Should ISU wait on next phase of Stadium Expansion?

jaretac · 05-01-2008, 11:33 PM

The way I see it, everyone has been talking about improving facilities for years and it is just now happening. If we stop and analyze it and consider all the good and bad points, we will end up repeating the last 20 years. Maybe it's time to take the leap of faith and just do it, whatever it is. We know what happens if we wait for a good team, we get it and it's gone before we act.

bmuff · 05-01-2008, 11:45 PM

Originally Posted by DJK15

Great article.

The more that you guys don't like it, the more that I do. It will be funny watching you guys squirm while Pollard gets a second level at JT AND the Hilton practice facility done in the next few years.

jdoggivjc · 05-02-2008, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by jaretac

The way I see it, everyone has been talking about improving facilities for years and it is just now happening. If we stop and analyze it and consider all the good and bad points, we will end up repeating the last 20 years. Maybe it's time to take the leap of faith and just do it, whatever it is. We know what happens if we wait for a good team, we get it and it's gone before we act.

This post >>> opinion piece...

jdoggivjc · 05-02-2008, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by bmuff

The more that you guys don't like it, the more that I do. It will be funny watching you guys squirm while Pollard gets a second level at JT AND the Hilton practice facility done in the next few years.

Yeah, wouldn't it be a crying shame for the "little brother" school to have significantly better facilities than "older brother" (forget the fact that Trice still wouldn't seat as much as Kinnick, it would still be a better overall facility)...

DJK15 · 05-02-2008, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by bmuff

The more that you guys don't like it, the more that I do. It will be funny watching you guys squirm while Pollard gets a second level at JT AND the Hilton practice facility done in the next few years.

Hey, I just said it was a good article. The guy made some un-biased logical observations that I happen to agree with.

But be careful what you wish for. It won't be a pretty sight if Pollard adds his 2 decks and can't sell out the stadium.

mustangcy · 05-02-2008, 09:42 AM

Originally Posted by DJK15

Hey, I just said it was a good article. The guy made some un-biased logical observations that I happen to agree with.

But be careful what you wish for. It won't be a pretty sight if Pollard adds his 2 decks and can't sell out the stadium.

Do you honestly think success here would be contantly selling out the stadium? A majority of teams in the country don't sell out their stadiums and last I checked were doing just fine finaniacally.

Clonefan94 · 05-02-2008, 02:22 PM

My guess is whomever is putting up the initial chunk of money is saying, "Bowl in the South Endzone with my money." Bball facility probably isn't an option in this scenario.

Also, how much will this really cost ISU? I'm guessing most of this money is going to have to come from donations? It's not like ISU will be taking out a $65,000,000 loan and then try to figure out how to pay it back later. Once it's built, it's built. It probably won't be much more expensive to maintain compared to what we already pay. And from then on, it just generates money, right?

Having those seats filled, imo, isn't even half of an issue as trying to persuade recruits here with what we have now. A top notch facility will bring help bring more top notch kids here. Who knows, after it's completed, maybe some kids will come to visit just because they want to see the newest stadium expansion in the Big XII.

I get tired of people telling me this could bring harm to ISU athletics. IMO, those are people who want ISU to stay where we are at. This type of thing does nothing but generate excitement, buzz, fun. I'm telling you bowling in that end zone will make a world of difference on Game day. It will be a completely different atmosphere.

I also don't put this news beyond JP to help with Ticket sales. Last year with the New Uniforms and look. This year, Bowling in the End Zone. Next year? Man I can't wait.

Cyclone711 · 05-02-2008, 02:32 PM

I'm sorry but saying "wait until we are good and demand increases to bowl in the stadium" is what every AD has done for the past 40 some years. And guess what? Absolutely nothing has happened. Do it now or it will be a very long time until the topic gets attention again.

HandSanitizer · 05-02-2008, 02:33 PM

Originally Posted by Clonefan94

My guess is whomever is putting up the initial chunk of money is saying, "Bowl in the South Endzone with my money." Bball facility probably isn't an option in this scenario.

Also, how much will this really cost ISU? I'm guessing most of this money is going to have to come from donations? It's not like ISU will be taking out a $65,000,000 loan and then try to figure out how to pay it back later. Once it's built, it's built. It probably won't be much more expensive to maintain compared to what we already pay. And from then on, it just generates money, right?

Having those seats filled, imo, isn't even half of an issue as trying to persuade recruits here with what we have now. A top notch facility will bring help bring more top notch kids here. Who knows, after it's completed, maybe some kids will come to visit just because they want to see the newest stadium expansion in the Big XII.

I get tired of people telling me this could bring harm to ISU athletics. IMO, those are people who want ISU to stay where we are at. This type of thing does nothing but generate excitement, buzz, fun. I'm telling you bowling in that end zone will make a world of difference on Game day. It will be a completely different atmosphere.

I also don't put this news beyond JP to help with Ticket sales. Last year with the New Uniforms and look. This year, Bowling in the End Zone. Next year? Man I can't wait.

Good post. This bowling in the endzone has more to it than just "selling out the seats".

DJK15 · 05-02-2008, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by mustangcy

A majority of teams in the country don't sell out their stadiums...

Those same teams aren't spending 65 mil on additional seats.

Cyclone711 · 05-02-2008, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by DJK15

Those same teams aren't spending 65 mil on additional seats.

Indiana, Oklahoma State, Illinois, and Minnesota (250 million dollar stadium). All of these universities are spending TONS of money renovating (building in the case of MN) their stadiums when they do not annually sell out each home game (much like ISU). But hey, I'm sure each of those schools AD's are run by a bunch of idiots right?

Also I named all of these schools off the top of my head from my own knowledge, if I actually spent time researching I bet I could find a bunch more cases.

psycln11 · 05-02-2008, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by snowcraig2.0

The thing is, a bball practice facility doesn't generate money, seats in a stadium do.

No, but bball practice facilities may bring better recruits which may increase attendance in Hilton.

last time we averaged a sell-out, a local player named Fred was spotting up on the perimeter.

If we had the practice facility and could entice Barnes, Stevens, etal. it would be great for ISU.

cycloneG · 05-02-2008, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by DJK15

Those same teams aren't spending 65 mil on additional seats.

Would the bowling in of the south end zone actually increase the capacity of the stadium?

I thought it would just provide more permanent seating in place of the hillside seats.

Cyclone711 · 05-02-2008, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by cycloneG

Would the bowling in of the south end zone actually increase the capacity of the stadium?

I thought it would just provide more permanent seating in place of the hillside seats.

It would not add to the overall capacity. Also, if we did add an upper deck (people need to remember that it is still just an option, not set in stone) I would hope that we eliminate hill seating on the north side to force people into actuall seats.

StLouisClone · 05-02-2008, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by DJK15

Those same teams aren't spending 65 mil on additional seats.

It's not your money - is it? Your reaction is the kind I'd expect if the stadium is being financed with tax dollars. But it is not. The Jack Trice project is being financed by private donors and future ticket revenue. Not to mention the potential for other sources of revenue (TV, merchandising, etc.) if this can help take ISU football to another level.