By Zachary Baru
As the Springfield Falcons look ahead to the playoffs after capturing their second straight Northeast Division title, the MassMutual Center prepares for a busy stretch of everything from playoff hockey to commencements.
This weekend, the Falcons wrap-up their regular season with two games, followed by a Justin Moore concert on April 15. This concert was originally scheduled for February, but a snow storm postponed the performance. The arena set-up will be an end stage configuration, with the stage between sections 11 and 22.
Immediately following the concert will be an appearance by Disney on Ice, which will be from April 16-20. There are two Friday performances scheduled, followed by three on Saturday.
Don't forget about the Falcons, whose American Hockey League Calder Cup Playoffs begin shortly after. As if that is not enough for April, on the 25th the Convention Center will hold the 2014 Bay Path Women's Leadership Conference with keynote speaker Barbara Walters.
May will be commencement season for the MassMutual Center, with six colleges set to host their commencements in the arena between May 10th and May 31st. Colleges include Bay Path, Westfield State, American International, Springfield College, Springfield Technical and Holyoke Community.
All of this means more economic activity in and around Springfield. The additional traffic downtown will support restaurants and other local businesses, while visitors to the region for the commencements will support hotels in the Springfield area. As people flock to the MassMutual Center in the coming months, the Pioneer Valley awaits the economic benefits such events can provide.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
UMass basketball is worth the trip to Barclays
By Zachary BaruFor anyone who has been fortunate enough to see a University of Massachusetts men's basketball game this season at the Mullins Center, you know how exciting and electrifying the experience can be. But in just over one week, tournament basketball will be a short day-trip away.
The Atlantic 10 Basketball Championships will be returning to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn beginning March 12, running through March 16 with the championship game. The chance to see UMass show the conference why 2014 has been such a special season is one no fan should miss.
This is far from a sales pitch. UMass fans should take advantage of the fact that the conference tournament is so close, and in one of the newest, most modern arenas in the country.
Opened in September 2012, the Barclays Center seats 17,732 for basketball. The arena's modern amenities combined with its spectacular exterior design make the venue a must-see for sports fans. Any game at the Barclays Center would be great to see, but being able to support our Minutemen in New York City really is a great opportunity for Western Mass. fans.
The Barclays Center sits on top of Atlantic Terminal, which is a hub for 9 subways, not to mention Long Island Rail Road as well. This extremely accessible location is part of what makes this New York venue so appealing. It can be reached by taking the 4 train from Grand Central Terminal, or the 2 train from Penn Station. It's that simple. Since parking is limited, your best bet is to either take Amtrak from Springfield, or Metro-North from New Haven, an easy hour drive south on Interstate 91. The Atlantic 10 Basketball Championships allow local fans a unique opportunity to see a highly competitive NCAA conference tournament game, relatively close to home - not to mention seeing UMass playing in New York City. So take the day, or make it into a weekend, and support the Minutemen as they head down to the bright lights of New York.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
UMass basketball experiencing strong national televison exposure
By Zachary Baru
The University of Massachusetts men's basketball team is enjoying what the perks of having a strong team can bring, and doing so with the rest of the country on televison. To date, four games this season have been televised on the ESPN family of networks, with two more on the way.
Additonally, one game has appeared on both the CBS Sports Network and the NBC Sports Network. NBCSN currently is scheduled to air two more games, the first of which will be televised live from the Mullins Center today at 12:30 p.m. as the Minutemen take on St. Bonaventure. CBS Sports Network is also set to air four games this season.
The growing product of the Atlantic 10 Conference and their ability to make agreements with national television partners is one reason for the vast coverage, but the Minutemen's recent sucess deserves most of the credit. UMass is currently ranked #19 in the Associated Press poll, their highest ranking in the poll since 1998.
UMass' 69-67 win over Providence on December 28 in front of a sellout crowd of 9,493 in Amherst was televised live on ESPNU, and was a great way to showcase the success of UMass both on and off the court to a national televison audience.
February 21 will be a big night for UMass, as they will be shown live on ESPN2 at 7 when they face A-10 rival Virgina Commonwealth. The high national ranking along with the strong national televison coverage creates a unique opportunity for some of the best expsoure for the UMass basketball brand in quite some time.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twittter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
The University of Massachusetts men's basketball team is enjoying what the perks of having a strong team can bring, and doing so with the rest of the country on televison. To date, four games this season have been televised on the ESPN family of networks, with two more on the way.
Additonally, one game has appeared on both the CBS Sports Network and the NBC Sports Network. NBCSN currently is scheduled to air two more games, the first of which will be televised live from the Mullins Center today at 12:30 p.m. as the Minutemen take on St. Bonaventure. CBS Sports Network is also set to air four games this season.
The growing product of the Atlantic 10 Conference and their ability to make agreements with national television partners is one reason for the vast coverage, but the Minutemen's recent sucess deserves most of the credit. UMass is currently ranked #19 in the Associated Press poll, their highest ranking in the poll since 1998.UMass' 69-67 win over Providence on December 28 in front of a sellout crowd of 9,493 in Amherst was televised live on ESPNU, and was a great way to showcase the success of UMass both on and off the court to a national televison audience.
February 21 will be a big night for UMass, as they will be shown live on ESPN2 at 7 when they face A-10 rival Virgina Commonwealth. The high national ranking along with the strong national televison coverage creates a unique opportunity for some of the best expsoure for the UMass basketball brand in quite some time.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twittter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
After seven years, Mullins Center sellout worth the wait
By Zachary Baru
After many years of fans showing up at the box office, buying walk-up tickets to games, the first sellout crowd in seven years for the University of Massachusetts men's basketball team was a delight to the 9,493 in attendance for the Minutemen's 69-67 win over Providence on December 28.
The feeling may not have been the same for fans waiting in line when the announcement was made that the game was sold out, and tickets were no longer available at the time. A long line of fans continued to wait in the cold, as some tickets became available after about a half hour.
The Saturday night start time helped, and playing Providence did not hurt either, but the remarkable aspect to the sellout was that it occured during intersession for students. While the student section certainly had its fair share of supporters, there were still less students in the Mullins Center than usual, sometimes making the arena eerily quiet for a sellout.
The Providence game was a hometown supported game, and a nice treat for UMass fans to see what the fan base is capable of, without all of the help from students. It is comforting to know the potential of Western Massachusetts fans, which could be seen live nationally on ESPNU. UMass, and all of Western Mass. was represented well, something that hopefully will become the norm.
The Mullins Center was built on success, and finally that excitment is back in the arena. There should be no excuses now as to why fans can't fill the building. It has been done this season in Springfield, and now Amherst. It is amazing what the affects of a national ranking can bring for a team.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Hall of Fame keeps tradition of basketball events in Springfield
By Zachary Baru
Sometimes you just have to appreciate what you have, and Springfield sports fans should not feel any different when it comes to the Basketball Hall of Fame and the events they present right here in Western Massachusetts. The Tip-Off Classic has now become the Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, leaving Springfield's marquee basketball game absent from the city, yet the Hall of Fame has done an excellent job ensuring that great basketball events still call Springfield home.
The Basketball Hall of Fame Holiday Showcase never officially replaced the Tip-Off Classic in Springfield, but the inaugural event in 2011 continued to bring the UMass Minutemen to the MassMutual Center, a so-called second home for the team. The event continued this past Saturday for its third consecutive year showcasing UMass, as the Minutemen faced Brigham Young before a sold out crowd of 7,331. Although this was not a match-up of Top 10 teams, it was a chance for Springfield fans to watch their local team at the MassMutual Center. Kudos to the Hall of Fame for making sure Springfield's game is not forgotten, and for scheduling a contest with meaning to the local fan base.
The Hall of Fame also brought the top ranked women's team in the nation - the UConn Huskies - to the MassMutual Center in December, as part of the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge. It featured seven other teams in a one-day event. It was the first time UConn visited the MassMutual Center, and helped satisfy the large following of UConn fans in the Pioneer Valley.
It is hard to pass up an opportunity to mention the Springfield Spirit, as this game brought back memories of the former team that played in Springfield from 2002 through 2004 with some of the most famous alumni from UConn - not to mention one season splitting home games between the Springfield Civic Center and Mohegan Sun Arena. And while we're at it, the game may have resurrected memories of the UConn Women's All-Star Classic at the Civic Center, which brought some of the best alumni from UConn together for an exhibition game in 2003.
Finally, how can we forget the upcoming Spalding Hoophall Classic, which has become a well-known high school tournament on a national level. The tournament has brought some of the best teams in the country to Springfield College's Blake Arena each year, receiving national television coverage by the ESPN family of networks. Try finding a seat in the venue for one of the marquee games, and you will understand why the Hoophall Classic has become a staple for many basketball fans in Springfield.
While it is easy to take for granted the events the Hall of Fame has brought us, Springfield should not forget the effort the Hall of Fame displays attempting to keep great basketball in Western Mass. This is far from an attempt to encourage people to visit the museum, but rather a reminder of how this small market is fortunate to be treated to special basketball events year-round in the birthplace of the game.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Sometimes you just have to appreciate what you have, and Springfield sports fans should not feel any different when it comes to the Basketball Hall of Fame and the events they present right here in Western Massachusetts. The Tip-Off Classic has now become the Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena, leaving Springfield's marquee basketball game absent from the city, yet the Hall of Fame has done an excellent job ensuring that great basketball events still call Springfield home.
The Basketball Hall of Fame Holiday Showcase never officially replaced the Tip-Off Classic in Springfield, but the inaugural event in 2011 continued to bring the UMass Minutemen to the MassMutual Center, a so-called second home for the team. The event continued this past Saturday for its third consecutive year showcasing UMass, as the Minutemen faced Brigham Young before a sold out crowd of 7,331. Although this was not a match-up of Top 10 teams, it was a chance for Springfield fans to watch their local team at the MassMutual Center. Kudos to the Hall of Fame for making sure Springfield's game is not forgotten, and for scheduling a contest with meaning to the local fan base.
The Hall of Fame also brought the top ranked women's team in the nation - the UConn Huskies - to the MassMutual Center in December, as part of the inaugural Basketball Hall of Fame Women's Challenge. It featured seven other teams in a one-day event. It was the first time UConn visited the MassMutual Center, and helped satisfy the large following of UConn fans in the Pioneer Valley.
It is hard to pass up an opportunity to mention the Springfield Spirit, as this game brought back memories of the former team that played in Springfield from 2002 through 2004 with some of the most famous alumni from UConn - not to mention one season splitting home games between the Springfield Civic Center and Mohegan Sun Arena. And while we're at it, the game may have resurrected memories of the UConn Women's All-Star Classic at the Civic Center, which brought some of the best alumni from UConn together for an exhibition game in 2003.
Finally, how can we forget the upcoming Spalding Hoophall Classic, which has become a well-known high school tournament on a national level. The tournament has brought some of the best teams in the country to Springfield College's Blake Arena each year, receiving national television coverage by the ESPN family of networks. Try finding a seat in the venue for one of the marquee games, and you will understand why the Hoophall Classic has become a staple for many basketball fans in Springfield.
While it is easy to take for granted the events the Hall of Fame has brought us, Springfield should not forget the effort the Hall of Fame displays attempting to keep great basketball in Western Mass. This is far from an attempt to encourage people to visit the museum, but rather a reminder of how this small market is fortunate to be treated to special basketball events year-round in the birthplace of the game.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Friday, November 8, 2013
North Carolina and Louisville highlight Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament
By Zachary Baru
The Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament continues to grow, gaining even more national exposure this year from the biggest names in college basketball. This year's tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut running from November 23-24 will feature eight division I teams competing in two brackets, highlighted by Louisville and North Carolina, which will have the opportunity to face each other on the final day of the tournament.
The Naismith bracket will include North Carolina, Louisville, Richmond and Fairfield. The Springfield bracket will be a little more regional, including Hartford, Holy Cross, Hofstra, and Belmont. Saturday, November 23 will include two games from each bracket, with the North Carolina and Louisville games at noon and 2 p.m. respectively. On Sunday, each bracket's winners will face-off in the championship games, with the Naismith bracket's game at 1 p.m. and the Springfield bracket's game at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday will also include consolation games for each bracket.
What all of this means for the Basketball Hall of Fame is that the tournament continues to grow, expanding national media coverage and attention. With top teams like Louisville and North Carolina, the tournament now has the potential to reach audiences nationwide. All of this is exciting news for the Hall of Fame, which will gladly take any attention the tournament can bring to the museum.
The tournament was played as the Tip-Off Classic between 1979 and 2005 at the Springfield Civic Center/MassMutual Center. It is the only exempt NCAA Division I college basketball tournament in New England, where teams receive exempted status for scheduling.
The 9,323-seat Mohegan Sun Arena is the perfect venue, and proved to be a great host last year, attracting 9,866 fans to the two-day event in 2012. Although the tournament is not in Springfield, it still puts a spotlight on the Hall of Fame, and provides a resort destination and hospitality for the eight participating teams. As the Hall of Fame looks to the future, the growth of this tournament looks bright.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
The Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament continues to grow, gaining even more national exposure this year from the biggest names in college basketball. This year's tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut running from November 23-24 will feature eight division I teams competing in two brackets, highlighted by Louisville and North Carolina, which will have the opportunity to face each other on the final day of the tournament.
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| Last year's Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. |
What all of this means for the Basketball Hall of Fame is that the tournament continues to grow, expanding national media coverage and attention. With top teams like Louisville and North Carolina, the tournament now has the potential to reach audiences nationwide. All of this is exciting news for the Hall of Fame, which will gladly take any attention the tournament can bring to the museum.
The tournament was played as the Tip-Off Classic between 1979 and 2005 at the Springfield Civic Center/MassMutual Center. It is the only exempt NCAA Division I college basketball tournament in New England, where teams receive exempted status for scheduling.
The 9,323-seat Mohegan Sun Arena is the perfect venue, and proved to be a great host last year, attracting 9,866 fans to the two-day event in 2012. Although the tournament is not in Springfield, it still puts a spotlight on the Hall of Fame, and provides a resort destination and hospitality for the eight participating teams. As the Hall of Fame looks to the future, the growth of this tournament looks bright.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Decent start for Falcons at the gate, but still down from year prior
By Zachary Baru
The Springfield Falcons opened their season Saturday earning their first win over the Manchester Monarchs 3-2 before a crowd of 5,528 at the MassMutual Center. As satisfying as a crowd of 5,000-plus is, it was still down from last year's opening night crowd of 6,171 against St. John's.
The Falcons' average attendance last season of 3,906 fell well below the league average of 5,710. What is encouraging, however, is the Falcons' increase last season from the 2011-12 season, which was 6.8 percent.
In order to be looked at as a successful season off the ice, attendance should be averaging above the 4,000 mark. While not an easy task, it is certainly reachable, especially in a market that showed the Falcons increased support last season. The talent that the Columbus system brings to Springfield looks to be promising, and hopefully continued success on the ice will translate to the same at the gate. Last season the Falcons captured the Northeast Division title.
Although this year's opening night attendance fell short of last year's, a crowd of 5,000-plus is still a positive way to begin the season. The question is, will the support continue?
Source: SportsBusiness Journal
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zacbaru@gmail.com.
The Springfield Falcons opened their season Saturday earning their first win over the Manchester Monarchs 3-2 before a crowd of 5,528 at the MassMutual Center. As satisfying as a crowd of 5,000-plus is, it was still down from last year's opening night crowd of 6,171 against St. John's.
The Falcons' average attendance last season of 3,906 fell well below the league average of 5,710. What is encouraging, however, is the Falcons' increase last season from the 2011-12 season, which was 6.8 percent.
In order to be looked at as a successful season off the ice, attendance should be averaging above the 4,000 mark. While not an easy task, it is certainly reachable, especially in a market that showed the Falcons increased support last season. The talent that the Columbus system brings to Springfield looks to be promising, and hopefully continued success on the ice will translate to the same at the gate. Last season the Falcons captured the Northeast Division title.
Although this year's opening night attendance fell short of last year's, a crowd of 5,000-plus is still a positive way to begin the season. The question is, will the support continue?
Source: SportsBusiness Journal
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zacbaru@gmail.com.
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