Gonzaga Athletic Director Mike Roth Responds to Washington
by Zach Bell on Oct 21, 2009 9:01 PM PDT
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PrintYou don't see a whole lot of press releases come out of Gonzaga regarding deals that haven't been done but I'm glad Mike Roth decided to address this odd situation. Here is what Roth had to say in tonight's press release:
"In light of the recent reports out of Seattle Wednesday regarding renewing the Gonzaga-Washington men’s basketball rivalry, I did receive a proposal late Tuesday from Washington.
"I have always been of the opinion this is a good game for both schools, a good game for the state of Washington and a good game for basketball in the Pacific Northwest.
"At the same time, it is a series that should be equitable for both schools. I have always believed it is a game best played on the two campuses because of the great college basketball atmosphere in both campus venues.
"The renewal of this series is something that will be decided by the two athletic directors and the two head basketball coaches in private discussions."
In case you haven't been around all day, it was leaked by some mysterious man named "Softy" on a Seattle radio station that Washington proposed a new series to Gonzaga. I mean, now that Josh Heytvelt is gone, Romar was able to get over the fact that he illegally recruited him so now he can play the Zags. Washington confirmed Mr. Softy's rumors for some reason before any deal was made, stating that the proposal was for three years. Sounds good so far but then they added the fact that all the games would be played in Seattle at Key Arena. The tickets and revenues from them would be split but Gonzaga would have to make the trip all three years and play in Seattle's backyard.
I've already given my thoughts in the post below and I think Mike Roth's commitment to keeping this series as a home-and-home is spot on. Gonzaga has really become a program that doesn't have to pander to BCS programs. Michigan State and Wake Forest will both be coming to Spokane in the next two years and Oklahoma, Memphis, Stanford, and Washington State have all played in the city. We hope these two programs can work something out because, as Roth says, it is great for the Pac-Northwest.
C'mon over Washington.
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The Biggest Game in Washington at the Biggest Venue in Washington
First of all, this sounds awesome. I think I’d fly up from the Bay Area for a game like that!
I think it would be a shame to play such a big game in anything smaller than the biggest basketball venue available. You want the people of the state of Washington to be involved? Key Arena’s capacity is about 3 times that of the Kennel, right? Since tickets would be split 50-50, there would be more Zags in the Key than in the Kennel. More revenue, too.
come on red-cedar
Duke only seets 9,000 and Chapel Hill seats 20,000. Should every game be played at NC?
Home and Home is the only fair advantage for both programs. Obviously the revenue is good in Spokane just look at all the other programs that travel to Spokane and play! Not to mention all the NCAA tournament games hosted in Spokane. Seattle might be the biggest market in Washington but it’s not the only market! Remember Cedar, GU has been recognized as one of the best basketball venues in America, by several different publications. Romar would be depriving his players to play in a great and hostile environment, why wouldn’t you want that kind of challenge for your kids?
glen mccloud
Glen
I’m talking about it from the community’s point of view and the financial point of view for the two schools.
A two game home-and-home would have a total attendance of about 16,000 (6,000 GU + 10,000 UW) but two games at the Key would be 34,000 (17,000 GU, 17,000 UW).
I guess Few thinks it would be a sign of weakness to accept the offer, but it comes across as petty. The rivalry belongs to the state. Why not let 11,000 more Zags fans into these games?
eh, Washington
Now an Oregon-Gonzaga series, that’s something I can get behind. Though given last year’s record, I’m not sure we’d be much of a challenge for you.
An Oregon-Gonzaga series has actually been proposed a few times, but, for some reason, our side doens’t want to play in the Kennel. I hope our side changes their mind, because I think a home and home between the two schools would be fantastic.
--Dave
Addicted to Quack, SBN's Oregon Ducks blog
This quote sums it up pretty well-
"For us, the University of Washington, which is all I’m worried about, I think it’s a great deal,"
- Scott Woodward
Vote for Butch!
Good point
I actually thought about posting something about the two AD’s comments this morning but thought that my severe disgust with the UW program would show through a tad too much. It’s being really overlooked here how much Washington dropped the ball on this proposal and now how it is going to come back and hurt them. No proposal between two teams looking to begin a series is ever released before it is agreed to and the fact that Washington confirmed rumors of this “Softy” man, is evidence enough that this is completely and 100% for publicity and for Lorenzo to save face in the Pac-NW.
It just hasn’t felt right since jump street and I feel like this does nothing to improve relations between Few and Romar.
The Slipper Still Fits - SB Nation's home for the Gonzaga Bulldogs!
Formerly BuffZag
Bol Kong for President!
Just saving face
UW is under so much pressure to renew the rivalry that they pulled out of that they needed to do something.
Woodward came up with a series that they’d have an advantage in (simply by avoiding the kennel) and I’d guess doubted GU would ever accept.
PAC 10 gym's
I watch the PAC all the time. With very few exceptions, the gyms are between 1/3 full and 3/4 full for their games! “Numbers shouldn’t be the issue”. The quote by Mr. Roth should be the guidline for every game we schedule. In some cases we can’t get “Them” to home and home but in this case, we need not Huskies! WSU does very well, thank you!
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