Time for USF to get serious about on-campus football stadium

[Triple B]

I did that two summers ago.  My kids aren't old enough to really get it, but all of us, including my Gator wife, dressed in USF gear and I took them on a tour of the school.  

Wait, you didn't have to go to a football game to actually visit the campus ....? And you're even in Atlanta, right?

[Sellular1]

Wait, you didn't have to go to a football game to actually visit the campus ....? And you're even in Atlanta, right?

Dont push your luck buddy.  It's obvious the evidence is overwhelming.  We are getting an OCS and I wouldn't be surprised if they announced it at the same time they announce our bowl game next week... or sooner!

Edited November 30, 2015 by Sellular1

[CPR]

It will never be about UCF. Just because there's a fixation about whatever they do on this board it doesn't mean our Admin is that myopic. The OCS amenities will be measured against RayJay, what our fans have been in for 17 years, not the BHNFP .... and this is why I don't think it's anywhere near a done deal. They are putting some generalizing surveys now to supporters butwhen they become really serious, I think the questions will be more geared to an ocs and what we want/will pay for ...

And when teams are winning, no one cares where the stadium is located ...

[Triple B]

Dont push your luck buddy.  It's obvious the evidence is overwhelming.  We are getting an OCS and I wouldn't be surprised if they announced it at the same time they announce our bowl game next week. 

We obviously have a difference of opinion on the definition of 'evidence' ..... and yeah, I know you were baiting me but I was hungry.

And, for the record, I'd have no problem if they DID announce it then. It would mean that they considered things were in place to go forward .... my problem is those who continue to beat the "we need to have one!" drum. That just ain't so.

[Triple B]

I really love that pic ...... and it is oh so appropriate for this board.

[Sellular1]

UNLV moving forward with OCS

UNLV officials to present options on buying stadium land

UNLV's next step for a new stadium is Thursday when university officials will brief a Nevada Board of Regents committee on various financial options to buy 42 acres at Tropicana Avenue and Koval Lane for $50 million.

"We are certainly assuming, if the Board of Regents approves this project to move forward, we would need to use long-term debt financing to pay for it," Gerry Bomotti, UNLV senior vice president for finance and business, said of the land acquisition. "Finding feasible options for financing the purchase is always the most challenging issue."

UNLV hopes to buy the property on Dec. 18, blend the land into its master plan and then work on transportation and connectivity issues to link the site to the campus. UNLV is also playing a big role in a new tourism infrastructure committee created by Gov. Brian Sandoval that is looking at how to connect stadiums, arenas, convention centers, venues, airports and transportation hubs in the Las Vegas and Southern Nevada region. Its next meeting is Sept. 24.

Meanwhile, UNLV would need the Board of Regents to approve the stadium land deal at the board's December board meeting for the campus stadium proposal to move forward.

"Nothing can or will move forward unless they approve an update to our our campus masterplan to incorporate this 42 acres and they approve some financing structure that allows us to purchase it," Bomotti said. "Everything is on track to have a final and complete package for the Board (of Regents) at the December meeting."

The university wants to acquire the land even if a new stadium is never built because it needs space for other programs, too. Last year, an 11-member stadium panel made up of Regents members, Strip casino-hotel representatives and local officials recommended a 45,000-seat, shaded stadium project of $523 million. UNLV has not begun lobbying for the $523 million yet, saying the new medical school is the top priority.

Regent James Dean Leavitt, who also was a member of the stadium board, supports UNLV buying the land and wants the Strip's biggest property owners such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment Corp., Las Vegas Sands Corp. and Wynn Resorts Ltd. to help pay for the stadium.

"That land is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Leavitt said. "If this is seen as a Strip resource, then the Strip should pay for the overwhelming majority of it if it's a neutral events center. If it can benefit all of Southern Nevada; it should not be affiliated with any one casino operator."

A campus stadium would be necessary if UNLV wants to join the Big 12 or Pac-12 conferences in the future.

"We are proud members of the Mountain West (Conference) and that is where our focus is. With that said, who knows what the landscape of college athletics will look like in the next few years," said Tina Kunzer-Murphy, UNLV athletic director.

To help buy the land, UNLV can also upgrade two billboards on the 42 acres to digital to generate revenue and also make money from commercial development on the site along Tropicana Avenue, Bomotti said.

UNLV uses Sam Boyd Stadium for its home football games. The stadium spent $1.2 million to widen Sam Boyd's field and install new turf so that the venue meets rugby and soccer standards.

"When we have rugby out there in the past, we have had to bring in natural turf over the artificial turf field, at some significant expenses. We will be recovering some funding from rugby on an annual basis towards this $1.2 million cost, and $130,000 is in the contract for next year," Bomotti said. "They hope to recover $400,000-$500,000 in total from rugby over the next few years."

Edited November 30, 2015 by Sellular1

[Sellular1]

We obviously have a difference of opinion on the definition of 'evidence' ..... and yeah, I know you were baiting me but I was hungry.

And, for the record, I'd have no problem if they DID announce it then. It would mean that they considered things were in place to go forward .... my problem is those who continue to beat the "we need to have one!" drum. That just ain't so.

Seriously though, I agree that if they complete the due diligence and it shows that an OCS is justifiable, then we should move forward.  If it shows we're not ready yet, then so be it.

[Triple B]

 

A campus stadium would be necessary if UNLV wants to join the Big 12 or Pac-12 conferences in the future.

 

Substitute "AN' for "YOUR" ....

 

[bullsmeanbusiness]

Article from 2 weeks ago...

South Alabama hires consultants for possible on-campus football stadium

November 12, 2015

South Alabama has hired three consulting firms as it continues to consider the possibility of building an on-campus football stadium.

CDFL Architects and Engineers of Jackson, Miss., Populous of Kansas City and Hunden Strategic Partners of Chicago have all come on board to help the school with "the financial, logistical and infrastructural requirements associated" with building an on-campus stadium, the school announced Thursday. According to the school's announcement, the three firms will "explore a wide range of issues and communicate with a broad array of University officials and constituents during this phase of the process."

"The selection of these firms, all of which are respected and recognized in their fields of expertise, is the next step in our deliberative process of exploring the possibility of an on-campus football facility," USA Director of Athletics Joel Erdmann said. "Each firm is highly qualified to undertake the necessary research and provide the information the University needs to reach the appropriate decision."

South Alabama has no official plans to build an on-campus stadium, though the school announced in July that it planned to launch a "preliminary exploration" of the possibility. The Jaguars currently play home games at 40,000-seat, city-owned Ladd-Peebles Stadium, located roughly eight miles from the USA campus and also home to the Reese's Senior Bowl, the Go Daddy Bowl and various high school football games throughout the fall.

RELATED: Where on campus would a Jags stadium be and how much could it cost?

All three firms have extensive experience in the design of athletic facilities. Populous (formerly HOK) is arguably the best-known sports architectural firm in the world, with credits including the new Yankee Stadium in New York, Pittsburgh's Heinz Field and Chicago's United Center arena, as well as renovations to existing structures such as Chicago's Wrigley Field and London's Wembley Stadium.

CDFL designed a number of college baseball facilities, including Plainsmark Park in Auburn and University Stadium at Ole Miss, and also worked with Ole Miss on its recent football stadium expansion. Hunden worked on NASCAR's Texas Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway as well as the Sprint Center arena in Kansas City, among other projects.

"CDFL and Populous will lead us through the concept, design, engineering, pricing and possible locations of a potential stadium, and assist with our understanding of key issues such as vehicle and pedestrian ingress and egress, parking, concessions and stadium technology," Erdmann said. "Hunden will advise us on the current and projected local marketplace in relation to a stadium, potential revenue-generating opportunities that a stadium might provide, the interaction of a stadium within the campus and surrounding community, and how these issues impact design decisions."

The school has set no timetable on announcing whether or not it will proceed with construction of an on-campus stadium. Erdmann said in September the stadium project was not a "done deal."

I wouldn't be surprised if Populous was the architectural firm USF hires for the OCS, seeming how they did the Sun Dome reno and Muma Center build. 

[Roaming Bull]

You guys are too serious about this ocs stuff. This board just turned into the real Civil Conflict... ****. Just chill out. Harlan will put together a process, hopefully it's not done in a vacuum and **** will get done. The will maybe announce a projected spot, give a target date, then announce a funding campaign. This is going to be a multi-year project. We don't announce today and open next week. This is one of those 5 year goal type events. 2-3 years of fundraising, and couple more to build, while still raising funds. This is a great time to begin the fundraising part of the project, but that's it.

Edited November 30, 2015 by HR Bull