Fairborn commencement
Badin graduation
Division I regional track finals
Bombers won't play next season; cite declining support
Monday, March 30, 2009
The Dayton Bombers will not play the 2009-10 ECHL season, the league confirmed today, March 30.
The Bombers, who had the second longest tenure in the ECHL with 18 seasons, played their final home game Saturday, March 28, at the Nutter Center, where they have played since the 1996-97 season.
Dayton will wrap up the regular season on the road at Reading on April 4.
The Bombers organization must inform the ECHL Board of Governors of its future plans at the annual meeting on June 24.
"From the board's point of view it's a done deal, there won't be hockey in Dayton next season," ECHL commissioner Brian McKenna said. "There have been discussions about and rumors of possible owners, but nothing has come to fruition."
Costa Papista has owned the team since 2004, in a partnership with Don MacAdam until MacAdam left the organization in 2008.
"I am incredibly grateful to the season-ticket holders and sponsors who have been so loyal to us over the years but, financially, it's become too difficult to continue without a major capital infusion," Papista said.
According to Papista, the team has not made a profit during his tenure, nor has the owner drawn a single paycheck.
"Our first year was the toughest, but it got progressively better," he said. "This year, we were on target to break even or, possibly show a modest profit. But because of the economy, several sponsors reduced their commitments or took the year off altogether and group sales took a beating, too."
Group sales numbers were down about 150,000 this season, according to Papista. Average attendance, according to the ECHL, has remained steady as the Bombers averaged 3,679 per game this season and 3,663 during the 2007-08 season. But Dayton consistently fall short of the league average, which this season is 4,218.
"It has been very disappointing, not being able to bring the team to the point of self-sufficiency, but it's not from a lack of effort," Papista said. "Everybody in the organization has worked hard to make the Bombers work financially, but I believe that our facility challenges were bigger hurdles than we anticipated."
Papista remains committed to a downtown arena project, which he pitched several weeks ago.
"Whether it's for the Dayton Bombers or an ECHL expansion team, I still think the project makes an abundant amount of sense," he said. "And it's a great economic fit for the community."
With an ECHL team currently in Cincinnati and the return of the Toledo team next season, it also would be a good fit for the league, according to McKenna.
"We very much would like to be back in Dayton and, hopefully, some day we will be," McKenna said.
Comments
By Daniel
April 21, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this
I’m a big cyclone fan and soon to be a wright state student, and have been to a few bombers games. I think if they lower ticket prices and tried more to attract WSU students then they would have a good turn out every game.
By Morgan29
April 18, 2009 8:09 AM | Link to this
Back in 2003 we thought there wasn’t going to be a team up until about a month before the season started, so hopefully something will come through this time. I don’t care where they play as long as we have a team. They need to get the ticket prices down, because if a family has to pay $60 just to get in the door, then they probably aren’t going to go to a game just to check it out if they aren’t fans already. Also, I think they could have done more to try to attract the WSU students.
By Charles
April 13, 2009 8:19 PM | Link to this
Would love to see you in the IHL. Old rivals in Fort Wayne, Flint, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, and Port Huron await you, along with Bloomington, and perhaps another surprise team or two. Hara is a GEM! At least it used to be.
By KOMET FAN
April 11, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this
WELCOME FROM FORT WAYNE AND THE KOMETS ! hey dayton Gem fans. Bring back the Gems to the IHL and Hara would be a wonderful place to build a rival. Check out the IHL and see good hockey and no long bus rides. The ECHL will go away the same way the old IHL did because of the travel and the distance between teams. Minor league fans like to take a 2-3 hour cars ride to visit away games. bring the Gems back to Hara and I will buy my ticket.
By SARAH
April 8, 2009 9:10 PM | Link to this
Yes, lets get back to HARA where the Bombers belong. I can still remember the smell of the ice when you walked in, and the hot dogs. The atmosphere was great for hockey- never should have left. It was great the time we went back to HARA for that 1 playoff game several years ago.
By joe
April 7, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this
Great comments puckster1.
Bill, the demise of the Bombers hardly helps the cause of WSU basketball.
They had first dibs on all the dates anyway. What was their paid attendance? Probably less than the Bombers.
May you continue to enjoy your 3rd rate basketball team at your 4rth rate “university”. LOL.
By puckster1
April 6, 2009 2:38 PM | Link to this
As a Bombers fan, I would never say the Nutter Center is a “hole.” I would reserve that word to describe Hara. No, quite the contrary: it’s a clean, modern facility. It’s also accurate to describe it as a cavernous, generic, dead-space of a warehouse where joy and team spirit go to die. And were the WSU basketball program not under-written on the backs of all of us taxpayers (you’re welcome!), I’d venture to guess they’d have been homeless by this point, too.
By Bill
April 5, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
I am a Wright State basketball fan. I’m glad to see the Bombers out of our arena. All their fans are bitter because the team went under so they’re saying the Nutter Center is a hole. It’s good for WSU basketball where the average attendance is over 1000 per game. haha. If the Bombers are so great, GET YOUR OWN FACILITIES!!!
By hara is a sewer
April 2, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this
To clarify, HARA was nice and safe — 30 years ago. As were many homes on lower Salem Avenue.
By Wilmoth
April 2, 2009 3:32 PM | Link to this
What was 30 years ago sewer?
By snyder
April 2, 2009 2:08 PM | Link to this
HA-HA
By hara is a sewer
April 2, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this
It was 30 years ago.
By hara is a sewer
April 2, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
Thank you Ms. Wampler.
By love hara
April 2, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this
I totally agree that they need to move the Bombers back to HARA!! It is a WONDERFUL and SAFE facility!! :-)
By LovetheBombers
April 2, 2009 8:01 AM | Link to this
Puckster1, the players, hell even the coach didn’t know about it until it hit the news and they started receiving calls. Pretty poor taste if you ask me.
The question should be why wasn’t it announced several months ago so people could rally support then? Instead everyone’s time was wasted in a meeting about the Austin Pk. project and wanting STH to campaign against it. That effort could’ve been used toward helping with ideas to keep the team going.
By ur63
April 2, 2009 12:58 AM | Link to this
Whether or not Hara is a great place for hockey,they should have never moved to the Nutter Center. The Nut House is too big for minor league hockey and rather dull to watch it. I would like to see our local media report more on our minor league pro teams. They seem to care more about high school,college and major league clubs from elsewhere. Better promotions would help and entertainment during games also.
I would like to see a downtown facility that is smaller and built for hockey.
By puckster1
April 1, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this
Also, I’m curious why the team didn’t announce the operations suspension sooner. They might have packed the arena Saturday night with fans eager to see one last game. Friday too, maybe. Another lost revenue opportunity.
By puckster1
April 1, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this
Yoiu’re right, sam the roller girls did move one match to accomodate the bombers. It was the second request they balked at. Anyway, a minor detail in the grand scheme of things. BTW, hara is a sewer: , i love that name, lol.
By Hockey gal
April 1, 2009 6:52 PM | Link to this
Continue
Those who were happy to buy jerseys for 500 to 800 dollar and buy one then 1 jersey, surely you would be willing to give $1000. toward helping the Bombers stay in Dayton.
I know this is hard times, but affordable, Family Fun, ice Hockey, plus it probably a tax right off , for you business savvy folks.
Stop moaning, nothing can be achieved by doing that. Start finding a solution to the problem. and if your gonna moan , go away, we do not need any more negativity !
By Hockey gal
April 1, 2009 6:48 PM | Link to this
Continue.
They decided on their own after 11 games,sold out, at Hara, to move to a bigger venue, Stupid move !
Costa took on a team and a business that was in the s**ts before they ever started, No use pointing fingers and blaming things. What Costa and the Bombers need, is people who are willing to invest, and Support.Also people who are afraid to roll up their sleeves, and say, I’ll help where ever needed.Those who bought more then 1 jersey, can probably afford to put forward %1000.00
By Hockey gal
April 1, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this
You all can keep pointing fingers and Biotching all you want. WE need to get together on prove Hockey can and is popular in Dayton. It would bring jobs to Dayton, It would bring Money to downtown Dayton. I for one hope they move to Hara for atleast 2 years, build an arena downtown and bring some jobs to the area.
Nutter center was the biggest F’ing mistake Bud and Arnie ever did, They got Greedy! and got too big for their boots.
By hara is a sewer
April 1, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
These comments crack me up! Wright State basketball averaging 6K per game! In what century. Their own hockey team won’t play there.
I do no know what league would go to Harat. The facility would never get approval. The area is dead. How much is back taxes do they owe, so I hear? How many millions to fix in the short term?
I don’t give a crap about Miami hockey with “Rico the donkey”. We will never see a professional team in Dayton again if it is not downtown.
By Gretzky
April 1, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this
NYC…I played for the Rangers and I can say that the only two towns that I know of that smell like urine year-round are New Orleans and NYC. You can crwal back in your hole now or go report to your parole officer. Clown.
I think what is lost in all of this is that the Bombers have also been paying off the ice debt on Nutter Center for some time. I don’t know how much that has cost them in revenue or as an expense, but I’m sure it has been a significant hit to their bottom line since 1996.
By nyc
April 1, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
more people show up to a little league baseball game…than a bomber hockey-entertainment game…..the reason why they are in trouble is because hockey stinks…..they cant even get the minimum in attendance…lol…….doesnt that say it all
By nyc
April 1, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this
a big time investor is needed for a rinky-dink operation…lol……….look at their average attendance figures….enough said….that kind of entertainment is a dime a dozen….the bombers stink…and hockey is not a sport…its entertainment just like pro-wrestling….
By BLUE-LINE-EXPRESS
April 1, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this
The main reason the bombers lost all the time was because the guys that drove the Zamboni did a horrible job. They cut the ice so the puck just funneled into our goal. That and the Canadian flag was hung backward for years. And the basketball team had a million posters and banners hanging around. It depressed all the Bomber, even Bucky. The benches were too small, the skates were too dull, the uniforms cost too much, B-Man was never loud enough. There are a million reasons the Bombers failed.
By Maurice
April 1, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
I believe that the Bombers can return to Dayton and be successful, maybe not this coming season but the next for sure. And if a new arena is built Downtown that will bring more investors and fans to the Bombers.
By sam
April 1, 2009 12:51 PM | Link to this
I’m sad to see another Dayton sports franchise in trouble. I wish the Bombers the best. However, puckster1, the Bombers did not lose a play off game due to roller derby. They lost due to poor playing, and an owner not having faith enough to reserve the arena for any possibly impacted dates if his team made it to the play offs. Actually, the rollergirls moved their home opener to allow for the Bombers to have one of their reserved dates.
By LovetheBombers
April 1, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this
Yes the DDN’s coverage has been sorely lacking in the past and we’ve had to put up with Mr. never has anything postive to say, Sean McClelland. However none of the Dayton media have been falling over themselves covering the team, even when we went to finals.
Shouldering 95% of the blame of the team’s demise should be the current owner and operater. High ticket prices, substandard coaching and little to no advertising of any promotions.
By puckster1
April 1, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this
No one single issue was responsible for the Bombers downfall. There were many factors: a string of half-hearted owners after Bud Gingher departed; little-to-no coverage by the local media; Wright State’s treating the team like 2nd class citizens (remember when we lost a playoff game to the silly roller derby?); the ECHL’s ridiculous westward expansion and poor league oversite; the loss of rivals like Toledo and Peoria (and their fans’ $$$); the lousy economy; and losing the CBJ affiliation.
By Kim
April 1, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
Yep - as others have said - this sentence sums it up: The team has never made a profit in the 13 years since it moved from Hara Arena to Wright State University’s Nutter Center. And they let that go on so long without doing something about it? I went regularly at Hara but I haven’t been to ANY at Nutter and won’t - hate that place. I won’t go to any kind of event there because it’s a pain. But I go see them when they play Hobart in Troy and I will be VERY sad to see them go!
By uncoolio
April 1, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
Theres only one great place to watch hockey in this town and they call that place HARA ARENA.and for the candy asses that state they will not go there,good —only real hockey fans need to apply.Hockey is not a social event,its different—-its not to be played in a steril enviornment—-its not to be played in pretty gym with fancy beer taps. Its not to be played in a high rent district,its blood and guts and when the next Dayton Hockey team comes to town and it will happen soon@Hara,I’ll be there
By Bobcat
April 1, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
(Continued) Ask any GM, and they will tell you that travel costs are one of the biggest expenses of any team. Instead of a 2 hr bus ride to games, teams are going on cross-country excursions to friggin’ Alaska. (There is a reason the WCHL failed that the ECHL brass fail to recognize!)
By Bobcat
April 1, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
One of the biggest reasons for the Bombers failure has to do w/ the league itself. The ECHL is in trouble-& has been ever since its expansion west of the Mississippi. Long-time fans remember the great rivalries & intense games with (C-bus/70mi)Chill, (Cinci/55mi) Cyclones, (Toledo/150mi) Storm and (Louisville 150mi) Icehawks. All cities within reasonable driving distances of Dayton. Toss in Wheeling, Erie and Johnstown and you had the makings of the old North division of the EAST COAST league.
By Dayton Hockey
April 1, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this
Log into Facebook and search for “dayton professional hockey” and join the group. I know a few people reading these comments have already joined.
I have contacted the Marketing Director at Hara Arena and she informed me that they are initiating talks with several parties that are interested in either acquiring the Bombers and/or bringing a comparable team to Hara.
Join the Facebook group so that they know there is serious interest in keeping pro hockey in the Dayton area.
By Roscoe
April 1, 2009 8:44 AM | Link to this
The key to the whole problem was right there in the above article. “The Bombers have not made a profit since they left Hara Arena” Those of us former tickets holders at that time tried to tell them but it fell on deaf ears. Just look at the attendance figures between the 2 venues and you see the major drop the year after they left. It’s doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see why they folded now…………..
By Mark
April 1, 2009 8:31 AM | Link to this
Bring on Mandalay Entertainment and an AHL team to Austin Pike, Screw the Bombers and the ECHL, lets get some REAL hockey in Dayton
By Gordie Howe
April 1, 2009 8:30 AM | Link to this
I think part of the problem on the ice was that the Bombers were never consistent winners. They also seemed to be more interetsted in moving players up the ladder than winning here. Winning does wonders for attendance. Part of the reason the Toledo has drawn well (and are getting a new building) is that they put a value on winning - and the Gems did too. The Bombers never put a value on winning.
By BOB
April 1, 2009 8:05 AM | Link to this
Here is an idea. Take Hockey back to Hara Arena. That was a BLAST! I’d be the first in line to buy season tickets. Another idea: Larry Schmittou /Nashville Sounds use to allocate a LARGE portion of tickets for FREE. Place them at banks, credit unions, libraries, etc. FILL THE SEATS. Sell the Premium seats. They use to make the $$ on concessions, baseball paraphernalia, Beer and Beer!!! It would also go over well in this economy.
By MN Fighting Saints
April 1, 2009 6:28 AM | Link to this
Yeah I love hockey and I’m disappointed to see them cease operations, but they continually raised season ticket proces in a 5-6 year period when the team were perennial losers. The atmosphere changed - they pushed the family/kids thing to the extreme - that didn’t work. People got tired of watching mediocre hockey. O’Reilly started running the team in the ground, Papista and McAdam finished it off. They ruined a good thing. WSU DID NOT want the bombers in their facility … fact!
By FormerBomber
April 1, 2009 3:58 AM | Link to this
You can not blame DDN nor anyone else for the Bombers down fall. Costa gave away vouchers for tickets, yet he claims that group ticket sales were down. Of course they would be when you give tickets away. Corporate sponsorship? When you do “trade outs” with places so you won’t have to pay for their services, of course you’re not going to make money. If he wants to be an owner, fine…But let someone else run the team. He’s dug his grave now let him lie in it.
By Hockey gal
April 1, 2009 1:49 AM | Link to this
I know a few hockey fans that would be willing to invest, to keep the Bomber in Dayton. We spend money in auctions to pay for jersey’s costing $600 upwards, those same people could dip in their pockets as well, and invesst in keeping the team here.
we are not going down without a fight. Give your loyal fans a chance to help out where we can !
By Jim
March 31, 2009 11:13 PM | Link to this
You had a hockey team in the same city for 18 seasons and during that time folks, Cincinnati has had, one IHL Team , one AHL team and 3 ECHL teams and all but one of those 5 are gone, not including the Team that never was, The Rail Raiders. Five teams, 6 if you want to count the Rail Raiders has bused in and out of this town. The Rail Raiders didn’t make to town because the tires fall off the bus before it got here. This is a painful feeling that like many other minor league teams in a lot of cities face when a team pulls the plug as Phoenix and Mississippi has announced and there are no words that can be said to make the final out come to change. Ask any real hockey fan in Cincinnati that had to endure the years of the Clones/Ducks war that still has fans battling out to this day. Yes, I came to Dayton to watch the Bombers play hockey more times when they wasn’t playing against the Clones and will miss not being able to see a game at a professional level (however minor league it is) and not cost a days pay as it does at the NHL level.
By Gems fan
March 31, 2009 10:49 PM | Link to this
I really hate to see hockey go. 2 things come to mind about the Bombers lack of support. Information: Alumni weekend I could not find anything about what was going on. Entertainment: players and management at all levels of hockey have forgotten that they are in the entertainment business. I could care less for the dancing between whistles and other non-hockey entertainment. When I chuck down 2 hours of pay to bring the family to a game I want to see a team that cares that we’re there win or lose
By Jack
March 31, 2009 9:53 PM | Link to this
The Nutter Center is a great venue for college basketball. Sorry it did not work out for hockey, but this is great news for Raider fans. Go Vaughn, Todd, JDG, Cory, and Scott! Kick some a$$ next year.
By Wilmoth
March 31, 2009 9:49 PM | Link to this
Dayton hockey fans, a Facebook group has been created help garner and show support for professional hockey in the Dayton area.
Go to facebook and search for “dayton professional hockey” and join the group.
By Cyndamarie
March 31, 2009 8:32 PM | Link to this
Thank you Bob, but my name is Gunn now, I am happily married and really ticked about this Bombers moving stuff.
but Thank you for your support. STEBBINS AND BOMBERS RULE FOREVER
By Bombers Fan
March 31, 2009 8:27 PM | Link to this
Funny those saying Bombers suck and should die and such, Probably never went to the Bombers games, and yet they feel obligated to complain.
also, I think DDN could have given us more exposure, LOOK at all the Bombers did for the community, and all the charity events they participated in. THAT you do not see much from other teams. You lose our Bombers, you might as well turn off the lights to the rest of Dayton, Bad enough we are losing GM, and those places. I think this crap totally sucks !!
By Bombers Fan
March 31, 2009 8:25 PM | Link to this
I would almost bank, on the idea, that Nutter center wanted the Bombers gone, and that WSU wants to have their own hockey team? Am I the only one thinking this?
I am hurt and disappointed about the things said, I think that the move to Nutter center was a big mistake, but I still held season tickets with the Bombers, I did stay at Hara for the Ice Bandits, and then moved with they went belly up.
I agree with all the true Bombers fans, We love our Bombers.
By Cyndamarie
March 31, 2009 8:19 PM | Link to this
IF HOCKEY didn’t fly in Dayton, then why the heck did we have a team for 18 years. HELLO!!!
I don’t care if we play in Kettering rec at this point. DON’T TAKE OUR BOMBERS AWAY!
By J.R. Erwin
March 31, 2009 7:45 PM | Link to this
Everybody should…google The Dream Sports Arenas. The West Carrollton Economic Development Director is reviewing the proposal for a 200 acre facility that will have..4 ice arenas & inline , 9 basketball/vb courts, 4 indoor full size football/soccer fields, 3 BMX bicycle, 2 olympic pools, rock climbing, skateboarding(all indoor) 20 outside fields, 21 baseball/softball fields,whitewater run and much more. So, hockey and sports will thrive for youth and adult teams..!!
By nyc
March 31, 2009 5:26 PM | Link to this
wow….hockey is not a sport anyway….its just like pro wrestling….the fights are hilarious….they will not be missed…..just look at the attendance figures…lol….
By tim
March 31, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this
Dayton is a hockey town and we do need a hockey team. My life is hockey. If theres no Bombers then there goes the umemployment rate again. I live and bleed hockey. I agree with Cyndamarie that if there isnt an agreement with nutter center or a new owner then we go to Hobart Arena in Troy. Theres TRUE HOCKEY FANS THERE. Its closer to where I live anyways. Since the Dayton City Council sucks we should go to Troy!! And its not Costa Papista fault. Its the economy!!! Its safer in Troy too!!!!!!!!!!
By Bob Katcavage
March 31, 2009 5:01 PM | Link to this
It’s sad that the Bombers are leaving town. However, out of due respect to the loyal Dayton Bomber fans, the Toledo hockey club named their new franchise “Walleye” after one of Dayton’s biggest fans, and Stebbins High School graduate Cyndamarie Adkins. Get ready for Toledo Walleye hockey.
By puckster1
March 31, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this
As much as I dislike the Cyclones and disliked the Storm, I would never wish this day on their fans.
I don’t believe I saw this mentioned, but what about WSU’s club team? UD’s club team was mentioned, but the Raiders have a team as well. Maybe now they can play their games as Nutter instead of Hara. I know I’m stretching, but it’s live hockey.
Hockey survived here for 18 years, which in minor league terms is eons. There is a market here and money to be made for a hockey-savy mind.
By chuck is larry's bf
March 31, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this
Hey chuck (cdaker@coxohio.com) we can all see that you work for DDN. Let me ask you a question. Do you want fries with that burger? LOL… Get a clue!
By Nadi
March 31, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
I am tired of people saying Dayton is no Hockey town because of the attendants of the games. But who wants to see them loose all to often? That’s why I didn’t go to many games this year, it was just to painful to watch. If a lot off good players get traded to avoid a Play Off season because off money issues then you should not be surprised if people don’t show up for the games. They rather save their money and only go once in a while. I also think that Papista dug his own whole! Who liked him ?!
By See ya Bombers
March 31, 2009 4:40 PM | Link to this
The stories were good but the placement was terrible. I’d see Debbie at games and then not be able to find the story the next day because it was buried or too short. Sad
By chuck
March 31, 2009 4:34 PM | Link to this
Man the hockey fans are out! But sad to say, professional hockey will not make it in Dayton. Go see the Flyers, or Miami in Oxford. They play better hockey than the Bombers ever did. The fans are better too. Yes I do have a job and it pays very well.
By dudey
March 31, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this
if chuck was the one driving the zamboni , it’s a good thing he’s out of a job cause he sucked at it.that ice and that arena go together …they are pitiful
By Elizabeth
March 31, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
I am sorry I love hockey but I couldnt never be a Cyclowns fans! Go Bluejackets!!!!
By Dayton is dead!
March 31, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
Here you have it folks. Forbes is right, another black eye for Dayton/Mont Cty. Dayton is dead. My hands are so hairy I cant even see straight anymore.
By Elizabeth
March 31, 2009 4:04 PM | Link to this
Don’t blame DDN, its not thier fault people got greedy and unrealistic thinking they could sell out an arena that big when they weren’t even selling out Hara. It’s not anyones fault that they have a crappy coach who doesn’t even talk to the team durring intermission, he’s too busy standing outside the locker room talking. Dayton just is not a huge hockey town, yes they have loyal fans that will be sad to see them go, I am one of them. The one to blame is Bombers Management for being ignorant!
By Boxter
March 31, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
Didn’t I read about a month ago how they wanted to build a 40 million dollar arena downtown? Who in the hell wrote that article? Nice background check on how the team was doing. What the hell, we go to Cincinnati to see a real hockey team…..the 2008 Kelley Cup Champions Cyclones.
By Sir Garrett
March 31, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
Oh, my … you mouth-breathing hill rats … SHOOT the messenger, the DDN?
Don’t worry, the DDN is dying, just the Bombers just crashed & burned. Do ANY of you actually drive out to Fairborn to see this crap in that dump of an arena? I’m guessing ‘no.’
Bush-League hockey belonged in that barn called “Hara Arena” and ‘nowhere else!’ - when these geniuses got greedy and moved to (Nutter Center? Are you kidding?) That was the end - I can’t believe that garbage lasted that long. Go Deb!
By Ziggy75
March 31, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this
http://campus.udayton.edu/~hockey/
By Ziggy75
March 31, 2009 3:38 PM | Link to this
FYI
The University of Dayton Flyers have a hockey team. I saw some games free and a few others I had to pay five dollars. They played Ohio State, and others throughout the season. You’re about two rows from the action, and it’s free most of the time. I forget where they play now but they use to play at the Kettering Rec.
On another note you can see UD play baseball if you can’t get Dragons tickets.
By tom section 12
March 31, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this
The Bombers HAVE ALWAYS been the ugly step child of Dayton sports.. there are alot of good and die hard hockey fans here in town ( me included ) and HOPEFULLY another team will come along soon to fill the void here in town and MAYBE just MAYBE have deeper pockets ,, better support from the dayton area and BETTER press too…
By Chuck workes @ DDN
March 31, 2009 1:42 PM | Link to this
Chuck was the guy who drove the Zambonie…. He’s just mad that he is out of a job now!
By HockeyFan2
March 31, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this
Hey Chuck, You wouldn’t say that if it was football, basketball, baseball or even NASCAR. There are plenty of hockey fans here in the Dayton and surrounding areas. WE WANT HOCKEY TO STAY HERE!!!! I’ve been a season ticket holder for 9 years with the Bombers and this is a sad time with all of us hockey fans. There is still hope that someone will come in a buy the team and keep it here in Dayton. I BELIEVE it will happen.
By MJD
March 31, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this
Great reporting over the years by a top-notch, local reporter, Debbie Juniewicz. If you want to look local, she’s one of the best — not only hockey, but bowling, high school tennis, volleyball and other sports that just wouldn’t get covered without her. When hockey comes back, they should name the press box after her.
By Hey Upchuck.. you suck!
March 31, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this
Get a clue your Sinclair journalist dropout! DDN news sucks and so do you!
By chuck
March 31, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
The Bombers failure is not the falt of the DDN’s. Anyone who would think that is an idiot. This market does not have enough loyal hockey fans to surport it. As a result, Costa and the ones before him just could not drum up enough business to make it a financal sucess. The downtown “dream venure” is a money losing idea. Lets hope that never happens. I really dont think anyone should try to start up another hockey team in this town. They would be throwing way money.
By marcus
March 31, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this
The Nutter Center is great for WSU basketball but horrible for Bomber hockey. I went to WSU games where the place is packed. Wright States lowest attended games had twice as many fans as Bombers highest attended matches. WSU averages about 6k fans, Bombers were lucky to get 1k.
By DDN SUCKS!
March 31, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
DDN sucks!
By sad day
March 31, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
I agree with all the comments about the DDN only having a story about the team leaving. It’s not just about the Bombers, but Dragons, UD, Wright State, etc. There is poor coverage of the true local sports, yet more in-depth coverage of things outside of Dayton. Want to know why readership is down? Because you don’t localize. You could be the exclusive source of the above teams and have a good base just based on that. Instead you deliver the same AP crap you can find in any other newspaper. Sad.
By Charles
March 31, 2009 11:55 AM | Link to this
Way to go DDN! This is the 1st time ever that the Bombers have front page coverage of even the sports section. The DDN has a large portion of blame for not promoting the Bombers. Heck they barely promote the Dayton Dragons! Continue to focus on the Suckeyes and the laughing stock of baseball, Cincinnati. You are the DAYTON Daily News, not the Ohio Daily News
By harry koontz
March 31, 2009 11:41 AM | Link to this
I am hoping that Obama will send the Bombers some of that stimulus money and guarantee a winning season! Just like he is saying the GM and Chrysler warranties are better than ever.
By granman
March 31, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
Only too remember the smell of ice at hara
By LennyC
March 31, 2009 11:25 AM | Link to this
Only a Blue Jackets affiliate makes sense. Good young players in an NHL organization with support from the top! Dayotn needs to reestablish a goold relationship with the Jackets.
Dont’ blame the city. Get your facts straight. Dayton’s city officials did not propose to rip up Dave Hall Plaza for a new hockey arena. That dumb, expensive idea was the dream of the outgoing hockey team. The city never wanted it and never supported it.
By tom section 12
March 31, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
want to thank the Bombers for a fun and exciting 18 years .. i will miss them ,, all the players that have passed through the Bombers orginization ,, the games . the 2 finals they played in.. mostly though all the frindships i have made in those 18 years can NEVER be replaced…….. R. I. P. Bombers ,,,, hope to see you back soon or another team in the not so distant future……. section 12 at HARA LIVES for ever !!!!!!!
By Ok little Wewe
March 31, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this
What are you talking about. Provide proof brfore you comment on what Wright State Admins are going to do. Anything else is just puke out here!
As far a what the owners what, they what to raise ticket prises for lack luster performance. Now tell me little Wewe does your wife put up with lack luster performance?
By WeRe
March 31, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this
No one wants the Bombers to stay at the Nutter Center. The bombers owe a ton of $$$ to WSU for ice and labor. So much that the Admins at the Nutter Center are going to just going to write it all off. The Bombers want their team to be successful on their terms. They give the fans a watered down version of small market hockey. The fans want blood and fights and beer and cheap tickets. That is what makes small market hockey teams. IT IS PENALTY MINS NOT GOALS! Costa wants family friendly hockey.
By Perspective
March 31, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this
Hockey can work in Dayton but it is like anything else, you need to spend money to make money. None of the existing facilities are good long-term solutions. The Nutter Center is a multi-purpose building, Hara needs major renovations and is not in a neighborhood that has much else to offer. Troy has history but is too far out of the area and doesn’t have the features, suites etc., that are desirable and have come to be expected. The venue plays a significant part in the success of a team.
By John Knauss
March 31, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this
I really hate to see the Bombers shut down. Although I no longer live near Dayton - I have fond memories of the games at Hara Arena with Tom Carroll Johnny Walker. That was the spot for the Bombers…a fun-filled rowdy evening. Hopefully, they will return to a hockey arena near you soon.
By Charley
March 31, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
Greg54 has part of the answer. Get Mandalay involved with the Bombers with a downtown arena. Mandalay knows how to fill seats and bring people downtown. An affiliation with an NHL team is also essential as that helps with some of the salaries. Hara is a great building for hockey but in a bad location and a declining neighborhood. Hara does have ample parking however, something that would be a challenge for a downtown location.
By Fed Up
March 31, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this
The Warehouse out in Fairborn they call “The Nutter Center” is a joke for any sports activity. I went and saw the Bombers in Troy when they played there. What a great facility for Hockey. The leadership in Trotwood would do very well to include Hara in thier plans for the development of the old Salem Mall area (right down the street) and bring Hockey back to where it belongs! Call themselves the “Trotwood Bombers” instead of the name “Dayton”. The name “Dayton” alone spews with failure
By dudey
March 31, 2009 10:05 AM | Link to this
boy this is the most coverage of the BOMBERS i have seen since they’ve been here,now there leaving? wake the ** up DDN!!! Just wanted to say THANK YOU TO THE DAYTON BOMBERS FOR ALL THE GREAT TIMES!!! IT IS A GREAT SPORT WITH A GREAT BUNCH OF GUYS WHO MAY NOT MAKE IT TO THE ” SHOW” , BUT PUT ON ONE HELL OF SHOW WHILE THEY WERE HERE!! THANKS AGAIN BOMBERS WE’LL MISS YA!!
By MM
March 31, 2009 9:50 AM | Link to this
It’s not just one thing that has ended the Bombers rein here in Dayton. Costa tried hard and I’d like to thank him and the staff for some great times. It’s going to be a cold lonely winter thats coming. I still think a arena downtown would work for a hockey team and the city of Dayton. It’s time for change and new leadership in Dayton. The stagnate air has been here long enough.
By CBJ
March 31, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
Dumbhead: “Dayton should press for an AHL affiliate of the Detroit Redwings and build a new stadium downtown.”
Now why the hell would you mention the Detroit Redwings when we have a great hometown team in Ohio? The CBJ!!!
By Bill
March 31, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
I guess the team heard they might have to play downtown!
By Bomber=Dayton=Forbes Article=Dead
March 31, 2009 9:43 AM | Link to this
The things you people fail to realize is Dayton is a sh@t hole. One by one the places of business will fall. Please the last one out of Dayton turn the lights off!
By tbill
March 31, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this
Looks like all 3500 fans decided to write in. Hockey is not a big deal in the USA, let alone in Dying Dayton. Who cares? Hara was a dump 30 years ago and still is. Perfect for hockey fans/trash.
By dudey
March 31, 2009 9:39 AM | Link to this
hey wordell your an f*ing idiot whose too damn stupid to understand hockey so you gotta ” blast” it.the media in this area is one of the main reasons the BOMBERS are leaving. their a bunch of prima donnas who think all they do is fight in hockey but you never see their sorry a$$ at a hockey game. same with our so called sorry a$$ political leaders…
By Fish
March 31, 2009 9:38 AM | Link to this
I was a season ticket holder for many years. Back in 97 I floated an idea to some of the other season ticket holders to buy the Bombers. It was met with some intrest. At that point Tommy Beneizo was the assistant GM and a good friend. He told me it could work. At that Time we were looking at season ticket holders X $1000 per share. Don’t know if that would work today but it might be a starting point. I would love to get loud at a game!
By allen
March 31, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this
BEN, the dayton Gems had a good promoter back then. Lefty McFadden.one major reason why the Gems were successful.
By Hipp
March 31, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this
They were done the day they left Hara…It’s more like a comedy show than an actual hockey team anyway
By Dennis
March 31, 2009 9:05 AM | Link to this
When they left Hara I said I wud never go to another Bomber hockey game (I’haven’t) I hate the Nutter center its just to big for a minor league team Sat nite at hara 5.500 it was a sell out people where great not at the Nutter what a waste Bring them back to hara then I’ll support the Bombers
By Doc
March 31, 2009 9:00 AM | Link to this
Why all the talk a few weeks back about tearing up Dave Hall Plaza for a new hockey rink if Papista had plans of bailing? Screw him. This does sound promising, though, for Dave Hall Plaza Too bad for you hockey fans. Maybe those who make decisions read DDN online and see the many recommendations they return to Hara. They DO need to clean that cesspool up before that happens.
Hockey, ‘eh? Check out synchronized swimming sometime. ;)
By Roscoe
March 31, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this
I had season tickets from day 1 when the Bombers started here at Hara, row A seats 1 & 2 right next to the penalty box. These seats were $7 each. Now here we are about 15 years later and the same seats at the Nutter would cost you $30. Now I don’t know about you, but my salary hasn’t quadrupled in that time has yours????? Hara was always a better draw than the Nutter with weekend sell outs every year they were there. The Nutter suxs for Hockey and Concerts, it was built for court sports……..