Goodbye, Joe.

I know stick and ball sports are not all that popular here, but I know there are some from SE MI, and some hockey fans.

Goodbye, Joe Louis Arena. It was great going to you and seeing hockey.

All but one game I went to go see there were some kind of college game, mostly with Michigan. Some of the reason was the very high prices for Red Wings tickets.... Even saw a concert at the Joe.

But SO many GREAT teams played there. So many historic players. So many amazing moments.

Going to miss you, but at the same time, I'm glad we are moving on.

Never went to a Wings game there, sort of regret it. (Never went to the old Tiger stadium either) Did see Ted Nugent at the Joe for what turned out to be the final New Years Eve Whiplash Bash.

What bullE36 M3 corporate name is it getting replaced with? Wendy's 4 for $4 meal deal stadium doesn't have the same ring to it.

Sad day. I used to follow hockey pretty enthusiastically but haven't paid much attention the past couple years. Maybe it's because I'm not at college in central IL surrounded by Blackhawk and Blues fans anymore. That made it more fun

BlueInGreen44 wrote: Sad day. I used to follow hockey pretty enthusiastically but haven't paid much attention the past couple years. Maybe it's because I'm not at college in central IL surrounded by Blackhawk and Blues fans anymore. That made it more fun

Where'd you go to school?

It is a sad day. I'm sad I never got to go there. There really aren't any old rinks left. Not including the garden, Joe was the oldest. Now I think it's calrgary, which is only 35ish years old.

I went to a couple of games there as a kid. That and Tiger Stadium are some of my very first recollections that the world is a much bigger place than my imagination and books had prepared me for. Growing up in a small farming community, reading about explorers, none of that gets you ready for crowds and cheering and the mess that was Detroit in the early 80's.

Appleseed wrote: What bullE36 M3 corporate name is it getting replaced with? Wendy's 4 for $4 meal deal stadium doesn't have the same ring to it.

Little Caesars Arena- given the owners of the Wing (and the Tigers) are also the owners of Little Caesars.

One has already called it the Pizzarena. Which I think is pretty funny.

The Pizzarena isn't terrible. I'd have gone with Little Caesars Colosseum.

As much as I dislike corporate naming, little Caesars has been a big supporter of youth hockey, which is good.

Wall-e wrote: I'd have gone with Little Caesars Colosseum.

Someone in Little Caesar's marketing department should be fired for not thinking of this.

It's funny how people get attached to old sports facilities. Not sure why... Tradition, I suppose. Philadelphia is packed with tradition and historical buildings, so there is little need to get attached to facilities that become old and obsolete.

During my 37 years in Philadelphia, the entire sports complex has been replaced. In 1980, there was Franklin Field (very old football stadium), Veterans Stadium (Eagles and Phillies) and The Spectrum (Flyers, Sixers and most concerts).

First, Franklin came down as was replaced by what is now the Wells Fargo Center (has gone through making names as various naming banks changed hands). As it was a very old stadium with minimal facilities, I don't recall much fan-fare. My only experience was seeing the Monsters of Rock tour there in 1988.

Lincoln Financial Field was built for the Eagles next on an existing lot. Many folks were happy to get the Eagles out of the Vet since the rock-hard artificial turf was rumored to be one reason why a number of players avoided playing for the team.

Then The Spectrum came down for Citizens Bank Park for the Phillies. A few tears were shed for that venue as it was bit smaller and more intimate than WFC. But it was essentially a redundant facility. Although I haven't been there, I understand CBP is a great place to watch a baseball game.

Finally, the Vet came down and there was much celebration as that stadium was generally disliked by everyone. It's now a parking lot.

Oddly enough, the facilities are managed separately. The Philly SCCA used to run autocross events in the CBP lots. Those were awesome events as the lot layouts offered tons of course layout options. There were like fun, mini road courses. Then the CBP management increased the rental cost to the point where it was not feasible to run an event there. However, the management at WFC is more accommodating, so events can run there a couple of times a year.

Lots of good memories at the Joe. First concert I went to without parents was there, Bob Seger in 1986 with a bunch of my co-workers from Pizza Hut. Probably 3-4 Wings games over the years, including one in a luxury box thanks to a friend.

The thing nobody in town seems to be talking about is that the Pistons are moving into LCA, too, so tonight is their last game at the Palace. It may not resonate like the Joe does, but they did win three championships there. Honestly, it's still a great building, not outdated like the Joe. The problem is the location, it's just too far from most of the people.

Ian F wrote: It's funny how people get attached to old sports facilities. Not sure why... Tradition, I suppose.

Memories. Every time I walk through the doors of the United Center, I'm reminded of the first time I went there to see a Blackhawks game. It was my first time staying up past midnight. My dad, uncle, and older brother were there. Then last year I went there for what was/is probably the last time of my uncle's life at a professional sporting event. I hope its not, but it probably is. That kinda stays with you.

My dad has similar stories about old Chicago Stadium, and we all have it with Wrigley Field. To me that place is the happiest place on earth (suck it Disney). There is a certain something that lifts my spirits being in that ballpark, and I don't get it at any other ballpark, even if I'm seeing the Cubs.

You're right though, it is silly.

In reply to mtn:

I suppose... Of the three facilities, I spent the most time in the Spectrum. But still, while I saw a ton of concerts there, I also remember the uncomfortable seats, tight aisle ways and crappy bathrooms.

mtn wrote:

Ian F wrote: It's funny how people get attached to old sports facilities. Not sure why... Tradition, I suppose.

Memories. Every time I walk through the doors of the United Center, I'm reminded of the first time I went there to see a Blackhawks game. It was my first time staying up past midnight. My dad, uncle, and older brother were there. Then last year I went there for what was/is probably the last time of my uncle's life at a professional sporting event. I hope its not, but it probably is. That kinda stays with you. My dad has similar stories about old Chicago Stadium, and we all have it with Wrigley Field. To me that place is the happiest place on earth (suck it Disney). There is a certain something that lifts my spirits being in that ballpark, and I don't get it at any other ballpark, even if I'm seeing the Cubs. You're right though, it is silly.

exactly- it's the memories.

Although, people can hang onto those a little too strong- the whole time it took to tear down Tiger Stadium was just a waste of time and money. There was no good reason to keep it.

Tom_Spangler wrote: The thing nobody in town seems to be talking about is that the Pistons are moving into LCA, too, so tonight is their last game at the Palace. It may not resonate like the Joe does, but they did win three championships there. Honestly, it's still a great building, not outdated like the Joe. The problem is the location, it's just too far from most of the people.

That still surprises me. Given the delay in even finalizing the LCA was due to who was going to own the Pistons, I assumed that since the Illitch's lost, they would stay up in Auburn Hills. So it's great news that they are moving back downtown.

So many "woulda, coulda, shoulda" land purchases 15 years ago....

alfadriver wrote:

Tom_Spangler wrote: The thing nobody in town seems to be talking about is that the Pistons are moving into LCA, too, so tonight is their last game at the Palace. It may not resonate like the Joe does, but they did win three championships there. Honestly, it's still a great building, not outdated like the Joe. The problem is the location, it's just too far from most of the people.

That still surprises me. Given the delay in even finalizing the LCA was due to who was going to own the Pistons, I assumed that since the Illitch's lost, they would stay up in Auburn Hills. So it's great news that they are moving back downtown. So many "woulda, coulda, shoulda" land purchases 15 years ago....

Part of it could also be that the Palace is still going to be around after the Pistons leave. I'm seeing two concerts there this summer.

A hockey arena named Joe Louis? I'll bet the Quebec players thought that was pretty funny. Vachon should have bought the naming rights and painted it brown with a red interior.

The arena is named after The Brown Bomber, Joe Louis the former professional boxer.

Also in Detroit is "The Fist" in his honor.

mtn wrote:

BlueInGreen44 wrote: Sad day. I used to follow hockey pretty enthusiastically but haven't paid much attention the past couple years. Maybe it's because I'm not at college in central IL surrounded by Blackhawk and Blues fans anymore. That made it more fun

Where'd you go to school?

Greenville College, a little school off I-70 about 45 minutes east of the IL/MO border. When I tell people I went to "Greenville College" they usually think I mean the one in Greenville, SC.