The Basketball Conversation 2021

[Hatch]

I wasn’t around during the Blackham days, but I did go to the game when Jesse was coach and the atmosphere was awesome. I would love to see an arena about the size of Cameron like Duke has in a renovated Blackham. I really believe it would change the vibe for Cajun basketball and drive demand, because the atmosphere would be a lot better than playing in the cavernous Cajundome.

I don't think Jesse ever coached a game at Blackham, I know he ran a lot of practices there though before the current facility was built. The games in 2005 when the Cajundome was still being used as a Katrina shelter were under Lee. Those did have a great atmosphere. I went to one of the games in 2016 and it was fun for nostalgia reasons but without some major renovations I think that would get old quick. I think doing a 3 game or so residency for non conference games in Blackham each year would be fun. Promote the crap out of it and make it cheap. All general admission $10 seats, $5 if you have a ticket stub from the previous football game. Maybe bring in a video board on one end that can show replays and be used to show how many points and fouls players have. But yeah I agree before you do a major renovation It would probably be better to start from scratch.

It would be an interesting question to ask the players what they prefer. I know the NBA Arena feel of the Cajundome and the renovated locker room are tools used in recruiting. Would they prefer those type of amenities in a cavernous atmosphere or the old school feel where a crowd of 3-5 K would provide some raucous energy they could feed off of in games.

[Esqueleto]

I'm no expert, but I can't see how remodeling would cost more if the structure is sound.
Gut the inside and there would be plenty of space for 5k seats, suites, widened, modern concourse and restrooms.
The outside would just need some new panelling and paint with improved parking areas.

[Million$Mullet]

I'm no expert, but pI can't see how remodeling would cost more if the structure is sound.
Gut the inside and there would be plenty of space for 5k seats, suites, widened, modern concourse and restrooms.
The outside would just need some new panelling and paint with improved parking areas.

Pretty sure nothing is up to code so I’m not sure you could get away with just gutting it. It’s fun to think about but it will never happen.

[Turbine]

Back when I had a press pass ... 2005

Modern LED lighting could do wonders

And yes the place was perfect for basketball

[Crawfish]

Last word from me: The Cajundome is one of the nicest basketball arenas in the conference. Bringing back Blackham will never happen, but for some of you, it might make for fun discussion. Enjoy.😀

[ColoradoCajun]

I was talking to my mom about how the RR guys want Blackham renovated, and she actually thinks it's a great idea. It would most likely reduce ticket fees, it's UL property, it's got the perfect capacity, and it's historic! I really want them to do that cause although the Cajundome is nice, it costs too much to go to a game, makes scheduling harder, and is honestly too big for a team that plays 3 non-D1 teams at home. JMO

[ColoradoCajun]

Last word from me: The Cajundome is one of the nicest basketball arenas in the conference. Bringing back Blackham will never happen, but for some of you, it might make for fun discussion. Enjoy.��

Anything's possible! Maybe we should make a poll called "Cajundome or Blackham?" and see which one gets more votes!

[cjr3888]

I was talking to my mom about how the RR guys want Blackham renovated, and she actually thinks it's a great idea. It would most likely reduce ticket fees, it's UL property, it's got the perfect capacity, and it's historic! I really want them to do that cause although the Cajundome is nice, it costs too much to go to a game, makes scheduling harder, and is honestly too big for a team that plays 3 non-D1 teams at home. JMO

We can all discuss, but it will never happen. The only reason Blackham would be renovated would be to move volleyball and offices out of Long. Cajundome is a top basketball area, but the deal with the city/Cajundome needs to be reworked.

[Turbine]

Last word from me: The Cajundome is one of the nicest basketball arenas in the conference. Bringing back Blackham will never happen, but for some of you, it might make for fun discussion. Enjoy.

I agree with everything you said.

I would like to see Blackham become Louisiana's media hub, the point of office operations* and the home for Volleyball and WBB.

WBB needs to learn that an empty arena is a dead arena unless you follow the J. Kelly Hall model and then it is no longer an empty arena.

* This would require a new attached office building.

[RedTails]

In a perfect world where we had deep pockets, a full demo and replacing it with a beautiful 6k arena would be amazing and intimate. But I don't see how a renovation could be feasible. The only way to make it not an eyesore would be to rip the lid off and rebuild a dome-like structure and outside facade.

At the end of the day, the amount of money it'd take to get something that looks just as nice as the pic below (on a smaller scale) likely isn't in the cards.



Still worth asking if it's ever been a subject of conversation with our admin though.