Poll: Stadium preferences

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What should ISU do with regard to football facilities?

  • Build a new stadium on campus

    Votes: 16 64.0%

  • Build a new stadium where Memorial Stadium now stands

    Votes: 2 8.0%

  • Do cosmetic and amenity updates to the current Memorial Stadiu

    Votes: 4 16.0%

  • Make no changes to what we have

    Votes: 3 12.0%
  • Total voters
    25
IndyTreeFan

IndyTreeFan

The Kleuh Level
Supporter
Since football season is right around the corner, and we're talking about our lovely home, Memorial Stadium, I thought it might be fun to have a poll of what you all might want to see in the way of improvements/renovations/new construction for our football team.

There are a number of people who think that the park around Memorial Stadium is too good to leave. There are others who think that the stadium should be on campus. Some think that we shouldn't spend any money on football at all.

Where do you fall. Give us your reasoning in comments!
 

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I have to admit to having a tough time deciding between a new, on campus stadium, and a new stadium constructed at the current site. An on campus stadium opens up all kinds of options for showcasing campus that ISU has never had before. Tailgating and a weekly "tent city" on the campus could engage more students (although I'm not totally sure that's even possible anymore). Pep rallies at the fountain, the band marching through campus playing our fight songs, it could be a really cool atmosphere. As long as we win consistently.

However, the current site is so doggone perfect for tailgating and parking that it would be hard to lose. If we were to build new out there, though, we should start charging for parking. That's a revenue stream that we're totally ignoring at this point. But you just cannot beat the atmosphere out there. Unfortunately, it's 2.5 miles from campus. That automatically dampens student involvement.

I think there are probably more potential positives to building new on campus than to remaining at our current site. And it doesn't have to be an $80,000,000 facility, either. Mercer built a beautiful new stadium a couple years ago for $14M. It seats 10,200. That would work for us. Various other facilities (such as practice facilities for basketball, offices and meeting rooms for all other sports, etc.) could be incorporated into a stadium, as well. The ability to showcase campus, to have events surrounding football that we do not currently have the ability to do, and to contribute to the Riverscape project to beautify the riverfront, all are aspects in favor of building on campus.

So that's my thinking.
 
I appreciate the poll and my vote is build one on campus, by the river.

BUT...we don't have the money for that, so it's a pipe dream.
 
TreeTop said:
I appreciate the poll and my vote is build one on campus, by the river.

BUT...we don't have the money for that, so it's a pipe dream.
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I appreciate the sentiment, but I figure discussion is fun. And you never know what you might see come out of ISU in the future...:biggrin:
 
If they're going to do it, it'll likely only be done once.

So my vote would be for an on-campus dome. People quit coming when it starts to get cold outside. I remember back to the Miles game where the playoffs were on the line against Illinois State. It was freezing and our crowd was nonexistent. They pounded us. It sucked.
 
I’d love to see an on-campus stadium.

In 2010 I attended an alumni affair featuring our administration and several board of trustee members.
One of the topics being discussed was a new stadium.
At that time, it was noted a new stadium wouldn’t be built for at least the next 8-10 years.
Does that mean we would start looking into the matter in 2018 - 2020?
My question now is, have there been any stadium discussions in the last nine years?
Or, was it simply we don’t have that kind of money so no one has given it any thought?
Is anyone keeping an eye on the situation to see if there might be any opportunity sooner than later?
Has anyone been given the task to actually study the situation and determine exactly what it would take?
 

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Jason Svoboda said:
If they're going to do it, it'll likely only be done once.

So my vote would be for an on-campus dome. People quit coming when it starts to get cold outside. I remember back to the Miles game where the playoffs were on the line against Illinois State. It was freezing and our crowd was nonexistent. They pounded us. It sucked.
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If we’re going to build new, then ISU would be derelict in their duty if they don’t at least explore the domed stadium concept. There’s a reason Lucas Oil Stadium is an indoor facility - no one in Indiana wants to watch football outside in the cold weather. Unless you’re in South Bend. And it could be used for so much more than football!

But I’m sure the “ISU doesn’t do things like that” crowd would win out. Without even investigating the idea.
 
IndyTreeFan said:
If we’re going to build new, then ISU would be derelict in their duty if they don’t at least explore the domed stadium concept. There’s a reason Lucas Oil Stadium is an indoor facility - no one in Indiana wants to watch football outside in the cold weather. Unless you’re in South Bend. And it could be used for so much more than football!

But I’m sure the “ISU doesn’t do things like that” crowd would win out. Without even investigating the idea.
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Isn’t there some kind of federal funding available if a dome is built and it can also be used as an emergency community shelter?
 
WOZ said:
Isn’t there some kind of federal funding available if a dome is built and it can also be used as an emergency community shelter?
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As I understand it, FEMA could pay up to 20% of the construction costs if the dome doubles as a community disaster shelter.
 

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If you build a dome stadium in Indiana you’re basically signaling to the world that you don’t really believe in global warming...

But seriously - I hadn’t chimed in yet because we’ve had these conversations on here year after year. The University doesn’t provide fans/alumni with any sort of plan or vision as to what to expect. I imagine if they did we wouldn’t have to have these conversations.

I use to think showing a serious commitment to the program would be buiilding an on campus stadium. I’m really shifting away from that.

1. I’m just not sure Indiana State is ever going to be in a position to afford to be able to do it right. Without a major donor or business involved I can’t imagine it will happen.

2. Sporting event attendance #’s have been on the decline for years. I’d be pretty hesitant to invest in a facility until thay trend starts to change again nationally.

3. External factors like CTE and such lead me to believe that participation #’s could decline over the years as interest in the sport declines with it. This might be a bit of a reach for some - but too many studies and information to simply ignore.

4. I like what is going on in downtown TH and I think that a new stadium only enhances those efforts - but I’m not quite sure where they could build such a facility in general- then to factor in parking. My guess is when all is said and done it will be about as “on campus” as the baseball stadium and track - which are really not “on campus” if you will and are pretty isolated

5. You all missed the opportunity for anything like this to happen when the track was being built. Everyone pushed me back on this - but it was a way for everyone to win. It was a way to get the job done. Now we get to keep having these conversations and see no plans from Indiana State to change that.

So I voted to “do nothing” because that is exactly what they’re going to do and I’d rather not get any feelings hurt about it.
 
I dont think a dome would ever be in the cards for us but I really only think it would attendance when it is raining. I think people will tolerate cold.

I dont think building a stadium when the track was built was an option either. I mean, was there an extra $40M laying around at the time and I think a field could still be put there if someone wrote a check.

Since we already have a brand new locker room and a pretty convenient layout, you could build something on the other side of our current stadium like Illinois State did and have a pretty nice setup. You could throw in an indoor practice facility for a few million more, or put one near campus and we would be right up there with the top of FCS.

If you built on campus, there would be room to put one between 1st and 3rd street and Chestnut and Sycamore Street. if you faced the home stands east, it would compliment the view you get from 3rd St with the new HHS building. I dont know how much more you would be looking at for a cost.

Id be for doing something either place. I dont think the location of the stadium is going to move the needle on attendance. Your increase is going to have to be from local fans.
 
Since it does not look like much of a plan to build a new stadium they should update and up grade Memorial Stadium. Wasn't there suppose to be a inspection of the shape of the stadium this year? Have not heard anything about the big stickers or whatever you call them that was going to cost 80 thousand.
 
The location between 1st and 3rd would be good for an on campus location. Indoor facility is desirable but we are looking at 60 million minimum plus heating/air utilities, etc. An outdoor stadium, better than Mercer, with nice athletic building in one endzone and an indoor practice facility can be done for less than 28 million. Also, remember the quads are being torn down so another potential location exists in the heart of campus.
What about size/capacity? A comparable mvc stadium will be 16-20k capacity.
 
Jason:
How many members/users do we have in Sycamore Pride?

I would consider us extremely loyal and knowledgeable fans of ISU athletics and a fairly large alumni constituency.
I believe we should be able to officially express our stadium questions and concerns ,in person,to our administration or Board of Trustees.
At the very least, to our Alumni Board.
Therefore, I would like to suggest we select a representative(s) to reach out to the university and see if we can get on the agenda for a meeting this fall.
Hopefully we would obtain some kind of official word from the university as to their views about our football program and the stadium issue.
 

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Didn't know where to put this but there is a new video of the Hulman Center project on Facebook. Site is hannig construction. Shows part of upper bowl being removed for new multi purpose room.
 
STATE Fan 95 said:
Since it does not look like much of a plan to build a new stadium they should update and up grade Memorial Stadium. Wasn't there suppose to be a inspection of the shape of the stadium this year? Have not heard anything about the big stickers or whatever you call them that was going to cost 80 thousand.
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Ive seen photos player banners on the back of the stadium. They look cool
 
I voted to just make upgrades to the current stadium. I think if they just put 5000 seats on the other side along with some other upgrades most people wouldn't complain about the stadium. On campus would be nice but almost everybody has cars now days or access to one if they really wanted to go and the parking is free.
 
I agree totally. Add new concrete section (preferably blue chair seats) to other side (not metal bleachers) with added amenities. It would need it's own restrooms and concessions. I would like to see it for season ticket holders or those who would prefer to pay more for a chair seat- plus the fact that later in the season you are in the sun and not freezing on the other side. Perhaps even have a chance for people to purchase one time rights to those seats unlike the yearly rights at Hulman Center for lower bowl. Perhaps have a beer garden or something special just for that new side. Leave the current side for students, general admission, and visitors. Definitely paint the current seats. Cover the last sections of the current side making lowering the old side occupancy. The signage that I have seen really is looking nice as well. This could be done well below the price of a new stadium and you could never beat the setting of the current Memorial Stadium. Beautiful grounds and mature trees
 
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