Rehab Memorial Stadium?

[WOZ]

O.k; let's start out saying that most of us would agree that a new on-campus football stadium is not going to happen for quite some time.
Although the master plan shows some kind of sketchy figure resembling a football stadium, I don't think the language of the MP actually has it included. 2nd: the effort to rehab Hulman Center is a far more important project to the future of ISU athletics since we are more of a basketball school than football. 3rd: I believe that even though our football program has gained significant stature in the FCS, we would be hard pressed to host any type of playoff game.
4th: the current condition of Memorial Stadium is not asthetically pleasing and barely fan friendly.
5th: most schools in the MVC have made significant improvements to their stadiums, or have concrete plans to do so in the very near future.

So, what would it take to spruce up the old place? What types of "improvements" are required? What's needed to bring us closer to other conference schools so we are not at a recruiting disadvantage?

I think a half million dollars could go a long way!
For this amount, I believe we could have our lighting situation brought up to speed and put some decent looking seating in to replace that God awful, embarrassing, mound of dirt on the North side of the field. I'm not saying we need to increase our capacity, but we should address the situation. Perhaps something(s) that could be used now and then relocated to an on-campus facility when/if the time comes. Although, our stadium is not on campus, we do have one of the best places in college football to park and tailgate. We have heard that a new stadium would cost in the neighborhood of $45 to $60 million. Frankly, I think that scares the hell out of our Trustees and Foundation. So would they consider investing far fewer dollars to provide a stadium rehab?
Why not let the student body decide if a slight increase in student activity fees would cover the expense? Or, would alums be willing to contribute?
I think a reasonable ($$) rehab to Memorial Stadium is a good idea!

 

[Jason Svoboda]

Not going to happen from what I understand.

 

[WOZ]

Not going to happen from what I understand.[/QU
So, is this from a reliable source? Remember, our Board and Administration said that a new stadium wasn't possbile for at least 8-10 years. We've already pissed away at least 5 of those years without anything to show for it. Not even the slightest rumor about what was wanted or needed etc.
And if we continue to wait and nothing gets done on a rehab or new stadium, then we continue to fall behind. i've read all about the fears of the effects of the Super 5 conferences widening the gap between the haves and the have nots. If, as you say, it's "not going to happen", then when is something going to happen? Why can't someone simply say, if we can't raise $45 - $60 million dollars, it will never happen. That's my point! We could have then readjusted our sights years ago and accomplished something positive by now. I also understand that we weren't that far from abolishing the entire football program several years ago. Maybe that fear still exists. If that's the case, then we are just walking on egg shells. Let's just implode the whole fricking thing now and stop misleading people! What a bunch of bullshit! Shit or get off the pot!

 

[Sycamore Proud]

I don't believe MS could be made ADA compliant for half a million. Just my opinion based conversations elsewhere.

 

[SycamoreFan317]

I don't believe MS could be made ADA compliant for half a million. Just my opinion based conversations elsewhere.

I think you are probably correct.
http://www.ada.gov/reachingout/lesson33.htm

 

[WOZ]

I think you are probably correct.
http://www.ada.gov/reachingout/lesson33.htm

I'm not talking about a major renovation requiring ADA compliance. I'm talking about replacing all the burned out light bulbs that currently exist and prevent us from having night games. We had plenty of night games (under bright lighting) when the stadium was reconfigured. Electrical maintenance is not part of the ADA requirement. Anything that would change the structure is. Therefore, decent seating, even if it's similar to the bleachers we previously had, can be configured to meet ADA requirements. I don't think we would have to do anything to the main grandstand . Leave that as it is. Do you believe replacing light bulbs and providing some seating to replace the mound would be more than $1/2 million? I don't. We wouldn't need bleachers extending the entire 100 yard length of the field. Ten rows of bleachers from 20 yard line to the other 20 yard line would be sufficient and provide more of an enclosed look instead of wide open spaces with pick up trucks. It's time to get rid of that hill billy look!

 

[bent20]

Hosting playoff games isn't necessarily about the condition of the stadium, it's about how many butts we can get in the seats to make it profitable.

You don't need permanent lights to host night games. They can be rented and brought in.

Memorial Stadium is well beyond being fixed with a few band aids. The grandstands need to be torn down and replaced and that means you're building a new stadium. If you're doing that, why not move closer to campus?

Long story short, we stunk for a long time and as a result our fan support stinks (that's not going to change over night. We know that now). Without strong fan support we can't afford a new stadium. The university is already struggling with cuts to state funding. State funding is being cut because people don't want their taxes going up. That about sums it all up.

Also, I think you'd be extremely surprised by how much improvements will cost. No, I don't thin you can put in a few bleachers for less than $2-3 million. And what's the point if it's just 10 rows deep and doesn't address the bigger problem, which is the crumbling structure on the other side? The stadium makes old Wrigley field look modern.

 

[Sycamore Proud]

Hosting playoff games isn't necessarily about the condition of the stadium, it's about how many butts we can get in the seats to make it profitable.

You don't need permanent lights to host night games. They can be rented and brought in.

Memorial Stadium is well beyond being fixed with a few band aids. The grandstands need to be torn down and replaced and that means you're building a new stadium. If you're doing that, why not move closer to campus?

Long story short, we stunk for a long time and as a result our fan support stinks (that's not going to change over night. We know that now). Without strong fan support we can't afford a new stadium. The university is already struggling with cuts to state funding. State funding is being cut because people don't want their taxes going up. That about sums it all up.

Right you are! There are no easy and cheap solutions to both the stadium and attendance. Winning, and winning consistently, seems to be the only Way to solve the problem.

 

[SycamoreFan317]

I'm not talking about a major renovation requiring ADA compliance. I'm talking about replacing all the burned out light bulbs that currently exist and prevent us from having night games. We had plenty of night games (under bright lighting) when the stadium was reconfigured. Electrical maintenance is not part of the ADA requirement. Anything that would change the structure is. Therefore, decent seating, even if it's similar to the bleachers we previously had, can be configured to meet ADA requirements. I don't think we would have to do anything to the main grandstand . Leave that as it is. Do you believe replacing light bulbs and providing some seating to replace the mound would be more than $1/2 million? I don't. We wouldn't need bleachers extending the entire 100 yard length of the field. Ten rows of bleachers from 20 yard line to the other 20 yard line would be sufficient and provide more of an enclosed look instead of wide open spaces with pick up trucks. It's time to get rid of that hill billy look!

Take a look at the bottom side of the main grandstand the next time you walk under it and tell me that it does not need massive amount of work. Do you think the lack of handicap anything is helping attendance or do those people not count. I agree with you about the mound but throwing a band aid on the situation is just throwing good money after bad.

 

[WOZ]

Take a look at the bottom side of the main grandstand the next time you walk under it and tell me that it does not need massive amount of work. Do you think the lack of handicap anything is helping attendance or do those people not count. I agree with you about the mound but throwing a band aid on the situation is just throwing good money after bad.

So what do we do? Just keep everything as it is because we don't have the money? Maybe bandaids are the only thing we can afford? What do you do with an old car when you can't afford a new one? I believe I stated that bleachers could be configured to be ADA, so yes , those people do count. Also, if the right bleachers/seating were installed now, with the thought of utilizing them in a new stadium too, then I don't think it's spending money foolishly.

 

[Jason Svoboda]

So what do we do? Just keep everything as it is because we don't have the money? Maybe bandaids are the only thing we can afford? What do you do with an old car when you can't afford a new one? I believe I stated that bleachers could be configured to be ADA, so yes , those people do count. Also, if the right bleachers/seating were installed now, with the thought of utilizing them in a new stadium too, then I don't think it's spending money foolishly.

I love football but that is absolutely the right decision to make -- keep it as it is. They can't get students out. They can't get alumni to come back. They can't get Hautians to attend. You can't sink substantial money into renovations or a new stadium when you're only going to draw 5000-6000 people. That is a bad investment and would have a big time negative ROI.

Further, if you've read Ron's AD pieces as well as what projects have been getting built, they're dedicating all funds into residence halls as they hope to push enrollment as high as they possibly can and the only real big athletics spending is going to be on the Hulman Center project if they can find a way to swing it. Everything else is not even on the same stove, let alone the back burner.

 

[WOZ]

I love football but that is absolutely the right decision to make -- keep it as it is. They can't get students out. They can't get alumni to come back. They can't get Hautians to attend. You can't sink substantial money into renovations or a new stadium when you're only going to draw 5000-6000 people. That is a bad investment and would have a big time negative ROI.

Further, if you've read Ron's AD pieces as well as what projects have been getting built, they're dedicating all funds into residence halls as they hope to push enrollment as high as they possibly can and the only real big athletics spending is going to be on the Hulman Center project if they can find a way to swing it. Everything else is not even on the same stove, let alone the back burner.

Then they never should have told everyone several years ago that a new stadium was on the horizon in 8-10 years.
I am very aware of our finances and what the priorities are.

 

[southernindianaballer]

Then they never should have told everyone several years ago that a new stadium was on the horizon in 8-10 years.
I am very aware of our finances and what the priorities are.

If I were to guess... We will see a Football Stadium plan after the Hulman Center Renovations are set in stone... The ISU master plan presented to the state has the stadium in it - that does not mean they will or must do it of course... it's a plan... A new football stadium will not create much more revenue from students by being on campus. A new stadium will generate a slight percentage more attendance (educated guess) from alumni, locals, & parents - based on location - slightly more revenue from them is possible. If you build it - they will come, has slight relevance. Really, a new stadium is a benefit to students and alumni and is a marketing piece for the university. Truth is - it won't create "much" more revenue for ISU with a big investment. If it's on campus, I would assume a couple more thousand students might attend on average if our enrollment keeps increasing. Dr. Bradley made a public statement about 6 months ago that the stadium will be modest compared to some peoples ideals of a new stadium (not verbatim). Now if it is marketed like it should be, if sponsors are acquired like they could be - it could be a surprising success. Will any of this ever happen? That's the 10 million dollar donor question. If our average attendance number is 6k now - it may be 9k on the riverfront considering campus location, etc. What does having 9k people downtown 6-7 times a year on the weekend mean to the business folks downtown - that's a question to pose.

 

[STATE Fan 95]

What does having 9k people downtown 6-7 times a year on the weekend mean to the business folks downtown - that's a question to pose.

I like to think about 8 with home field advantage. It is hard to argue with it being used so little but if they are going to build it why couldnt they try to get more use out of it? There is a lot of things it could be used for such as an outdoor concert venue, high school football games (dont charge so much to use; slit the gate), band contest, flea market etc etc.

 

[southernindianaballer]

I like to think about 8 with home field advantage. It is hard to argue with it being used so little but if they are going to build it why couldnt they try to get more use out of it? There is a lot of things it could be used for such as an outdoor concert venue, high school football games (dont charge so much to use; slit the gate), band contest, flea market etc etc.

Oh - I agree... and I'm not opposed to a shared soccer/football venue as Memorial Stadium is now. I think soccer inside a track & field venue presents issues with potential damage to an expensive track surface. Yes.... there are other avenues to utilize a football stadium and make it more profitable than Memorial is today - that's for sure! But.... heck... ISU has so many projects going on the next two years that I can't fathom it happening very soon. But you know... so far... they have adhered to the master plan pretty tightly. That can't be denied....
I would add that a public university has a responsibility for economic development endeavors in the regions in which they exist - per being a state funded university - in my opinion... and they have embraced that thought of recent, but not in the past.

 

[shootingsycamore]

Unfortunately the message and priorities change with administrations. Given the state of the physical plant for football and basketball it's a credit to those who are responsible for recruiting can field competitive teams. Our peer institutions have greater enrollments and have much better facilities. Most have much larger endowments in their Foundations. If the desire is for a new football stadium (which all agree) then the Foundation and the Development Staff should be charged with raising the $$ for a new stadium. I don't believe they can nor will attempt it. Witness the last "March On Campaign".

 

[niklz62]

I know its hard to prove a negative, but we talk about not doing it because you are looking for things to cause enrollment to go up, is it possible not having an on campus stadium or a solid football plan could be counterproductive to all the other things they are doing?

if you invited teams to play rivalry games on it in high school, it might get more people to consider the school. I know that they play the Charleston-Mattoon game at EIU. both schools get some money and its probably like the North-South game. If i drive through EIU (which I do multiple times every day) then drive through ISU, its not even close to comparable. ISU is way more aesthetically pleasing. I could see Illinois schools choosing to play rivalry games there like Casey Marshall Robinson or Paris. those are where Id want to pick off students that might otherwise go to Illinois universities.

 

[niklz62]

Does anyone have any idea how much new lighting would cost and if it were purchased, couldnt they just move them if they got a new stadium on campus?

 

[Bluethunder]

Does anyone have any idea how much new lighting would cost and if it were purchased, couldnt they just move them if they got a new stadium on campus?

Western Illinois did an upgrade on their lights in 2002 and it cost about 175,000, not sure what the cost would be in 2015, but probably safe to assume over 200k.

 

[niklz62]

So the Powerball is at about $675,000,000. I really feel its each of our obligation to at least get a ticket so one of SP can be the big reason our football stadium and/or HC renovation get realized.