Tis the offseason. After reading about Purdue's Ross Ade Stadium Survey (and seeing some of the good and creative ideas they are weighing) and reading about new football facilities everywhere from Clemson and South Carolina to Kansas, I'm interested to know what is next for IU football facilities, including Memorial Stadium. Given the recently completed projects and soon-to-be completed projects (locker room), what's next (facility-wise) that would improve (1) fan support or the fan experience or (2) player development and recruiting.
A few initial thoughts:
1. Mellencamp is getting a little dated and might benefit from an overhaul or a twin indoor facility.
2. MS is much improved, but it doesn't have as many varied seating areas and fan amenities of newer facilities - seats are overwhelmingly aluminum benches with no seatbacks, and the end zones provide the only interesting seating options and amenities. The fan experience hasn't been a primary driver of recent additions. Perhaps introducing more seating options would drum up additional fan support, encourage fans to come on time and stay throughout, and encourage a livelier atmosphere.
3. The press box and suites need significant expansion and renovation.
4. We know, we know, a football only facility.
For context, Purdue is considering party decks, loge boxes, varieties of club seating, enhanced field-level seating, tailgate packages, elevating a section of bowl seating now to place additional suites below it - a wide variety of options that would significantly alter amenities and seating options at Ross Ade.
Some Comparisons
Ross Ade Stadium Survey: https://purduesports.com/sports/2019/1/14/your-ross-ade-stadium.aspx
Article about the Survey: https://www.jconline.com/story/spor...en-input-purdues-ross-ade-stadium/2715648002/
University of Kansas Indoor Facility: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article209213739.html
University of South Carolina Football Operations Building: https://www.thestate.com/sports/col...tball/josh-kendall-blog/article224561610.html
A few initial thoughts:
1. Mellencamp is getting a little dated and might benefit from an overhaul or a twin indoor facility.
2. MS is much improved, but it doesn't have as many varied seating areas and fan amenities of newer facilities - seats are overwhelmingly aluminum benches with no seatbacks, and the end zones provide the only interesting seating options and amenities. The fan experience hasn't been a primary driver of recent additions. Perhaps introducing more seating options would drum up additional fan support, encourage fans to come on time and stay throughout, and encourage a livelier atmosphere.
3. The press box and suites need significant expansion and renovation.
4. We know, we know, a football only facility.
For context, Purdue is considering party decks, loge boxes, varieties of club seating, enhanced field-level seating, tailgate packages, elevating a section of bowl seating now to place additional suites below it - a wide variety of options that would significantly alter amenities and seating options at Ross Ade.
Some Comparisons
Ross Ade Stadium Survey: https://purduesports.com/sports/2019/1/14/your-ross-ade-stadium.aspx
Article about the Survey: https://www.jconline.com/story/spor...en-input-purdues-ross-ade-stadium/2715648002/
University of Kansas Indoor Facility: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/university-of-kansas/article209213739.html
University of South Carolina Football Operations Building: https://www.thestate.com/sports/col...tball/josh-kendall-blog/article224561610.html