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Don't expect to see a modern scoreboard at the Patriot Center any time soon

George Mason Basketball: Don't expect to see a modern scoreboard at the Patriot Center any time soon

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Thursday, June 16, 2011

Don't expect to see a modern scoreboard at the Patriot Center any time soon

For years Mason fans have moaned over the 1980s-looking scoreboard currently in the Patriot Center that to this day still lacks a video screen. After the Final Four run in 2006 most thought it was a lock it would be updated. Most of the campus was under construction and money was being thrown around for new projects left and right; meanwhile let's forget how many other CAA schools have better scoreboards with smaller budgets. We had once learned that the old scoreboard from the Verizon Center, which is owned by the same group that owns the Patriot Center was going to be donated but the current ceiling conditions in Fairfax could not support it.

We learned yesterday that those problems with the ceiling are apparently still an issue:
Plans to install a new scoreboard at the Patriot Center have now been scaled back. Originally, Mason set out to get a scoreboard nearly twice the size of the current one (which weighs in at roughly 4,500 lbs). A more modern scoreboard that would feature LCD screens with far superior graphics is long overdue.

But now, it looks like the cost of reinforcing the roof enough to handle that kind of weight is just too much for the state school to bear this year. Mason Intercollegiate Athletics is revising its request for proposals, asking for a new scoreboard that is of equal or lesser weight than the current scoreboard. More details to come, but it’s not likely there will be much movement on this before the fall.
I get that this isn't a priority but one of the reasons Larranaga left the school was because of the administrators unwillingness to upgrade certain facilities. I don't know if you'd put this under the same category as something like a practice facility but it's getting kinda of embarrassing having to look up at an outdated scoreboard often with burned out lights.  

29 Comments:

Anonymous Chris J. said...

Just goes to show you, GMU Basketball starting to take a back burner approach like it was before the Final 4 run. C'mon University. Man up and get the new scoreboard.

10:10 AM  
Anonymous Matt Cerilli said...

I agree...take some of that money from the ridiculous parking tickets they hand out and dish it towards a new roof/scoreboard haha...My parents love coming to Mason games and say the atmosphere is the best but even they admit the scoreboard is ghetto.

10:21 AM  
Anonymous ByGeorge06 said...

I have to admit that piece of crap made me not wanna go to the games from time to time.  Again, I blame O'Connor for this.  It hurts recruiting, it hurts attendance and it hurts overall image of our University at every home game.

10:44 AM  
Anonymous Taylormade703 said...

I'd like to say it's "old school", and therefore, cool.  We don't need a Dallas Cowboys size screen, but something.

10:58 AM  
Anonymous Bill Aldacushion said...

Interesting thread. I have been season ticket holder since 2005/6 and have never "moaned" about the scoreboard. I like to follow the game of the floor  - don't need an LED to make me happy ... just quality play and "live" band music. Money (capital $) can be put to better educational uses on campus. However, I do agree that all light bulbs should be working (operational $). .... just my opinion.

10:58 AM  
Anonymous Taylormade703 said...

But I doubt recruits choose a college based on a scoreboard.

11:00 AM  
Anonymous Mike O said...

Recruits don't choose a college based on a scoreboard but they do take into consideration the state of the facilities, especially sports facilities.  A broken down old scoreboard is a bad sign that shows that the program is not a high priority financially for the university despite all that program has done to promote the university.  It's penny wise and dollar foolish.

11:57 AM  
Anonymous facebook-719641173 said...

I was just at the GW Smith Center in Foggy Bottom and they have a brand new LED video scoreboard in their much smaller arena. It's about time the Patriot Center upgraded the fan experience and replaced that ancient scoreboard with something fitting a team that went to the Final Four! 

12:48 PM  
Anonymous Taylormade703 said...

I think it is safe to say we all agree that we need a real scoreboard.  My question is what would be best for we (alumni and fans) to do to insure this part of our program is up to date with other programs?  Who do we talk to?  One person saying one thing isn't going to do it.  Talking about it on a message board isn't going to do it.  Realistically, how can we make this happen?

1:05 PM  
Anonymous Mark Schumaker said...

I never really thought much about the scorebaord either, but I do think it's the most visible example of how they treat the athletic facilities. Wish they were more appreciative of the money and support that the basketball team brings to the university. 

3:12 PM  
Anonymous c hirsch said...

VCU credits their scoreboard with getting them to the Final Four and just upgraded it with $1 million worth of renovation.

3:57 PM  
Anonymous Taylormade703 said...

All this sounds good and all, but the bottom line is what can we do about all this?

5:14 PM  
Anonymous Neeker20 said...

Contact the Alumni Association. See below>>>>>

Phone: (703) 993-8696Fax: (703) 993-8799 E-mail: alumni@gmu.edu

8:38 PM  
Anonymous Taylormade703 said...

Do we have any writers on this board who write something to them?  Then a bunch of us could sign it?  It would carry more weight than just an individual call here or there.

9:01 PM  
Anonymous PiMpJoOsE said...

PROVE IT: "... but one of the reasons Larranaga left the school was because of the administrators unwillingness to upgrade certain facilities. ..."

Who is on record stating that Larranaga's decision to leave GMU was impacted by facilities (lack thereof).  Sure, it was speculated, but what proof do you have?

...

What do you really expect the Alumni Association to do?  We (yes, I'm an alumnus and possibly closer to the Alumni Association than anyone who has *ever* posted on this site) barely have enough alumni willing to donate to keep the association afloat.  Hell, the AA doesn't even pay its own staff  (Alumni Affairs are University staff who go out of their way to support the Association).  We can talk about a scoreboard once the AA gets, say, a few million in its coffers.

1:34 AM  
Anonymous GMURULES said...

PiMpJoOsE,

I totally agree.  I have never understood how Mason alienates their alum, but some how they do. I am an alum and I know several alum who do not give.  I guess it may go back to the commuter school days. I really think that if we could rally around something and I think the basketball team is it for the alum.  We don't have football, we don't have a lot of tradition. I don't know what to say to change it, but lots and lots of people don't feel connected to Mason once they graduate.  I would love to hear why others feel this way. Why don't we all give?  Why are people more proud of VT, UVA, even VCU?  How is GMU perceived in the world?

9:06 AM  
Anonymous rosswill said...

I think that school traditions start with the school and Mason is just not working hard enough on this. For example, retiring jerseys would be a good start and would actually be a great marketing tool but the school has no interest in this. Creating legacy students is another area. I graduated from Mason  yet the school applies no effort or creates no incentive for my children to enroll. Maybe the mindset of the current administration is still rooted in being a commuter school and we need  for them to cycle out over time.

10:09 AM  
Anonymous c hirsch said...

Alot of people don't feel like contributing to a school once they graduate that they already paid outrageous sums of money to attend.

10:26 AM  
Anonymous c hirsch said...

Comparing private to public is apples to oranges. Private will always be more expensive. There is no such thing as a cheap college education when you're paying for it.

12:49 PM  
Anonymous Neeker20@aol.com said...

Mr. Pimp,If your close to the Alumni Association then by all mean give them feedback! I am a graduate alum and I proudly donate money to the University. Does it take millions of dollars to to replace a few burned out bulbs on the current score clock in the interim?

9:04 PM  
Anonymous Neeker20@aol.com said...

Correction:Mr. Pimp,If your close to the Alumni Association then by all mean give them feedback! I am a graduate alum and I proudly donate money to the University. Does it take millions of dollars to replace a few burned out bulbs on the current score clock in the interim?

9:06 PM  
Anonymous BatMason said...

It definitely does not burn me up as much as the lack of a practice facility. Everytime I go to the rec center and see our team practicing on the soft courts next to pick up bball games I just think..."wow". I've never played college bball, but what is the preference to hold practices?, hard or soft courts? It just amazes me that these kids have to even look at the rest of us midgets and worry about our stray bballs flying into their court while they practice. It can't make them feel like they're a big deal.

11:46 AM  
Anonymous PiMpJoOsE said...

Couple of comments ...

"how Mason alienates their alum"
"it may go back to the commuter school days"
"school traditions start with the school and Mason is just not working hard enough on this"
"mindset of the current administration is still rooted in being a commuter school"

I beg to differ.  I'm certainly no expert in running a University, but I have a hard time believing that GMU is doing a woeful job in trying to make a connection with alumni.  I think the onus this time is more on us (the alumni).  Admittedly, if you weren't "connected" to the University while you were earning your degree, how in the world can be you "connected" after you leave?  If anything, I am quite thankful that GMU is making a concerted effort to build spirit on campus that I hope will pay dividends when those students become alumni.

And if anyone is awaiting significant turnover that the highest levels within the University, it's already started and will continue for the next 18 months or so.

Finally, "Does it take millions of dollars to replace a few burned out bulbs"

Yes and no.  Yes, those millions will bring influence.  With influence, someone will have a reason listen when you ask what it takes to fix the burtn out lightbulbs on the scoreboard.  Otherwise, that request just gets tacked on the to-do list after the 347 things that are need attention.

12:11 AM  
Anonymous BuddyK said...

The gym may be big, but it still feels like your playing in a highschool... the thing is so outdated, i can guarantee the stadium would be fuller if the people who aren't within the first 25 rows will be able to watch the game 

3:47 PM  
Anonymous Taylormade703 said...

The team practices there?  I know during the Westhead years the team practiced at the Patriot Center.  They used the court and put 2 additional hoops on both sidelines.  It worked more than good enough.

And I remember seeing a youtube video last fall of the teams first practice.  I couldn't tell where it was, but it definitely was NOT the field house.

10:36 PM  
Anonymous Taylormade703 said...

Are you endorsing a new arena?  I can all but guarantee that one has no chance of happening.

10:36 PM  
Anonymous Mike O said...

I still don't see your point.  Yes, higher education costs money unless you can get someone to help you pay for it or get scholarships to cover the expense.  Still, you pay much less for an education at Mason that's comparable in most respects to many of the most elite private universities.

9:39 PM  
Anonymous CAA said...

Really?  You don't want to go to games because of the scoreboard??  I hope the quality of the popcorn is good, otherwise nobody will come to games. . .

2:09 PM  
Anonymous CAA said...

I'll second this note.  The Green Machine really adds to the atmosphere at the Patriot Center.  Even the opposing fans dance along to the music. 

2:11 PM  

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