State Tourney Back to St. John

 
While the nostalgia factor is kind of nice, not a fan of this move...less amenities...I seem to think the seats aren't quite as wide either.
 
St. John Arena to Host OHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament in 2020 and Boys Basketball in 2021
Ohio State University’s historic arena hosted most OHSAA basketball state tournaments from 1957-1998

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced that two upcoming basketball state tournaments will return to St. John Arena at The Ohio State University, including the 2020 girls basketball state tournament and the 2021 boys basketball state tournament.

Both state tournaments coincide with OSU’s spring break, which will allow for better parking options for spectators.

“We are excited to return to St. John Arena, where many schools and basketball fans have great memories,” said Jerry Snodgrass, OHSAA Executive Director. “The Schottenstein Center and its staff have been great partners of the OHSAA, but there are some upcoming scheduling conflicts with OSU basketball and ice hockey teams on our state tournament dates, as well as parking concerns, so we have been talking with OSU about returning to St. John Arena.”

UPCOMING OHSAA BASKETBALL STATE TOURNAMENTS
2020 Girls Basketball State Tournament – March 12-14 at St. John Arena
2020 Boys Basketball State Tournament – March 19-21 at Schottenstein Center
2021 Girls Basketball State Tournament – To Be Determined
2021 Boys Basketball State Tournament – March 18-20 at St. John Arena
2022 Girls Basketball State Tournament – To Be Determined
2022 Boys Basketball State Tournament – To Be Determined

The OHSAA boys basketball state tournaments were held at St. John Arena from 1957-1985 and 1988-1998. The Schottenstein Center opened in 1998 and has hosted the boys basketball state tournaments since 1999. The OHSAA girls basketball state tournaments were held at St. John Arena from 1976-1985 and 1987-1999 before moving to the Schottenstein Center in 2000, where they have remained every year except 2005 when the girls returned to St. John Arena due to the OSU men’s ice hockey team hosting a conference playoff series at the Schottenstein Center.

St. John Arena has been unavailable for OHSAA district, regional and state tournament contests, as it has been the practice and competition home of OSU women’s and men’s volleyball, women’s and men’s gymnastics and wrestling teams. However, OSU’s new Covelli Center is now open, which is the new home for those OSU sports.

Starting on a Thursday, the 2020 girls basketball state tournament will be at St. John Arena March 12-14. The OHSAA’s 2020 individual wrestling state tournament at the Schottenstein Center will begin on Friday, March 13, and conclude Sunday, March 15. The 2020 OHSAA boys basketball state tournament will remain at the Schottenstein Center March 19-21.

“We anticipate that our individual wrestling state tournament will remain at the Schottenstein Center for years to come, but our basketball state tournaments are more flexible and the scheduling conflicts at the Schottenstein Center those weekends are a reality,” Snodgrass added. “We will continue to discuss our basketball state tournaments format and scheduling with our staff, Board of Directors and the staff of the Schottenstein Center and Ohio State University Athletics Department. We will work together to ensure our state tournaments remain premier events.”

St. John Arena has a seating capacity of 13,276.

Future OHSAA sports dates are posted at: https://www.ohsaa.org/calendar/FutureDates
 
I think everyone who was wishing for the good ole days is going to be disappointed. While it will be cool to be back in the old arena, the lack of amenities is going to be a big negative. But the scalpers should be happy.
 
This is great for the girls game. I am going to love the environment. I am worried the current generations will not understand they appeal of an "environment" like that.
 
I love it. Much better atmosphere than the Schott, especially when some of these schools that are basically Hired Guns schools that have zero fan base are advancing to Final Fours every year.
 
Via.OHSAA, St.John Arena’s Classic hardwood court has been restored.
3298
 
Amenities? What amenities would be missing?

This might make a trip down worthwhile. Never got to see a game in St John Arena, only saw the Skull Session. Saw few games in The Schott and that's all I'd want to see.
 
I would assume the OHSAA would go back to single game semi finals when the boys go back to St Johns Arena. The crowds for a couple for double sessions in March were at or close to St Johns Arena sellout.
 
eastisbest said:
Amenities? What amenities would be missing?

This might make a trip down worthwhile. Never got to see a game in St John Arena, only saw the Skull Session. Saw few games in The Schott and that's all I'd want to see.
Click to expand...

Seats (as opposed to bleachers) in the lower level

The Schott also has more concession lines and bathrooms than St. John (if all the concessions are open).
 
Spent 30 years going to boys state tournament at St. John’s...if the coaches and ad’s come back at the numbers they used to, get used to the balcony....scalpers are going to love this
 
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