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Posted: 4:02 AM Mar 7, 2010
High School Basketball Fans Worry About Championships Moving
Lincoln, NE Fans are pouring in from around the state this weekend for the High School Girls State Basketball Championships. And while most fans say they like the tradition of coming to the Capital City, some say they're worried the games could move without a new arena.
Reporter: Christie Bett Email Address: christie.bett@1011now.com |
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7 Comments 
Poll 
Every year, fans flock to the Capital City to cheer on their hometown girls and boys in the State Basketball Championships, filling parking lots and spending their money. But how long can Lincoln keep them coming? Without a new arena, some fans aren't sure.
"We have lost the wrestling tournament to Omaha, these other cities are putting in bids to get these venues, I can't blame them, everybody's wanting a piece of the pie. I just hate to see Lincoln losing them," said Jeff Gasseling of Lincoln.
"I think it's great. I know we always love coming here and I'm sure that students do too," said Wilma Henri of Bellevue.
With plans for a new Haymarket Arena not set in stone, some worry the Nebraska School Activities Association could move the games to another city, just like they did with volleyball and wrestling.
"You go to Omaha, or you go to Grand Island, nothing against those cities, but we're the capital of Nebraska, the Capital City, that's what it's about," said Kelly Becker of Lincoln.
Most fans seem to think the Devaney Center is still a worthy venue, but the Pershing Center is another story.
"I think that the Devaney Sports Center is an outstanding facility. There's a lot of tradition here," Gasseling said.
"Pershing is a really undesirable place, and that's being kind," Mike Lawrence of Lincoln said.
Superintendent of Humphrey Public Schools Greg Sjuts agrees, "The Sport Center's a terrific venue for our kids to play in, but the Pershing Center is a little bit older."
Sjuts says he'd like to see Lincoln build a facility to compete with the Qwest Center in Omaha, and without the new arena, he thinks they could be traveling elsewhere in the near future.
"The NSAA would make that decision, but I think there's that possibility that it could look to Omaha, it could look to Grand Island. I know Grand Island has updated some facilities, that's certainly a possibility," Sjuts said.
Executive Director of the Nebraska School Activities Association Dr. Jim Tenopir says they voted last spring for the championships to stay in Lincoln for the next three years, but they vote again in the spring of 2012, and any city is fair game.
We want to know what you think - should the High School State Basketball Championships stay in Lincoln? Click on the polls link above to vote "yes" or "no."
Latest Comments
If Lincoln wants to keep hosting the state tourneys, they should be more welcoming and accomadating to the fans. I don't think the players or fans care where they play the early round games, but if the high schools are going to be used, school should really be dismissed on those days. This would alleviate parking, and other logistic problems. Throw Pershing out of the mix. Remember, happy fans make for a better all around experience, and would be more promising for keeping the tourney in Lincoln. If this is too much trouble for Lincoln, then another town should get the chance to show what they can do, and I don't necessarily mean Omaha. A new arena would be great for Lincoln, but that alone won't solve all of the other problems, that takes common sense and cooperation.
I hope Lincoln starts to realize what these events mean to their city's economy. The tournament should stay in Lincoln, but the city needs to earn it and not expect it. Sorry coachmo, but Pershing is a 3rd class venue for events like this. Vote yes, Lincoln.
I've gone to the girls state basketball tournament the last two years now and I love watching them play at Devaney. The facility is great and I feel they would be crazy to move it from there. Besides, building a new arena would cost a ton of money. How many people want to pay more taxes to fund it? I read in the paper it would cost $344 million to build. I think they should remodel pershing and keep the games where they are.
I lived various places out n the state when I was growing up. Coming to Lincoln was one of the highlights of my life. As the State Capital I believe we should definitely make this a place for kids to come--other than football games. Lincoln is a beautiful city and should continue to be a place to come to for special events. Let's build an arena center to be proud of.
Love pershing tradition. Don't care how old. Love Devaney. Motel rooms will be over priced and jacked up no matter where we go I suppose. Let big schools play at Lincoln High, etc. and give others Devaney and Pershing every other year. Anyway, Lincoln is a great tradition if not for the price gauging. Coach Mo
How many remember the Class A Tournaments in Omaha in the late 60's and 1970. with all of the fights and no crowd control? In 1968 they had to move the tournament from Omaha to Lincoln the day before the tournament began because of riots, and other safety concerns. So why would anybody want to move it there again?
To Citizens of Lincoln.... Is throwing $344 million at one building actually bettering the city or is it going to place a burden of unknown quantity on the homeowners of this great city... If income projections to pay for the arena are not met--then the politicians are going to be raising property taxes to cover the shortfall.... Are you willing to pay more property tax just so good ole UNL can play basketball in a new building... We do not need a new arena.... We do not need additional food taxes etc. on our citizens.. We do not want our property taxes at risk to pay any shortfalls in the projections. I do not see where building a $344 million arena is bettering the city... I see it as a huge risk that we should not be taking in this economic climate. In addition, the location is terrible. Vote NO!
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