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Roos Field Renovation

DFW EAGLE said:
I read this article the other night about Liberty's facility growth and found one piece very interesting.

Liberty has 15,000 students on campus, but the real cash cow is its more than 100,000 online students, whose tuition and fees have helped fuel a $1 billion on-campus building splurge.

Eastern currently has zero online presence (from what I can find). I know many schools have gone this route, and it seems to be paying huge dividends at Liberty. I would never expect EWU to get to this level of 100,000 students, but is something like this even being considered as a means to fund projects on campus in Cheney?

Article:
https://pilotonline.com/sports/columnist/harry-minium/c-usa-rejected-liberty-university-s-generous-offer-to-join/article_4aef1fa8-6614-58ea-97f4-25805187fa70.html
That is a great point. I teach online HS and it is very popular. I have heard a few courses are online at EWU, but there is no big push for it.
 
So, I personally have been one of the critics against moving home games to Joe Albi, and I'm still not sure it's the best idea, but playing the devils advocate for a short time, I came up with some thoughts.

No matter what the University is telling us, it's obvious there is nothing in the works right now for a stadium renovation other than some studies and pipe dreams. After years of overblown plans and fantasies, we now have a President that clearly doesn't care about stadium expansion. We lost our most successful coach, some NFL players and are now competing against a much better Pac 12 program down the road, where most Spokane fans will choose to go 9 times out of 10 over EWU. That was evident this past weekend when we had a nice crowd, but not great. Considering 2k were NDSU fans, I'd say there was only about 8k EWU fans there, which isn't great for that power match up and nice weather.

Would playing at Albi make more people come?? My guess is that a majority of our season ticket base doesn't live in Cheney, so it probably wouldn't effect their choice. We've heard for decades now, Spokane people say, "I don't want to drive all the way out to Cheney!" Well, what if we were playing right in their back yard? Albi needs work, a lot of work, but at least it has the seating done and the rest is mostly aesthetics. The city of Cheney doesn't really do anything special to embrace the program, but would Spokane? Look at Gonzaga basketball! Spokane goes nuts over them every year.

Just a thought on a somewhat slow week on the forum. I'm worried however, that any momentum for a stadium upgrade died when Arevalo retired and now with a new staff in place and maybe a little bit less success year in and year out, Roos will just stay the status quo.
 
As a proud eagle alumni who feels like EWU Is very underrated in terms of education value and rankings I want to say something about this topic of stadium . While I feel like every academic institution should put academics first that is no reason while EWU should not have a small but first rate stadium.

As EWUEAGLE2010 just mentioned a lot of athletic and academic progress was mas made when we had both Arevalo and Rex Fuller( who is now president of Western Oregon University) These guys had vision and the foresight in terms of what it takes to fey EWU out into the national spotlight.


This new president does not have some same traits in my I opinion. From 2006-2014 Cullinan was the president of Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. She is responsible for authoring the two largest retrenchment programs in the history of the University.



In the spring of 2014 the faculty of Southern Oregon University held a vote of no confidence in Cullinan and two of her top administrators. 83% of the faculty participated in the vote, with 76% of those faculty voting no confidence in Cullinan's leadership.

So what does EWU do? They pass on Fuller and hire this gal. She is like the Tyrone Willingham of college presidents.
First, It all starts at the top and I believe that the Bill Chaves has done an outstanding job as he can only do so much when you have a president who has no leadership and probably does not make this expansion a priority. His hand\s are tied. I hope that we continue to have success on the football field or else our stadium will still keep looking like a high school field in the future.

Secondly, EWU has been around since 1882 and yet we fund raise like a community college. We are much better than this. WWU raises more money than on a yearly basis and we are an older school. It all starts with the President and works it way down.
 
After watching the Griz game, it is clear what a nice stadium looks like. We have the red inferno but really not much else. Why can't our President Cullinan put forth more effort with our stadium? She is more concerned about the Pub and its new gender neutral bathrooms. :? Okay, I'm not politically correct and I'm thankful not to be. Let's move onto some football enhancements. Can't she see that a nicer stadium is a draw to prospective students? The east side is just embarrassing. It wouldn't take much to enclose the endzone either and make is a full bowl appearance. Geeez.
 
"She is more concerned about the Pub and its new gender neutral bathrooms. :? Okay, I'm not politically correct and I'm thankful not to be."

I don't think she has a clue what is going on, anywhere, at anytime, with anything. She's defiantly an odd duck. That being said, Eastern is a school first. The PUB is essential to the students, overall quality of the school and desperately needed an update for both student use and energy efficiency. Its also being paid for by students.

The school is taking the right steps by hiring an outside consulting firm to do the legwork on how to raise/generate funds for a remodel of Roos Field. I believe we should have the final report by December(?) after that, it'll be up to them to raise the money and build it. Eastern's problem (past and present) is marketing. They have ALWAYS been awful at it. I was blown away this past weekend in Missoula at the facilities and overall feel of the game... It was a freakin' event! EWU could never sell that many tickets with its current operation, which is a little strange considering Spokane is bigger than Missoula and the 11th largest city in America is 4 hours away. Id expect to have a plan in place and commencement by this time next year. It should involve asking the big donors for more, asking the public for more, and the kids for more. I know public funding is taboo on the east side of the mountains, but if you want a new stadium, it'll cost money.
 
americanisland said:
"She is more concerned about the Pub and its new gender neutral bathrooms. :? Okay, I'm not politically correct and I'm thankful not to be."

I don't think she has a clue what is going on, anywhere, at anytime, with anything. She's defiantly an odd duck. That being said, Eastern is a school first. The PUB is essential to the students, overall quality of the school and desperately needed an update for both student use and energy efficiency. Its also being paid for by students.

The school is taking the right steps by hiring an outside consulting firm to do the legwork on how to raise/generate funds for a remodel of Roos Field. I believe we should have the final report by December(?) after that, it'll be up to them to raise the money and build it. Eastern's problem (past and present) is marketing. They have ALWAYS been awful at it. I was blown away this past weekend in Missoula at the facilities and overall feel of the game... It was a freakin' event! EWU could never sell that many tickets with its current operation, which is a little strange considering Spokane is bigger than Missoula and the 11th largest city in America is 4 hours away. Id expect to have a plan in place and commencement by this time next year. It should involve asking the big donors for more, asking the public for more, and the kids for more. I know public funding is taboo on the east side of the mountains, but if you want a new stadium, it'll cost money.

BINGO!! Every word of this paragraph is true. The PUB remodel is something students have been working on since 2009 and for the most part, was completed organized by the students. They're also paying for it! That is a building that gets used 365 days a year and will be a huge attraction for incoming students.

With that said, the President still has no clue what is going on. She's at athletic events for show and gives the vibe she doesn't really make any decisions. I still don't understand how a person given a vote of no confidence by faculty members at a smaller school, gets picked to be the President over an internal candidate with years of EWU experience. But then again, it's a pretty common theme at EWU. I believe all momentum for a stadium expansion died when Dr. Arevlo retired.
 
ewueagle2010 said:
I believe all momentum for a stadium expansion died when Dr. Arevlo retired.

Blah... We went from Dr. A to someone who was fired for no confidence at Southern Oregon. That's regression, not progression. :thumbdown:
 
americanisland said:
I don't think she has a clue what is going on, anywhere, at anytime, with anything. She's defiantly an odd duck. That being said, Eastern is a school first.


BINGO. I have talked with this loony lady like 4-6 times. She seems to be OUT OF IT. How in the HELL did she become President of our University???? If she is in charge of our Stadium chances, then we might as well give that up right now. Half the times I Have talked with her, I do not think she knew where she was.... Amazes me what we allow to run our entire University. :oo :clap: :clap: :clap:
 
The question I have is whether or not our admin sees what is happening at the Montana schools, where they've invested in large FCS stadiums, and sees the big crowds as a lost opportunity. I don't think it's realistic to expect we could build a big addition and suddenly draw 26,000 like Montana, but I think there is ample evidence to suggest we could expand to 15,000 and routinely sell out.

That isn't just 4,000 more tickets sold; these people come to campus, shop at the bookstore, feed Cheney's merchants, and- for many- get exposed to Eastern for the first time. It isn't only lost revenue, but a lost marketing opportunity.

I would think this is an obvious "learning experience," but the lack of action on our football facility concerns me that maybe the powers-that-be just don't get it. This shouldn't just be a top priority for our athletics department, but a top priority for the university as a whole. Putting a quality football venue on campus has a lot of peripheral benefit that goes beyond just the football games played there.
 
LDopaPDX said:
The question I have is whether or not our admin sees what is happening at the Montana schools, where they've invested in large FCS stadiums, and sees the big crowds as a lost opportunity. I don't think it's realistic to expect we could build a big addition and suddenly draw 26,000 like Montana, but I think there is ample evidence to suggest we could expand to 15,000 and routinely sell out.

That isn't just 4,000 more tickets sold; these people come to campus, shop at the bookstore, feed Cheney's merchants, and- for many- get exposed to Eastern for the first time. It isn't only lost revenue, but a lost marketing opportunity.

I would think this is an obvious "learning experience," but the lack of action on our football facility concerns me that maybe the powers-that-be just don't get it. This shouldn't just be a top priority for our athletics department, but a top priority for the university as a whole. Putting a quality football venue on campus has a lot of peripheral benefit that goes beyond just the football games played there.
Dopa,
The error in your logic is you are thinking like an entrepreneur, while these are bureaucrats we are dealing with here.
BIG differnce
 
clawman said:
LDopaPDX said:
The question I have is whether or not our admin sees what is happening at the Montana schools, where they've invested in large FCS stadiums, and sees the big crowds as a lost opportunity. I don't think it's realistic to expect we could build a big addition and suddenly draw 26,000 like Montana, but I think there is ample evidence to suggest we could expand to 15,000 and routinely sell out.

That isn't just 4,000 more tickets sold; these people come to campus, shop at the bookstore, feed Cheney's merchants, and- for many- get exposed to Eastern for the first time. It isn't only lost revenue, but a lost marketing opportunity.

I would think this is an obvious "learning experience," but the lack of action on our football facility concerns me that maybe the powers-that-be just don't get it. This shouldn't just be a top priority for our athletics department, but a top priority for the university as a whole. Putting a quality football venue on campus has a lot of peripheral benefit that goes beyond just the football games played there.
Dopa,
The error in your logic is you are thinking like an entrepreneur, while these are bureaucrats we are dealing with here.
BIG differnce

Lol... Sadly, I think you're right!
 
LDopaPDX said:
clawman said:
LDopaPDX said:
The question I have is whether or not our admin sees what is happening at the Montana schools, where they've invested in large FCS stadiums, and sees the big crowds as a lost opportunity. I don't think it's realistic to expect we could build a big addition and suddenly draw 26,000 like Montana, but I think there is ample evidence to suggest we could expand to 15,000 and routinely sell out.

That isn't just 4,000 more tickets sold; these people come to campus, shop at the bookstore, feed Cheney's merchants, and- for many- get exposed to Eastern for the first time. It isn't only lost revenue, but a lost marketing opportunity.

I would think this is an obvious "learning experience," but the lack of action on our football facility concerns me that maybe the powers-that-be just don't get it. This shouldn't just be a top priority for our athletics department, but a top priority for the university as a whole. Putting a quality football venue on campus has a lot of peripheral benefit that goes beyond just the football games played there.
Dopa,
The error in your logic is you are thinking like an entrepreneur, while these are bureaucrats we are dealing with here.
BIG difference

Lol... Sadly, I think you're right!
 
I think I found our money...... just need to find ourselves a 30+year shoe contract!

Via ESPN Rick Pitino story from yesterday
"Adidas spokesperson Katja Schreiber told ESPN that the new deal with the school -- a 10-year, $160 million pact that Louisville and the shoe and apparel company announced in late August -- has different terms."

30 years should equate to a 10 year one for Louisville right..... :kisswink:
 
LDopaPDX said:
The question I have is whether or not our admin sees what is happening at the Montana schools, where they've invested in large FCS stadiums, and sees the big crowds as a lost opportunity. I don't think it's realistic to expect we could build a big addition and suddenly draw 26,000 like Montana, but I think there is ample evidence to suggest we could expand to 15,000 and routinely sell out.

That isn't just 4,000 more tickets sold; these people come to campus, shop at the bookstore, feed Cheney's merchants, and- for many- get exposed to Eastern for the first time. It isn't only lost revenue, but a lost marketing opportunity.

I would think this is an obvious "learning experience," but the lack of action on our football facility concerns me that maybe the powers-that-be just don't get it. This shouldn't just be a top priority for our athletics department, but a top priority for the university as a whole. Putting a quality football venue on campus has a lot of peripheral benefit that goes beyond just the football games played there.
I agree with not building a stadium too big. 14,000 - 16,000 would be perfect. We could fill up an extra 4,000 seats easy. People (our fans) want to be a part of SOMETHING BIG. The exponential buzz that a new stadium would create would be ridiculous. It would bring many of our nonparticipating alumni-base back on campus. Everyone would want to come check it out. And, after seeing what they're missing up on the tailgate lots they just might want to start spending their Saturdays back out in Cheney again. And, spending their money in Cheney too like you said. Win Win for everyone.
 
Earlier this year EWU hired some "experts" to tell them what The Red Zone already knows but anyway, has their report been made public?
 
Rafter_Reese said:
LDopaPDX said:
The question I have is whether or not our admin sees what is happening at the Montana schools, where they've invested in large FCS stadiums, and sees the big crowds as a lost opportunity. I don't think it's realistic to expect we could build a big addition and suddenly draw 26,000 like Montana, but I think there is ample evidence to suggest we could expand to 15,000 and routinely sell out.

That isn't just 4,000 more tickets sold; these people come to campus, shop at the bookstore, feed Cheney's merchants, and- for many- get exposed to Eastern for the first time. It isn't only lost revenue, but a lost marketing opportunity.

I would think this is an obvious "learning experience," but the lack of action on our football facility concerns me that maybe the powers-that-be just don't get it. This shouldn't just be a top priority for our athletics department, but a top priority for the university as a whole. Putting a quality football venue on campus has a lot of peripheral benefit that goes beyond just the football games played there.
I agree with not building a stadium too big. 14,000 - 16,000 would be perfect. We could fill up an extra 4,000 seats easy. People (our fans) want to be a part of SOMETHING BIG. The exponential buzz that a new stadium would create would be ridiculous. It would bring many of our nonparticipating alumni-base back on campus. Everyone would want to come check it out. And, after seeing what they're missing up on the tailgate lots they just might want to start spending their Saturdays back out in Cheney again. And, spending their money in Cheney too like you said. Win Win for everyone.

:nod: Agreed.
 
I've seen a ton of outrage from EWU fans and alumni this week after the unveiling of the Champions Center at UM. Lots of people are, rightfully, upset that EWU just fell even further behind in the facilities department. My question is, what can we do?

How can we generate enough noise to force the administrations hand to make a move? We can complain about it until we're blue in the face, and we've done that for 7+ years. Rather than sitting behind our keyboards for another 7 years, how do we help take action?
 
Exactly. Does anyone know who we can contact to lobby this? Emails we can write or phone numbers that we can call? Should we write letters? Does the outrage we are seeing on EWU Tailgate and other social media outlets mean anything to the administration? Jim Allen certainly has been putting the pressure on them with his SR articles. Doesn't seem to have helped though.
 
ewueagle2010 said:
I've seen a ton of outrage from EWU fans and alumni this week after the unveiling of the Champions Center at UM. Lots of people are, rightfully, upset that EWU just fell even further behind in the facilities department. My question is, what can we do?

How can we generate enough noise to force the administrations hand to make a move? We can complain about it until we're blue in the face, and we've done that for 7+ years. Rather than sitting behind our keyboards for another 7 years, how do we help take action?

$$
 

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