Concept North Endzone

[72 Hen]

Certainly does't look like a major increase in capacity that you might expect for a move to FBS.

Could there be seating options behind the glass windows atop the endzone seats?

[jd of de]

Certainly does't look like a major increase in capacity that you might expect for a move to FBS.

Could there be seating options behind the glass windows atop the endzone seats?

Behind the glass are Coaches offices.

Any increase in stadium capacity is minimal.

[Hens79]

This concept is a little underwhelming. I surely am hoping for more just as I was for the west side renovation. We’ll see I guess but scaled back concepts usually don’t get scaled back up. Hopefully if this is it, the design is flexible enough to incorporate more capacity in the future if needed.

[Big R]

I really don’t believe the goal of this project has ever been to add any really significant amount of seating capacity to the stadium. If/when we go FBS, how much more seating capacity would we really need? We wouldn’t be hosting teams from any Power 5 conferences, (or 4, or 3, or however many “major” conferences are left when all the dust settles). Ideally, we would be playing in a conference similar to one that many on this board have talked/dreamt about - Army, Navy, Temple, Connecticut, UMass, Villanova, and maybe Buffalo and perhaps even JMU again at some point. Of course, that may be a pipe dream as well. In any case, the seating goal is probably to ”right-size” the seating capacity to ensure near-sellout crowds for most games.

When I first started hearing about this project, which was Phase 2 of an overall 3-phase project, seating capacity, while a consideration, was never at the top of the list. It was always to replace the field house with a first-class, full-sized (100 yard), state-of-the-art practice facility, plus office and meeting space, locker rooms, and, perhaps, some business-type suites.

One of the primary goals was to have something that would make UD even more attractive to potential recruits, and to tie the entire “north section” of the complex into the stadium and WAC so that the “feeling” would be one, large, integrated facility.

Also, I agree that we shouldn’t get our panties in a wad because of what is shown, or not shown, in this very preliminary artist’s concept. If you are going to spend upwards of $70 - $80 million on this project, I think it is safe to assume it is going to be first class.

Going back to when the WAC was first announced, Chrissy and Jordan had always mentioned a 3-phased project. Phase 1 was construction of the Whitney Athletic Center and upgrades to the West Stands and press box; Phase 2 was the new field house/practice facility, offices and locker rooms; and Phase 3 was to be further improvements to the stadium - East Stand upgrades and potential additional seating.

Just my thoughts based on some conclusions I could draw from hints and comments made at different points in time in conversations with various people.

[runHENrun]

Guys take a look that rooftop where the new scoreboard sets. Wouldn't that be the perfect spot for an upper level to go, does to me. Looks like it's 2 sections, 2 different heights. I could be wrong, but I don't think so. I think this phase does a lot of footer and foundation work for another phase coming. I think so! I think the larger scale seating will come with another phase. Looks to me like Phase 1 is setting up phase 2.
thats what I see from the drawing. Who really knows though, the administration I guess.

[runHENrun]

OK Big R, Let me get these phases straight, Phase 3a and Phase 3b. lol.
I'm trying to brighten some spirits in regard to the next phase

[Henzone]

I really don’t believe the goal of this project has ever been to add any really significant amount of seating capacity to the stadium. If/when we go FBS, how much more seating capacity would we really need? We wouldn’t be hosting teams from any Power 5 conferences, (or 4, or 3, or however many “major” conferences are left when all the dust settles). Ideally, we would be playing in a conference similar to one that many on this board have talked/dreamt about - Army, Navy, Temple, Connecticut, UMass, Villanova, and maybe Buffalo and perhaps even JMU again at some point. Of course, that may be a pipe dream as well. In any case, the seating goal is probably to ”right-size” the seating capacity to ensure near-sellout crowds for most games.

When I first started hearing about this project, which was Phase 2 of an overall 3-phase project, seating capacity, while a consideration, was never at the top of the list. It was always to replace the field house with a first-class, full-sized (100 yard), state-of-the-art practice facility, plus office and meeting space, locker rooms, and, perhaps, some business-type suites.

One of the primary goals was to have something that would make UD even more attractive to potential recruits, and to tie the entire “north section” of the complex into the stadium and WAC so that the “feeling” would be one, large, integrated facility.

Also, I agree that we shouldn’t get our panties in a wad because of what is shown, or not shown, in this very preliminary artist’s concept. If you are going to spend upwards of $70 - $80 million on this project, I think it is safe to assume it is going to be first class.

Going back to when the WAC was first announced, Chrissy and Jordan had always mentioned a 3-phased project. Phase 1 was construction of the Whitney Athletic Center and upgrades to the West Stands and press box; Phase 2 was the new field house/practice facility, offices and locker rooms; and Phase 3 was to be further improvements to the stadium - East Stand upgrades and potential additional seating.

Just my thoughts based on some conclusions I could draw from hints and comments made at different points in time in conversations with various people.

Thanks for your input. Your thoughts seem right on target and glad you emphasized the plan is not based on the movement to G5 that some of our fans seem to continually insist is linked. That is an entirely different effort.

[HENJOHN]

Yes Thanks Rich for posting that summary.

[Udforever1]

Great recap Big R and spot on.

[Hengrad07]

How many seats were “lost” in the 1st project. I guess we have to “assume” that the same amount will be “lost” when the other stands are updated?

Does anyone know why the old press box hasn't been removed 4 years later??

[Cluck U]

How many seats were “lost” in the 1st project. I guess we have to “assume” that the same amount will be “lost” when the other stands are updated?

Does anyone know why the old press box hasn't been removed 4 years later??

Probably won’t be the same number of seats lost when the East stands are updated because there won’t be the big hole in the middle.

[Big R]

How many seats were “lost” in the 1st project. I guess we have to “assume” that the same amount will be “lost” when the other stands are updated?

Does anyone know why the old press box hasn't been removed 4 years later??

Probably an unnecessary expense until such time as they renovate the East Stands in Phase 3.

[Henny]

I was also always told that the NEZ will not really increase stadium capacity but that is an outstanding plan to incorporate an "Ashburn Alley" type area.

Depending on the extent of Phase III, personally, I wouldn't touch the East stands other than some chair backs in Section K and adding a section or two in the southeast corner to bowl it in.

I do think the capacity needs to be increased and the need is immediate with Parent's Day, Graduation and possibly Homecoming.

Yes, the dented Blue Box needs to come down!! It's an eye sore!

[Hengrad07]

I was also always told that the NEZ will not really increase stadium capacity but that is an outstanding plan to incorporate an "Ashburn Alley" type area.

Depending on the extent of Phase III, personally, I wouldn't touch the East stands other than some chair backs in Section K and adding a section or two in the southeast corner to bowl it in.

I do think the capacity needs to be increased and the need is immediate with Parent's Day, Graduation and possibly Homecoming.

Yes, the dented Blue Box needs to come down!! It's an eye sore!

Preach! It looks turrible

[HenZoneNation]

Looks great but I would be concerned with capacity if for no other reason (and there are plenty) than the optics of saying you have a 20k * stadium capacity vs not. It’s kinda like the difference between a 79 and an 80 growing up. In the grand scheme of things in terms of knowledge there is very little difference but in my house a C+ vs a B-, 1 point or not, meant a lot. I love that we are moving toward but we have decades of being stagnant to contend with. NDSU has invested 100 million over the last decade.
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