Video of ODU’s renovated stadium
- Thread starter Chris McLaughlin
- Start date
I believe the listed capacity of the new stadium is around 21,000-22,000, which is really not much more than the old place, Foreman Field. Of course, from the video it look much nicer and supposedly contains more and better concessions, more, and more modern, restrooms (is anyone at MU listening).
Just wonder if the S.B. Ballard Construction folks are doing the work. Guess they contributed some significant $$$$ to the project. Ballard's construction is also doing the ultra plush new basketball arena at James Madison which will open for the 20-21 season.
As you know, they always did have some great food options on the grounds outside the actual structure. There were numerous tents and food trucks operating there.
When it came to food, they always had more options than any CUSA venue.
I'll be looking forward to going back there next year. Always a great trip to Norfolk for football and basketball.
The endzone is what Marshall needs in the South endzone at Edwards Stadium.
I think something similar would look great in The Joan. Colorado State has a social gathering area behind one of their end zones, that has a New Belgium Brewing Bar incorporated into it. That would be a great idea for remodeling the South endzone too.
A few reasons:
1. The endzone seats are not needed. Only a few times since they were built were they actually needed. Removing them would put people along the sidelines and make the stadium look better both at the game and more importantly, on TV.
2. The endzone seats look cheap and you can tell they were an afterthought in the design of the stadium. Simply put, they look bad.
3. Last time I heard, the one place where we actually had a demand for more seats it was with the sky boxes. This would give us an opportunity to have more space available.
4. A "party deck" or a standing room only type area could be added as well which would look great.
That's all for now.
https://csurams.com/facilities/?id=2058
Here's a link to the end zone party area at Colorado State. That type of set up would look great in the south end zone at Marshall.
Here's a link to the end zone party area at Colorado State. That type of set up would look great in the south end zone at Marshall.
I like the idea of turning the endzone into a party deck for two reasons:
1) Milennials dig that shhh and it might actually bring more students out to the game
2) As my wife (Huntington native) has told me, the grassy knoll was pretty much a unofficial party deck in the old days anyway
1) Milennials dig that shhh and it might actually bring more students out to the game
2) As my wife (Huntington native) has told me, the grassy knoll was pretty much a unofficial party deck in the old days anyway
"Millenials" are currently ageing out of traditional college student body, but I get what you are saying.
But football is not baseball. People that want to drink and casually pay attention to the game are probably going to be happier in the lot tailgating or back home on their deck watching on their 80 inch high-def.
But football is not baseball. People that want to drink and casually pay attention to the game are probably going to be happier in the lot tailgating or back home on their deck watching on their 80 inch high-def.
Okay then, reason #2: not having an extra 13,000 empty seats at every home game, thinning our crowd out to the point it looks like hardly anybody's there to anyone in the stadium or watching at home.
But, I like my unobstructed-front- row -seat -with -plenty -of -leg -room-end-zone-seat.
Why not have it above the Shewey building, something like Boone Pickens Stadium.
A few times...I'm guessing you're referring to home games against big opponents?
Those are increasing.
The looks of the seats can be interpreted...if they're full, nobody's going to notice.
Sky boxes can be individually bought and could wrap around one half of the stadium (like Camp Randall in Wisconsin).
How are you going to have a standing room only place in an area that has been claimed to be never full to begin with?
Finally, reducing seating capacity shows ANYONE that you can't draw a crowd.
Its one thing to renovate a stadium and loose 1,000-2,000 seats...but whats being proposed is a reduction of almost 9,000 seats.
You would have to re-assign some sections (like the student section) to other areas of the stadium...and as we all know how batsh*t crazy everyone went last time sections were moved.
You're also dealing with peoole who apparently "get sick at the smell of alcohol" and want to out a party deck which should no doubt, serve alcohol, to a stadium that doesn't even fully sell it.
Students would likely enjoy said party deck, which I am sure will be tightly regulated, but would prefer to fill sodas with airplane bottles of rum in bleachers they don't have to pay extra for.
I think a bigger question to answer is who the hell is this going to be aimed at attracting? You placed sky boxes (which are for high rollers) and students (who are broke af) in the same area.
For all below data, P5 teams are indicated by bold, FCS/I-AA opponents indicated by italics.
In the last ten years, Marshall has hosted nine games in excess of 30,000 attendees (the maximum capacity of the stadium prior to the endzone expansion).
2010 WVU - 41,382
2011 Virginia Tech - 34,424
2012 Ohio - 33,436
2014 Ohio - 31,710
2014 MTSU - 30,210
2014 Rice - 30,680
2015 Purdue - 38,791
2016 Louisville - 40,592
2017 NC State - 32,349
Following is the upcoming slate of opponents (with last home crowd vs. indicated where applicable):
Appalachian State (No attendance data available, last meeting in 1995, prior to expansion)
Army
Boise State
Cincinnati (29,237)
East Carolina (25,117)
Liberty
Navy
Ohio (31,710)
Pitt
Virginia Tech (34,424)
VMI
Western Michigan (19,803)
Your are correct on both accounts. Why do you think almost every MLB team has incorporated many social gathering areas into their stadiums over the last few years? People want them. Having a tiered gathering area in the south endzone would be a great addition to The Joan.
VMI and Liberty is all that I can see where a small crowd would most certainly show up.
Bigger opponents doesn't necessarily need to translate to P5 exclusively.
You've also named two G5 teams that are in the top tier of said G5.
Service academies are going to be a solid draw for the obvious military connections.
Also, some of these schools have never been to MU. So for home fans and visitors, it'll be good for both to see one another.
Of course, I can't speak for opponents and their fans. I imagine with Pitt and Cincy, the crowds will be good. Ohio brought a good crowd last time as well. Not sure about Boise and their travel.
MU's problem is lack of aggressive marketing for these games. But thats a whole other topic.
I think the stadium seating minus the metal erector set end zone stands is about 33K and change. The original stadium was 28K with 14K on both sides. Adding the concrete seats in the end zone a few years later brought it up to the 33K I think. That's a solid number. As an fyi, Boise's stadium holds 36K.
I really like the idea of a party zone or kid's fun zone back there. Would certainly add to the game day exeperience. jmo.
I really like the idea of a party zone or kid's fun zone back there. Would certainly add to the game day exeperience. jmo.
Well we usually have around 2-3 K scattered in the lots during the games, as opposed to being in the stadium. He does have somewhat of a point.
wow. I had no idea that there were that many outside. I have never been outside the stadium during a game so I never saw that.
I park my car about 60 mins before kickoff, walk into the stadium and stay in my seat til 0:00 at the end of the game. For me game day is watching a game, Nothing more, nothing less.
Not really. Fans currently have no other option to congregate, watch the game, and have some adult beverages. IMO If some fans were actually given the opportunity to socialize (with adult beverages) in a less restrictive manner (seats) and watch the game, you would indeed attract more individuals to come and/or stay around vs. standing in a parking lot.
That happens everywhere, the folks milling around Ohio Stadium during a game is astounding. More people than MU has ever had inside the stadium.
My wife and I know several “fans” who tailgate every game but have never attended a game, including a very prominent Htgn businessman who hasn’t walked inside JCE since DH was hired.
I would love a party deck, that would be a big draw for MU and I agree. Just saying that there are those who'd rather watch games on tv or stay in the lots than come into the stadium and that's proven true. Anything MU can do to get butts in seats and sell tix, I'm all for. Our fan base needs a boost.
I wouldn't call them fans. Last time I saw MR, he walked into Baskin Robbins looking like a street person. He didn't look good at all.
I often see him court side at basketball games. I didn't notice much change in him. He is still very over weight but the same could be said for me....
A party deck would be an unbelievable asset to the game-day experience. It would bring the social aspect that everyone loves about tailgating inside the stadium. It would also help attract a lot of casual fans that go to some games but have more fun in the parking lots socializing.
It would benefit getting the younger crowd to the games earlier. If it is first come first serve on seating/space tons of people will get there early to grab a good spot. I know my group would instead of waiting until the last second to start heading over. You can leave the lower bleachers and just replace the upper levels with something similar to ODU. party deck on the bottom with suites above.
It could also generate additional revenue outside of football games. Imagine going to receptions or corporate events that rent the party deck. That would be a cool venue.
It would benefit getting the younger crowd to the games earlier. If it is first come first serve on seating/space tons of people will get there early to grab a good spot. I know my group would instead of waiting until the last second to start heading over. You can leave the lower bleachers and just replace the upper levels with something similar to ODU. party deck on the bottom with suites above.
It could also generate additional revenue outside of football games. Imagine going to receptions or corporate events that rent the party deck. That would be a cool venue.
So...does this mean we're not going to build the upper deck on the visitor side? Cause I thought we were totally doing that as soon as Hamrick raised the funds?
First of all, if they are "true fans", they would be IN THE STANDS and cheering on the Herd!!! Instead, they mull around in the parking lot, getting half plastered, or worse, and reliving some asinine moment on campus or in the frat house 20, 25, 30 or so years ago. As real "fans", these people have about as much substance as Casper the Ghost, IMO!!
Secondly, I believe there are several schools who actually clear their school owned and/or managed stadium parking lots at a designated time before the scheduled kick off. Basically, it seems to be a get your butts into stadium seats or LEAVE the area!! Believe they use loud alarms around the stadium to let everyone know its time to get ready for football!
Secondly, I believe there are several schools who actually clear their school owned and/or managed stadium parking lots at a designated time before the scheduled kick off. Basically, it seems to be a get your butts into stadium seats or LEAVE the area!! Believe they use loud alarms around the stadium to let everyone know its time to get ready for football!
I'm pretty sure the state laughed when that was suggested like 10 years ago, and they haven't brought it back up since.
The state is 5% interested in supporting MU as an academic institution and 0% interested in supporting MU athletics.
Yes, Ballard is doing the work - literally started day after last regular season game was played. Steve is a madman.
Until the HOME schedule IMPROVES-----Marshall will continue to see 13,000 empty seats. Now that most HERD football games can be viewed on large Flat screens at home-----you will see lesser fans at The JOAN...just my opinion.
Our fan base is AGING and no "new blood" is replacing them. Our graduates are MOVING away after graduation and rarely return because they are starting families and their kids have activities on football weekends!
Perhaps, # 2 (viewing deck serving beer) will bring more
"youngsters" to football games. It's worth the experiment!
HerdZilla22 in HERD NATION
As a side note to this - USA Today has a good article on the attendance crisis in Major League Baseball and the new trend of smaller ballparks with more fan friendly amenities. It's all about entertainment and a fan experience - especially with the under 30 crowd and their A.D.D.
Marshall brass would be well advised to hone in on this and make every effort to keep whats going on in and around the stadium as lively and fun as possible. Either that or continue to wonder why the fan base is shrinking. Winning helps, but that's not the only piece of the puzzle.
Marshall brass would be well advised to hone in on this and make every effort to keep whats going on in and around the stadium as lively and fun as possible. Either that or continue to wonder why the fan base is shrinking. Winning helps, but that's not the only piece of the puzzle.
POST OF THE YEAR....I think your analysis has, lots of merits! It use to be...BUILD It & They Will Come. That ended years ago...FLAT SCREEN TVs have ruined a lot of Major Sports.
HerdZilla22 in HERD NATION
