Mossy84 wrote:I would like to put the shoe on the other foot, what was everyones thoughts on Bismarck having the state B this year?
My thoughts personally I was not very impressed with what the Civic Center had to offer-- seemed like they said well...lets throw it together and hope everything goes as planned there was no flash like the way Minot does it. Everyone that I talked to had issues with there seats-- people didnt know what were reserve seats or what was GA seats? Where the heck were the ushers? I understand they had a concert the night before but it was embarrassing. So with this... I propose...that..
CLASS A and CLASS B should have dedicated locations :
CLASS A BOYS AND GIRLS: FARGO OR BISMARCK-- from what I heard Class A had there best attendance in SHAC in the last 5 years. Keep it there!
CLASS B BOYS AND GIRLS- WHY NOT MINOT!- Perfect venue for the B everyone likes it there. Players , Students and parents. You're on top of the action and thats what Class B is all about. The dome is making reinventions so it will progressively keep getting better over time. MSU cares about having this event and it shows.
I agree that Minot has a better atmosphere for the Class B Tournament, and even though it is a further drive for me, I would rather have it in Minot every year.
With that being said, there was a time when Bismarck stood head and shoulders above the rest when hosting the tournament. Remember the wood bleachers on one side and the ends of the court at the Civic Center? Fans were more compact and closer to the court, and the place was always really loud. I remember seeing the wave for the first time at the Civic center and it was spectacular. All of that seemed to be lost with all of the renovations and corporate influence at the BCC over the years.
The first State Tournament I attended outside of Bismarck was in 1986. I remember the announcer was looking into the crowd with binoculars to see the jackets worn by attendees from various schools. I can't remember the number, but it seemed like every school in ND was called off. Those were the days when all these small towns around Minot had schools like Donnybrook, Carpio, Lansford, Balta and Upham, just to name a few. Still one of my favorite tournaments I attended as a spectator.
The Girls State was there that fall, too, and had a great atmosphere. I think that may have been the first year it moved from the Auditorium to the Dome, but not certain.
Don't mind it moving back and forth to Bismarck, but Fargo and Grand Forks should be out of the equation IMO. (Maybe Fargo will be better if they start using an actual basketball arena instead of a third of a football stadium for basketball).