By Zachary Baru
In the soccer world, there has been so much news over the last decade about soccer-specific stadiums. Venues have popped up in many different markets throughout the country, while there is a lot of news about potential venues being built in others, such as the Boston area. But don't forget about the one right here in our own backyard.
Lusitano Stadium in Ludlow holds approximately 3,000 fans and provides an intimate soccer experience. Set within the community, the stadium gives soccer fans a chance to take in a game that has a much different feel than most other soccer stadiums can offer, similar to the setting of some lower-tier European league stadiums.
Lusitano Stadium is home to the Western Mass. Pioneers, members of the USL Premier Development League, an under-23 amateur league competing in the fourth tier of American soccer. It has hosted the New England Revolution in charity exhibition against the Pioneers, as well as the Revolution in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
Years ago after a Revolution U.S. Open Cup match at Lusitano, a member of the media from the then-named ESPN Soccernet wrote an article about the Ludlow venue. The writer pointed out how special it was to see people being able to stand just feet away from Major League Soccer players along fences surrounding the pitch. It is features such as these that make Lusitano truly special.
This season marks the first for Lusitano Stadium's brand new field, as a ProGrass Game Turf has been freshly installed. While there will be many who prefer soccer to be played on natural grass, the turf combines a traditional soccer stadium with new technology, giving Lusitano a new look, while preserving the same traditional feel the venue has always offered.
With so much news about soccer-specific stadiums in Major League Soccer, and even in lower leagues, it is easy to forget about the one right here in Ludlow. It may not have the amenities of newer stadiums, but it has character that can only be experienced at Lusitano Stadium, one of New England soccer's hidden gems.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Springfield will need to fill void left by departure of MAAC
By Zachary Baru
The stands in the MassMutual Center may not have been packed last March, but anyone interpreting that as a reason not to worry about the loss of a tournament troubled with attendance problems needs to consider the affects outside the arena, and in the local economy.
The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Basketball Championships will be leaving the city of Springfield after 2014, resulting in a major economic blow to the entire region. Business from hotels to restaurants, and any store in between that attracts travelers from out of state, will be affected by the loss of the tournament.
Attendance this past March was 14,394 for the entire tournament, partly the result of a low turnout from local fans. In defense of the Pioneer Valley, the conference does not have any teams from Massachusetts, leaving Marist, Siena and Fairfield as the closest schools.
Although attendance was low, the economic impact was still significant. The tournament attracted twenty men's and women's teams combined, which in addition to the players, coaches and trainers, also accounted for groups of students and families making the trip and calling Springfield home for multiple days. It is this economic activity that helped pump money into businesses throughout the region, helping business owners and employees alike - just ask any server depending on tips who works at a nearby restaurant.
With economic impact, everything adds up to make a difference in a region. This is the void the Pioneer Valley will be feeling come March of 2015 when the tournament returns to the Times Union Center in Albany.
With the MassMutual Center and the Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau placing a bid to host an NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament Regional in 2014, the city should still continue to seek a replacement for the MAAC tournament come 2015. The thought of neither tournament taking place in Springfield in 2015 means fewer hotels being booked, less patrons at restaurants, and a true loss for the entire region.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Friday, May 24, 2013
Falcons 2012-13 attendance increases 6.8 percent
By Zachary Baru
The Springfield Falcons finished the 2012-13 season similar to the rest of the American Hockey League, as attendance for both the Falcons and the league increased in a season which began with a National Hockey League lockout. The Falcons attendance increased 6.8 percent this season to an average of 3,906 fans per home game.
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This brought the Falcons total attendance for the season to 148,442. The AHL also increased average attendance, with a 1.3 percent increase to 5,710 fans per game for the 30 franchises.
While the AHL has large market franchises including Chicago, Houston and Toronto, the top-ranked team in attendance was the Hershey Bears. Hershey finished as the only AHL team above the 10,000 mark, with 10,046 fans per game. The franchise ranked last in attendance was Oklahoma City, finishing with an avereage of 3,527.
What all of this shows is that the Falcons find themselves in a growing league, and while their attendance has increased from last season, 4,000 really is a number they need to climb on top of. In today's AHL, 3,900 fans per game just is not going to cut it.
The Falcons have stated that they will attempt a strong season ticket and group sales effort this summer, which will be imperative to setting a solid foundation for the attendance once the fall comes. It is also very important that local businesses step-in to show their support, as corporate sponsorships are a major contributor to the franchise's off-ice success. If all of these parts come together over the summer, the Falcons should be in position to keep up with the growing AHL, and build on the growth from this past season.
Source: SportsBusiness Journal
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
The Springfield Falcons finished the 2012-13 season similar to the rest of the American Hockey League, as attendance for both the Falcons and the league increased in a season which began with a National Hockey League lockout. The Falcons attendance increased 6.8 percent this season to an average of 3,906 fans per home game.
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While the AHL has large market franchises including Chicago, Houston and Toronto, the top-ranked team in attendance was the Hershey Bears. Hershey finished as the only AHL team above the 10,000 mark, with 10,046 fans per game. The franchise ranked last in attendance was Oklahoma City, finishing with an avereage of 3,527.
What all of this shows is that the Falcons find themselves in a growing league, and while their attendance has increased from last season, 4,000 really is a number they need to climb on top of. In today's AHL, 3,900 fans per game just is not going to cut it.
The Falcons have stated that they will attempt a strong season ticket and group sales effort this summer, which will be imperative to setting a solid foundation for the attendance once the fall comes. It is also very important that local businesses step-in to show their support, as corporate sponsorships are a major contributor to the franchise's off-ice success. If all of these parts come together over the summer, the Falcons should be in position to keep up with the growing AHL, and build on the growth from this past season.
Source: SportsBusiness Journal
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Falcons fans: What are you waiting for?
By Zachary Baru
Unfortunately, sports in Springfield tend to have the attendance discussed more than the actual score of the games. And yes, the same goes for this past weekend of playoff hockey at the MassMutal Center.
While American Hockey League playoff attendance picks up in the later rounds, the Springfield Falcons had a great opportunity for two highly attended games over the weekend, with games on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Saturday night's attendance was 3,705, while Sunday drew only 2,369 fans for a late afternoon start.
Saturday's attendance was respectable, but still lower than what it could have been. And as for Sunday, the Celtics' playoff game earlier that afternoon should not really be used as an excuse. Falcons fans have been demanding playoff hockey for so long, and now that it is here, not one attendance has hit 4,000.
As the Calder Cup playoffs pick up momentum, attendance should rise. If the Falcons fail to win one of their next two games in Manchester, a decisive game 5 will take place in Springfield on Sunday, May 5. Hoopefully the Falcons will already be on to the second round by then, but if not, Falcons fans can certainly do better than 3,700 fans.
For ticket sales, the playoffs are much different than the regular season. Many of the promotions that take place during the regular season do not occur in the postseason, creating a reliance on strong walk-up sales.
Fans, what more can the Falcons do? Playoff hockey in Springfield on two consecutive weekend dates, and this is the support they receive? We can do better, and we have to do better. Bruce Landon has been saving hockey in Springfield for many years, taking the role of Batman to this city's hockey team. It is time fans play their role, and fill those seats in the MassMutual Center.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Unfortunately, sports in Springfield tend to have the attendance discussed more than the actual score of the games. And yes, the same goes for this past weekend of playoff hockey at the MassMutal Center.
While American Hockey League playoff attendance picks up in the later rounds, the Springfield Falcons had a great opportunity for two highly attended games over the weekend, with games on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon. Saturday night's attendance was 3,705, while Sunday drew only 2,369 fans for a late afternoon start.
Saturday's attendance was respectable, but still lower than what it could have been. And as for Sunday, the Celtics' playoff game earlier that afternoon should not really be used as an excuse. Falcons fans have been demanding playoff hockey for so long, and now that it is here, not one attendance has hit 4,000.
As the Calder Cup playoffs pick up momentum, attendance should rise. If the Falcons fail to win one of their next two games in Manchester, a decisive game 5 will take place in Springfield on Sunday, May 5. Hoopefully the Falcons will already be on to the second round by then, but if not, Falcons fans can certainly do better than 3,700 fans.
For ticket sales, the playoffs are much different than the regular season. Many of the promotions that take place during the regular season do not occur in the postseason, creating a reliance on strong walk-up sales.
Fans, what more can the Falcons do? Playoff hockey in Springfield on two consecutive weekend dates, and this is the support they receive? We can do better, and we have to do better. Bruce Landon has been saving hockey in Springfield for many years, taking the role of Batman to this city's hockey team. It is time fans play their role, and fill those seats in the MassMutual Center.
Zach Baru can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Monday, March 11, 2013
MAAC Basketball Championships: Championship games conclude weekend of basketball in Springfield
By Zachary Baru
SPRINGFIELD - Well it may not have been anything close to Madison Square Garden, but on Monday Manhattan College students invaded the MassMutual Center at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Basketball Championships in Springfield, Massachusetts. The large group of fans were not enough for the Jaspers, as Iona went on to win 60-57, claiming the MAAC men's championship before 1,493 fans.
The day began at noon with Marist topping Iona 72-48 in the women's championship game in front of 1,187. Of all of the ten participating schools in the tournament, Marist and Manhattan were the winners in fan support, as the two schools sent groups of students up to Springfield throughout the weekend-long tournament.
Although the majority of the fans were those of member schools who had made the trip up Interstate 91, the crowd was rowdy and injected a great deal of energy into the MassMutual Center. Both schools had a little over a two-hour drive from their campus locations in New Rochelle, New York and the Bronx, which are just fifteen minutes apart.
For a second straight year, Springfield proved to be an ideal host for the tournament, nicely accommodating the five-day event along with all of its media attention in the somewhat-intimate MassMutual Center. Between hotels and restaurants providing hospitality to teams and fans, and the arena hosting different community events during the weekend in the convention center, the city and venue paired-up well to host a second MAAC Basketball Championships. The benefits will reach far beyond the MassMutual Center, as the local economy of the Pioneer Valley experienced a great deal of economic impact, making the entire region a winner in this year's tournament.
Zach Baru also blogs for Sports Business Boston. He can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Penn National wants Tip-Off Classic to return
By Zachary Baru
Monday at CityStage both resort casino developers in Springfield presented further details of their proposals for obtaining the sole Western Massachusetts license, which is expected to be given in early 2014. This afternoon's presentations focused on traffic, parking and entertainment, and included an interesting point made by Penn National Gaming, who is proposing a resort casino in the city's North End on the site of Peter Pan Bus Lines and The Republican.
During the topic of entertainment, Penn National stated that they would like to attract the Tip-Off Classic back to Springfield, which currently exists only in the form of a tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic was played between 1979 and 2005 at the Springfield Civic Center/MassMutual Center, which attracted top college basketball teams and nationally televised broadcasts.
In the event that the game was brought back to Springfield, it would resurrect a tradition in Springfield that at one point was more than just a basketball game, but an entire community event. The game formerly was kicked-off by the Tip-Off Parade, and opened the nation's college basketball season with the very first game of the year.
MGM Restorts International also had much to say about entertainment at today's presentations. MGM spoke about their rich history of bringing some of the biggest names in entertainment to their venues, including popular concerts and sporting events. They explained the importance of entertainment to their proposal, which is located within walking distance of the MassMutual Center.
Turnout at CityStage was decent, with good questions being asked by community leaders regarding traffic, parking and entertainment.
Zach Baru also blogs for Sports Business Boston. He can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Monday at CityStage both resort casino developers in Springfield presented further details of their proposals for obtaining the sole Western Massachusetts license, which is expected to be given in early 2014. This afternoon's presentations focused on traffic, parking and entertainment, and included an interesting point made by Penn National Gaming, who is proposing a resort casino in the city's North End on the site of Peter Pan Bus Lines and The Republican.
During the topic of entertainment, Penn National stated that they would like to attract the Tip-Off Classic back to Springfield, which currently exists only in the form of a tournament at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Classic was played between 1979 and 2005 at the Springfield Civic Center/MassMutual Center, which attracted top college basketball teams and nationally televised broadcasts.
In the event that the game was brought back to Springfield, it would resurrect a tradition in Springfield that at one point was more than just a basketball game, but an entire community event. The game formerly was kicked-off by the Tip-Off Parade, and opened the nation's college basketball season with the very first game of the year.
MGM Restorts International also had much to say about entertainment at today's presentations. MGM spoke about their rich history of bringing some of the biggest names in entertainment to their venues, including popular concerts and sporting events. They explained the importance of entertainment to their proposal, which is located within walking distance of the MassMutual Center.
Turnout at CityStage was decent, with good questions being asked by community leaders regarding traffic, parking and entertainment.
Zach Baru also blogs for Sports Business Boston. He can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
MAAC Basketball Championships: MassMutual Center proves to be fine host
By Zachary Baru
SPRINGFIELD - Sports fans in Western Massachusetts may take the MassMutual Center for granted, but as fans who made the trip to Springfield this weekend found out, the arena and the city prove to be perfect hosts for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Basketball Championships.
Attendance for Sunday's men's semifinals was 2,421. Many of the fans had traveled from member schools, and they expect a fine venue and a neutral location for the tournament.
With ten men's and ten women's teams making Springfield their home for the weekend, the city provides excellent hospitality for the teams and fans throughout the tournament. From the vast selection of nearby hotels and restaurants, the MassMutual Center becomes a very accommodating venue for a tournament of this size.
The venue becomes an even better host when the use of the connected convention center is factored in, allowing the MassMutual Center to host games and community events back-to-back, within the same facility. The MGM Springfield FanFest has been entertaining younger fans all weekend, within a few hundred yards from the arena floor in the Exhibition Hall.
Earlier on Sunday, the tournament and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame held a one-mile "Bounce to the Arena" from the Hall of Fame to the MassMutual Center, ending at the Exhibition Hall's FanFest. A tournament needs a suitable venue for hosting events such as this, and the MassMutual Center and the city of Springfield have partnered together to put on a fine weekend of basketball.
Aside from the events that go along with the tournament, Springfield's location in the region offers as close to a "neutral site" as there can be. With the closest schools being Fairfield and Siena, the 6,663-seat MassMutual Center (excluding floor seating for basketball) is both fair for the fans, and a the right size for a conference tournament.
Accommodating a strong media presence throughout the weekend, along with nationally televised games on ESPN2 and ESPNU scheduled for Monday, the MassMutual Center shows why it makes the right choice as host of the MAAC Basketball Championships.
Zach Baru also blogs for Sports Business Boston. He can be followed on Twitter @zbaru and reached at zachbaru@gmail.com.
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