Is Columbus really a hockey town?One obstacle for a proposed arena in Columbus and a NHL bid is competition from Ohio State football. Many think of Columbus as just a college football city.Columbus real estate developer Ron Pizzuti has a different opinion though.’We’re well beyond the time where we were a governmental college football town… This is a very, very solid, vibrant city that needs professional sports,’ Pizzuti said.Some students agree a major league team could coincide with OSU football.’I would support an arena in downtown Columbus because I think it would revitalize the downtown area,’ said Mike Foley, a senior majoring in communications. ‘I think fan support would not be a problem for a major league team. Based on the popularity of the Crew and the Chill, the NHL is a guaranteed success.’The Crew averaged nearly 19,000 fans a game in its debut season.The Chill has sold out 138 of 167 games over its first five seasons and holds a minor league record of 83 consecutive sell-outs, said Gary Kohn, public relations director for the Chill.’I think the Chill gets a lot of support and an NHL team would get even more,’ said Steve Jehl, a sophomore majoring in biology. ‘I’d go to games, and I think other parts of Ohio would support a team.’Ohio is the largest state without an NHL franchise and Columbus is the largest market without a major league franchise. Members of the Columbus group have said they think the NHL is the best fit for Columbus. Still, there are many who disagree.’To support an NHL team, you need people with large incomes,’ said Jarret Whidden, a junior on the OSU hockey team. ‘You need a consistent crowd base. Although it may be successful the first few seasons, I don’t see Columbus continually supporting a team through the years.’ Besides Atlanta, Houston, Nashville, Hampton Roads, Va., Minneapolis/St.Paul, Oklahoma City, Raleigh/Durham N.C. and Hamilton, Ontario are also competing for expansion teams.Columbus is banking on the fact that there are no other major league teams in the area.’If hockey comes to Columbus, it will be the only game in town, ‘ Pizzuti said.The Columbus group also pointed to the population of the central Ohio area as a strength.’In a radius of 100 miles around Columbus, there are 7 million people – about 3 million more than live within a similar radius of Atlanta or Houston,’ Mayor Greg Lashutka said. An arena will most likely be a deciding factor in the NHL’s decision. There has been no announcement on when teams will be granted. Columbus officials said they hope a decision is made before the May election.