Question: Coleman Recommendations

[Tug Tide]

Sounds like we’re taking the kids, 4 seats total, to an upcoming game at Coleman. It will be our first game at Coleman. I’ve read some of you speak in not so glowing terms about some of the sight lines in some areas. Are there any sections in particular you would absolutely avoid?

What’s the MBB game day experience, timeline like?

thanks in advance

 

[BamaMoon]

I haven't been to a game in a while, but I'd recommend not sitting toward the corners of the court. Secondly, I'd avoid the rafter seats because they go up really high.

If I couldn't land a seat on the courtside between the baselines, I'd shoot for a seat behind the goals.

 

[4Q Basket Case]

The problem with Coleman is actually a combination of three inter-related things.

First, it was built during a time when multi-use facilities were in vogue. Think the really old round stadiums in Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Not that Coleman looks like any of those -- it doesn't. The point is that it's kinda sorta passable for a lot of things, but not really good at any of them.

Second, and a function of #1, is that the first rows of permanent seating (as opposed to super-premium courtside folding chairs) are too far away from the court. Creates a lot of distance between the crowd and the action and significantly diminishes the home court advantage.

Finally, it's just too big. In combination with the distance created by #2 (which is itself an outgrowth of #1), the cavernous size means the seats above about row 25 or so are really high.

Bama Moon's suggestions about seat location are good.

If you can score a parking pass, that would be ideal. About half the old parking lot has been commandeered for expanded basketball facilities (not a new arena -- coaching, training and meeting facilities), which are currently under construction. Parking now often involves the softball lots and a bus ride.

 

[Tug Tide]

@BamaMoon and @4Q Basket Case
Thanks for the info. The Mrs told me the OU game on 1/4 would be best for our schedule.
Dang….prices look like a football game.

Looking forward to the experience

 

[TIDE-HSV]

The problem with Coleman is actually a combination of three inter-related things.

First, it was built during a time when multi-use facilities were in vogue. Think the really old round stadiums in Atlanta, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Not that Coleman looks like any of those -- it doesn't. The point is that it's kinda sorta passable for a lot of things, but not really good at any of them.

Second, and a function of #1, is that the first rows of permanent seating (as opposed to super-premium courtside folding chairs) are too far away from the court. Creates a lot of distance between the crowd and the action and significantly diminishes the home court advantage.

Finally, it's just too big. In combination with the distance created by #2 (which is itself an outgrowth of #1), the cavernous size means the seats above about row 25 or so are really high.

Bama Moon's suggestions about seat location are good.

If you can score a parking pass, that would be ideal. About half the old parking lot has been commandeered for expanded basketball facilities (not a new arena -- coaching, training and meeting facilities), which are currently under construction. Parking now often involves the softball lots and a bus ride.

The seating angle is also flatter than modern arenas, which tend to be smaller and steeper, and/or two-tiered, placing all viewers closer to the action...