FIU to play in Orange Bowl

[FIUPantherFan]

From the Miami Herald

Stadium project might result in a move to OB

The Golden Panthers' plans for a new football stadium could mean that all five of their 2007 home games would be played at the Orange Bowl.

BY PETE PELEGRINppelegrin@MiamiHerald.com

Florida International already will play one game at the Orange Bowl this season. But when plans for the Golden Panthers' new on-campus stadium go into effect this year, FIU could end up playing all five of its home games at the Orange Bowl.

The Golden Panthers visit the Orange Bowl on Oct. 14 to play Miami, but construction of their proposed 23,700-seat stadium might force FIU to relocate to the Hurricanes' home stadium, according to FIU athletic director Rick Mello.

''Our target date for the new stadium has always been 2007,'' Mello said. ``In order to get it done that quickly, it will necessitate us playing one season outside our stadium, and the Orange Bowl would be the likely place, and that would have to be worked out with UM.''

The Hurricanes released their 2006 schedule this week, and only two home games conflict with Golden Panthers' home games: Sept. 30 and Nov. 4.

But Mello said those dates could be changed because of each team's television schedule.

''The two conferences may move games for TV,'' Mello said. ``We've put everyone on alert about a possible relocation to the Orange Bowl: Dade County schools, the Orange Bowl and UM. They know what our intentions are. We may possibly have to move those two conflicting games to Thursday night.''

Before FIU can relocate, the Golden Panthers have to choose a price and design for their new stadium from design teams at the end of February.

Once the plan is chosen, Mello said, he will go to campus committees to get proper approval followed by the ''ultimate approval'' from the FIU Board of Trustees, and then construction of the stadium would begin.

''We have spent a serious amount of energy on stadium plans,'' said Mello. ``But nothing is official until we receive proper approval from the board of trustees.''

The stadium construction plan would call for a design-build style in which the construction company would bring in the infrastructure and the new seats. The existing bleachers at FIU Stadium would be removed.

The goal is to provide 23,700 seats, with eventual plans to expand that.

Relocating for one season won't be a first for an FIU team. The Golden Panthers baseball team had to play its 1995 and 2000 seasons at Homestead Stadium when its baseball stadium was built in two phases.

Mello said the football stadium would be built in one phase. The target date for the opening of the stadium is September 2007 for the home opener against Maryland.

''Right now there's nothing that would stop from the opening of the stadium in 2007" Mello said.

[DawgPound]

Orange Bowl is a dump.  I  hope the wait is worth it to FIU.

[E.T.]

What are your att. avg. ?

[goodknightfl]

Surprised FIU is starting with such a small stadium... I would think U would want 25k + right out of the box.

[Guest FIU_Panther_Fan]

23.7k is not that far away from 25K.  We avg. about 15.3k during this last year.  2007 should be a good year for attendance as we would have Maryland and USF coming in to the new stadium.  I can not wait.

[scooby]

23K stadium huh?  Not planning on having too many people go see your games I guess....

[DawgPound]

It's expandable at least.

[bulls96go]

hope the $$$$ is worth it

[FIUPantherFan]

It's good to see that people are worried about our financial situation.  Not to worry though, it was all raised through private funds, which , WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DONATED IF THERE WAS NO FOOTBALL.  So thanks, but the finances are just fine.  And further to answer the size of the stadium question.  A couple of years ago UCF wasn't averaging enough to fill a 20K stadium after DECADES of football, it's only our 5th year, I think once we hit the 10 year mark our first expansion will be done.  Good luck with your programs, I also hope the $$$$ is worth it.

[smazza]

must be the smallest stadium in the ncaa at division one A