Knight_Light

. KL, the football stadium is not state-of-the-art? If today was April 1st...my answer would be: "Sure! Of course it is!!" But like 95% of all college football stadiums...it is adequate...but more importantly, its ON CAMPUS. Having to go to games at the Citrus Bowl for 2 plus decades...I would have taken ANYTHING on campus over that dump...but BHNS turned out much nicer than I had originally thought...but as I noted in the very beginning...the UCF Arena is really the crown jewel/hidden gem of all the projects...as it is a very SWEET on-campus facility.

Interesting to note that since 2005, UCF has: 1) Built an on-campus 45,000 seat football stadium. 2) Built a 10,000 seat state-of-the-art Basketball Arena 3) Built Men's and Women's Basketball Practice Facilities 4) Built New Softball Stadium 5) Built new boat house/HQ for the Crew Team 6) Built new practice facility and HQ for the golf team 7) New Soccer/Track Stadium Complex should be completed later this fall/winter. The $$$$ are out there to get things done (i.e. see Louisville, Cinci and other programs that have built new facilities for various sports over the past 4-5 years). Vision is fine...but its dead without leadership, which is normally what it takes to get things done. Remember...the economy was strong back in 2005-2007...and if Woolard couldn't get things built when times were GOOD...how in the world will he get anything built when times are bad? You don't have to answer that question. No one is interested in your spin. Well...since you are totally clueless and you didn't bother to answer/respond...I figured I would. Spin? I just posted facts...something which evades a huge majority of your posts. PS. I normally avoid this board but my response was moved to this board by Triple B who started a new thread with it. Didn't mean to take any green LIMElight away from you and all your girlfriends. My bad.

Interesting to note that since 2005, UCF has: 1) Built an on-campus 45,000 seat football stadium. 2) Built a 10,000 seat state-of-the-art Basketball Arena 3) Built Men's and Women's Basketball Practice Facilities 4) Built New Softball Stadium 5) Built new boat house/HQ for the Crew Team 6) Built new practice facility and HQ for the golf team 7) New Soccer/Track Stadium Complex should be completed later this fall/winter. The $$$$ are out there to get things done (i.e. see Louisville, Cinci and other programs that have built new facilities for various sports over the past 4-5 years). Vision is fine...but its dead without leadership, which is normally what it takes to get things done. Remember...the economy was strong back in 2005-2007...and if Woolard couldn't get things built when times were GOOD...how in the world will he get anything built when times are bad?

I totally agree...but it takes VISION from leadership to seek out and secure opportunities at hand...as most GOOD opportunities have to be sought out...as great ideas normally don't wait. As noted...just a "strip mall" will not be enough to support anything...but it was to be built in a way around a setting to attract day-to-day customers (i.e. dorms) and around special events tied to a facility (i.e. arena, football stadium, special events like Light Up UCF, etc...).

ETHICAL issues? HUH??? If you don't want universities to sell their souls to corporate america, then maybe we should kick Beef O' Brady's and Moe's out of the Marshall Center. While we're at it, we could kick out Starbucks from the library. And to answer your previous question if I'd visit the athletic village after class, the answer is YES. I actually like studying at bookstores, so I'd probably study at that Barnes & Noble (or whatever bookstore UCF has in that strip), and I'd probably grab a bite to eat while I'm down there. If they have a barbershop, I'd get my haircut. Do you even understand the argument? All the things you listed are managed by the university dining organization (whatever that is these days) I'm not so sure that is the case on UCF. These are stand alone enterprises leasing property and making profits on a state run university. I didn't realize state schools are in the commercial real estate business. Of course, I don't have all the facts on UCF because my caring is only about surface deep, but from the looks of what has gone on there, I have issues with it. I'm sure many other people would too if they would think about it. So I ask any, can ANYONE name me another state run school that has done something like this? Yeah...guess USF should tear down the Moffitt Cancer Center then!!! :D Also...didn't USF lease some land to a private business called EMBASSY SUITES? Guess you have to tear this down too:

Well, you don't have to use that model. In fact, there are ethical issues with that model. I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me why building a strip mall on your campus is good for academic enrichment. It is not even remotely the same thing as a student union as mentioned. How is leasing or giving away land/facilities to private companies being a good steward of state resources? I don't get it. I do get the fact that everyone in charge but Hitt is no longer with your school. Secondly, can anyone name another school that has such facilities on campus property? I understand you questioning an ethics part of it but it's simply a strategy UCF used to compete w/ the other state schools and it has worked in my opinion. Pre 2000 is was pretty easy to get into UCF but now it's pretty difficult, gradually getting more difficult every year. UCF was built w/ the circular model that made it walkable and appealing even before the added village on the north side. Hitt and company thought enhancing the campus life/amenities was a priority and thought a lot of potential high quality students would take it into account to steal a few away from UF and other schools. There was a St. Pete Times and Oracle article on this topic a year ago that sums it up pretty good about the options at UF and UCF's campus even on late night weekends, all things that students take into account along w/ their intended Academic track. I'm not sure other schools that have tried the same thing but I think FAU may try it but the economy might slow down the process for them. Most schools that need to do this are either 'city schools' or in UCF's case a 'suburban' school. If you have been to Gainesville, they have a strip right across campus w/ restaurants and bars that's technically off campus but you would never know you left campus....across the street from UCF's north side you have deed restricted neighborhoods so you have to build it up your own way to erase the commuter image. UCF finds its amenities are academic The Orlando college is setting the standard for state schools with its attention to student life. http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/14/State/UCF_finds_its_ameniti.shtml USF must improve campus facilities...and be more like UCF http://www.usforacle.com/2.6025/1.619845 What's interesting in the St Pete Times article...that was a front page feature story in the life (or personal interest whatever section) section in the Sunday paper (largest circulation of the week), the day after UCF came to play at USF. Also...isn't it interesting that the USF AD talks for the very first time about maybe building a new arena basically immediately AFTER USF Hoop's first ever visit to the new UCF Arena? Here's another article from the West Coach of FLA that talked a lot about how UCF's campus is unique compared to any other in the state...as this story originally ran in the Bradenton/Sarasota Paper (Herald Tribune): Amenities give UCF cachet with students Perks that go beyond the classroom help lure top performers. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-32890961_ITM

LOL!!! NO, not in the state of FLA. That's why Dr Hitt/UCF did it in the FIRST PLACE!!! It's great to be FIRST in a few things....

Well, you don't have to use that model. In fact, there are ethical issues with that model. I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me why building a strip mall on your campus is good for academic enrichment. It is not even remotely the same thing as a student union as mentioned. How is leasing or giving away land/facilities to private companies being a good steward of state resources? I don't get it. I do get the fact that everyone in charge but Hitt is no longer with your school. Secondly, can anyone name another school that has such facilities on campus property? Ethical issues?? Only ethical issues is how the state has kept schools like USF and UCF down for decades and decades as the biggest pie of state funding always went to UF. What Dr Hitt has done is nothing short of amazing as instead of waiting 10-20 more years till state funding for more dorms, etc...would come him...he invited PRIVATE companies to do it BETTER and do it NOW!! Imagine that...Private companies can do it BETTER and do it NOW!! What a concept...as he saved the state HUNDREDS of Millions of future $$$$ building ugly dorms. Plus, UCF is now its own self-contained University...as maybe for the first time ever (or at least in larger numbers), not every student at UCF even has a CAR...as they general can find everything they need on-campus and have access to shuttles/buses for off-campus. What UCF/Dr Hitt did was different...as they didn't wait till the state $$$ came in...they decided to go out and GET IT on their own...which enable UCF to have a much better finished product overall...which is helping attract better and better students. That to me sounds like it was the ethical thing to do.

Lest we forget that the business is in educating our young. This is a state university and this is land set aside for such a purpose. Athletics is one such venture, the slippery slope is using straight up "for profit" retail on that land and justfying it as something related to athletics/acedemics. It's just my opinion, though. I like your facilities, I've just had a problem with how they came to be for quite some time... Entertainment, Arts, Living Facilities, etc...are all about the University experience too. Face it...UC and UCF are two totally different institutions with 2 totally different needs. UC is a 190 yr old INsitution located basically right next door to downtown Cincinnati...surrounding immediately by parks and neighborhoods. UC necessarily doesn't need "restaurants, new dorms, etc....since much of their building for their University has taken place over the last 100 plus years. UCF, built by the state in the "middle of no where" needed to basically build their own infrastructure/campus/"city". Just like how USF's new Student Union adds to the campus "life" of USF...and how the SunDome for the past 28 years brought top notch entertainment and sporting events to USF's campus for the past 3 decades, the new UCF arena will do the same. However, compared to 30 years ago or so...state funds are tight...VERY TIGHT in regards to campus facilities and Dr Hitt has done an incredible job with using what he has gotten and then gone out and secure private funding where needed (i.e. $20 Million land donation for UCF's Medical School and their Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences at Lake Nona...to the Village Dorm project, etc...).

What UC did was great too...but remember, we, FLA, are state poor...and the state didn't have all the $$$$ that were needed to build all the infrastructure a booming yet young University like UCF needed (i.e. new parking garages, upgraded/private bedroom dorms, etc...). The reason for the shops/restaurants/sports bar is that they help attract visitors to arena events...before AND after shows/concerts/games...much more so that Orlando's old downtown arena that doesn't have ANY bars/restaurants located just steps away from their doors. The East side of Orlando is basically turning into its "own" city...complete with all the shopping, recreation, education, entertainment, sports, etc...as there are virtually zero reasons now to venture to downtown Orlando unless one has to for work...or if they want to see those that inject themselves with dirty needles. Just like folks in the Bay area do not like to go or sometimes DON'T even go to the "other side" of the Bay....East Orlando is becoming much of the same...as in the area is built up so much there is ZERO need to go/visit downtown Orlando. (Last time I was in Downtown Orlando was last Feb for a luncheon...haven't been back and haven't missed anything of value). I think UC built what UC needed at the time...and I think UCF was very creative in using private $$$$ to help build facilities well before they would have been provided by the state (i.e. new dorms, new parking garages, new eateries, etc... Just seeing the huge new Barnes & Noble book store in the Village on game days during football season shows what location, location, location can do for one's business.

that thing is beautiful How many people does the UCF arena hold? I'm not saying this just because it's UCF but that arena looks small and small time. With Big East Basketball the best there is in the land, any success at all would sell out the 10,400 seat Sun Dome. If there is a new facility built, it needs to be at least that. (I think I forgot to click post on my original response) As others noted, UCF arena has 9,500 seats...and can hold approx 10,200 for concerts. Reason why the arena works so well is that it is the first collegiate facility in the state with "low level suites/sky boxes" and low level "club seats". Also, because of the location/land requirements that were needed to fit this facility into the available space in the village (note: basically in the front print of the old pond area that was in front of the old arena, which is still there...as the old arena was refurbished into 3 different facilities: 1,800 seat theater for concerts/shows and new home for UCF Volleyball, plus 2 separate and complete UCF Basketball Training Facilities for UCF Men's and Women's), the arena has a somewhat oblong shape seating area with the largest 2nd level section behind the south basket in these pictures below (hard to see but not needed for most games at this tmie)...which is why the lower level seating is so good...and even the 2nd level sideline seats are great as there are not too many rows. PS. From a revenue side...you can earn more revenue from lower level club seats/suite/sky box sales than you could if those were located on the 2nd level and/or top of the arena (like the Magic are stuck with at Amway)...or how Ice Palace Club seats are located in the 2nd level, not the lower level..but they also have lower level suites too. Believe the open level above one of the student sections can be added in later years if attendance dictates increased capacity. (i.e. 1,500 more seats or so). Shown here: With a new arena...maybe this gal will be wearing one of your hoop jersey's sometime in the future! Photo taken from her sold out show last night at the UCF Arena: (Yes, that's Carrie Underwood...no idea what she does or sings, but she's hot!)

FYI...USF has had a 10,000 on-campus arena for their basketball program since 1980...as USF has hosted almost 450 games in that building. Till last fall, UCF only had a 4,500 seat on-campus arena for their basketball program. Yes, the crowd of 6,695 (closer to 7K than 6K) was the 2nd largest ever for UCF as only a game vs Tulsa last year drew more folks. NOTE: UCF's game vs Memphis might break the record on Jan 10th...but no clue how UCF will market that game (still can't buy single game tix...as UCF might be putting together a 2-3 game package...but they sure are waiting to the last minute to do so).

Most of the credit goes to the current student body, as more and more students here "get it"...as in support your team/school...as I think both new facilities at UCF (arena and stadium) are making a huge impact in regards to school spirit/support...and those investments will pay dividends down the road as more and more future alumni will have a much stronger connection to UCF Sports vs those that graduating in the past (stuck watching hoops in 2 small arenas and of course football games at the run-down citrus bowl) as they will become future boosters/season ticket holders in future years in much larger numbers compared to classes in the past. UCF's overall alumni/booster support in basketball is still rather weak (much improved though since moving into the new arena) but I see those numbers improving in the coming years...as more students hooked on UCF Sports will be graduating.

BHB...glad you your friends had a great time playing the course(s). Your comments are making me wanting to make another fall trip up there...when the leaves are turning...cool/crisp mornings...ahhhhhhh........I gotta go there again SOON!!!!!!!!!111

Gene, Try this one. This is where we are staying. We booked 7 rooms at the Mariott Grand National Hotel in Opelika. It is only 10 min from the stadium. Robert Trent Jones golf course is located on premises as well if anyone is looking at golfing while there as well. Go Bulls I'm sure you are already doing it...but get there a day earlier and stay a day late...and play BOTH of the major courses there. The are BEAUTIFUL golf courses (with some HILLS!). And yes...its a very short drive to campus/stadium (yes...there will be plenty of traffic on those narrow Auburn roads...just be patient). Yes thanks for tips. We are going up early on Thursday and plan on playing both courses on Friday!!! BHB...What did ya think of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Resort? I guess I don't have to ask if you had a good time at the GAME!! PS. Sounds like others that spent the weekend in Auburn had a BLAST as well! It IS one of my favorite college towns!

Gene, Try this one. This is where we are staying. We booked 7 rooms at the Mariott Grand National Hotel in Opelika. It is only 10 min from the stadium. Robert Trent Jones golf course is located on premises as well if anyone is looking at golfing while there as well. Go Bulls I'm sure you are already doing it...but get there a day earlier and stay a day late...and play BOTH of the major courses there. The are BEAUTIFUL golf courses (with some HILLS!). And yes...its a very short drive to campus/stadium (yes...there will be plenty of traffic on those narrow Auburn roads...just be patient). Yes thanks for tips. We are going up early on Thursday and plan on playing both courses on Friday!!! Anytime. Even though I've witnessed to many UCF road losses in my lifetime...I still enjoyed almost every single road trip at all the BCS Schools UCF has played in the past..which for me has included games at Nebraska, Penn State, Clemson, Wisconsin, South Carolina (2), Ga Tech (2), Georgia, Florida (2), Florida State, Alabama (YEAH!), Sryacuse, and several more. Plus either on business trips, trips with friends or when I lived in Louisiana...been to college football games at Iowa (2), Miami, LSU (10 plus), ULL, Tulane, McNeese St, along with every bowl game in FLA. Any questions on traveling, tailgating, partying, staying, eating joints, etc...just let me know.

Skip the traffic and enjoy Toomer's Corner and downtown Auburn. Some great lil bars, old fashion drug store counter at Toomer's Drugstore where on can still get milk shakes/malts and fresh Lemonade....plus watch Auburn fans (or USF fans if you win) "TP" all the giant oak trees at that corner after EVERY GAME (well...a game Auburn wins). Auburn fans a very cool...if you like to enjoy the "sights" and meet some incredible Southern Belles (yes, many are from FLA that go to school there), no need to RUSH out of town after the game. That's one huge advantage of staying in a hotel in Auburn/Opelika area.

Gene, Try this one. This is where we are staying. We booked 7 rooms at the Mariott Grand National Hotel in Opelika. It is only 10 min from the stadium. Robert Trent Jones golf course is located on premises as well if anyone is looking at golfing while there as well. Go Bulls I'm sure you are already doing it...but get there a day earlier and stay a day late...and play BOTH of the major courses there. The are BEAUTIFUL golf courses (with some HILLS!). And yes...its a very short drive to campus/stadium (yes...there will be plenty of traffic on those narrow Auburn roads...just be patient).

He was set to transfer to UMASS: http://www.thetimes-tribune.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=12676867&BRD=2185&PAG=461&dept_id=416049&rfi=6 No clue if he ever played a down there.

Obviously you haven't spent much time with any provost from a top collegiate institution that does well in athletics. You do realize that about 20 Million folks will be watching a FREE 3 hour commercial tonight for the UNIVERSITY of FLORIDA and The UNIVERSITY of OHIO STATE. Plus, I can't recall the USF President who was around when USF approved the start of their football program...but one of the REAL seasons given was for the school to improve its overall national profile, which would help academic and research exposure for USF. Many "top" students want to be able to enjoy a "total" collegiate experience...and to many...that means strong academics, lively campus life, social clubs, and SPORTS! If you can't understand the LINK between ATHLETICS and ACADEMICS/RESEARCH...then you missed the boat. KL PS. I'll give you a small hint: Alumni that actually spend more time back on their collegiate campuses...DONATE more $$$$$$ back to the academic side of the school...than those alumni that disengage/don't visit/spend time on their own campus. Do you know what the #1 campus activity that brings back more alumni than any other event? ON-CAMPUS FOOTBALL GAMES!!

Question...how can other folks on campus tell if in your example above: wearing an OSU shirt on UCF's campus (or say UF shirt on USF campus) that the person wearing it is or isn't doing it out of spite? How can others on campus differentiate from the two? Personally...if I saw someone at UCF wearing "OSU" stuff on UCF's campus...I would just laugh at them, nothing more, nothing less....as it just screams out loud "I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!". Wow... am I actually agreeing with you!?! I have my "moment" (singular). 8-)

Question...how can other folks on campus tell if in your example above: wearing an OSU shirt on UCF's campus (or say UF shirt on USF campus) that the person wearing it is or isn't doing it out of spite? How can others on campus differentiate from the two? Personally...if I saw someone at UCF wearing "OSU" stuff on UCF's campus...I would just laugh at them, nothing more, nothing less....as it just screams out loud "I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!". If someone did that to me, I'd laugh back at how pathetic it is to laugh at someone for wearing a shirt, nevermind if 2/3 of their wardrobe actually supports the school they are attending. If I didn't want to be there, I would have transferred.  Seriously, laughing at someone or getting bent out of shape is signs of a major inferiority complex.  I'd like to think that our schools as a whole don't have them, but I'm seeing otherwise. One must remember, those who laugh are usually "healthier" Why not try an experiment...wear your OSU stuff at Michigan...or invite some friendly Big Blue wearing fans down to Columbus...or have some fun "Pitt" fans visit Morgantown....or some cool War Eagle wearing Auburn fans travel to Tuscaloosa. Let us know how they turn out. In the meantime, check out this experiment that NIke did between OSU and UF: VIDEO LINK HERE: (WATCH VIDEO FIRST BEFORE READING ARTICLE BELOW!) . . . . . . . . . . . UF mascot meets icy reception at OSU By DREW HARWELL Alligator Staff Writer Nike+ Day of Reckoning Never has a violent film been so school-spirited. At the beginning of the video, a statue of UF's Albert the Alligator stands victorious. Why shouldn't he? His school has just won a month-long running race against Ohio State University. By the end of the clip, however, he's a crumbling heap of what appears to be Styrofoam. It began with a challenge concocted by Nike. OSU and UF fans were to outfit themselves with Nike+ running gear - which, with an iPod Nano, special running shoes and a sensor, cost at least $265. Fans were instructed to run as many miles as they could in January. Each mile they ran would go toward whichever university they chose to support. By the end of the month, each school had accrued about 50,000 miles. But UF fans ended up running about 4,000 miles more. As a result, a statue of the Gators mascot would be placed on OSU's campus in Columbus. The victory was short-lived. In a video of the murder submitted to YouTube.com by Nike, a crew is shown erecting the statue on the morning of Feb. 1. Early in the video, pedestrians pass by with shrugs and inquisitive looks. Then, like the evolving monkeys in "2001: A Space Odyssey," the Buckeyes close in. One person spits, another tests the statue's sturdiness and another reads the plaque and, realizing its blasphemy, kicks the peaceful Albert in the shin. Then, the carnage ensues. As snow lightly falls, a group of hoodlums topple Albert and quickly disperse. Others join in the melee, breaking fingers and batting his skull. It's almost hard to watch the shattered Albert get beaten with his own arm, which, only minutes before, held a finger gesturing "No. 1." Albert only got to gloat for about five hours. One YouTube user, "gatorpower," didn't let the battery hurt his UF pride. "It's the only way Ohio State can ever beat a Gator," he typed. "Ever."

Question...how can other folks on campus tell if in your example above: wearing an OSU shirt on UCF's campus (or say UF shirt on USF campus) that the person wearing it is or isn't doing it out of spite? How can others on campus differentiate from the two? Personally...if I saw someone at UCF wearing "OSU" stuff on UCF's campus...I would just laugh at them, nothing more, nothing less....as it just screams out loud "I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE!".

Didn't Shannon Snell go to UF? Didn't Crawford Ker go to UF? You need to make sure they got some USF stuff in there BEFORE you go back there, ET...  8-) BTW, I'll never forget an interview I heard with Ker way back when after he first retired and starting opening up the WH's. He was perhaps the most illiterate sounding supposed college grad I had ever heard ..... Dexter Manley sounded like a class valedictorian next to him. Just shows you what a great country this is when he's had the success he's had.   Yes....Crawford Ker started the Wing House chain...which is why the logo says "Ker's Wing House". http://www.winghouse.com/ Now many locations have UF and Cowboy crap on the wall...but if you can get over that...there food/service is better than Hooters...but that's not saying much. Plus, most of their locations are new...so they usually have better TV's, etc..

Didn't Shannon Snell go to UF? Didn't Crawford Ker go to UF? You need to make sure they got some USF stuff in there BEFORE you go back there, ET...  8-) BTW, I'll never forget an interview I heard with Ker way back when after he first retired and starting opening up the WH's. He was perhaps the most illiterate sounding supposed college grad I had ever heard ..... Dexter Manley sounded like a class valedictorian next to him. Just shows you what a great country this is when he's had the success he's had.   Yes....Crawford Ker started the Wing House chain...which is why the logo says "Ker's Wing House". http://www.winghouse.com/ Now many locations have UF and Cowboy crap on the wall...but if you can get over that...there food/service is better than Hooters...but that's not saying much. Plus, most of their locations are new...so they usually have better TV's, etc..