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Post by vu72 on Nov 17, 2009 13:48:48 GMT -5
78Crusader maintains that we need a new football stadium. I have been to Brown Field many times, and in fact actually played their as a student. I understand that there are no locker rooms or rest rooms and limited concession space. We do have a new proturf field and lights are on the way as soon as Porter Memorial closes. So here is the question: What I can gather from various sites, our seating capacity is similar to many in the PFL. Brown seats 5000, Campbell seats 5200, Jacksonville seats 5500, Marist seats 5000 and poor old Butler only seats 3000, far and away the smallest venue. Our field is as nice as anyones. What do the others have that we don't? This may be a question that only chef or rlh can answer but I'm wondering what makes these other similarly sized facilities so much nicer--if they are.
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manu
Recruit
Posts: 42
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Post by manu on Nov 17, 2009 16:50:42 GMT -5
You can't simply look at seating capacity to determine how nice a facility is...
Here are some factors that may determine how nice a stadium is. 1. Location and condition of locker rooms 2. Modernity of seating areas 3. Condition of press box 4. Availability of decent concessions and restrooms 5. Atmosphere (i.e. signage, scoreboards, grounds)
After having been to most stadiums in the PFL I can assure you that there are much nicer stadiums than Brown Field. If you want specifics just let me know...
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Post by vu72 on Nov 17, 2009 17:11:01 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply. Yes, I am interested in hearing how we compare to specific other schools. I'm not trying to compare Valpo to the best facilities in the PFL, I think we need to be realistic.
I fully understand that seating capacity isn't the only important condtion. In fact, it may be one of the least important. I listed those stats only to get the ball rolling on the discussion as well as show that we compare decently to at least some of our league.
How about this: Tell us how we compare to Butler. They are our primary rival and similar in size of student body and endowment etc.
Thanks!
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Post by rlh on Nov 17, 2009 17:44:13 GMT -5
I haven't been to all the venues, but the drawbacks at Brown Field are the restroom facilities, locker rooms and an updated pressbox would be nice. With the new field and the new scoreboard, there's not much different than most of the others i've been to. Dayton is better, Butler is not, Drake used to be but the last time I was there it was falling apart (although I understand they have updated it).....San Diego is definitely better...other than that I haven't been to most....Brown field, other than the facilities mentioned and the general atmosphere isn't the problem....championships have been won there in the past....there's a whole lot more to the problems that exist than facilities...the facts are we don't have enough good players at this point, especially with all the injuries....the reasons for that are the areas of concern.....We need to find ways to get athletes to want to come play for VU as has been the case in the past....How?....I'm not that smart
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Post by milanmiracle on Nov 17, 2009 19:32:37 GMT -5
I don't have the answer to what is needed either, but I do have some thoughts. What exactly is the draw to Valpo football over another school in the same catagory? For example, Butler's stadium may not be great, but they are in a city and the nightlife is very good. San Diego, weather and the city. Dayton, football is king in Ohio. I am not saying that Valpo doesn't offer more than some in the Pioneer Football League, but what exactly?
The way I see it, VU is going to have real problems upgrading their status in the recruiting catagory. They have a rather pedestrian facility (Merrillville HS is better), not much winning tradition and they are hampered by being in northern Indiana. I am not saying it can't be done, but it will take a special person to pull it off. It's going to be a long hard road to respectability.
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Post by rlh on Nov 17, 2009 19:39:34 GMT -5
I don't have the answer to what is needed either, but I do have some thoughts. What exactly is the draw to Valpo football over another school in the same catagory? For example, Butler's stadium may not be great, but they are in a city and the nightlife is very good. San Diego, weather and the city. Dayton, football is king in Ohio. I am not saying that Valpo doesn't offer more than some in the Pioneer Football League, but what exactly? The way I see it, VU is going to have real problems upgrading their status in the recruiting catagory. They have a rather pedestrian facility (Merrillville HS is better), not much winning tradition and they are hampered by being in northern Indiana. I am not saying it can't be done, but it will take a special person to pull it off. It's going to be a long hard road to respectability. I don't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with you....I've always wondered if Dave Macchi would have come here had he visited first....I love Valpo and the city, but for a young guy with a young guys attitude, it's would not be that impressive....although, we've had some pretty good basketball players come here over the years....why them and not football players.....? I guess that's the question
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Post by 78crusader on Nov 17, 2009 20:49:41 GMT -5
If someone would be so kind as to show me how to post a link, I will give you guys a couple examples of what other, small schools have done recently in building 3,000-5,000 seat stadiums. I think you will be surprised at what they have. We recognized the need for a new basketball home in the late 1970s and the ARC was built. If we are going to build a football program at VU, given the lack of tradition we have, it is my opinion the board needs to build a new stadium. PS Drake here in Des Moines remodeled their track/football staidum (capacity 18,000) several years ago. It is terrific. They will be hosting the NCAA Track and Field Championships in, I believe, 2010, although it may be 2011. Paul
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Post by 78crusader on Nov 17, 2009 21:04:07 GMT -5
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Post by 78crusader on Nov 17, 2009 21:05:55 GMT -5
I realize, of course, in these challenging economic times (and I do not think things are improving), it is quite unlikely VU would build out such a stadium, not with other, more pressing needs. However, the answer to the question of how many donors it would take to raise the $5 million is...just one. Paul
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Post by vu72 on Nov 17, 2009 21:14:37 GMT -5
Very impressive. Now we only need to find out who, what and where is Adrian College and who was the very wealthy alum who financed it!
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Post by 78crusader on Nov 17, 2009 21:20:50 GMT -5
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Post by jj on Nov 17, 2009 21:48:26 GMT -5
Belk money. Where is ADM or Caterpillar when we need them?
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Post by rufus on Jan 7, 2010 22:52:08 GMT -5
Take a look at the new facility at Augustana College in SD. One donor - boy, you have to think with all the success it sounds like Valpo has with its other fundraising they could get something for the stadium.
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Post by valpoback on Jan 8, 2010 10:15:42 GMT -5
Being a recent player I have played in all the PFL stadiums except Marist 9 which just joined this year).... What we lack is this : Locker Rooms that are adequate and concessions and restrooms within the stadium. I dont think that the locker rooms need to be in the Stadium because as a player the walk from the locker room to the stadium through the tail gaters is a really cool feeling.... that being said the locker rooms we do have they need to be upgraded... When players dress in the hallways because we dont have enough room around our locker its pathetic.
Also, I think what Brown field lacks is that football feeling.. All other schools have something unique or that " feeling" I think one of the reasons we dont have thet feeling is because of how open Brown Field is... We used to need all that land because they were our practice fields... now it is nothing... If they would put a concession / restroom area on the endzone near the scoreboard I believe it would feel more like a stadium... Here is my ranking of PFL stadiums
1. San Diego 2. Davidson 3. Dayton 4. Campbell 5. Butler 6. Morehead ( there stadium not there field which is horrible) 7. Valpo 8. Jacksonville
I havent been to Marist so I cant comment.
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Post by valpoback on Jan 8, 2010 10:18:44 GMT -5
I forgot Drake..... Here it is again
1. San Diego 2. Davidson 3. Drake 4. Dayton 5. Campbell 6. Butler 7. Morehead ( there stadium not there field which is horrible) 8. Valpo 9. Jacksonville
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