Host it.....and the kids from NYC, Baltimore, CHicago and all those places would be looking around all weekend for a glimpse of greatness to walk through the door.
perimeterpost
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Posted: 2/16/2012 9:34 PM
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I saw Akron selling plasma twice last week.
Donuts
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Posted: 2/16/2012 9:39 PM
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SBH wrote:expand_more
Even hard-core Akron fans have complained that he has not been supportive of their program.


He doesn't need to give them anything, or support them. Yet, he does. I must say though you are pretty good at having an opinion on what athletes should do with their money. First Schmidt, now Lebron.

Everyone wants these athletes to hand money out like it's going out of style. Ask Allen Iverson how things are going. Yes, most are smarter with their money than him, but as much as I don't really care for Lebron, he does plenty for the University of Akron. 

His tipping or lack thereof has nothing to do with Akron either, so not sure why that was even brought up.
SBH
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Posted: 2/16/2012 10:03 PM
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OK, so you want to change the argument again?

The point made near the top of this thread was that Lebron is or will be a source of significant funds for the construction of a new arena or the rebuilding of the JAR. (I think they will redo the existing building, by the way).
I countered that he is not a source of funds or fundraising. Never has been. Hasn't given a dime, hasn't offered to raise money.  Hasn't even given a dime to the high school that gave him free tuition for four years.  That's my argument. Giving of himself is not in Lebron's DNA.  Whatever.  A co-worker's wife is an with the Cavs.  Cavs employees  could tell you stories about that creep that would turn your stomach.

Does his "halo" somehow help Akron?  I suppose it does - I never claimed otherwise.  And I'm sure it has maybe helped them sign a player or two.  But will it fund  new building?  Nope.  They'll just issue more debt - something Akron does with great aplomb.  Take a look at their debt ratio someday and you'll see what I mean. They're not so much interested in educating students as they are buying real estate, accepting anyone with a pulse into their programs and collecting tuition and parking fees.  Outside of a few programs, the school is a joke.

As for Schmidt...the dude pledged money and reneged.  That's just not honorable.  Sorry if you disagree.




JSF
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Posted: 2/16/2012 10:08 PM
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SBH wrote:expand_more
Giving of himself is not in Lebron's DNA.


You went a little too far there: https://www.google.com/search?q=lebron+james+donate&i...

And that doesn't include his yearly bike giveaway in Akron.
Last Edited: 2/16/2012 10:15:06 PM by JSF
SBH
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Posted: 2/16/2012 10:19 PM
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Bike giveaway is funded by Nike funds funneled through his foundation, which pays his mother a salary, BTW.

The funds raised ads sold for his "The Decision" program?  Not exactly coming out of his pocket.





Last Edited: 2/16/2012 10:22:53 PM by SBH
ts1227
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Posted: 2/16/2012 10:58 PM
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MedinaCat wrote:expand_more
There are many high school gyms in the area that are way better than the JAR.


Really, besides Barberton I can't think of any.  I suppose you will have to define "way better."


Barberton is tiny for their school size and ungodly sterile (it's mostly grey, with some purple trim), from what I recall from regionals in HS.

The only thing that made it seem cool back then was they had a hanging scoreboard and hoops that actually were freestanding.
Donuts
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Posted: 2/16/2012 10:59 PM
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I didn't really change the argument again. I just don't get how you can passively say a guy you don't know will in no way help out a school he has helped in the past. They have never built and needed this type of money before. To just come out of nowhere and say he doesn't associate with Akron and doesn't help them is flat out wrong. It's also flat out wrong to say there is no way he will help them take on a project that would require a lot of funds.
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