Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Problem in Glendale
Glendale, AZ was not quite Tempe. Ok, it wasn't even remotely close to Tempe. It was way out in the sticks. It was set up in a blacktop parking lot. Had no shade or water. And what concerns me the most, it had no ambience and did not feel anything like a beach volleyball tournament. Karch brought this point up to me and I feel it is incredibly valid. Miami was in a parking lot. Dallas was in a parking lot. Glendale too. I am concerned about Tampa and Atlanta as I believe they are parking lot events too. I have raised this with the AVP and although it is at the bottom of the radar, I hope that myself and other players can make it enough of an issue that it gets dealt with in some way, shape or form by next year. I would never take my family to the Glendale event as it stands right now. I would not go. Please way in with good ideas if you like. How can you make a Parking Lot event into a beach volley event? Is it possible?
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8 comments:
First off, doing anything outside in Phoenix this time of the year is completely insane! Maybe try making it one of the winter events.
As a landlocked and stranded volleyballer and semi-frequent dis-qualifier, I would much rather spend my money and vacation time traveling to a beach almost anywhere in the world than drive six hours to a parking lot in Phoenix. The AVP has come across as being very short sighted in almost everything they've done, clearly not placing the players interest at the top, the fans interests, future players, and sometimes I think we can question their business interests in some of the decisions. The reason they travel to these venues is in "Conning" local promoters to front the cash to put on the event and cover costs. What happens when the return to these promoters remains minimal, they get frustrated, and the AP seeks a new venue like we've seen year after year? There's a lot of pavement in this country, but eventually they're gonna upset too many people. Sorry for that rant, I think it's obvious nobody gets psyched to be at these kinds of venues vs. beach.
My recommendation for coming inland would be to develop a longer range vision and use the venues to build a fan base as well as player participation in the sport. Why not use existing facilities, or help coordinate the construction of permanent facilities that can be used by local players during the rest of the year, with the AVP returning annually with stadiums and whatnot? I know in Phoenix you have a facility like Victory Lanes with multiple sand courts and a base of local players. It could be build up, the existing amenities utilized. See the kind of fan attendance you get after three years compared to finding a new site every year. And, these events should be the minority, beach volleyball should be on the beach. But, I'm sure they're paying some executive almost enough money to be thinking about this stuff ;-)
I couldn’t agree more about the parking lot events. AVP touts the lot events as reaching new audiences and being better logistically (parking, etc). In truth they are just a myopic attempt to make a FEW more bucks at each event. I’ve been to beach events and parking lot events. I got hooked on this sport in Hermosa 93’ from an electric atmosphere and lifestyle. If my first event had been in a parking lot… who knows… but the atmosphere is just not there.
I get that the AVP has to make a buck to stay viable. The lot events are just so shortsighted, trading stronger audiences and credibility where the real money can come from – TV contracts for a few bucks on admission. Let me say I have no problem paying to get into an event. It is a professional event – I get that. I just will not pay to sit in a parking lot. (Note to AVP - Don’t lose fans during the negotiations between Costal Commission, Cities, etc… we are behind you unless you leave us for lots.)
The part you don’t mention is the toll it takes on the athlete’s body to play on shallow sand covered asphalt. I can only hope that it does not take a player that generates revenue through name recognition (May/ Walsh/ or Rogers of course) to hurt something on a hazard unique to the lot events for the AVP to wake up.
Thanks for speaking up on this as a top player and sorry for the above rant. As to your question, I do not see any parking lot ever able to match the energy and vibe that is present on the beach. Final thought - Why is Wrigley Stadium so well attended? Atmosphere. Face it the Cubs are losers. Manhattan = Fenway. Glendale = Olympic Stadium… remember the Expos?
Agree with you 100% Todd. We were at the Miami stop(the rowdy group up in the Speedo tent cheering on Phil and yourself) and it absolutely lacked the "beach" feel that I beleive is important to maintain. Most, if not all, people I talked with agreed. I think this was a major factor in the poor attendance as well. South Beach was packed full of people all weekend which I feel the AVP could have capitalized on. The tents and grandstands would have attracted alot of interest which in turn could have attracted foot traffic and walk up ticket sales (like Ft. Lauderdale in 2006) It's hard to beleive that Florida, a state surrounded with beaches, has 2 AVP events this year and both are taking place in parking lots. Not sure what kind of politics are involved but it just doesn't seem to make sense. On the flip side, we're stoked to have 2 events this year and can't wait for Tampa. Congrats on the wins so far and let's see you and Phil make it 2-0 in FL this year.
i think at the very least the inland tournaments should be held in parks where there's some shade and maybe some sort of water feature.
Todd,
Yeah, I'm with you on this. I fell in love with the AVP at first site in 1988 in Boulder back when it was played at South Boulder Rec Center Park. That was ambience! I know were many logistic issues there that led the AVP out Boulder Reservoir, but I won't forget sitting on a hillside watching Karch and Sinjin/Randy with the Flatirons peering over my shoulder.
I have no interest in parking lot volleyball. I just wish they'd visit the beach here in San Diego.
Thanks,
David in San Diego
I am a local player here in the Phoenix area, and I would like to apologize on behalf Arizona to you Cali guys. Yes, Tempe was much better. The fact you guys had to play in a giant parking lot sucks. The fact that all the fans had to go out in a parking lot sucks. I will always go out to the AVP whenever they come here, but surely they can have a better venue. Now in one year, a lot of the shops will be open and it will be more "happening", but still...a parking lot?
Second, it seems that the Arizona events are getting later and later in the year. I realize the AVP doesn't know this, but it just keeps getting hotter and hotter. These players were playing in 103 degree weather! Atheletes were cramping up!
Third, finals were on Mother's Day?!!! Most moms I know don't want to hang out in 103 degree weather.
Look, I don't mean to sound like it was a total flop. I just thought this was poor form for the AVP and I hope their decisions in the future get better.
A better location would have been indoors at the Cardinals Stadium. They can roll out the field and fill the stadium with sand. The roof closes and the place can be air-conditioned. The AVP can crack the roof for the night matches. Much better solution than having it in the Westgate parking lot.
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