On the Outside Looking In: The Plight of a Non-Nassau County Resident's Arena Stress
by BPlaia on Jul 27, 2011 12:54 AM EDT
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PrintLHH Editor's Note: This FanPost probably reflects the sentiments of a lot of fans who cannot vote Aug. 1. If you're one of them, you can try to help via the Rock the Referendum contest.
I'd like to start this article off by disclosing the fact that I have never voted for any election in my life, and no it is not because I simply don't care; it's because I have recently turned the corner into adulthood and attained the necessary age of 18 years to be able to. How I wish that I had the essential residency requirement to mark this election down as my inaugural one.
You see, for me, and probably as with many of you LHHers, I see the Coliseum as a home, and the Islanders as a true love. There is no other sports team I follow with such passion, such zeal, and such wholeheartedness. Seriously, ask anyone I know. I am the ONE person you will see walking around my college campus (which is in NY btw) in my Tavares jersey or my Grabner shirt or god forbid even my DiPietro shirt after a tough heartbreaker, or even a blowout. The amount of times my Isles apparel worn under my goalie gear was blamed for a loss in a game is way more than I would like.
My first Islanders game, I was at the tender age of 2, adorable as could be, enjoying the tradition of attending sports games with your family. We even got put up on the video board. Then something happened. They scored. I could not tell you who scored the goal, or even if we were winning, losing, or had just tied the game, however I do know that the goal horn that plays at the Coliseum scared me half to death and sent me into a hysterical fit apparently. To this day though, I no longer go into an upset hysterical frenzy, I go into a joyous frenzy...WE JUST SCORED. The sweet sound of that horn with whatever the goal song happens to be that year, combined with the entire crowd jumping up to their feet, slapping high-fives to each other, and screaming has stuck with me ever since that first time. It's one of the best feelings I have as an Isles fan.
Let's face it, the Isles have not been anything to write home about for pretty much my entire life. Being born after the dynasty years I have yet to see real success. But honestly, it's not about being a fan just to see them win. It's about sticking with it, for better or for worse, and loving the team. Thinking each year, that this could be the one where we FINALLY win a playoff series. I have stuck by my Isles for the better part of 2 decades now, and I cannot imagine them leaving. Growing up watching my favorite players, from Ziggy Palffy to Tommy Salo to Kenny Jonsson, to Jason Blake, to Montoya, to Grabner and Moulson and Tavares, the Islanders and pretty much whatever team they put on the ice, I am there through thick and thin.
Fast forward from my first hockey experience. I am now at the tender age of 6 with my brother being 2. Guess where our first concert ever took place...Think ya got it? It was KISS, as the Coliseum. Imagine the impact THAT would have on two little kids. My point here is to not come off sounding like I'm the only die hard fan among us, and for the team's sake I seriously hope I'm not, but I am attempting to share with you guys and girls just exactly what this place and team means for me. I'm only one person tho and I'd love to hear about what everything means to you guys. There are some of you who witnessed the World Champion New York Islanders, and possibly some who even was there when it happened. I've been to the Coliseum when it's sold out, and I've been there when it's empty. I know how hard that place can rock and I know how much these fans love their team. We WILL NOT go out without a fight. Go out and vote to keep these memories alive for generations to come with a new building, because I think it's pretty obvious to a lot of us that the Isles team we have coming up now is something special. They go to battle for each other and are so talented that it is unbelievable to think that they are not a championship team in the making. Let's keep this team where it belongs, on Long Island and in our hearts, and let's keep the new Coliseum rocking for the next 30 years with Isles games and concerts galore.
All the best, and Vote Yes for me, since I cannot,
Brian
Submitted FanPosts do not necessarily reflect the views of this blog or SB Nation. If you're reading this statement, you pass the fine print legalese test. Four stars for you.
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I too...
wish I could vote on August 1st. It would be great if all the Islander fans showed support for the referendum, but two other groups that will greatly benefit from this project should carry the verdict. UNIONS and HOMEOWNERS
They shouldn’t care about 15 years of mis-management, THE MILBURY ERA, the inability to sign UFAs or the handling of Josh Bailey… they should care about the JOBS, their property values and the general well being of thier community.
But every Islander fan, and this is something I can do, is get as many people who aren’t paying attention to this to start. I can’t vote for it, but I have been urging friends to.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Don't forget to vote "YES" on Aug 1st!!!
A yes vote benefits everyone
Jobs, property values and general well being are the most important, but even though a new arena benefits the Islanders, it actually benefits everyone, since an arena would also host concerts, Disney on Ice, trade shows, etc. When I’ve talked about the referendum to others, I try to remember to bring up every benefit.
Amen, my brother.
what part of NY are you from?
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Jul 27, 2011 12:01 PM EDT reply actions
Queens here
And yes, I wish I could vote also.
Get out of the sticks, Charles, move to Queens!! Come, Get some respect a Professional team deserves!!
I live is Suffolk county so my hands are tied from voting.
It pains me to think that this can effect all of Long Island but only half of Long Island can have their say.
i know how you feel
Not only about the not living on the island part…reppin westchester…but also about wearing my isles gear as one of 3 students out. of close to 30,000…all caps and pens fans at Virginia tech, I also grew up watching ziggy and jonsson…went to my first isles game at the age of 3 seeing the isles play the flyers…this vote probaby means more to me than the presidential election would and I hope it passes
wake me up when the isles start to play
by DarthDoyle on Jul 27, 2011 1:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 2 recs
Ew Tech
I go to UVa haha, at least you’re an Islander fan.
by edavidmorris on Jul 27, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
...i think i might vomit...how could an islander fan go to uva...its just olain wrong
wake me up when the isles start to play
by DarthDoyle on Jul 27, 2011 2:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
...i think i might vomit...how could an islander fan go to uva...its just plain wrong
wake me up when the isles start to play
by DarthDoyle on Jul 27, 2011 2:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sayville
Hearing you bud, Originally from Sayville, a bit older than you, grew up watching the Isles in the late 70’s and never stopped. Graduated from Connetquot Highschool in 86 and went to Virginia Tech from 86 to 92…(long time, but swiched from Engineering to Architecture which is a 5 year minimum program). Now in Williamsburg VA trying to think of anyone to contact to rock the vote. I have my two brothers and my two sisters working on it and also my parents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Great to see a VT student in Islanders colors, but as my sister would say, they have morfed toward UVA colors – (she went there after Colgate for masters).
By the way, Only a UVA student would say EW! All I can say is – Nice beating you again this year!
by Katzenhammer on Jul 27, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I love it when these alternate allegiances clash here
Always entertaining. But it’s a good thing I’m not a bigger baseball fan.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
We're talking Hockey, Not Baseball
UVA would kick our butt in baseball, but they were so bad at hockey…VT has a pretty successful club hockey program, we moved out of UVA’s league, and trust me, they were never in it to begin with.
by Katzenhammer on Jul 27, 2011 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, I was just thinking of MLB
Since I was on the other side from many people around here with regards to Wainwright v. Beltran.
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
go hokies
Haha that’s awesome, I was in engineering to start the year out but switched to economics… and yea UVA hockey is no where close to being as good ad tech…I think we won 7-1 this year
wake me up when the isles start to play
by DarthDoyle on Jul 27, 2011 7:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sayville!
As my username suggests, I also am from Sayville good sir
by sayvillelax94 on Jul 28, 2011 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Your sister is a Colgate woman?
Splendid. Always good to hear about fellow ’Gaters
When did she graduate?
As much as I hate.....
to use this as an example(and might vomit as I type this), I truly wish that TOH and Nassau County would get on the phone with Pittsburgh.
It wasn’t that long ago they were going through the same thing and let me tell you, if you would see where Mellon Arena(or whatever with all it’s renaming) was located, it is NOT a great area AT ALL. It literally straddled a rather poor neighborhood (called The Hill District) and Downtown. The Hill is so bad they have difficulty bringing a grocery store in. THAT bad.
There is quite a bit of revitalization going on with the new Consol Energy Center. It is literally across the street from the old arena, but just everything looks nicer around it now, businesses did not close, jobs were had due to the construction, etc.
It’s a shame that it became a political battle there and it is coming down to a “hold your breath and pray” moment for the votes to come in next week.
"If the bell needs to be answered, we've got the guys to answer it." "If they want to start something, that's fine."- Trevor Gillies
by JW1970 on Jul 27, 2011 3:53 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Isn't the casino right next to the new arena...
these folks are pretty smart… they put the CASINO where people will be able to get to it 10 years from now.
If the coliseum wasn’t built where there was no mass transit we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. It goes along with my complaint about this for the last 15 years. Why REMAKE the same mistake.
But… I digress.
Now that it appears that it will be one of the final options, and it must be tied to the development of the rest of that county owned land.. then THERE it must be.
If they put the Coliseum next to the CASINO, next to the LIRR and just sold that land to anybody (wang included) to somebody and let them develop it…. problem solved. NOT EASY, and it would take time… but… it would divorce the ISLANDERS from mistakeville… and keep the team in the black.
Lighthouse Hockey: Home of the "STROME-BOLI"!
Don't forget to vote "YES" on Aug 1st!!!
No.
The casino is over on the north shore. And with that brought up, when they built Heinz Field and PNC Park to replace Three Rivers, the North Side began a revitalization program(hence now being called the North Shore).
It started to transform with nice trails, cleaning up the seedier areas in that neighborhood, etc. Once the Rivers Casino(which absolutely sucks……I can’t even break even in that place, although their buffet is excellent!) went in, part of the deal was for them to finish the revitalization and promise a certain amount of jobs to the people of that neighborhood.
The Rivers frequently has different promos that coincide with Steeler and Pirate games….moreso with the Steelers (I was there the night before they were playing the Jets last year and was loving hearing “my” accent all over the place!).
Most of all though, I brought up Pittsburgh because the City and Allegheny County understood what the ramifications would be if the Penguins moved. They knew there would be plenty of businesses that would shutter up, they knew the revenue that would be lost. How TOH and Nassau County does not see this is just beyond me!
I almost want to say maybe Wang should call Mario to see how he got that point across, but that bridge might be a little scorched.
"If the bell needs to be answered, we've got the guys to answer it." "If they want to start something, that's fine."- Trevor Gillies
Speaking of areeners
Am I wrong to think areeners are smarter economic bets than stadiums? (Or stadia, if you shop at Targét.) They’re cheaper, they’re open 365 a year, it’s much easier/more flexible to fill their dates. Am I wrong? How often does an NFL or MLB stadium get used?
/education of this comment may be hindered by the fact the blogger no longer pays attention to NFL or MLB
Lighthouse Hockey: A flute with no holes is not a flute. A Dane with no holes is Frans Nielsen.
Depends
On the one hand, an MLB stadium gets 81 home dates, so more than an arena with one NHL/NBA tenant
An NFL stadium gets only 10 games (counting preseason games, which charge full price for tickets)
In general, though, football and baseball stadiums tend to be larger, which means more seats. Plus, the shorter postseasons in those leagues means fewer dates that rely on the success of the home team
and not only that.....
If you look at the prices of NFL tickets and most of them have the license agreements, they make up for not having as many home games.
And depending what stadium you are looking at, sometimes colleges use the stadium as well as concerts in the summer. Here in Pittsburgh, PITT also uses Heinz Field for their home games. The tickets apparently are not as pricey as Steeler tickets, but they fill the seats on Saturdays.
And not to forget how Kenny Chesney fills it every year as well.
"If the bell needs to be answered, we've got the guys to answer it." "If they want to start something, that's fine."- Trevor Gillies
I already lost one team.
My old ties to The Whale prohibit me from ever being a Ruins fan. My allegiance to The Isles prohibits me from ever being a Rags fan.
If this thing falls apart and eventually leads to a move out of the market, I’m done with the NHL.
Save a hockey fan, Vote Yes on August 1st.
Jeff Carter to Columbus? Wait, I've seen this one before, it was called Shanahan to Hartford. Advice? Don't buy a Carter jersey.
by BrassBonanza10 on Jul 28, 2011 3:22 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Do you watch the Ahl's Whale?
"We can't get pushed around," Haley said. "What commentators say about us, that's their job. My job is to try and limit as many people who want to take liberties with our guys as possible."
by BobbyNystromOwnsYou on Jul 28, 2011 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Since they became "The Whale*"...yeah, been to a few games.
Would have liked to have gone to a few Sound Tigers games, all things considered, but they charge NHL prices for an AHL team.
And last season, not even a very good one.
Jeff Carter to Columbus? Wait, I've seen this one before, it was called Shanahan to Hartford. Advice? Don't buy a Carter jersey.
by BrassBonanza10 on Jul 29, 2011 2:45 AM EDT up reply actions
A late add to the party
Born in the Hudson Valley and now living in Texas, so I have no real impact on anything that will go on Monday
On some level, it shouldn’t matter. I have no real connection to Long Island and have only watched this team for as pitiful a 15 year period that you can have. And yet, like the rest of you obviously, of course I care. And while their location shouldn’t matter, it does. I root for the NEW YORK ISLANDERS
As of today, I’m not terribly nervous about 8/1. Come Monday, we’ll see….
Patiently waiting in Pa. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass. The vote will pass.
by Icefan71 on Jul 29, 2011 5:04 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
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1979-80
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May 24, 1980: Tonelli to Nystrom. At long last, the steady build of the New York Islanders from expansion doormat to surprise semifinalist to annual contender reaches the promised land: Buoyed by a late season trade for Butch Goring that gave the team the depth up the middle GM Bill Torrey had been seeking, the Islanders knock off the Philadelphia Flyers in six games.
The victory justified the faith in coach Al Arbour who guided them from their second season to their first Stanley Cup seven seasons later. The Islanders would not be the first expansion team to win the Stanley Cup, but they would be the only one capable of a dynasty.
1980-81
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May 21, 1981: This time it was much easier. After falling to "only" 91 points in the 1979-80 season, the Islanders returned to their division title tradition, piling up 110 points -- a whole 13 points over second-place Philadelphia.
Between the quarterfinals (where they beat the upstart Oilers in six games) and the finals, the Islanders reeled off eight consecutive wins -- with a four-game sweep of archrival Rangers in between. As they defeated the Minnesota North Stars in five games for their second Cup, their goal difference in the final was a combined +10.
1981-82
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May 16, 1982: Another year, another landslide title. The Islanders won the Patrick Division by a whopping 26 points over the second-place Rangers, and were seven points clear of their nearest competition for the President's Trophy, the still-not-quite-ripe Edmonton Oilers.
A first-round scare against the Pittsburgh Penguins turned in the Isles' favor thanks to John Tonelli's heroics, and a true dynasty was on its way: Past the Rangers in six games, then an eight-game sweep of the Quebec Nordiques and Vancouver Canucks to run away with the Stanley Cup.
1982-83
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May 17, 1983: Not so fast, whipper-snappers. The Edmonton Oilers' steadily rising challenge for league supremacy took them all the way to the finals for the first time, where the New York Islanders summarily dispatched them in a four-game sweep. For the Islanders, the Dynasty was secured. For the Oilers, it was a powerful lesson in where talent ends and the demands of playoff hockey begin.
Four years, four Cups, 16 consecutive playoff series wins (a record that would grow to 19 until the rematch with the Oilers the following year). Mike Bossy scored 60 goals yet again, and Wayne Gretzky became acquainted with Billy Smith's crease.
