What's the next realignment domino to fall?

[SubGod22]

I always scratch my head when people suggest Lansing is failing. I know the Trees aren't world beaters but when was the last time ISU went an extended period without being in the cellar?

Even some Tree fans are ready, or close to it, for a change. He hasn't done much at ISU outside of a couple of years with Odom. Granted, it's kind of like MSU with Hinson, they are pretty much getting what they pay for, and that's not a championship team. But that didn't stop MSU from moving on. But he will assure them mostly a middle of the pack finish every year and if he gets lucky with a hometown kid again maybe he'll find a couple of years to compete for more. I think he's benefitted the past few years from a down Valley though.

[uniftw]

By all means go big if you have the money and a plan. Couple questions for you though:

1) UNI averages about 12K per game which is less than capacity. If you "make it bigger" can you fill it?

2) Where would UNI go? The MAC would be the most logical option.

1. Doesn't matter if it can be filled. Have you ever watched a non-P5 game...hell, even about half of those P5 games. The average this year past year was skewed because of a playoff game on Thanksgiving weekend. The playoffs will almost always screw attendance numbers when you are playing the Saturday after Thanksgiving when students are gone. Based on what I've heard we'd have better home games to draw a casual fan than Indiana State, Western Illinois, etc...


2. UNI isn't going anywhere on it's own. It, right now, is quite dependent on a few things. MAC is a non-starter because of basketball. Many things could cause this to not happen. This isn't a MSU envolop situation. This is a "things and extra funding are in place should a could things go the right way" situation. It could end up being for nothing but there is a rather specific plan in place.

Any idea on how much bigger they can make it? I believe it holds around 17k for football as is, having the option for more is a good thing. Especially if a jump to FBS can be made.

Somewhere between 27-30k is the projected size. It's tough because of the fact it can't have endzone seating. Connected to the south is the McLeod Center and connected on the north is the REC Center. The reality is to add 10k seats isn't super easy but it's only 5-6k per side. Potentially adding some curve to the endzone sections plus a handful of rows to each side accomplishes that. It would be a major overhaul, but it can be done as it was going to get a major overhaul to begin with which would keep it about the same size. Keep in mind, the UNIDome is already bigger than Idaho's KibbieDome, UNC-Charlotte's stadium, and is the same size as UMASS's stadium. Getting it to 26-30k would keep it from being the smallest in CUSA, MWC, MAC, and Sun Belt.

[unipanther99]

What are you talking about? I've heard none of what you are suggesting is "in the works."

Yes, they want to upgrade the Dome, but I will be shocked if this means anything other than club seating, restrooms, turf, and amenities. There is literally no way you could structurally ad 10-15K seats to that place without taking off the roof and completely re-engineering the whole thing. You're taking like a $100 Million project there.

The bottom line is none of that would even be technically required should an opportunity to jump to FBS fall in our laps. The focus should be (and is--- as far as I know) on upgrading the current building to maximize fan experience and revenue.

[Redhawk]

1. Doesn't matter if it can be filled.

So what is the point of trying to almost double capacity if no one
will use the seats...more Luke Bryan concerts?

[SubGod22]

1. Doesn't matter if it can be filled.

So what is the point of trying to almost double capacity if no one
will use the seats...more Luke Bryan concerts?

I think his point was if they expanded it would be to move up to FBS. In which case, they'd probably have more attractive games which will typically sell more tickets. It doesn't hurt to have more than necessary for most games if you might need them from time to time.

I know Wichita loves having sellouts every game for basketball, but I'd love to have The Chuck with more seats even if it led to a few missed sellouts from time to time.

[uniftw]

What are you talking about? I've heard none of what you are suggesting is "in the works."

Yes, they want to upgrade the Dome, but I will be shocked if this means anything other than club seating, restrooms, turf, and amenities. There is literally no way you could structurally ad 10-15K seats to that place without taking off the roof and completely re-engineering the whole thing. You're taking like a $100 Million project there.

The bottom line is none of that would even be technically required should an opportunity to jump to FBS fall in our laps. The focus should be (and is--- as far as I know) on upgrading the current building to maximize fan experience and revenue.

There are renderings of the dome that are a few years old at this pint that do, nearly exactly what you said wouldn't happen.

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IMG_20141205_234159_zps1rb1h9l1.jpg (104.83 KiB) Viewed 3542 times

[unipanther99]

Where do you see 10K more seats? Unless you're counting toilets?

Those drawings are all about expanding the concourses outside of the current footprint for larger bathroom and concession areas.

[uniftw]

Where do you see 10K more seats? Unless you're counting toilets?

Those drawings are all about expanding the concourses outside of the current footprint for larger bathroom and concession areas.

As I said, those are old drawings. The potential expansion is a pretty new topic, as in post Dannen. It's not set in stone. It's dependent on a few things, which could fall apart and none of it matters.

[Redhawk]

1. Doesn't matter if it can be filled.

So what is the point of trying to almost double capacity if no one
will use the seats...more Luke Bryan concerts?

I think his point was if they expanded it would be to move up to FBS. In which case, they'd probably have more attractive games which will typically sell more tickets. It doesn't hurt to have more than necessary for most games if you might need them from time to time.

I know Wichita loves having sellouts every game for basketball, but I'd love to have The Chuck with more seats even if it led to a few missed sellouts from time to time.

To double the Dome capacity in conjunction with a move to FBS makes sense...but I still don't see the market or fan base to support it. But it is Iowa so...If you build it they will come!

[SubGod22]

To double the Dome capacity in conjunction with a move to FBS makes sense...but I still don't see the market or fan base to support it. But it is Iowa so...If you build it they will come!

Worked for Costner.