Baseball Stadium

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

It was spoken by Hamrick during halftime that its looking to cost $18 million.
Also mentioned upgrades to the basketball facilities, not sure if that means a possible new basketball arena or what.
Anyone know any other details?

 

[minvikfan1]

It was spoken by Hamrick during halftime that its looking to cost $18 million.
Also mentioned upgrades to the basketball facilities, not sure if that means a possible new basketball arena or what.
Anyone know any other details?

Was there any other details in regards to the baseball stadium?

 

[Chris McLaughlin]

It was spoken by Hamrick during halftime that its looking to cost $18 million.
Also mentioned upgrades to the basketball facilities, not sure if that means a possible new basketball arena or what.
Anyone know any other details?

The plan is to gut and redo Gullickson as a basketball practice facility.

 

[beefcake0520]

The Henderson Center isn't a bad arena, just needs a little TLC in a few areas. Restroom improvements is one I think. Guess the same can be said about the Joan.

 

[Herdon2]

Yeah Cam is not bad. Just needs some asthetic changes. Definitely new bathrooms and upgrades to the concourse. And some asthetic changes to outside.

Gullickson just needs revamped and you will have a nice basketball practice facility.

 

[The Real SamC]

The "Joan" is fine, IMHO. It could stand a general cleaning, and the restrooms need gutted and redone, but that is about all I can say about it. It is fine. I would move the back fence on the away side back closer to the IPF so as to create more under-stand space, but really it is fine.

The HC was barely adequate in 1981. Thanks to Rockefailure, WVU, and the designers. It needs some work and, all things considered, blowing it up and starting over might be more cost effective. It needs a general cleaning, more lobby space, which is hard to retro do, and better lighting and sound . Also the top row bleachers, which was part of it back in that era (see Rupp Arena, built 1975 for example) are not really sellable today, replace with chairbacks and we end up at 8K or so, which is what we can sell anyway.

As to baseball, I believe in MH. He has accomplished things no one thought possible. But this is a big pull. Time will tell.

 

[beefcake0520]

The Joan needs the concrete sealed, beams repainted, restrooms refinished, it needs cleaned up. As far as the structure itself, its a good one, but needs attention. I have been in a lot worse arena's than the henderson center, as a mid major, its a good arena. It will never be Rupp, but for our level of play, its on the upper end of our conference and on par with the A10, and better than most MAC, CAA level of arenas

 

[whf2]

I think the Joan could be helped a lot by a Go Fund Me page for improvements to the Joan alone. This is the kind of stuff that cleaning, painting, etc. can be done bit by bit over a period of time. The new refreshment stands in concourses has helped the experience of attending.

If the west end walls could be moved back 40 feet, the whole ambiance of the arena itself would be drastically improved; no structural changes would be required, the area could be used for more concessions, beer stands or a party area; new Hartley room for example. Then the Hartley room could be converted to better dungeon-like uses.

 

[redsfan5590]

I think the Joan could be helped a lot by a Go Fund Me page for improvements to the Joan alone. This is the kind of stuff that cleaning, painting, etc. can be done bit by bit over a period of time. The new refreshment stands in concourses has helped the experience of attending.

If the west end walls could be moved back 40 feet, the whole ambiance of the arena itself would be drastically improved; no structural changes would be required, the area could be used for more concessions, beer stands or a party area; new Hartley room for example. Then the Hartley room could be converted to better dungeon-like uses.

Heck why stop there? Let’s sit outside of Walmart and ask for donations!

Maybe if we make it to the NCAA tournament we could have a car wash to raise money to send us to the tournament!

 

[W-S HerdFan]

The "Joan" is fine, IMHO. It could stand a general cleaning, and the restrooms need gutted and redone, but that is about all I can say about it. It is fine. I would move the back fence on the away side back closer to the IPF so as to create more under-stand space, but really it is fine.

The HC was barely adequate in 1981. Thanks to Rockefailure, WVU, and the designers. It needs some work and, all things considered, blowing it up and starting over might be more cost effective. It needs a general cleaning, more lobby space, which is hard to retro do, and better lighting and sound . Also the top row bleachers, which was part of it back in that era (see Rupp Arena, built 1975 for example) are not really sellable today, replace with chairbacks and we end up at 8K or so, which is what we can sell anyway.

As to baseball, I believe in MH. He has accomplished things no one thought possible. But this is a big pull. Time will tell.

......who is this Sam C? Really liking his common sense opinions here...!!

putting in all chair backs with some voluminous A/C is the best suggestion I have heard yet..

 

[whf2]

Heck why stop there? Let’s sit outside of Walmart and ask for donations!

Maybe if we make it to the NCAA tournament we could have a car wash to raise money to send us to the tournament!

My point was that I think people would support a separate funding approach to JUST upgrading the CAM slowly; and that we could do it without the administration leading the effort. We could, if we decided to, move on our own to generate funds (yes, like a go fund me drive). If it was wanted bad enough, the fans could take the money to the Admin to get it done. Make fun all you'd like but crowd funding works for those who have a passion and a purpose for something.

 

[Tim Hensley]

Too many WVU fans at Wal-Mart. You'd be wasting your time.

 

[redsfan5590]

My point was that I think people would support a separate funding approach to JUST upgrading the CAM slowly; and that we could do it without the administration leading the effort. We could, if we decided to, move on our own to generate funds (yes, like a go fund me drive). If it was wanted bad enough, the fans could take the money to the Admin to get it done. Make fun all you'd like but crowd funding works for those who have a passion and a purpose for something.

My point is basic maintenance and upkeep of buildings should be something that is in our budget for our athletic department. If it’s not there is a problem.
The maintenance issues at our athletic facilities are embarrassing. And there’s “no money” to fix them? Come on. We have to be better than that. That is the main job of your AD. If he can’t budget out maintenance for our athletic facilities than he’s unqualified.

Last week there was dried blood all over a bleacher in the Cam. Who knows how long it’s been there. But that kind of thing is allowed to just be there. Paint is chipping off the ceiling in the cam. The Joan is never power washed, so grime builds up. The goal posts in the Joan are faded and look awful And so many more issues.

We have to be better. It’s not our job to raise money for that stuff. There’s a biblical principle that fits here: if you can be trusted with a little, you’ll be given a lot.

When the athletic department starts to show they can take care of the basic needs of our facilities... then I will feel comfortable giving them money for bigger facilities.

Look at our athletic facilities and what shape they are in. Why should I give them money to build more?

 

[oldeherd]

The "Joan" is fine, IMHO. It could stand a general cleaning, and the restrooms need gutted and redone, but that is about all I can say about it. It is fine. I would move the back fence on the away side back closer to the IPF so as to create more under-stand space, but really it is fine.

The HC was barely adequate in 1981. Thanks to Rockefailure, WVU, and the designers. It needs some work and, all things considered, blowing it up and starting over might be more cost effective. It needs a general cleaning, more lobby space, which is hard to retro do, and better lighting and sound . Also the top row bleachers, which was part of it back in that era (see Rupp Arena, built 1975 for example) are not really sellable today, replace with chairbacks and we end up at 8K or so, which is what we can sell anyway.

As to baseball, I believe in MH. He has accomplished things no one thought possible. But this is a big pull. Time will tell.

Was at the Herd game versus Duquesne in Pittsburgh earlier this season. The Dukes' Palumbo Center is a pretty basic basketball facility seating about 6,000. I believe it is newer than the CAM but, again, nothing fancy. It will not be used next season as it will be undergoing a $40+ million renovation starting when this season ends.

Hopefully, MU will be playing them after next season, when they are scheduled to come to Huntington. I would be anxious to see what $40 million buys in terms of renovating and upgrading a college basketball arena. Remember, the CAM initially cost a little around $22 million or so when it was initially built.

 

[Herdmeister]

I think the Joan could be helped a lot by a Go Fund Me page for improvements to the Joan alone. This is the kind of stuff that cleaning, painting, etc. can be done bit by bit over a period of time. The new refreshment stands in concourses has helped the experience of attending.

If the west end walls could be moved back 40 feet, the whole ambiance of the arena itself would be drastically improved; no structural changes would be required, the area could be used for more concessions, beer stands or a party area; new Hartley room for example. Then the Hartley room could be converted to better dungeon-like uses.

Danny envisions having a restaurant in the west wall area, much like Savage Hall in Toledo now has. It would have an entrance from both outside and inside so it can be used year round.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

My point is basic maintenance and upkeep of buildings should be something that is in our budget for our athletic department. If it’s not there is a problem.
The maintenance issues at our athletic facilities are embarrassing. And there’s “no money” to fix them? Come on. We have to be better than that. That is the main job of your AD. If he can’t budget out maintenance for our athletic facilities than he’s unqualified.

Last week there was dried blood all over a bleacher in the Cam. Who knows how long it’s been there. But that kind of thing is allowed to just be there. Paint is chipping off the ceiling in the cam. The Joan is never power washed, so grime builds up. The goal posts in the Joan are faded and look awful And so many more issues.

We have to be better. It’s not our job to raise money for that stuff. There’s a biblical principle that fits here: if you can be trusted with a little, you’ll be given a lot.

When the athletic department starts to show they can take care of the basic needs of our facilities... then I will feel comfortable giving them money for bigger facilities.

Look at our athletic facilities and what shape they are in. Why should I give them money to build more?

You could just say, "I don't want to donate...but I'm gonna complain anyway" instead of trying to mask your ability to be objective and willing to consider it.

Sounds like a whole lot of complaining through nitpicking to me.
Dried blood? How do you know? Did you take a forensic murder kit with you? It could have been a half a dozen other things.
The maitenance crew is meant to pick up and wipe anything they can. Mop the floors, and clean the bathrooms. They aren't sweeping the place for microbial contaminants.
You're also referencing something several hundred people routinely step on during games to move about, bleachers.
I don't know when the last time the bleachers were replaced...but I doubt it was recently...so you're complaining about something that is naturally going to look worn.
You also can't just get people to clean certain things...powerwashing the stadium hit a roadblock because if I'm not mistaken, it was said MU had to get special insurance policies for the volunteers who wanted to powerwash the stadium to avoid any legal action in case of an accident.

Next time I go to a place like Death Valley or The Big House, I'll be sure to make a critical note of the conditions of the goal posts, because thats the big thing now...couldn't be anything else.
Try it, I can see you now,
"Hey guys, your stadium sucks! Your goal posts are faded!"
As you're laughed out of the tailgate, try to consider this...
What do you think "upgrade" means? Because an upgrade would/could be to replace said bleachers with either better and more durable ones or just chairbacks. In either case, it helps cut down maitenance needs and costs by replacing inefficient parts, with more efficient parts.
I imagine a decent ventilation and A/C system would also help a new coat of paint from wearing as much due to reducing moisture from the heat of a packed crowd?
I will admit, the paint is a problem and the A/C is a huge project and certainly no fault of the current AD...we all know if he were in charge when the Cam was being built, he'd have made it better.
But thats what a gofundme would do, for the paint...however, you tighten MU's efficiency by expanding your areas to complain.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Danny envisions having a restaurant in the west wall area, much like Savage Hall in Toledo now has. It would have an entrance from both outside and inside so it can be used year round.

That'd be great!
It'd be cool for MU baseball to have one in their ballpark if possible, sort of a restaurant/party deck.

 

[herdalicious]

Also the top row bleachers, which was part of it back in that era (see Rupp Arena, built 1975 for example) are not really sellable today, replace with chairbacks and we end up at 8K or so, which is what we can sell anyway.

I seem to recall that breakdown of the Henderson Center's seating being that there are currently less than 5,000 chairbacks, and the remaining 4,500 or seats are in those general admission bleachers. Our total capacity factors in that our fanbase is mostly made up of highly-evolved, sentient sardines.

If you've ever sat in them at a packed game, your "seat" winds up being bout 9" wide, not to mention the awkward "finding your way to an open seat without the existence of aisles" maneuver that involves crawling overtop of the people who got there before you. It's one of the more humbling experiences in the world of college basketball fandom, and something I would recommend to anyone with small children. Hardship breeds character.

 

[The Real SamC]

That'd be great!
It'd be cool for MU baseball to have one in their ballpark if possible, sort of a restaurant/party deck.

I'm pretty sure the baseball park, if ever actually built, will feature food places like any minor league park, including a bar with food that will be open all the time.

Do note that at least five tenants have failed in the Charleston ball park restaurant space over its time, but that is mostly because it is in the ghetto and has no secure parking.

A restaurant in the HC is an interesting idea.

 

[oldeherd]

You could just say, "I don't want to donate...but I'm gonna complain anyway" instead of trying to mask your ability to be objective and willing to consider it.

Sounds like a whole lot of complaining through nitpicking to me.
Dried blood? How do you know? Did you take a forensic murder kit with you? It could have been a half a dozen other things.
The maitenance crew is meant to pick up and wipe anything they can. Mop the floors, and clean the bathrooms. They aren't sweeping the place for microbial contaminants.
You're also referencing something several hundred people routinely step on during games to move about, bleachers.
I don't know when the last time the bleachers were replaced...but I doubt it was recently...so you're complaining about something that is naturally going to look worn.
You also can't just get people to clean certain things...powerwashing the stadium hit a roadblock because if I'm not mistaken, it was said MU had to get special insurance policies for the volunteers who wanted to powerwash the stadium to avoid any legal action in case of an accident.

Next time I go to a place like Death Valley or The Big House, I'll be sure to make a critical note of the conditions of the goal posts, because thats the big thing now...couldn't be anything else.
Try it, I can see you now,
"Hey guys, your stadium sucks! Your goal posts are faded!"
As you're laughed out of the tailgate, try to consider this...
What do you think "upgrade" means? Because an upgrade would/could be to replace said bleachers with either better and more durable ones or just chairbacks. In either case, it helps cut down maitenance needs and costs by replacing inefficient parts, with more efficient parts.
I imagine a decent ventilation and A/C system would also help a new coat of paint from wearing as much due to reducing moisture from the heat of a packed crowd?
I will admit, the paint is a problem and the A/C is a huge project and certainly no fault of the current AD...we all know if he were in charge when the Cam was being built, he'd have made it better.
But thats what a gofundme would do, for the paint...however, you tighten MU's efficiency by expanding your areas to complain.

Absolutely correct regarding Hamrick. Remember the Henderson Center and WVU's Mountaineer Field were originally built around the same time. Original plans for the HC were for approximately 12,000 seats and air conditioning in the arena. When bids came in higher than the estimated cost, state wouldn't give additional funds, so project was scaled back. Yet at roughly around the same time the state's Governor "found" additional funds for some upgrades and additional "goodies" at Mountaineer Field. Governor "Jaybird" Rockefeller, a real POS. As the fellow said, "you can look it up"!!

 

[The Real SamC]

When Rockefailure came to this state, we were average. 20th to 30th in most social statistic measures, good and bad. Today we are in the bottom 5 in everything good, and the top 5 in everything bad. And, aside from his general ineptitude, he was the most anti-Marshall governor in modern times, even more than Arch (no pun intended) who was a double WVU grad and student body president. I hear he has the Altzheimer's now.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

I'm pretty sure the baseball park, if ever actually built, will feature food places like any minor league park, including a bar with food that will be open all the time.

Do note that at least five tenants have failed in the Charleston ball park restaurant space over its time, but that is mostly because it is in the ghetto and has no secure parking.

A restaurant in the HC is an interesting idea.

Charleston is not experiencing an economic decline but rather a mass exodus of businesses.
I'd hope Huntington could be forward thinking and put that set of business and economic ideas to use, because we could see some influx of people wanting to come to a place with at least something more to do and not too far from their places of origin.
But I may ask too much.

 

[Herdmeister]

When Rockefailure came to this state, we were average. 20th to 30th in most social statistic measures, good and bad. Today we are in the bottom 5 in everything good, and the top 5 in everything bad. And, aside from his general ineptitude, he was the most anti-Marshall governor in modern times, even more than Arch (no pun intended) who was a double WVU grad and student body president. I hear he has the Altzheimer's now.

Arch Moore passed away last year

 

[MarshallManiac]

Danny envisions having a restaurant in the west wall area, much like Savage Hall in Toledo now has. It would have an entrance from both outside and inside so it can be used year round.

I'm sure if they try that Sodexo will step in and ruin it.

 

[C.K. Ocsevol-Evad]

Arch Moore passed away last year

Or four years ago.

 

[The Real SamC]

Arch Moore passed away last year

Actually Arch passed away four years ago, I was talking about Rockefailure.

 

[Herdmeister]

Actually Arch passed away four years ago, I was talking about Rockefailure.

Wow, I had no idea it had been that long. I had no idea about Jay. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Herdmeister]

I'm sure if they try that Sodexo will step in and ruin it.

He was thinking more along the lines of private enterprise renting the space and operating.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

Charleston is not experiencing an economic decline but rather a mass exodus of businesses.
I'd hope Huntington could be forward thinking and put that set of business and economic ideas to use, because we could see some influx of people wanting to come to a place with at least something more to do and not too far from their places of origin.
But I may ask too much.

Wouldn’t a mass exodus of business basically be or lead to an economic decline? Charleston is going through a rough spot for sure.

 

[The Real SamC]

Charleston is going through a rough spot for sure.

Charleston's mall is dying. Combination of the general decline in all malls, and the foolish decision to build it downtown so that it is populated with nightcrawlers. I know a lot of people who live far closer to Charleston who shop 100% at the H-Mall. The full rot has now set in and it is not going to get better. A side effect of that was killing downtown retail, long ago, when the mall was new, which means there has been an excess of storefront properties downtown for a long time.

None of that has much to do with its ballpark. If you remember, we were all told that when the place was built, in the middle of a bombed out hood, surrounded by warehouses, it was going to spawn this yuppie neighborhood. Been there near 15 years, and ONE building, got turned into loft appartments and a restaurant space (where multiple things have come and gone) and the warehouse that is part of the park is an office building with plenty of space available and a restaurant space where multiple things have failed, and the rest is still just as bombed out as ever.

As to Charleston, generally, it really has two industries. Government and health care. As the state bleeds population, it needs less government drones and less high paid lawyers, accountants, and other empty suits to deal with the government. That, much like Huntington, leaves health care.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

I'm sure if they try that Sodexo will step in and ruin it.

Sad to say, Sodexo has paid MU a ton of money to be there so in their defense, they do have a weighted opinion.

 

[goherd73]

In downtown Charleston Qdoba announced it was closing plus 2 hotels filed for bankruptcy. On a positive note, the Sears location at the Mall will be torn down and replaced with a Hilton....at least that was the plan last year.

 

[goherd73]

Sad to say, Sodexo has paid MU a ton of money to be there so in their defense, they do have a weighted opinion.

I think there would be options in working with Sodexo. I assume they were the ones that brought La Familia to the Student Center. So I guess a local business could go to the CAM.

 

[I walk among you... Go Herd]

Here's the solution. Tear down both the Henderson Center and the Huntington Civic Center, a town this size doesn't need both... neither are profitable. Build one single shared, "joint project", that has 12,000 seat capacity "civic" center that can host all that was mentioned in the above thread, but has the seating capacity to book major acts, host our basketball team, etc. Much, much cheaper on local tax payers, university, and city.

Plan would be to put the facility where the civic center location is. Build a reasonable baseball facility, (you can build all that is needed for $6 million) where the Henderson center sits. This of course would add to green space and tailgate space, and year round activity for those restaurants local to the Henderson center today. Likewise it would be a boon for the Pullman square area.

 

[MarshallManiac]

I think there would be options in working with Sodexo. I assume they were the ones that brought La Familia to the Student Center. So I guess a local business could go to the CAM.

If you catch them in a contract year, yes you may get some cooperation. Outside of that, good luck.

Also, they have also made a ton of money from Marshall so let's not pretend Marshall is the only one benefiting.

 

[mubaseballking]

Here's the solution. Tear down both the Henderson Center and the Huntington Civic Center, a town this size doesn't need both... neither are profitable. Build one single shared, "joint project", that has 12,000 seat capacity "civic" center that can host all that was mentioned in the above thread, but has the seating capacity to book major acts, host our basketball team, etc. Much, much cheaper on local tax payers, university, and city.

That was the original plan back in the 1970's, and you can see where that got us. I'm sure the same major sticking point will be the same: where to build the arena? Marshall will want it on campus and the city will want it downtown.

Besides, do you think the city would want to give up the Boat/RV Show, Toughman, State High School Wrestling Tournament, the annual Jeff Dunham Show and the Garden Show, etc. so Marshall Basketball can have those prime weekend dates in January and February?

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

In downtown Charleston Qdoba announced it was closing plus 2 hotels filed for bankruptcy. On a positive note, the Sears location at the Mall will be torn down and replaced with a Hilton....at least that was the plan last year.

That makes sense, two hotels possibly closing, let's build another one. LOL!

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Here's the solution. Tear down both the Henderson Center and the Huntington Civic Center, a town this size doesn't need both... neither are profitable. Build one single shared, "joint project", that has 12,000 seat capacity "civic" center that can host all that was mentioned in the above thread, but has the seating capacity to book major acts, host our basketball team, etc. Much, much cheaper on local tax payers, university, and city.

Plan would be to put the facility where the civic center location is. Build a reasonable baseball facility, (you can build all that is needed for $6 million) where the Henderson center sits. This of course would add to green space and tailgate space, and year round activity for those restaurants local to the Henderson center today. Likewise it would be a boon for the Pullman square area.

You must be new here...

 

[oldeherd]

You must be new here...

Perhaps not "new", but certainly unaware of the ongoing, never ending, 60 year saga, or perhaps soap opera, called "Marshall U., yes we gonna built a baseball facility", playing over the decades at a venue near you!!

 

[mubaseballking]

Just think, if someone at Marshall would've built a park 60 years ago, we wouldn't need to find a suitable piece of property now. The fundraising could focus on rebuilding the park and making it the best it can be.