OCS Article

[Knight_Light]

 

September 29, 2006:  Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced an agreement on a $175-million renovation of the Citrus Bowl.

Doh!

Nevertheless, this is not why UCF built an OCS. Really, it doesn't make any sense to link the two.

http://www.ucfknights.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010405aaa.html

 

 

In the Fall of 2004, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told Dr Hitt & AD Steve Orsini that UCF wouldn't be able to play any home games in the Citrus Bowl for the 2005 or 2006 season because they were going to shut-down and renovate the Citrus Bowl over 2 years. (Even though it wasn't fully approved at that time)

 

Hitt and Orsini tried to persuade Dyer to do the renovation in phases so UCF could continue to play in the stadium (i.e. use one side of the grandstands) for those years but Dyer said no. 

 

So during the Fall of 2004, Dr Hitt and Orsini started to look for places UCF could play in 2005 (i.e. from Wide World of Sports to Memorial Stadium in Daytona to building a small 15,000-20,000 seat temporary stadium on-campus). 

 

That is also why UCF had just 4 regular season home games in 2005 (all conf games)...as they scheduled all 3 non-conf games away from home

 

It was when UCF started to look at building a small on-campus stadium that they realized, even for a program that was just leaving the MAC and entering CUSA in 2005, that they might be able to build their own on-campus stadium.

 

Because of Dyer's initial plans to renovate the Citrus Bowl stadium in 2005 and 2006, UCF had initially planned to open BHNS in 2006, but when Dyer's plans were delayed, that gave UCF an extra year to raise $$ and not rush construction so that BHNS did not have to open till 2007 (against Univ of Texas).

 

Interesting side note: It has taken TEN YEARS from Dyer's initial plan to renovate the Citrus Bowl back in 2004...as just this past week, they started to bulldoze the lower 2 levels of the old Citrus Bowl and reconstruction of the new lower levels, clubs, suites, etc...should start later this Spring/Summer.

 

The greatest gift UCF has ever received when UF Grad Buddy Dyer told Hitt & Orsini to "get lost"...because without that push...UCF probably would have never had their own on-campus stadium.

 

Some UCF fans still send the Gator Mayor a Christmas Card each and every year..."thanking him" for that gift...which keeps on giving every single football season.

Edited February 1, 2014 by Knight_Light

[Skingraft]

I'd rather sit in a half empty stadium that has world class amenities. UCF had a great year, and my compliments to them, but that stadium is pure garbage and I as a donor, would not drop a dime to build anything like it.

That being said, I'm all for an OCS, but when we have the money to do it right. We are building a top tier athletic sector on campus, no need to ruin it by rushing to build an OCS that is ugly, uncomfortable, and unstable.

Not to even mention the Glazers are dropping some serious coin over the next two years on Ray Jay.

[Who'sYourData?]

No, I lived in Palm harbor for years so I attended games at the Old Sombrero, and we moved to Naples in 2000 and only really got interested in Florida College sports in 2007 or so, so I intend to attend this years home game vs. UCF. That will be my  first visit........I think.

 

I have been in the Sun Dome  pre renovation and post renovation, and that is beautiful. I also got a tour of the whole athletic building and sports rehab and treatment rooms last year. Nice people, exceedingly nice staff watching out over the student athletes.

 

Looking forward to seeing RayJay from the inside.

 

I'd be very interested on your take as compared to the Citrus Dump and Brighthouse.

[Who'sYourData?]

 

 

September 29, 2006:  Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer announced an agreement on a $175-million renovation of the Citrus Bowl.

Doh!

Nevertheless, this is not why UCF built an OCS. Really, it doesn't make any sense to link the two.

http://www.ucfknights.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010405aaa.html

 

 

In the Fall of 2004, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told Dr Hitt & AD Steve Orsini that UCF wouldn't be able to play any home games in the Citrus Bowl for the 2005 or 2006 season because they were going to shut-down and renovate the Citrus Bowl over 2 years. (Even though it wasn't fully approved at that time)

 

Hitt and Orsini tried to persuade Dyer to do the renovation in phases so UCF could continue to play in the stadium (i.e. use one side of the grandstands) for those years but Dyer said no. 

 

So during the Fall of 2004, Dr Hitt and Orsini started to look for places UCF could play in 2005 (i.e. from Wide World of Sports to Memorial Stadium in Daytona to building a small 15,000-20,000 seat temporary stadium on-campus). 

 

That is also why UCF had just 4 regular season home games in 2005 (all conf games)...as they scheduled all 3 non-conf games away from home

 

It was when UCF started to look at building a small on-campus stadium that they realized, even for a program that was just leaving the MAC and entering CUSA in 2005, that they might be able to build their own on-campus stadium.

 

Because of Dyer's initial plans to renovate the Citrus Bowl stadium in 2005 and 2006, UCF had initially planned to open BHNS in 2006, but when Dyer's plans were delayed, that gave UCF an extra year to raise $$ and not rush construction so that BHNS did not have to open till 2007 (against Univ of Texas).

 

Interesting side note: It has taken TEN YEARS from Dyer's initial plan to renovate the Citrus Bowl back in 2004...as just this past week, they started to bulldoze the lower 2 levels of the old Citrus Bowl and reconstruction of the new lower levels, clubs, suites, etc...should start later this Spring/Summer.

 

The greatest gift UCF has ever received when UF Grad Buddy Dyer told Hitt & Orsini to "get lost"...because without that push...UCF probably would have never had their own on-campus stadium.

 

Some UCF fans still send the Gator Mayor a Christmas Card each and every year..."thanking him" for that gift...which keeps on giving every single football season.

 

 

I'd love to see a link to this version of events.  While I am certainly not a UCF fan and thus wouldn't have been interested, I don't recall any discussion of the renovation being discussed in advance and being one of the driving factors.   I also haven't found any article which supports this version of events.  

 

I could be wrong, but I do not recall or see any evidence to suggest that is what happened.

[Triple B]

Future hinges on hiring of new ADhttp://tbo.com/sports/colleges/usf-bulls/bulls-beat-future-hinges-on-hiring-of-new-ad-20140122/

Excerpt:

"The new AD must have the creativity and vision to address USF’s needs for an on-campus football stadium. Anyone who attended the USF-UCF contest in November saw how much that added to the atmosphere.

USF is fortunate to have Raymond James Stadium. But it isn’t a true home. The next game-changer is a 40,000-seat stadium that would invigorate the football program – and the campus."

An invite to a P5 conference Is much more important than an on campus stadium. The new hire could have insight or pull to get USF into a P5 conference. I would take P5 over on campus stadium all day long.

Por que no los dos?

I agree 100%. It's a false dichotomy. We can have both - or at least fight for both. Plus, an AD has greater control over fundraising for an OCS than wiggling us into a P5 conference, which is ultimately up to a vote by other schools with their own financial interests at heart.

 

Smart administrators can have more than one goal/objective...and the above is true...as USF can control their own program, their own facilities, etc...and is obviously NOT in control of being invited to a  P5 conference (who knows if any of the P5 will ever invite new members?).

 

Control what you can control...and for those AGAINST a right size on-campus stadium, just look at the number of EMPTY SEATS that USF played at home, even though they hired a so-called "dynamic and local Head Coach" and ask yourself: "Is that a good thing to do?" (i.e. play in front of that many empty seats)

 

Empty Seats per home game at RJS for 2013:

 

McNeese State: 43,238

FAU: 45,108

Miami: 32,860

Cincinnati: 49,938

Louisville: 44,492

Memphis: 51,064

 

Total number of empty seats at USF Home games for 2013: 266,708 or an average of 44,451 empty seats per game.

As much as you desperately want to fit in here, you need to change your name to Bull_Light ...

[Knight_Light]

 

 

I'd love to see a link to this version of events.  While I am certainly not a UCF fan and thus wouldn't have been interested, I don't recall any discussion of the renovation being discussed in advance and being one of the driving factors.   I also haven't found any article which supports this version of events.  

 

I could be wrong, but I do not recall or see any evidence to suggest that is what happened.

 

 

Anyone involved at UCF during that time is very well aware of those events listed early.

 

In April 2004, even the Sentinel had articles about Dyer and Florida Citrus Sports in regards to their first initial plans to renovate the 70 plus year old Citrus Bowl.

 

Stadium Upgrades Key To Orlando's Bcs Bid

With A Fifth Bcs Game Likely, Leaders Search For Ways To Pay For Citrus Bowl Improvements.

 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2004-04-28/sports/0404280195_1_fifth-bcs-citrus-bowl-fifth-game

 

Again, UCF never would have bothered to look for a "temporary home" unless Dyer told them to look for options for 2005 and 2006..(those plans for a quick renovation died...but it was when UCF looked at options available that lead to the eventually building of BHNS).

[Who'sYourData?]

 

 

 

I'd love to see a link to this version of events.  While I am certainly not a UCF fan and thus wouldn't have been interested, I don't recall any discussion of the renovation being discussed in advance and being one of the driving factors.   I also haven't found any article which supports this version of events.  

 

I could be wrong, but I do not recall or see any evidence to suggest that is what happened.

 

 

Anyone involved at UCF during that time is very well aware of those events listed early.

 

In April 2004, even the Sentinel had articles about Dyer and Florida Citrus Sports in regards to their first initial plans to renovate the 70 plus year old Citrus Bowl.

 

Stadium Upgrades Key To Orlando's Bcs Bid

With A Fifth Bcs Game Likely, Leaders Search For Ways To Pay For Citrus Bowl Improvements.

 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2004-04-28/sports/0404280195_1_fifth-bcs-citrus-bowl-fifth-game

 

Again, UCF never would have bothered to look for a "temporary home" unless Dyer told them to look for options for 2005 and 2006..(those plans for a quick renovation died...but it was when UCF looked at options available that lead to the eventually building of BHNS).

 

 

Nothing in this article states your version of events, and the previous article I posted directly contradicts what you are saying. I'm beginning to suspect this is UCF lore that evolved out of what people assumed happened rather than what actually happened.  

 

Again, please see my previous article.

[Knight_Light]

 

 

 

 

I'd love to see a link to this version of events.  While I am certainly not a UCF fan and thus wouldn't have been interested, I don't recall any discussion of the renovation being discussed in advance and being one of the driving factors.   I also haven't found any article which supports this version of events.  

 

I could be wrong, but I do not recall or see any evidence to suggest that is what happened.

 

 

Anyone involved at UCF during that time is very well aware of those events listed early.

 

In April 2004, even the Sentinel had articles about Dyer and Florida Citrus Sports in regards to their first initial plans to renovate the 70 plus year old Citrus Bowl.

 

Stadium Upgrades Key To Orlando's Bcs Bid

With A Fifth Bcs Game Likely, Leaders Search For Ways To Pay For Citrus Bowl Improvements.

 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2004-04-28/sports/0404280195_1_fifth-bcs-citrus-bowl-fifth-game

 

Again, UCF never would have bothered to look for a "temporary home" unless Dyer told them to look for options for 2005 and 2006..(those plans for a quick renovation died...but it was when UCF looked at options available that lead to the eventually building of BHNS).

 

 

Nothing in this article states your version of events, and the previous article I posted directly contradicts what you are saying. I'm beginning to suspect this is UCF lore that evolved out of what people assumed happened rather than what actually happened.  

 

 

 

 

 

LOL!! Here's Steve Orsini's phone number...give him a call so you won't go thru life not knowing the truth: (972) 263-0774

[Who'sYourData?]

 

 

 

 

 

I'd love to see a link to this version of events.  While I am certainly not a UCF fan and thus wouldn't have been interested, I don't recall any discussion of the renovation being discussed in advance and being one of the driving factors.   I also haven't found any article which supports this version of events.  

 

I could be wrong, but I do not recall or see any evidence to suggest that is what happened.

 

 

Anyone involved at UCF during that time is very well aware of those events listed early.

 

In April 2004, even the Sentinel had articles about Dyer and Florida Citrus Sports in regards to their first initial plans to renovate the 70 plus year old Citrus Bowl.

 

Stadium Upgrades Key To Orlando's Bcs Bid

With A Fifth Bcs Game Likely, Leaders Search For Ways To Pay For Citrus Bowl Improvements.

 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2004-04-28/sports/0404280195_1_fifth-bcs-citrus-bowl-fifth-game

 

Again, UCF never would have bothered to look for a "temporary home" unless Dyer told them to look for options for 2005 and 2006..(those plans for a quick renovation died...but it was when UCF looked at options available that lead to the eventually building of BHNS).

 

 

Nothing in this article states your version of events, and the previous article I posted directly contradicts what you are saying. I'm beginning to suspect this is UCF lore that evolved out of what people assumed happened rather than what actually happened.  

 

 

 

 

 

LOL!! Here's Steve Orsini's phone number...give him a call so you won't go thru life not knowing the truth: (972) 263-0774

 

 

Um, ok.

[Knight_Light]

 

 

This is NOT a secret story...as even Bull fans back then knew why UCF was looking at and eventually building an on-campus stadium.

 

Renovation talk about the Citrus Bowl dates back to 1995, when the city started to work with the architect firm HNTB...which I think finally got the contract in 2008 but work was delayed and not started till this past week.

 

 

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-12-28/news/9512280221_1_citrus-bowl-stadium-florida-citrus-sports-existing-stadium  

 

Found this post I made from May 2006...which again referenced the 2004 timeline when Dyer told Hitt & Orsini to get lost and start looking for a temporary home:

 

Current estimates are $51 Million...with the 20,000 seat addition to come later.

 

Bowl seating...relatively small uppper/lower levels (only 22-23 rows each) so each seat isn't far from the field...

 

Most concessions/bathrooms/merchandise will be on the ground floor. No middle concourse at this time.

 

Remember, this stadium was developed because the Mayor of Orlando told UCF 24 months ago that UCF would have to "play elsewhere" for 2005 anbd 2006 seasons as the City wanted to "upgrade" the Citrus Bowl.

 

UCF started to look into a temporary stadium on campus of around 25,000 seats...and most costs estimates for "temporary" stadium for just 2-3 years was around $15-$20 Million.

 

With these costs estimates, the AD started to look into a possible "permanent" stadium...and with new steel construction techniques (same as UK's recent expansion), and less concrete...next thing you know...UCF started to develop a plan for an on-campus Stadium...which 99% of the Alumni/Fan base wanted (even vs an "improved" Citrus Bowl in Downtown Orlando).

 

With our new football stadium ON campus...right next to our new 10,000 Convocation Center...and our new Athletic Village and Entertainment Complex inbetween the 2...excitement FINALLY will be coming to UCF's campus...something many have waited for a long, long, time.

 

KL

Edited February 1, 2014 by Knight_Light