State Farm Center

[Fighter of the Nightman]

Didn't want to take up more room in the Purdue pregame thread, but there was some conversation there about how different schools allocate their student sections in their arenas. Seat Geek had some very uniform PNG images which made a comparison easy, so I created a few examples for comparison. Numbers might be a bit off, as I tried to only count designated student seating areas and not overflow sections.

ILLINOIS
Size: 1,200
% Capacity: 7.7%
% Undergrad Population: 3.1%

IOWA
Size: N/A
% Capacity: N/A
% Undergrad Population: N/A

MARYLAND
Size: 4,000
% Capacity: 22.3%
% Undergrad Population: 13.2%

MICHIGAN STATE
Size: 3,000
---> Additional 1,000+ in overflow upper bowl sections
% Capacity: 20.3%
---> Total student section is over 30% of capacity
% Undergrad Population: 7.2%
---> Total student section is about 11% of undergrad population

PURDUE
Size: 4,800
% Capacity: 32.3%
% Undergrad Population: 11.1%

So while we definitely need more students in the building, IMO, our setup of where they are is not the issue...

 

[Big Jack]

Thanks for the diagrams @Fighter of the Nightman. Illinois needs to do something similar to what the model is at MSU or Maryland. Without doing another major remodel they could move the possibly move the press to the opposite side of the court and move the Krush closer to the court. Also they need to eliminate the spectator seats between the band and the current Krush seats. That way they could circle about 60-70 % of the main floor, move all overflow seating to the basket ends and lower rows as long as the students show up.

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

Thanks for the diagrams @Fighter of the Nightman. Illinois needs to do something similar to what the model is at MSU or Maryland. Without doing another major remodel they could move the possibly move the press to the opposite side of the court and move the Krush closer to the court. Also they need to eliminate the spectator seats between the band and the current Krush seats. That way they could circle about 60-70 % of the main floor, move all overflow seating to the basket ends and lower rows as long as the students show up.

Yeah, I also think it was a really unfortunate decision to leave this "tweener" section of seats between the Orange Krush and the luxury suites (i.e., the navy seats in front of the suites in the picture below).

I'm not saying there is no logical reason they did that, before someone comes at me and reminds me that the DIA gets revenue from those seats, lol. However, if we aren't willing to give the Krush more courtside seats, this area (or at least several more rows into it than we got) made too much sense for a chance to get some more students near the action.

This has got me thinking that if I had the chance to design an arena specifically for college basketball, it almost seems like the ideal setup is to have some sort of "pit" around the court entirely made up of students, with their stands at a very steep angle. Then, you can have your high-dollar seats above that area, with no obstructions to their view.

 

[blackdog]

Didn't want to take up more room in the Purdue pregame thread, but there was some conversation there about how different schools allocate their student sections in their arenas. Seat Geek had some very uniform PNG images which made a comparison easy, so I created a few examples for comparison. Numbers might be a bit off, as I tried to only count designated student seating areas and not overflow sections.

ILLINOIS
Size: 1,200
% Capacity: 7.7%
% Undergrad Population: 3.1%
View attachment 46741


IOWA
Size: N/A
% Capacity: N/A
% Undergrad Population: N/A
View attachment 46742


MARYLAND
Size: 4,000
% Capacity: 22.3%
% Undergrad Population: 13.2%
View attachment 46745


MICHIGAN STATE
Size: 3,000
---> Additional 1,000+ in overflow upper bowl sections
% Capacity: 20.3%
---> Total student section is over 30% of capacity
% Undergrad Population: 7.2%
---> Total student section is about 11% of undergrad population

View attachment 46744


PURDUE
Size: 4,800
% Capacity: 32.3%
% Undergrad Population: 11.1%
View attachment 46743

So while we definitely need more students in the building, IMO, our setup of where they are is not the issue...

There is overflow for the students just like MSU but its behind the basket all the way up at the top. Not sure how many seats it actually ism

 

[Fighter of the Nightman]

There is overflow for the students just like MSU but its behind the basket all the way up at the top. Not sure how many seats it actually ism

Thanks. I didn't include anything I couldn't verify with numbers or sections, and I couldn't find any figures besides the 1,200 for the Krush. Either way, I think it's undeniable that we have one of the smaller student sections in the league, and this is rather disappointing given that we are a historically successful basketball program and have one of the bigger undergrad populations in the conference.

 

[Big Jack]

There is overflow for the students just like MSU but its behind the basket all the way up at the top. Not sure how many seats it actually ism

Yes there is/was overflow up there but like Wednesday night it was vacant for the most part. I honestly believe most students are not interested in attending if they can not sit on the floor and from what I have been told thru students who attend seat saying is rampant.

 

[IlliniFan42]

Didn't want to take up more room in the Purdue pregame thread, but there was some conversation there about how different schools allocate their student sections in their arenas. Seat Geek had some very uniform PNG images which made a comparison easy, so I created a few examples for comparison. Numbers might be a bit off, as I tried to only count designated student seating areas and not overflow sections.

ILLINOIS
Size: 1,200
% Capacity: 7.7%
% Undergrad Population: 3.1%
View attachment 46741

Rate your seats mentions sections 106-108 as student seating as well, but I don't know if that's accurate-

State Farm Center Seating Guide - RateYourSeats.com

State Farm Center Seating Guide. Best seats at State Farm Center tips, seat views, seat ratings, fan reviews and faqs.

www.rateyourseats.com

 

[skyIdub]

MSU and Maryland are the closest to having it "right".

Students should surround the court save one or two sections for the "special" donors/alum that need to be close to the court for status.

 

[Shockey19]

Also heard that they’re cracking down on drinking while standing in line waiting for Krush seating. For the busier games you have to get in line hours before to make it to Krush, just doesn’t seem worth it if I’m standing there, especially if it’s freezing

 

[pweo]

Yes there is/was overflow up there but like Wednesday night it was vacant for the most part. I honestly believe most students are not interested in attending if they can not sit on the floor and from what I have been told thru students who attend seat saying is rampant.

There are an additional 1800 seats in the 200 section (source: Daily Illini) It was mostly full on Wednesday. The section opposite of it was pretty empty though.

 

[Illinisnake]

The atmosphere in State Farm center for the Iowa games when Ayo, Trent, kofi, and damonte were here, was incredible. Those were extremely loud games. Last year and this years crowd just hasn’t had the same feeling. Not sure why that is.

 

[Wazababybrucedouglaskid]

This!

 

[Big Jack]

Also heard that they’re cracking down on drinking while standing in line waiting for Krush seating. For the busier games you have to get in line hours before to make it to Krush, just doesn’t seem worth it if I’m standing there, especially if it’s freezing

It makes no sense to me that they still use the method of lining them up for entry. In this day and age of electronics how hard would it be to have this predetermined by certain factors. Chart out how much in donations have you brought in, give points for attendance and black marks for no shows, if you cant attend your ticket gets moved to next in line. Miss multiple games lose your status. Don't stand and cheer get demerits. If you alot 2000 spots on the floor I am certai you could find 2000 crazies to fill them

 

[AirNeazy]

It ain't complicated. The old farts need to get off their butts and cheer loudly.

 

[aaeismacgychel]

Also heard that they’re cracking down on drinking while standing in line waiting for Krush seating. For the busier games you have to get in line hours before to make it to Krush, just doesn’t seem worth it if I’m standing there, especially if it’s freezing

Not to be a naysayer, but haven't the Krush pretty much needed to line up for hours since pretty much forever? I recall members camping out overnight for big games and that was over 20 years ago. Now not saying that's necessary, and if they are completely cracking down on alcohol consumption that certainly hurts, but I don't think the standing outside is something that has historically sapped the energy from the Krush.

Now could they make a more automated system that bypasses that for convenience? Sure. But I don't know how much that would really increase both involvement and energy level. Usually the less interested fans aren't going to worry about waiting in line, show up right at game time and not be as rabid anyways.

So overall I'd say a change in this would make it easier and more convenient for fanatics who were already standing in line each game, but it wouldn't have much of any effect on more casual fans. They probably wouldn't even know the difference. Am I missing something here?]

 

[WolfpackIllini]

Not superstitious or anything, but I changed my home and auto insurance to State Farm, you know, just in case, whatever...

 

[MikeTisdale]

Also heard that they’re cracking down on drinking while standing in line waiting for Krush seating. For the busier games you have to get in line hours before to make it to Krush, just doesn’t seem worth it if I’m standing there, especially if it’s freezing

This is a big mistake. Let them do what they want waiting in 20 degree line outside. Then student section beers should be $1. A very dangerous, yet guaranteed way to get the Krush rowdy

 

[NarrowJ]

This is a big mistake. Let them do what they want waiting in 20 degree line outside. Then student section beers should be $1. A very dangerous, yet guaranteed way to get the Krush rowdy

There’s also a trend in younger generations now: they’re just not drinking alcohol like we did in our heydays.

I think the studies have shown between 20-25 percent less are partaking now as opposed to prior generations (don’t have actual numbers in front of me but I know this is at least somewhat accurate).

But, like smartphones, this would be something effecting all schools and does not really help explain anything that might be happening exclusively at UofI.

 

[The Sprouting Divot]

I don't know which is more embarrassing - the fact that the ILL/INI cheer is now initiated by the PA announcer, or his "three point zero" call.
Dude is a cornball.

 

[Navy_illini]

I don't know which is more embarrassing - the fact that the ILL/INI cheer is now initiated by the PA announcer, or his "three point zero" call.
Dude is a cornball.

Agree the ILL/INI should echo and the student section or cheerleaders should start it

You know you have a decent road presence when you can start one on the road

 

[IlliniFan42]

Coming back from commercial today and they showed a group of "Kam 5's" dancing out of sync with each other and I was like "Yep, that's the Orange Krush nowadays."

 

[blackdog]

I don't know which is more embarrassing - the fact that the ILL/INI cheer is now initiated by the PA announcer, or his "three point zero" call.
Dude is a cornball.

I dont hate the guy himself because he brings energy and I think hes pretty good as an MC. I hate the fact that that something like that is needed because our fanbase is so lackluster they cant be bothered to engage in anything without being prompted.

 

[Big Jack]

Miles is a really cool and good guy but you are correct it is totally ridiculous that the Krush isn't capable of leading the entertainment on commercial breaks. They only get rowdy when the camera is panned at them. Simply unacceptable

 

[IlliniFaninHoosierLand]

I dont hate the guy himself because he brings energy and I think hes pretty good as an MC. I hate the fact that that something like that is needed because our fanbase is so lackluster they cant be bothered to engage in anything without being prompted.

Pointing out again that Tim Sinclair wasn't working PA last night.

Miles is a really cool and good guy but you are correct it is totally ridiculous that the Krush isn't capable of leading the entertainment on commercial breaks. They only get rowdy when the camera is panned at them. Simply unacceptable

Student section only gets rowdy when camera is panned on them...

 

[The Sprouting Divot]

I dont hate the guy himself because he brings energy and I think hes pretty good as an MC. I hate the fact that that something like that is needed because our fanbase is so lackluster they cant be bothered to engage in anything without being prompted.

Or maybe the fanbase is so lackluster (in part...) because of the overbearing, generic dreck being constantly firehosed over the PA system.