Roos Field Renovation

[FormerEag]

I know they were looking for a big donor and I am sure they have tried with McFarland before but this could help if the reboot is successful enough.
http://www.darkhorizons.com/mcfarlane-talks-his-spawn-reboot-plans/

I was going to cast doubt that this dude was bringing in enough to make a difference, but I decided to look it up first.

He's worth $300 million! Damn.

 

[MLEagle]

I heard Chaves on 700 ESPN and they asked him about the project and he said they are working on it. He said he was hoping for 12,000 to 15,000 seats with increased premium seating. As far as the premium seating goes it seems like they could utilize the area under the press box and a few feet out behind it to make an upscale premium area and then take the area right below for outdoor boxes.

Then on the east side focus on good steep seating with concessions underneath. It seems like for 5 or 6 million dollars we could make a huge impact on the stadium.

 

[clawman1]

I know they were looking for a big donor and I am sure they have tried with McFarland before but this could help if the reboot is successful enough.
http://www.darkhorizons.com/mcfarlane-talks-his-spawn-reboot-plans/

I was going to cast doubt that this dude was bringing in enough to make a difference, but I decided to look it up first.

He's worth $300 million! Damn.

We only need about 30 alum. that draw cartoons and we're there! :lol:

 

[BLACKFALKIN1]

I heard Chaves on 700 ESPN and they asked him about the project and he said they are working on it. He said he was hoping for 12,000 to 15,000 seats with increased premium seating. As far as the premium seating goes it seems like they could utilize the area under the press box and a few feet out behind it to make an upscale premium area and then take the area right below for outdoor boxes.

Then on the east side focus on good steep seating with concessions underneath. It seems like for 5 or 6 million dollars we could make a huge impact on the stadium.

Yup 5 million would do the trick. It doesn't cost that much to get something like that built on the east side. Also great idea about outdoor boxes under the press box! Btw if WSU had a a 60k seat Stadium I think they could fill it. Especially during the apple cup. Same with EWU, if we had a 25k seat stadium with RED TURF I guaranteed the games would sell out. Enrollment would spike also. Most teams with on campus stadiums have good attendance. If the football team is good they'll have great attendance. EWU has Spokane in its backyard and refuses to capitalize. I just learned Coastal has transitioned to FBS, they have a plan in place to expand an on campus stadium with TEAL TURF to 20-30k. Forget the FBS for a sec, what does Coastal have that Eastern doesn't? I just don't get it. Eastern literally has one of the worst stadiums in D1 and years pass without upgrades. A NCAA title.. still nada? I'm going to be an old man before something big happens. hno:

 

[Get'emGriz]

Also to be considered: EWU is doing a remodel of the PUB and doing a complete replacement of the science building next summer. That's a lot of money going into facilities not named Roos.

Although I am beyond frustrated that nothing is happening with the stadium, one must understand the difference here. The PUB is being funding through students funds, which they voted to approve a couple years ago (similar to the URC). The science building is an education building, and it's been something talked about since my freshman year on campus. Right or wrong, there is little to no push back from anyone when you talk about remodeling, building an education building. As we know, as soon as a sport is mentioned, people go nuts.

It's amazing how ignorant people are when it comes to understanding the difference between athletics and academics, and where the money to pay for stuff on both sides comes from. Back when UM's Champions Center was announced to cost $14 million, many people went absolutely nuts over it. A lot of people would complain and say things like, "Of course the University is spending money on athletics when classes and jobs are being cut", or "That money would have been better used for academics to save some of the jobs that are being cut"... :roll: Every time I heard this, I'd beat a dead horse trying to explain it to them... The entire project is being funded by private donations given specifically to athletics, and not only that, but the UM gets more academic donations annually than the athletic department gets, so their complaints really don't hold any merit. It's amazing how people don't understand this stuff, but when something doesn't fit your agenda, facts won't help you.

Gotta question for ya. What's your perspective/opinion on this EWU stadium expansion/renovation/rebuild ? What's a solution that's feasible? I'm assuming you're somewhat familiar with EWU & BigSky Football.

I don't know how EWU athletics is doing financially (If they're even able to make expansion plans happen), but I really think that EWU is making a big mistake of not taking advantage of your recent success and building off of it. Even if the University has a plan in place to expand/renovate Roos Field, it needs to be done in phases and it needs to be started right away. That will keep fans excited and feel like EWU really cares about improving its program and overall fan experience, which will show the commitment to being one of the best in the conference. But by not taking advantage of this great run you guys are on, the time may come where you aren't as successful and have nothing to show for the current success. Installing the red carpet was a OK start, but everything after that has just fizzled out.

 

[allweatherfan2]

Thanks Get'emGriz for your input. You are right on - and minus the trash talk!

 

[EdubU10]

From the weekly AD podcast, Bill says they're working as hard as possible to figure it out. Which is good and all but it isn't getting shovels in the ground. I fear the university isn't taking the stadium expansion as serious as they should. Baldwin wont be here for ever and capitalizing on this run the football team is on is critical to maintaining growing support for the program.

I try to keep optimistic but 4 years without anything being done is frustrating. Now with the gateway completely shelved, what's the next plan? The radio silence is very concerning, feels that the university doesn't have much of a plan right now.

 

[Go Eags Forever]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but Baldwin is likely gone after this year. Another PAC 12 win - and hopefully another playoff run - he won't be passed over again.

We can't expect our athletic leadership to build this all on their own. We need university & campus buy-in. More than ever, we need our university president to step up, beat the athletics drum, and make athletics a high priority initiative across the university. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that's going to happen anytime soon. Disappointing to say the least.

 

[ewueagle2010]

Not to be a Debbie Downer, but Baldwin is likely gone after this year. Another PAC 12 win - and hopefully another playoff run - he won't be passed over again.

We can't expect our athletic leadership to build this all on their own. We need university & campus buy-in. More than ever, we need our university president to step up, beat the athletics drum, and make athletics a high priority initiative across the university. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like that's going to happen anytime soon. Disappointing to say the least.

With all due respect...to who? Baldwin has shown he understands the big picture. He's not looking to jump at any ol FBS job for the sake of some more money. He's a west coast guy and has a family to consider, so what schools on the west coast that are worth leaving for and will be open and looking at Beau? He's not going to Washington State (if it opens), UW, and Oregon State wont be open, Oregon might be, but they would likely hire Frost and I don't think Baldwin wants that job anyway... Stanford or Cal, no. USC, hell no. UCLA....doubtful they'd "stoop to the FCS level" for a head coach. Utah isn't looking for a new coach and Arizona likely won't be either with Rich Rod. The only two schools that MIGHT be looking are Arizona State and Colorado. I have zero knowledge what so ever about anything to do with anyone's coaching approach for the next season, so this is all speculation, but I just don't see the opportunity right now. IMO, the only non power 5 job worth leaving for on the west coast is probably Boise State, and they're not looking for a coach either. If anything, I think Beau would leave for an OC job at a power 5 program and in all honesty, I think deep down he'd rather stay at Eastern.

As far as your take on the stadium...I agree 100%.

 

[Obzerver]

Edub, did he really say they're working as hard as possible to figure it out? Wow, how prolific!

July 28/29th was the BOT meeting where a 45 min. of the stadium project presentation was made by Westfall, Chaves and Volves. Earliest minutes of a BOT meeting I could find is 2/16 but here's what could have gone down.

Mike Westfall: Well the Gateway Project has fallen through and we didn't have a Plan B but farmer Jones down the road might sell us some land for a new stadium..Go Eags!

Bill Chaves: We're working as hard as possible to figure it out...Go Eags!

Mary Voves: Yeah, what they said...Go Eags!

I'm doing a "Vic"...don't care anymore and I'm giving up any hope of something substantial happening anytime soon. Still supporting all of EWU players/teams...Go Eags!

 

[ewueagle2010]

And additionally...sorry for the rant, I think we underestimate just how stuck up Power 5 programs really are. Craig Bohl won 3 straight natty titles with NDSU and settled for the Wyoming job. His replacement has won 2 straight natty titles and as a program they've won 6 straight FBS games. They don't seem to be knocking on his door either.

 

[clawman1]

Who would have a clue of anything about North Dakota State University if not for the football program? Does virtually anyone in the country know anything about Gonzaaaga other than they have a great basketball program?
Ask any sports fan in the country who has blue turf, that is the only way BSU is recognized.
Which school has more felony arrests than any other in the country... WSU of course!

 

[houseofire]

Did anyone catch Larry's half time interview during the NAU game? I guess there was about a 5 minute discussion regarding the Gateway and how they are currently working with an firm for a new design. Designs projected to be out in Spring? I missed the interview but a coworker was telling me about it.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Did anyone catch Larry's half time interview during the NAU game? I guess there was about a 5 minute discussion regarding the Gateway and how they are currently working with an firm for a new design. Designs projected to be out in Spring? I missed the interview but a coworker was telling me about it.

Glad it's being discussed. I notice whenever the athletic department posts something on facebook, there's always comments in the replies about a stadium upgrade. The AD has to be feeling some pressure. It's been a long time since the Gateway PR came out and nothing has happened.

 

[EdubU10]

Did anyone catch Larry's half time interview during the NAU game? I guess there was about a 5 minute discussion regarding the Gateway and how they are currently working with an firm for a new design. Designs projected to be out in Spring? I missed the interview but a coworker was telling me about it.

:clap:

 

[scottywashere11]

Wonder if anyone can find the link to the mentioned interview? I can't find it anywhere. Would love to hear it.

 

[Obzerver]

I listened at halftime when Larry talked to James Murphy, chair of the Board of Trustees. Maybe I missed some of it but what I heard Murphy say about the stadium was they are forming a task group to look at something realistic. Very insightful...and realistic...what a laugh.

 

[clawman1]

I listened at halftime when Larry talked to James Murphy, chair of the Board of Trustees. Maybe I missed some of it but what I heard Murphy say about the stadium was they are forming a task group to look at something realistic. Very insightful...and realistic...what a laugh.

What is it you are laughing at?

 

[Obzerver]

I find it amusing that after ALL this time they have decided to form a task group to look at something realistic. Something that should have been addressed in detail along side the Gateway project as a Plan B.So, apparently we are only NOW forming a task group...forming? Was it really Gateway or nothing? Apparently an upgrade is not in the works any time soon...which is laughable.
They should form a task group to find out why there wasn't a task group formed earlier to look at something realistic.We are being played/stalled/carrot dangled/mushroomed in the cellar...believe it.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I find it amusing that after ALL this time they have decided to form a task group to look at something realistic. Something that should have been addressed in detail along side the Gateway project as a Plan B.So, apparently we are only NOW forming a task group...forming? Was it really Gateway or nothing? Apparently an upgrade is not in the works any time soon...which is laughable.
They should form a task group to find out why there wasn't a task group formed earlier to look at something realistic.We are being played/stalled/carrot dangled/mushroomed in the cellar...believe it.

I agree, this is terribly disappointing. As I mentioned before, they need to be very considerate as to the timeline. If this is still 4-5 years or more down the road, then it's time to just stick some high-rise erector set bleachers on the East side to increase capacity by 4,000 or so. At least that results in butts-in-seats and allows us to grow our fanbase. It's obviously not a permanent solution, but it least gives us a quick fix until a long-term solution can be worked out.

I have no idea to this day why they put in pretty nice Northside endzone bleachers but went with dumbed-down low-risers on the East side which are both a complete eyesore and woefully inappropriate for our needs.