The Barn is a Dump

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GopherNation

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The Barn is a dump. I'm sorry but it is. The electronic boards at The Barn make the metrodome look like a King's Palace. I'm all about keeping the actual building intact, but at the same time, it wouldn't kill the U to update some of the technology. The pre-tip music sounded like someone pulled up their car and rolled down the windows with the music blaring. And the jumbo tron, its like one of those large wood pannel tv's from the 1970's. If you can put in a new court, I think you can upgrade the electronics.
 

GopherNation said:
The Barn is a dump. I'm sorry but it is. The electronic boards at The Barn make the metrodome look like a King's Palace. I'm all about keeping the actual building intact, but at the same time, it wouldn't kill the U to update some of the technology. The pre-tip music sounded like someone pulled up their car and rolled down the windows with the music blaring. And the jumbo tron, its like one of those large wood pannel tv's from the 1970's. If you can put in a new court, I think you can upgrade the electronics.
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The Barn is fine. You fill the Barn and it's one of the most beautiful places on the planet. A perfect place for intimidating an opponent. If it's empty- yeah then it looks dumpy- but it shouldn't be empty- ever when the Gophers are playing. This is a people problem not a building issue.
 

The Barn as a building and the tradition it brings is awesome. However, that doesn't mean they shouldn't upgrade the electronic scoreboards, the sound system, and the jumbo-tron. I mean even historic Wrigley field remodeled their stadium.
 

For those of you paying attention last night, the electronics WERE updated. New shot clocks and new LED readouts on all the displays. Word is that the U was perfectly content with what they had, but White Way Sign (the manufacturer of the scoreboards) told them that they no longer had replacement bulbs, hence the purchase of new LED readouts.

The acoustics of The Barn are dreadful, but they've always been that way.
 

So they put ribbon displays around the base of the second deck and took out all the old advertisements? Good.
The barn is far from a dump, but I agree that they should put the ribbon scoreboards in to just bring in a touch....a touch of state of the art. But that is it.

The worst part of Williams Arena is having to stare at the horrible women's basketball retired number banners. They have more retired numbers than the football team. Have the women ever won a big ten title, while the football team has won 6 National Championships. Something is wrong there.
 


actually the womens team went to a final four? maybe a couple in my memory serves me?
 

Ribbon scoreboards? What the hell for? There is one purpose for ribbon scoreboards and that's to make people go "ooooo." They are useless. Williams' lack of techno-whizzery is one of its draws and part of what makes it one of the best college basketball arenas still standing.

I say rip out all the electronic gizmos, rip out the jumbotron, cut out all that piped in music and go back to classic college bball where the music comes from the band and the entertainment comes from the game, the cheerleaders, and Red Panda.
 


GopherNation said:
The Barn is a dump. I'm sorry but it is. The electronic boards at The Barn make the metrodome look like a King's Palace. I'm all about keeping the actual building intact, but at the same time, it wouldn't kill the U to update some of the technology. The pre-tip music sounded like someone pulled up their car and rolled down the windows with the music blaring. And the jumbo tron, its like one of those large wood pannel tv's from the 1970's. If you can put in a new court, I think you can upgrade the electronics.
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No. the Barn is one of the most unique basketball facilities in the nation. It has history and personality. the bleacher-style seats are Great. it forces the fans to stand rather than sit on the uncomfortable slabs of wood. Its similar to what they have going on at winona state (or winona is similar to the Barn).
 



SickAndTiredOfLosingToWI said:
Ribbon scoreboards? What the hell for? There is one purpose for ribbon scoreboards and that's to make people go "ooooo." They are useless. Williams' lack of techno-whizzery is one of its draws and part of what makes it one of the best college basketball arenas still standing.

I say rip out all the electronic gizmos, rip out the jumbotron, cut out all that piped in music and go back to classic college bball where the music comes from the band and the entertainment comes from the game, the cheerleaders, and Red Panda.
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What about the green suit guy? Can he stay?
 

MaroonGopher said:
No. the Barn is one of the most unique basketball facilities in the nation. It has history and personality. the bleacher-style seats are Great. it forces the fans to stand rather than sit on the uncomfortable slabs of wood. Its similar to what they have going on at winona state (or winona is similar to the Barn).
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You obviously didn't read what I said. I have no issue with the actual facility structure and design. I love the Barn and the raised floor. I have an issue with the technology within The Barn. The jumbo tron video boards need to be replaced. They are incredibly grainy and hard to see. The sound system is down right embarrassing. I don't think its asking too much to get new screens where you can actually see a replay, and working speakers would be nice.
 

GopherNation said:
The Barn is a dump. I'm sorry but it is. The electronic boards at The Barn make the metrodome look like a King's Palace. I'm all about keeping the actual building intact, but at the same time, it wouldn't kill the U to update some of the technology. The pre-tip music sounded like someone pulled up their car and rolled down the windows with the music blaring. And the jumbo tron, its like one of those large wood pannel tv's from the 1970's. If you can put in a new court, I think you can upgrade the electronics.
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How DARE you rip an ICON in College Basketball. I hope the Bird of Paradise *&^!#*&^!#*&^!#*&^!#s on your birthday cake.
 




huh?

MaroonGopher said:
No. the Barn is one of the most unique basketball facilities in the nation. It has history and personality. the bleacher-style seats are Great. it forces the fans to stand rather than sit on the uncomfortable slabs of wood. Its similar to what they have going on at winona state (or winona is similar to the Barn).
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Winona State has had great mens teams lately but what do you see that makes you think of Williams Arena. Winona State is like a high school gym with bleachers. There is no raised floor, there is no balcony, there is no high round ceiling, there is no seating on all four sides and on and on.

I'd agree they are both fun places to watch basketball. But that's because they are both full and the games are exciting. Other than that I don't see any building similarity?
 

arenas

I have always liked the Barn, but Target Center is another matter.
 

GopherNation said:
The Barn as a building and the tradition it brings is awesome. However, that doesn't mean they shouldn't upgrade the electronic scoreboards, the sound system, and the jumbo-tron. I mean even historic Wrigley field remodeled their stadium.
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Yeah your right about Wrigley if my memory serves me right they added lights in '88. So with jumbotrons I would say The Barn is ahead of the curve it's fine as is.
 

SickAndTiredOfLosingToWI said:
I say rip out all the electronic gizmos, rip out the jumbotron, cut out all that piped in music and go back to classic college bball where the music comes from the band and the entertainment comes from the game, the cheerleaders, and Red Panda.
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Sounds like you want the old manual flip cards to keep score.

At some point the U will need to replace the Barn. Til then it's a pretty good blend of updated old school IMO.
 

GopherNation said:
You obviously didn't read what I said. I have no issue with the actual facility structure and design. I love the Barn and the raised floor. I have an issue with the technology within The Barn. The jumbo tron video boards need to be replaced. They are incredibly grainy and hard to see. The sound system is down right embarrassing. I don't think its asking too much to get new screens where you can actually see a replay, and working speakers would be nice.
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That four screens were updated and replaced within the past 5-6 years.
 

GopherNation said:
I mean even historic Wrigley field remodeled their stadium.
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You're right, the guy operating the hand turned scoreboard now uses a computer to get the scores instead of a ticker tape. Was that really the best example you could think of? When is the last time you've been to Wrigley?
 

The Big L said:
You're right, the guy operating the hand turned scoreboard now uses a computer to get the scores instead of a ticker tape. Was that really the best example you could think of? When is the last time you've been to Wrigley?
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No kidding. Pieces of the facade are still falling on people on the sidewalk outside the ballpark.
 

As a Cubs fan i can admit. Wrigley is a dump. The whole park smells like piss, but its our shthole. haha
 

60's Guy said:
Winona State has had great mens teams lately but what do you see that makes you think of Williams Arena. Winona State is like a high school gym with bleachers. There is no raised floor, there is no balcony, there is no high round ceiling, there is no seating on all four sides and on and on.

I'd agree they are both fun places to watch basketball. But that's because they are both full and the games are exciting. Other than that I don't see any building similarity?
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You are correct, there is NO similarity between the Barn and Winona State's gym. I wasn't saying there was. What I was trying to say is that both have VERY uncomfortable seats, forcing the fans to stand rather than sit. Thats all.
 

I think the barn looks like a dump when 1/2 full or less, but when packed with people, it is the best sporting venue in the twin cities for atmosphere, IMO...
 

I love the Barn, it's kinda dumpy, but that's what I love about it. Well with one exception, I hate those lower level seats that feels like you are looking out from a cave and can't see the main scoreboard. I get those tics from time to time, but don't know if I can use them again. Almost claustrophobic.
 

The dumpiness is one of the features I like about The Barn. Although I only really like the dumpiness to be in the arena proper, I wouldn't mind upgrades to the concourses which is probably tough since space is at a premium.
 

The Barn has long been recognized as one of the great basketball venues in all of college sports.
Reasons; history, architecture, uniqueness and mostly game day atmosphere(which serparates college sports from pro sports). Seems as though they are screwing up the atmosphere part with all these rinky dink promos.

Rekindle the game day atmosphere, build a practice facility and we will have the best of both worlds.
 

The only problems I have with the Barn are the amount of old people sitting around me and the incessant droning of the Polish Eagle on the arena's sound system. Remove them and I'm good.
 

tomdog said:
The only problems I have with the Barn are the amount of old people sitting around me and the incessant droning of the Polish Eagle on the arena's sound system. Remove them and I'm good.
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I sincerely hope you live long enough to become one of those "old people" and the youngsters then insult you. Stop being a dick about that.
 

tomdog said:
The only problems I have with the Barn are the amount of old people sitting around me and the incessant droning of the Polish Eagle on the arena's sound system. Remove them and I'm good.
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To those of you that aren't 'old people':

You have two likely scenarios.
1. Become old
2. Become dead

Which do you prefer?
 


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