Coliseum Closing.

[coliseum21]

I don't reall ever post amything on here, but I just wanted to let everyone know that the coliseum will be closing it's doors soon. I just wanted to thank everyone who has supported us and say goodbye to anyone who ever played here. I will be holding one last iron man tournament, and then we will be closing at the end of the month. Thanks again to everyone who has ever played here. the iron man will be friday 3-11. thanks again and goodbye.

[RichardGraham]

Hi,

Thanks a lot for posting. The Coliseum has a ton of history, doesn't it? Before you shut your doors finally, please post some of the history of the Coliseum here on IHC so people can talk about it, will ya? I'd sure appreciate it, and I believe that IHC's readers would too. Thank you very much.

What will the building turn into? Another mini-mall? God knows, we need more of those.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[SpeedDemon]

Wow, crazy news. For those who don't know, the Colesium was the home (at one point or another) to such teams as the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers, Team Nike Breakaway and the Mission 99ers among others. Quite a roller hockey legacy being put to rest. I hope the future stands strong!

[coliseum21]

The coliseum has been here for right around 9 or 10 years, I'd say. I'm happy to say that I have been a part of this rink since it opened. The 99'ers built this rink in the mid to late 90's and we've been trying to get it back to the old glory days for the last few years, unfortunately we haven't been able to do it. Again I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of the coliseum and say goodbye. This is a sad day for roller hockey in south jersey. thanks again and goodbye.
Chris Heenan.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Justin,

Yeah, this is big news, and sad news in many ways. Though Todd Melton and I didn't see eye to eye on some things, I do know that he put heart and soul into that place for a long time, and was incredibly successful with Todd's 99'ers (long before Mission existed, I believe), and he tried to go head-to-head with NARCh with his AIRHS series. Long live the Coliseum!

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[RichardGraham]

Hey Chris,

Good effort. Sorry to hear that things didn't work out. Please tell your buddies at the Coliseum to tell their stories about the place on IHC. I know that I'd like to hear 'em.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[coliseum21]

Thanks Rich, I will tell everyone about it and hopefully we get some good stories about the rink on here. I remember not being able to wait to get done school so I could come to the rink. I know I have some great memories from this place and alot of my old 99'er buddies do to. We literally helped Todd build this place and it is very upsetting to let it go. I hope alot of you share the same great memories as I do and I hope we get alot of good stories about the rink on this board. Thanks again Rich and to everyone who has not played here, but actually called this rink home. It will always be mine. Thanks again.
Heenz.

[Brooklynite10]

I am very sad to hear this news. My first every roller hockey tournament experience took place at the Coliseum, and a new world was opened up to me. Me and my boys (Kim,Tan,Ventola,Troholidays,Bantley,Rockhill etc..) were at your facility almost every weekend for many years. I played with Team Huron & Team Fusion back in the mid 90's. I have the greatest memories from this rink (roll on floor before it was changed, Chiefs from L.I with there loud fans, watching the awesome young 99ers teams, going next door to watch a Flyers practice in between games), the list goes on. I want to thank everyone involved with the Coliseum, you will be truly missed.

[DannyG]

I have not been personally to the Coliseum. I did have the opportuntity to meet and talk briefly with Todd Melton in Denver for an AIRHS regional and then again one time in L.A. for the AIRHS nationals one year.

I thank Todd for his work on developing our sport. I found him to be honest, forthright, and delivered on things promised, even if others he needed to depend upon, didn't.

AIRHS was a quality program, and as I understnad it, this sort of makes The Coliseum one of the "birthplaces' of our sport.

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[coliseum21]

Wow i can't its actually going down. I have worked there for the past year and a half as the cleaner, pro shop manager and everything that was asked of me. Im not the most known person to come out of the coliseum, but I felt like i was home every time i was there and im sure some way or another that everyone that played, worked, etc.. could relate some in way. I would just like to thank todd for starting a legacy in that rink. I would like to thank ben, matty, and chris for trying to keep it alive.
thanks for all the support
Bobby phillips

[Brooklynite10]

IT SURE WAS !

[Brooklynite10]

What is the main reason it is falling ? Not enough events ? Is the whole building going down including the Flyers facilities ?

[coliseum21]

The flyers aren't here anymore, they actually left and have a new facility about 5minutes from here with a roller hockey rink. I guess that is part of the reason.
Heenz

[RichardGraham]

Hey Chris,

Ya gotta admit, it's a move forward for inline hockey if the NEW Flyer's practice facility also has an inline hockey rink... or am I missing something here (besides the obvious fact the Coliseum is going away)?

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[ESting]

I rarely post but I cannot help but jump in here. This is truly where the game flourished, and from what I can see reached its absolute peak of popularity, especially locally. Even with the other tournaments and "pro" circuits, it hasn't been the same fun since. Maybe that's part of the problem with the sport now.

After playing only ice hockey since childhood, I was also introduced to roller hockey at this facility in the late nineties. What fun it was to play in a very well run weekend tourney there at least one a month when Todd had it going at its peak for a few seasons. The popularity of his tourneys back then was amazing. Taking off from work to play 2 games on a Friday with my Scorcher roller hockey brothers at the Coliseum will always be a great memory for me. I remember one tourney before Todd got the parking lot fixed where a couple of games were "rained out" because water was coming onto the floor! Who will forget our battles with the L.I. Cheifs, Mudcats, Fusion, and many others.

Like him or not, there is no denying Todd was a big part of the game's history and the development of many players. Definitely a major contributor to our sport, as his AIRHS series probably pushed NarCH to be the tourney power it is today. And, its likely I would not have ever played roller hockey if it wasn't for the Coliseum and his tourneys.

This IS a sad announcement. Moment of silence...

[RichardGraham]

Hi ESting,

Great post. I'm glad you submitted it.

Yes, you make some great points. I think that Todd DEFINITELY pushed NARCh forward; and I hope some people who know more about Todd's contributions to the sport in its early years will post their recollections here. Though Todd is out of the sport now, he's definitely in the "builder's" category for the Inline Hockey Hall of Fame.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[MDE3]

Basically there are just too many facilities right in that area..with multiple floors, or like the Skate Zone at Voorhees...3 ice rinks and one inline...(Flyers new practice facility) Just heard tonight one more is closing...Rexplex......

[NJRH10]

Yeah I heard that as well. It's hard to have a place like that and not own the land. Word is there not even collecting money from players that owe for there seasons anymore. I give it a month or so.

[33]

i'm going to date myself a bit here but i started out playing in Todd's tourneys at cross keys. after he took over the coliseum we followed him there and played in pretty much every tournament for a good 6-7 years. the memories are too many to recount on here but this is definitely where east coast roller hockey grew and flourished. i think the only real tribute we can give to this place is to get a bunch of the old school guys that grew up playing there and go to this last tourney. if my PIHA schedule allows, i will be there.

[Swoosh]

I started out at the coliseum in 1997 with the Icedogs. Lots of memories. I wish the best for Chris Heenan, who did what he could to keep it going. The building may go, but the memories last a life time.

Jason Toran
Icedogs Captain
www.icedogsinlinehockey.com

[Brooklynite10]

Rexplex in Newark ?

[MDE3]

If thats the only one,yes. Adam Stio called us Sunday afternoon to warn Simon not to drive down there as they were closing their doors apparently.

[5_hole_master]

its in elizabeth, but yeah its shutting down

[Brooklynite10]

same *censored* ! lol, i got censored. Is the whole place closing down or just the hockey ?

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by wolves10 on 03/07/05 04:08 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

[patrick14]

I suggest we use the NHL as a scape goat.... Those greedy *#(^@^$*&#_!*$!#@*$

Bobby, is the coliseum done clearing out their inventory? Any sort of sales?

[coliseum21]

I relly dont know I have moved to miami a month and a half ago. Iwould check with chris heenan at [email protected] or call the rink during reg hockey hours at 856-428-9393 sorry im no help to them as of right now.

[MDE3]

Is this the same rink where the Bad Apples and the Scorpions used to play out of?

[Brooklynite10]

No. That is Center Circle in Rahway NJ.

[MDE3]

ah ..ok sorry....forgot the name

[Brooklynite10]

No prolem ! There is a NARCH tourney at Center Circle April 1-3, I am almost positive the Wolves are entering. Did you guys hear anything about it ? There is also a TORHS in Aberdeen this weekend that I told Brian about, but I doubt we are playing in it. Is Simon playing with anybody ?

[MDE3]

Not yet, he is kind of waiting to see if the Wolves are going to declare Pro or not, and then see...

[Brooklynite10]

I talked to Troho earlier and he said we aren't doing TORHS, and might not do NARCH in Rahway. He said Mark Standish wants to travel, but I think we should definetly do the Rahway NARCH also. If you have a way to contact Mark, see what he thinks and then PM me ? Thanks !