Impact on the Valpo community

[vu72]

I was just thinking about the impact having the Horizon League softball tourney might be on the community.

There were five teams who came to Valpo. If each team brought 18 players that's 90 players for 11 nights (two for UIC, Butler, Green Bay and YSU and 3 nights for Loyola, that's 990 nights, at 2 per room that's 490 rooms rented that would not be rented (presumably) if the tourney was somewhere else.  Now, 90 players for 11 nights does equal 990 meals (or a few less if they leave and buy on the way home) and of course everyone would want to buy a Valpo sweatshirt.

This doesn't count the hundreds (a couple) of parents and relatives who came and stayed and ate, and bought...

So what is the value?  A bunch.  Clearly the basketball tourney was worth a lot more, with more fans and more revenue. Softball may not be worthy of street signs, but you get the idea...

[KL31NY]

Here's my impact moment: I eat lunch on campus today, and while the woman at Pastabilities (pasta section of Union dining hall) was making my meal, she asked me why I was still on campus and I mentioned the softball team, and we must have talked for five minutes...

She apparently worked the concession stand for the tournament and watched what she could peering around the stands. Although she's not a sports person in her own words, she picked up a few things about the tournament and team and we had a great conversation. Would never have happened w/out this great season.

Also, I really enjoyed seeing the VUSF packed on Championship Saturday. That was a perfect atmosphere for a title, and it was so fun to see the tournament elevate the crowd and the status of the program. Been a pleasure to be a part of this season even as it now continues down in Louisville...

[valpotx]

I imagine that hosting the men's soccer, men's basketball, and softball tournament definitely added some value to the community.  Not huge, but any additional value is welcome.  This is why the community should definitely get more behind Valpo's teams, as it benefits the whole region economically as well! 

[sectionee]

Love the comment tx!  Keep those championships coming and I think the attendance by both students and the community will greatly improve.

[LaPorteAveApostle]

There were five teams who came to Valpo. If each team brought 18 players that's 90 players for 11 nights (two for UIC, Butler, Green Bay and YSU and 3 nights for Loyola, that's 990 nights, at 2 per room that's 490 rooms rented that would not be rented (presumably) if the tourney was somewhere else.  Now, 90 players for 11 nights does equal 990 meals (or a few less if they leave and buy on the way home) and of course everyone would want to buy a Valpo sweatshirt.

While I don't doubt there's an impact, I do doubt your math.  Assuming that each team needed 10 rooms a night (one for coaches, nine for players), and your assumption of # of nights per team is right, the math is:
10*2=20 for Butler
10*2=20 for UIC
10*2=20 for UWGB
10*2=20 for YSU
10*3=30 for Loyola
so 20*4+30=110 room nights, not 490.  I think you added before you multiplied rather than vice versa.

[vu72]

There were five teams who came to Valpo. If each team brought 18 players that's 90 players for 11 nights (two for UIC, Butler, Green Bay and YSU and 3 nights for Loyola, that's 990 nights, at 2 per room that's 490 rooms rented that would not be rented (presumably) if the tourney was somewhere else.  Now, 90 players for 11 nights does equal 990 meals (or a few less if they leave and buy on the way home) and of course everyone would want to buy a Valpo sweatshirt.

While I don't doubt there's an impact, I do doubt your math.  Assuming that each team needed 10 rooms a night (one for coaches, nine for players), and your assumption of # of nights per team is right, the math is:
10*2=20 for Butler
10*2=20 for UIC
10*2=20 for UWGB
10*2=20 for YSU
10*3=30 for Loyola
so 20*4+30=110 room nights, not 490.  I think you added before you multiplied rather than vice versa.

Yikes!  I wasn't a math major and it was late (or, I had a drink prior   )  Sorry about that but, the idea and overall point, although diminished, still stands!

[valporun]

Don't forget about hotel rooms needed for conference representatives that traveled up from Indy, or any reps from the schools involved. This adds to the hotel, restaurant, entertainment economies in Valpo as well, plus fans from the schools involved. Your math could be closer to correct with these numbers included, vu72.

[bbtds]

I think the HL reps are afraid to leave Indy. They're afraid the Butler athletic dept might move their offices to Youngstown. Youngstown has a lot of cheap industrial office space for rent. Real Cheap!

LeCrone was seen hugging the Soldiers & Sailors in Monument Circle this week. He also kissed the bricks at the Indy Motor Speedway and was seen weeping when Mrs. Hulman started off by saying "Dear Jon."

[milanmiracle]

I think the HL reps are afraid to leave Indy. They're afraid the Butler athletic dept might move their offices to Youngstown. Youngstown has a lot of cheap industrial office space for rent. Real Cheap!

LeCrone was seen hugging the Soldiers & Sailors in Monument Circle this week. He also kissed the bricks at the Indy Motor Speedway and was seen weeping when Mrs. Hulman started off by saying "Dear Jon."

I think it's as simple as this...

Indianapolis > Valparaiso

[wh]

Once Butler leaves, whatever marketing value the league office adds to the conference is lost by remaining in Indy.  IMO Chicago would be the best location  - hands down.  The move would give Loyola and UIC some much needed pub and give the  HL a media presence in the largest market in the Midwest (3rd largest nationally).

[KL31NY]

Once Butler leaves, whatever marketing value the league office adds to the conference is lost by remaining in Indy.  IMO Chicago would be the best location  - hands down.  The move would give Loyola and UIC some much needed pub and give the  HL a media presence in the largest market in the Midwest (3rd largest nationally).

I reckon what wh says. Indy's all right, but a big market w/ a league presence still in place (UIC, LUC) is a good combo if they can move

[VULB#62]

And not just UIC and Loyola -- 4 of the remaining 9 HL schools (adding VU and UWM) are inside of a 75 minute non-rush hour drive of the Loop.  The market point is well made and makes sense. Kind of silly to have a league office nowhere near the member schools (and the current location shouldn't be the reason to bring in IUPUI).

[VU75]

The Summit league office is still in Elmhurst. Maybe they could swap.

[VULB#62]

Or sublease space from the B1G in Park Ridge, IL--- nah!!