Better Days Behind
As I was covering the ACC Tournament last night played in front of a sparse and mostly disinterested gathering in cavernous Greensboro Coliseum, it occurred to me that I was probably sitting only a seat or two away from where I sat the night of my first ACC Tournament game, the aforementioned 1974 championship in which the Wolfpack of David Thompson, Tommy Burleson and Monte Towe outlasted the Maryland Terps of John Lucas, Tom McMillen and Len Elmore 103-100. For all the exansion the arena has undergone, the court, best I can tell, is in the same place.
The difference between watching that game and the ones I have watched this weekend is the difference between seeing the Grateful Dead—the vintage Dead, back before Pigpen boozed himself to death and Jerry stuck the needle in his arm—at Cameron Indoor Stadium and watching today’s incarnation of the band at, well, Greensboro Coliseum.
Forgive me if I’m coming off as an old warhorse who has out-lived his war. I’m whipped from having worked the graveyard shift the past two nights, getting in at 2, finally getting to sleep at 5 and getting back over to the Coliseum by the time the games tip off again. Watching inspired N.C. State barge past Clemson and Florida State has been fun, but the cumulative effects are wearing this old body out.
But the truth, as Lenox wrote so eloquently in this morning’s Journal, is the ACC Tournament a full decade into the 21st century is what it is, but it’s not what it was. It’s not even close to being what it was. Back then, when a team had to actually win the ACC Tournament to get a bid to the NCAA Tournament, it was as close to life and death as a sporting event can be. And the place was packed and pulsating. A ticket to the ACC Tournament was a truly prized possession and a seat on press row made you the envy of everyone you knew.. Today, whether you blame it on expansion, a watered-down product, the bad economy or whatever, it’s a empty shell of its former shelf
I still love coming, if nothing else than to see and catch up with so many friends that I usually don’t see any other time of the year. We swap stories, tell lies, bellylaugh with bellies way too full of free food we shouldn’t be eating. When the site is Atlanta, DC or Tampa, if I’m not at a game working you can always find me at the hospitality room at the media hotel, at least until they chase us out.
This year I’m actually thinking of hanging out at the hacienda for tomorrow’s championship and watching it on TV before heading over to Wake to cover the NCAA Tournament Selection show. I would have never, ever, even considered that in years gone by.
The ACC Tournament will never be what it was, but then, again, neither will the Grateful Dead.
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By Dan Collins on 03/13/2010 (4:11 pm)
Comments
This was my first year qualifying for tickets, so I was grateful not to be one of those trying to scalp for a ticket. I agree the tourney isn’t what it used to be. I’ve been to a couple before in GSO and CLT (which, yes, the TWC Arena isn’t the greatest for basketball, but try the RBC…that place is an insult to Reynolds Coliseum). I think the main reason is expansion and as someone alluded to before, the lack of national contenders. I for one am so sick of seeing Duke every tournament Sunday. As much as I diss UMD for not respecting our tournament, I was happy to see them win it a couple of year ago just to add some variety. Carolina fans…bless them, they don’t know how to handle adversity like Wake fans. We’re used to tempering our expectations so that if we’re not #1, we’re still ok being somewhere in the top 4 or 5. I think back to the days of when Carolina had big name draws, along with Duke and WF…the Big 4 should be packing this tournament every year, but we’re missing the national names. Cost might be one detriment, but I doubt the biggest as tickets outside the coliseum were going pretty cheap Thurs and Fri. Plus, I don’t care anything about going to a beach or doing the big vacation, but I will put out the money for ACC weekend. The atmosphere isn’t what it used to be, but it’s still one of the best times I have all year.
Chuck on 03/14/2010 (10:21 pm)
Dan,
Really, though, this helps to put what is important in perspective. Sports reporting i your life (save for you music inclintions and desires), and you are superb at your “calling.” But teams scores aren’t the “be all” of life, though one would never know that by the rabid rapport we give to that.
Peace.
Bobby
bobby h griffin on 03/14/2010 (8:33 pm)
One More Saturday Night, Cameron Indoor Stadium, December 8, 1972?
Early installation of the Wall of Sound: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_of_Sound_(Grateful_Dead)
Pops on 03/14/2010 (1:28 pm)
This years tourney I think is a bust for several reasons. The first being the lack of national contenders, second the fact that UNC having a sub par year prevented their fans from attending (and as we all know they they are fair weather fans for the most part)sorry could not help myself there. And third the economy. It’s way to expensive to attend these events especially when it means taking 2 days off of work instead of 1 (semifinal Friday) in the past. Thats where expansion of the league is hurting the tournament turnout. I have attended 4 tournaments in the past, but the thought of paying $5.00 for a cup of watered down soda and $4.00 for a three day old Bojangles sandwich on a stale bun just does not appeal to me anymore. The best seat in the house is my sofa where I can spread out,drink my own beverage, and not wait 20 min in a bathroom line. I did enjoy the 95 and 96 tourney. Went to Charlotte a couple years back and will never again attend a event in the Bobcats venue again. Although I ended up sitting in the lower level my tickets were in the second row of the upper level,and if you think the Greensboro upper level is bad, just go to Bobcats Arena. I felt like I should have had a bungee cord attached to me in case I sliped and fell. Terrible venue!! Don’t get me wrong I still love attending games but for the middle class right now there are better ways to spend your dollar.
Jason on 03/13/2010 (10:40 pm)
You are right, Dan. In all my 53 years, half of which have been spent at the ACC tourney, I have never seen so many people disguised as empty seats at this esteemed tournament. This tourney was great in the ‘60s and ‘70s but it’s basically played now for TV and for NCAA seeding.
Oh, for days gone by!
Ken Green on 03/13/2010 (9:19 pm)
Agreed, Dan. But having been down here since Wednesday afternoon, I can tell you its still my favorite weekend of the year. It is like a family reunion. I am getting tired, though—its a lot of basketball—and I’m more tired of losing before dinner on Thursday. But its still a great event if you love ACC basketball like I do.
Chris on 03/13/2010 (8:15 pm)
Country,
Good blog reminiscing down memory lane. Lenox and yourself hit the nail on the head. ACC tourney excitement is not what it use to be. The conference needs to hold the tourney at a permanent geographically centralized site like Charlotte.
In your last sentence you mention: This year I’m actually thinking of hanging out at the hacienda for tomorrow’s championship and watching it on TV before heading over to Wake to cover the NCAA Tournament Selection show.
Why bother, if Wake does get a bid, many will say the selection committee was influenced by Wellman since he is a member of this esteemed group. The past 30 days prove that Wake does not deserve a bid.
If Wake does receive a bid and would get to the sweet 16, I will be the first to make an apology on this site for being so critical of the coaching.
But I doubt they will get past the first round!
Tom on 03/13/2010 (5:57 pm)
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