Roos Field Renovation

[Vic E. Wallace]

clawman,
I had to laugh at what you wrote RE: sitting at the AD Table. When I got there AD Chaves came up to me and said "Vic I feel safe tonight", I have the Former Chief Of Police, and Present Chief Of Police sitting at his table His wife Parents were in from Conn. visiting, very nice persons. I also spoke to the young man I spoke to you about, he said he will be around for the Summer. His eyes became full of tears when I explained it to him. Missed you and the Wife at the Feed. Saw where VA was praising Coop on TV last night. I agree Coop was the Greatest, and some Great Ones before him. Vic

 

[clawman1]

Hi Vic;
Sorry I could not make it, I was at a fishing tournament all week on Lake Erie. I was not able to attend a single practice or scrimmage this spring so am really looking forward to the trip to Pullman in September.
Thanks for the update on the Killan, sounds like we missed a very good time.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

clawman,
Attended practice yesterday, team is coming along. There will be a practice today Wednesday @ 4:30p.m., and 4:30p.m. on Thursday, then finished until sometime in August. Will make Wednesday practice, not Thursday, will be at West Valley High, son is PE Teacher/Track Coach, and this is their last meet. He has a hell of a 4x100 Meter Relay Team, they came back from Pasco area after kicking Butts there a week ago.. Yes, the Feed was great, Eric Meyer, and a few of our EX-Players, Coach Junior Adams all there had fun. Vic

 

[ewueagle2010]

You asked, and Jim delivered! Thanks for all you do Jim!

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/may/15/field-of-dreams-ewu-considers-farmers-land-for-new/

 

[LDopaPDX]

You asked, and Jim delivered! Thanks for all you do Jim!

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/may/15/field-of-dreams-ewu-considers-farmers-land-for-new/

Good article.

Sounds like we're up shit creek without a paddle. Sounds like nothing is scheduled or in the works. Frankly, the whole discussion seems more speculative now than it did 4 years ago, 10 years ago, or 20 years ago.

"I don't want to over promise and under deliver" - Bill Chaves
A little late for that, don't you think? What the hell was that press release in 2012, along with statements like "it's not a matter of 'if', but 'when'?"

Time to just go out and buy some erector-set steel bleachers for 5,000 people and stick 'em on the visitors side. The track will still be there, but at least it is an emergency fix. If the new stadium happens, likely 10 years or more down the road, than so be it. But we need a solution NOW, not an indefinite time in the future.

 

[MLEagle]

I love the vision but on the other hand we need some type of seating expansion now on the east side. Through up some steel or even concrete bleachers with bathrooms and concessions underneath, and move forward. No one seems to complain about the student side of Martin Stadium and that is all it is. If more premium seating is needed the current press box could be expanded in both directions. I would bet for less then $5 million we could have a large and suitable east side that Eags could be proud of.

http://gregdavissportsphotography.com/Images/GregDavisSportsPhotography_181_Martin%20Stadium_WashingtonState_NCAAFootball.jpg

 

[Rjones61]

Well, we know where we stand now. Back to square one. Could somebody win the lottery already?

Here's to hoping Cooper gets a nice NFL contract and makes a much needed contribution to get the ball rolling arty:

 

[ewueagle2010]

You asked, and Jim delivered! Thanks for all you do Jim!

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/may/15/field-of-dreams-ewu-considers-farmers-land-for-new/

Good article.

Sounds like we're up shit creek without a paddle. Sounds like nothing is scheduled or in the works. Frankly, the whole discussion seems more speculative now than it did 4 years ago, 10 years ago, or 20 years ago.

"I don't want to over promise and under deliver" - Bill Chaves
A little late for that, don't you think? What the hell was that press release in 2012, along with statements like "it's not a matter of 'if', but 'when'?"

Time to just go out and buy some erector-set steel bleachers for 5,000 people and stick 'em on the visitors side. The track will still be there, but at least it is an emergency fix. If the new stadium happens, likely 10 years or more down the road, than so be it. But we need a solution NOW, not an indefinite time in the future.

I do agree that although we finally have some information, this isn't great news. It's very concerning to me that after 4 years, this is where we currently sit.

 

[Rafter_Reese]

While I too agree that something needs to be done with our visitor's side immediately, it frustrates me to think that we would spend any money on something that's not a permanent solution....especially when money seems to be the only thing holding us back right now from doing something great.

 

[Obzerver]

Thanks Jim...fells like a Tragicomedy.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

To All,
I have said things in the past about all the promises. When I spoke to the Individual the week of the Lobster Feed, I got the impression that the new stadium, if there is to be one, it will be on the Farmers Land. I know Mr. Montague, he was the Chief of Cheney Fire Department, when I was Chief Of Police there at EWU. He is a good man, his words you can trust. Now only if we can get some better news, i.e. someone has the money to get it going. Well as of last week, my goal of giving back $50.000.00 for Scholarship, last week I was at $48,683.00, might finish this year. Not to sound like I am bragging, this is something I am very proud of. Love what we have as Coaches/ Players in all Sports, and Students, Faculty. Jim thanks for the Article. Now I will wait to see what comes along. Keeping my fingers crossed. Vic Wallace

 

[FormerEag]

Well, we know where we stand now. Back to square one. Could somebody win the lottery already?

Here's to hoping Cooper gets a nice NFL contract and makes a much needed contribution to get the ball rolling arty:

The good news is that Kupp appears to be decidedly pro-stadium project.

https://twitter.com/CooperKupp/status/731891163582472192

 

[Eagledawg]

You asked, and Jim delivered! Thanks for all you do Jim!

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/may/15/field-of-dreams-ewu-considers-farmers-land-for-new/

Good article.

Sounds like we're up shit creek without a paddle. Sounds like nothing is scheduled or in the works. Frankly, the whole discussion seems more speculative now than it did 4 years ago, 10 years ago, or 20 years ago.

"I don't want to over promise and under deliver" - Bill Chaves
A little late for that, don't you think? What the hell was that press release in 2012, along with statements like "it's not a matter of 'if', but 'when'?"

Time to just go out and buy some erector-set steel bleachers for 5,000 people and stick 'em on the visitors side. The track will still be there, but at least it is an emergency fix. If the new stadium happens, likely 10 years or more down the road, than so be it. But we need a solution NOW, not an indefinite time in the future.

I just listened to Chaves podcast dated 05-04-16 and starting around the 12:00 min. mark he is asked about the Gateway project and said that the university never had given an official release about the Gateway project. He seems to now relegate the GP to rumor status.
Mr. LDopaPDX I quoted you partially because you had a post on the very first page of this thread.
I'm relatively new around here but have been following intensely the last 3 years and read up on all that I can
but this latest article has me a bit baffled. If there isn't sufficient funds to do an upgrade to the present stadium why is the university in negotiations to buy this property (I don't think that's a bad thing) and now they throw out the possibility about building a stadium from scratch. I don't get it! and if they do build a new stadium on the new site what about the present stadium? If this GP rumor is just that then the university should have squashed it a long time ago! But I don't see how Chaves can dismiss the whole project just like that by saying the university never put out an official release! Give me a break! My opinion its not official until they brake ground. First look on the university web site https://sites.ewu.edu/foundation/2012/04/20/the-gateway-project/
Oh WOW! There it is bigger than unowhat and I have heard Chaves speak publicly about it numerous times, especially before the Sam Huston state ESPN game and now to act like it was just a rumor, I don't get it and the rest of you that have had long ties with the University it must make you feel sick!

 

[clawman1]

Now only if we can get some better news, i.e. someone has the money to get it going. Well as of last week, my goal of giving back $50.000.00 for Scholarship, last week I was at $48,683.00, might finish this year.

You're a good man Vic Wallace!

 

[ewueagle2010]

Eagledawg,

As I'm sure you've figured out by now, the GP was much more than a rumor. At the time of original release of the GP, many presentations were given to the students and administration about the idea and plans. Fancy pamphlets and PowerPoint presentations were given and it was far beyond a rumor. The bottom line is, EWU doesn't have the resources to privately fund a 60+ million dollar project. It's nothing to be ashamed of, as most FCS schools don't have that kind of ability. Hell, most schools outside the power 5 don't have that ability. Plain and simple, the University was aiming for the stars and have been afraid to admit they made a mistake in portraying it as an attainable goal.

With that said, I listened to Chaves on the radio this afternoon on 700 ESPN with Patchin, Lukens and Osso and it brought new hope to the situation for me. He didn't lay out a specific plan or take anything off the table, but he did stress the importance of capitalizing on the current success of the program. I think he gets it and I trust him on that. I just hope the rest of administration has the same view and have the ability to get something done soon.

Lastly, I think the GP incorporated a lot of plans that would make the project multipurpose. They wanted to broaden its appeal to more than just an athletic facility and hoped that would help matters with making it a reality. Unfortunately, the price tag was just too high and a lot of the needs that it would have served, will now be met with the new PUB that will be done in 2018. Believe it or not, it sounds like building a while new football only stadium would be about half the cost of the GP.

 

[Rafter_Reese]

Eagledawg,

As I'm sure you've figured out by now, the GP was much more than a rumor. At the time of original release of the GP, many presentations were given to the students and administration about the idea and plans. Fancy pamphlets and PowerPoint presentations were given and it was far beyond a rumor. The bottom line is, EWU doesn't have the resources to privately fund a 60+ million dollar project. It's nothing to be ashamed of, as most FCS schools don't have that kind of ability. Hell, most schools outside the power 5 don't have that ability. Plain and simple, the University was aiming for the stars and have been afraid to admit they made a mistake in portraying it as an attainable goal.

With that said, I listened to Chaves on the radio this afternoon on 700 ESPN with Patchin, Lukens and Osso and it brought new hope to the situation for me. He didn't lay out a specific plan or take anything off the table, but he did stress the importance of capitalizing on the current success of the program. I think he gets it and I trust him on that. I just hope the rest of administration has the same view and have the ability to get something done soon.

Lastly, I think the GP incorporated a lot of plans that would make the project multipurpose. They wanted to broaden its appeal to more than just an athletic facility and hoped that would help matters with making it a reality. Unfortunately, the price tag was just too high and a lot of the needs that it would have served, will now be met with the new PUB that will be done in 2018. Believe it or not, it sounds like building a while new football only stadium would be about half the cost of the GP.

I would be very happy with a brand new football only stadium. But let's get going on it....and, make it sweet! Let's get that thing up before N. Dakota St. rolls in next year. Can't think of a better way to break-it-in than with a win over those guys. :nod:

go eags!

 

[ewueagle2010]

One more thing I will add that I took away from listening to the program yesterday, is that Chaves doesmy just want to go with a cheap alternative like adding more metal bleachers to the East side. Although much cheaper and quicker, they're really trying to attain "premier seating" for many season ticket holders. I don't think they just want more seats for the sake of having more seats because as we know, late in the season, people don't want to be cold and wet. They'll stay home and then you just have empty metal bleachers. He referred to Roos Field being over 50 years old multiple times, meaning something major needs to be done. We've outgrown Roos, and it's most certainly not designed for 10,000+ fans from the seating l, to the bathrooms.

 

[Vic E. Wallace]

clawman,
Thanks for the compliment. :thumb: I remembered Jordan Tonani former FB Player, saying many times, "Vic, you are paying for my Scholarship", I always said I appreciate that I can help some students get their Scholarships. I had to do this, because EWU, & EWU Police was good enough to give me an opportunity to serve their, Students, Faculty, and Staff, after serving my 20+years in the US Air Force. I really enjoyed my 20 yrs, 10 months of service the University. I have met many Friends along the way, Parents, and other Police Agencies,had many students worked for me as Student Patrols, checking buildings, and being the eyes and ears on Campus. Again thanks you for the compliment, it is very much appreciated. Vic Wallace

 

[sammamisheag]

Donations need to improve which is why continuing to raise the academic profile is critical. Higher paying alums means more donations.

We all can sit here and explain what the university needs to do but it's obvious they don't have the funds today for the new stadium. It's as simple as that. In the meantime each of us that has discretionary income needs to put our $$ where our collected mouths are.

Gonzaga is a perfect example. When I was a student, long time ago, EWU consistently beat the Zags. But when GU started having consecutive winning seasons they took advantage of their success and donations, academic and athletic, started to roll in.

Looking at the GU campus now and when I lived in Spokane (moved in 1995) are night and day. It hasn't been just the basketball program that has benefited.

We need higher paying alums which will equate to higher donations. Continuing to raise both the academic and athletic profiles go hand in hand IMHO.

 

[FormerEag]

Donations need to improve which is why continuing to raise the academic profile is critical. Higher paying alums means more donations.

We all can sit here and explain what the university needs to do but it's obvious they don't have the funds today for the new stadium. It's as simple as that. In the meantime each of us that has discretionary income needs to put our $$ where our collected mouths are.

Gonzaga is a perfect example. When I was a student, long time ago, EWU consistently beat the Zags. But when GU started having consecutive winning seasons they took advantage of their success and donations, academic and athletic, started to roll in.

Looking at the GU campus now and when I lived in Spokane (moved in 1995) are night and day. It hasn't been just the basketball program that has benefited.

We need higher paying alums which will equate to higher donations. Continuing to raise both the academic and athletic profiles go hand in hand IMHO.

I get what you are saying, but that is a looong process. EWU pumps out a lot of teachers, and while I'm all for giving them a healthy pay raise, I doubt that will happen anytime soon. Other schools like Montana have a law school, which produces some high paying (and miserable) alums. Our MBA program isn't exactly renowned, so that's not ideal.

Paradoxically, a great way to elevate the academic profile of a university is to elevate the athletic profile. Chicken and the egg type of thing. I think issuing bonds, selling naming rights and partnering with corporations is the only way this will ever get done.

PS- the comments section in the SR article are disheartening (as comment sections typically are, I suppose.)