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Seems like we’ve heard this before. If they are really serious this time, I’d bet this could cost a whole lot more than either of the end zone projects. And be a royal PIA for a few years. It’s got to be done though. And no thoughts of suites/expanded press box? Still looks dinky and amateurish compared to other big schools.Indiana exploring ways to modernize Memorial Stadium
Indiana is exploring ways to modernize Memorial Stadium, and one of the first steps will be a survey sent later this week. Among the topics covered in the survey are a reimagined concourse, new social gathering spaces, upgraded concessions and restrooms, and a series of enhanced premium seating...
I thinks suites, concessions and restrooms are all in the mix. It will give them direction on what the public wants. Obviously most of the money was for student athlete needs.
Indiana exploring ways to modernize Memorial Stadium
Indiana is exploring ways to modernize Memorial Stadium, and one of the first steps will be a survey sent later this week. Among the topics covered in the survey are a reimagined concourse, new social gathering spaces, upgraded concessions and restrooms, and a series of enhanced premium seating...
We have some of the lowest retail ticket prices in the Big Ten, and there are bargains galore on the secondary market. Tickets are affordable, in spite of your misinformation to the contrary.
When I was a freshman at IU in the late 90's, they gave us all free season tickets. Every home game I had a ticket for football. Next to no one went because it was a curb stomping almost every game. There are so many things to do as a young person on a college campus that the price doesn't even come into play on some of this. What is going on at the stadium has to be a better use of your 3+ hours than the alternative. The team has to win. They have to win some games against some of the better schools. They have to show that they are a threat to win (by actually winning, not just playing close) and that they will be at least that conaistent mediocre level going forward over a period of time. Until they do that, everything else is window dressing.
They should look at Virginia tech Lane stadium. It was built by the same design company and was almost identical. They made changes and upgrades to accommodate full crowds. I’d say it’s worth it and I was at that game and had a great experience. I parked downtown and walked to the tailgate area. Sat in the new section on the patio. If you haven’t done that you might try it.
Eggers and Higgins designed both Memorial Stadium and Assembly Hall (the original plans were developed several years before ground was ever broken for AH). They also were responsible for the design of several other buildings on campus. Don’t believe they had anything to do with Lane Stadium, though the design of one stand at LS closely mimics the east and west stands of MS.
We weren’t adequately prepared for the heat that day, and it was disappointing, to say the least. But it wasn’t and isn’t a function of the size of the crowd . . . We just didn’t properly plan for the conditions.
Nothing in the article indicates that suites/expanded press box are not under consideration. They list premium seating options and locations as an item for exploration, which would seem to include the possibility of additional suites and/or press box expansion.
I believe the original plans called for MS to be "balanced" and have the same number of seats on both sides of the stadium. They cut back on the east side seating. A forerunner of what we now call value engineering.
The original plans did call for the East stands to mirror the West side. Funding became an issue and we cut back, which why there are ramps to an “upper level” on the West (with upper entries) but no such “extension” on the East side.
Not sure if you still attend but the students have shown up quite a bit more. Now a bunch leave at halftime but it seems like more and more stay till late in the game unless it is really out of hand.
Correct, as I have read it and been told. (way before my time), that was the plan.
They need to make upgrades then to the south grass field tailgating area then since it’s where the party is after halftime! Maybe level it out more to create less muddy areas when raining. Put in a concert area stage or something.
You don’t know the history then. I believe they licensed the design. Lane was almost identical until they renovated. Wake forest is a miniature version. Lane also has the odd east end size difference.
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I agree, the SEZ has that disjointed look, although it’s still way better than the previous end zone bleachers.
Do you think that number changes with a free ticket though? What are student tickets running these days? They were like $10 (give or take) IIRC when I was there. The money isn't what kept people away, it was the losing. I think that also plays into today's students checking out at halftime.
They need to clean them better for one. 🤣
Umbrella the entire M/W BB complex with a moniker focusing on the RMK brand. It's a winner.
I do agree with you that it's already been decided.
Yeah, let's bulldoze the hills and pave it all over..... j/k I know you're not suggesting that, but it wouldn't surprise me if someone took your idea and screwed it up. I like that area the way it is and there should be at least an area that's not overbuilt or developed, imo.
Whatever they're doing now seems to work. The students show up and, even when getting blown out a couple years ago, a huge group of guys were in an upper corner with their shirts off when it was about 10 degrees.
They’ve been talking about suites for years, at least to to the time when Rick Greenspan engaged HOK to study opportunities for developing both AH and MS. There were renderings that included suites both as an extension of a closed north end zone as well as behind the East stands. And Fred Glass regularly tried to solicit interest from alums / donors / fans / corporate supporters. Unfortunately, the result has always been the same . . . mild interest from a limited number of people / organizations and no interest in committing seed capital / funding to make it a reality.
What should we do for Knight? Things seem to be in a good spot right now, especially after he returned to AH. They all messed up but people have either died, are in decline or have just moved on. Knight won’t apologize and IU won’t apologize. Probably good to just move on. Maybe the roadway into the south AH entrance can be named for him some day.
It really does look great and the two large video boards are good.
West side suites have value for a few reasons. The physical plant infrastructure is already somewhat there, though the HOK evaluation cited as many problems with it as there were perceived advantages. Interestingly, the feedback provided by more than a few is a desire to continue to park behind the West stands, which obviously wouldn’t be practical if we built on the East. Again, it’s all about demand (or the lack thereof, which has consistently been the case). Even Glass, before he got nudged out, would’ve done this in a heartbeat had there been sufficient interest.
My UK friend who came up for a few games thought out facilities were nice. He’s been to a bunch of SEC places. Another friend who now works at IU and is from florida(big UF fan) was actually surprised how decent our stuff is. We are behind but not crazy far.
Knight’s return was orchestrated by his adoring players, not the university in any official capacity. If his only recognition is a walk to center court at halftime of a game we lose to Purdue, that was pretty damn weak. I’ve always contended a bigger than life size bronze statue outside, in the middle of Nunn Plaza with a list of his accomplishments on a copper plaque imbedded in an artistically cut block of Salem limestone.
I think the foundation was laid back then whereby you can still add an upper extension onto that side of the stadium.
You're correct, they could extend those stands up to the level of the west side. HOK also showed how they could lower / extend the stands on both sides to create some additionall seating (mostly outside of the 30 yard lines on both sides and both ends. It wouldn’t add much but there would be more seating closer to the field.
Like I said, neither Knight nor the University will ever apologize or express regret or remorse, so what we have is likely as good as it gets for awhile.
Sorry, I must have missed this part. When did HOK give a presentation and to who ?
Rick Greenspan retained them (circa 2005 or 2006) to provide an assessment of our athletic facilities footprint, as well as to offer options for the updating / expansion of both Assembly Hall and Memorial Stadium. They made various recommendations, including at least four options for the update and renovation of AH and three or four for MS. I have renderings of their recommendations somewhere, which were interesting (the MS ideas offered both North end zone as well as east stand suites). The AH ideas featured lower / mid-level suites in one version, and a finishing of the permanent seating bowl (both ends) in another. What we ended up with in both venues looks nothing like the drawings from that time.
