First, if Lincoln wants to build an arena, that’s fine by me. It’s not my money.
Second, the city of Lincoln needs the arena more than the University of Nebraska. The last time I looked, the lights still turn on at the Devaney Center and the baskets still work, though that tends to go game-to-game these days.
Having said that, I absolutely believe that NU should move to the new arena if it’s offered.
Now, I’m a Devaney Center fan. But most of that comes from the memories of covering and watching games there over the years — Wayman Tisdale, Norm Stewart, the 1984 and 1988 NCAA regionals, Bruce Chubick sprinting back to block Alonzo Jamison. It’s a decent place to watch college hoops. It can be loud and impact the game, especially now with the students where they should be: close to the floor.
But it can be dreadfully quiet, too. The Devaney Center is good enough, and if you have great teams, it’s more than good enough. But it’s not Allen Fieldhouse or Gallagher-Iba or Ahearn (or Rosenblatt Stadium) or any of the old barns that stir feelings. If NU leaves Devaney, nobody will say, “Man, I can’t believe they’re leaving the Devaney Center.’’
And that’s the point. Nebraska basketball needs something that stirs emotions, any emotion. It’s stuck in the State Fair mud. Like Andy Markowski says, it needs that “wow’’ factor.
A new downtown arena can do that. Now, new arenas aren’t always the answer to good basketball. But in this case, I don’t see a downside. I’ve seen what Qwest Center Omaha has done for Creighton and recruiting. The Jays have a big-time feel to their program — a program that hasn’t exactly been big time on the court. There’s an energy to CU games. It’s an entertainment destination, in a dinner and a game sort of way. The new arena could give Husker Hoops that much-needed energy and impact.
Last — and certainly not least — are the financial considerations. NU wouldn’t have to build it. The school would pay rent, but it would also get to keep its ticket revenue and some concessions (not a bad deal). The alternative would be to pay millions for much-needed renovations at the Devaney. And with Chancellor Harvey Perlman tightening the school belt, this isn’t exactly the time to ask for money for the 12th-place basketball program. So this move makes fiscal sense as well.
If Haymarket Arena is built, I have just one request: Take care of the students. The money people get all of the best seats in these things; that’s understood. But save some close spots for the people with the loudest voices. Create some atmosphere. Do that, and this might not just be a logical move, it might be a great one.
• I don’t know much about big-time college football recruiting, but I know that there are at least three rules. One, don’t compete with Western Kentucky for a quarterback. Two, sure as heck don’t lose a quarterback to Western Kentucky. Three, don’t admit that you lost a quarterback to Western Kentucky (“Oh, we weren’t recruiting him. That was just an Internet rumor.’’)
• Not long ago, I wrote that Nebraska should not pay Boise State $1 million to come play a game in Lincoln. Makes sense, right? Too much money, right? Well, according to the El Paso Times, Texas will pay UTEP $1 million to play in Austin in 2012. Yikes. Texas A.D. DeLoss Dodds might get some dirty looks at the next Big 12 meetings. Interestingly, when Texas went to UTEP in 2008, El Paso officials estimated that the city’s economy was boosted by $1.67 million. So going to Austin now is almost like a home game for UTEP.
• Apparently the emergence of the spread offense has inspired yet a new award in college football: the Paul Hornung Award for the most versatile player in the nation, a la C.J. Spiller of Clemson or Jeremy Maclin of Missouri. Or, guys who aren’t on good enough teams to win the Heisman. Actually, it’s kind of appropriate. Hornung. Spread. Get it? Never mind.
• Kelsey Griffin was added to the Wade Trophy Watch List last week for the national player of the year award in women’s college hoops. It looks like Griffin, who missed last year with an injury, might ride a Ndamukong Suh-type wave to awards like Big 12 player of the year and possibly even the Wade. That is, a player who is so dominant she forces her way into the conversation and onto the awards stand.
• So, were you standing by the TV set on Monday afternoon, waiting for the Bracket Busters matchups? I didn’t think so. This was a good idea — actually, brilliant in some ways — that has run its course. There should be about five games total among the top 10 mid-majors of the season. It would be even better if you could put the mid-majors against BCS-level schools this time of year. But that would be fantasy TV along the lines of “Lost.’’
• Not only is Creighton not listed on ESPN.com’s “Bubble Watch’’ this year, but the feature says that Wichita State’s NCAA case could be hurt because it lost to Creighton. Ouch.
• Gee, I still hit Ping Eye2 wedges and nobody ever accuses me of cheating. Well, except for my Eye2 foot wedge.
• Well, I guess that God must be opening up a driving range and needs someone to run the golf draft and pitch tournament in heaven. That’s the only explanation I can think of why Leo Smith is no longer with us. Smith, who ran Schmidley’s driving range (and family fun center) and was part-owner of the Millard Road House, passed away on Sunday. He represented to me the things I’ve grown to love about Omaha: He was a good family man, loyal friend and just an absolute hoot to hang around with. He’ll be missed.
Contact the writer:
444-1025, tom.shatel@owh.com
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