Memorial Stadium renovations coming?

[abraxis]

You gotta love insurance companies. They sell us something at an exorbitant price that we hope we never have to use. What a racket!

Insurance is a no win situation…when you don’t need it, you have too much. When you do finally need it, no matter how much you have, you kick yourself for not having more.

There’s a reason the tallest buildings of many cities house insurance companies. It’s because more people have too much of what they don’t need, than people needing what they think they don’t have enough of.

It pays to be a glad-handed, personable and gregarious insurance agent who regularly shows his face in place within the first three pews of the largest church in town. The same can be said for real estate agents.

 

[Kelly_32]

Pat Ryan (executive) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

I’d love to see their house!

 

[Victorbmyboy]

I’d love to see their house!

Funny thing is some of the mega rich guys I’ve been around don’t care as much about that. Like Bill Cook. They didn’t even have a garage. They also didn’t buy new cars very often. Bill just didn’t care. 🤣 My sister on the other hand has a 20,000 sq ft house.

 

[Hoosier Clarion]

You wouldn't want to tear down your only indoor practice location before you had a new one ready.

Kinda the idea.

 

[IUNorth]

You wouldn't want to tear down your only indoor practice location before you had a new one ready.

That's true. But if the location for Mellencamp is 100% the best location, then I think you either tear it down and figure out the logistics fo that...or as has been mentioned, just build up around it and then tear it down when the new roof is on or something.

These new football practice facilities are an interesting dynamic. In many ways, they go largely unnoticed by most of the fans. But in many ways, they're THE most important building for the players, coaches, recruits, etc...

Notre Dames new practice facility is absolutely insane. Its incredible. But I'm guessing the casual fans have no clue where it is, what it looks like, etc... Its all about Notre Dame stadium. I guarantee Freeman and his staff, the players, and potential recruits, the practice facility is 90% of their time and focus.

So...if the geography in that area is clear that Mellencamp's physical location is the best...tear it down or build around it. Because that will become the most important building in ALL of IU Athletics.

 

[Victorbmyboy]

That's true. But if the location for Mellencamp is 100% the best location, then I think you either tear it down and figure out the logistics fo that...or as has been mentioned, just build up around it and then tear it down when the new roof is on or something.

These new football practice facilities are an interesting dynamic. In many ways, they go largely unnoticed by most of the fans. But in many ways, they're THE most important building for the players, coaches, recruits, etc...

Notre Dames new practice facility is absolutely insane. Its incredible. But I'm guessing the casual fans have no clue where it is, what it looks like, etc... Its all about Notre Dame stadium. I guarantee Freeman and his staff, the players, and potential recruits, the practice facility is 90% of their time and focus.

So...if the geography in that area is clear that Mellencamp's physical location is the best...tear it down or build around it. Because that will become the most important building in ALL of IU Athletics.

And look. It’s all football. Everything is separate. Every p4 worth its salt has similar setups. Not IU though. We got buzzing 1980s lights on pro day. New turf and a quarter mile walk to the training table. Hey but….we are easily 17th or 18th in facilities in the B1G.

 

[IUNorth]

And look. It’s all football. Everything is separate. Every p4 worth its salt has similar setups. Not IU though. We got buzzing 1980s lights on pro day. New turf and a quarter mile walk to the training table. Hey but….we are easily 17th or 18th in facilities in the B1G.

For sure. I think our mentality is finally changing though. I just hope they have the donor support, and the gumption, to "go big" Northwestern style, and that they realize THE most important building, for the entire University, is probably the football practice facility. If they need to muli purpose it, to get support for a monster project, so be it. Put some class rooms in there somehow, put some retail stuff, whatever. But the football part needs to be an NFL ++ caliber indoor practice facility. World Class medical, world class nutrition, world class strength and conditioning, obviously great field considerations, world class lounges, locker rooms, meeting rooms.

Repurpose Memorial Stadium to be all those things for the retail public. But if we're gonna reinvest a crap ton of money, a really big bulk of that needs to be in the everyday team facilities.

 

[Victorbmyboy]

For sure. I think our mentality is finally changing though. I just hope they have the donor support, and the gumption, to "go big" Northwestern style, and that they realize THE most important building, for the entire University, is probably the football practice facility. If they need to muli purpose it, to get support for a monster project, so be it. Put some class rooms in there somehow, put some retail stuff, whatever. But the football part needs to be an NFL ++ caliber indoor practice facility. World Class medical, world class nutrition, world class strength and conditioning, obviously great field considerations, world class lounges, locker rooms, meeting rooms.

Repurpose Memorial Stadium to be all those things for the retail public. But if we're gonna reinvest a crap ton of money, a really big bulk of that needs to be in the everyday team facilities.

Nooooo. Do not multi purpose it. Thats a mistake and a pretty big one. That facility will be so important for this time of year. Especially if we are playoff caliber. This thing should be a big priority. Hell even urban myer said facilities is a major tipping point in recruiting.

 

[Tammany Hall]

fwiw Urban’s comments on sustaining success that includes a little bit of facilities talk.

 

[IUNorth]

Nooooo. Do not multi purpose it. Thats a mistake and a pretty big one. That facility will be so important for this time of year. Especially if we are playoff caliber. This thing should be a big priority. Hell even urban myer said facilities is a major tipping point in recruiting.

I'm basically just thinking if they built a MONSTROUS structure, that had almost an entire Academic Building, attached to a big football facility. The academic area could be schools that have tie ins with the football program...sports medicine maybe, sports management, kinesiology, physical therepy, whatever...

But for sure, nothing should encroach or short change the Football specific parts. And those areas should ONLY be accessible by football players and staff. We don't need some douchey English prof strolling through the football area smirking and bad mouthing how fancy it all is...

 

[Grateful Redbeard]

That's true. But if the location for Mellencamp is 100% the best location, then I think you either tear it down and figure out the logistics fo that...or as has been mentioned, just build up around it and then tear it down when the new roof is on or something.

These new football practice facilities are an interesting dynamic. In many ways, they go largely unnoticed by most of the fans. But in many ways, they're THE most important building for the players, coaches, recruits, etc...

Notre Dames new practice facility is absolutely insane. Its incredible. But I'm guessing the casual fans have no clue where it is, what it looks like, etc... Its all about Notre Dame stadium. I guarantee Freeman and his staff, the players, and potential recruits, the practice facility is 90% of their time and focus.

So...if the geography in that area is clear that Mellencamp's physical location is the best...tear it down or build around it. Because that will become the most important building in ALL of IU Athletics.

If there is a way to build around Mellencamp and keep it open during the construction then great. I just feel like the overall size would require it to be built on the practice fields or in between MS and AH. I expect the non practice field portion of the building to be at least 3 levels and 75,000 SF minimum. That's not a small footprint, but again, if they could incorporate Mellencamp into the new construction that would all them more flexibility with the remining area for the practice fields. It HAS to be football specific as well.

 

[IUNorth]

If there is a way to build around Mellencamp and keep it open during the construction then great. I just feel like the overall size would require it to be built on the practice fields or in between MS and AH. I expect the non practice field portion of the building to be at least 3 levels and 75,000 SF minimum. That's not a small footprint, but again, if they could incorporate Mellencamp into the new construction that would all them more flexibility with the remining area for the practice fields. It HAS to be football specific as well.

I get that sentiment...but I just think there's got to be something there with tying in some of IU's world class schools, that would have crossover and tie in, with the football program. Could become a positive recruiting tool, for both the football program, AND for bright young minds AND faculty, to be a part of the Sports Medicine, Sports Management, Sports Media, etc... schools. Out of the box thinking that could check a number of more boxes, and maybe get more funding thrown in.

Northwestern, if many of the articles are to be believed, are changing conventional thought around what a college football specific stadium should be. Maybe IU could do the same with a practice facility. Universities have such an incredible wealth of knowledge and resources, that seem to always be at odds with the athletic programs. Why? Incorporate all of them.

I've advocated that IU should provide actual curriculum that tailors to athletes that want to play and/or coach professionally after college. Finance, Public speaking, marketing, nutrition, social media...etc.. Imagine what an IU basketball coach could do with a "pitch" that not only would the basketball program be preparing them for the NBA, or for professional basketball on the court, but so would IU's specific 1 year, 2 year, etc...academic program.

I hate underutilized talent and resources. As you can see.

 

[goody1986]

If there is a way to build around Mellencamp and keep it open during the construction then great. I just feel like the overall size would require it to be built on the practice fields or in between MS and AH. I expect the non practice field portion of the building to be at least 3 levels and 75,000 SF minimum. That's not a small footprint, but again, if they could incorporate Mellencamp into the new construction that would all them more flexibility with the remining area for the practice fields. It HAS to be football specific as well.

There is plenty of space on the athletics campus. It's primarily parking lot right now. Easiest big space to build new is between Mellancamp, Memorial Stadium, and the Tennis Center. Building isomething there would allow Mellencamp to continue to function in the interim and be ready for renovation for other sports/uses after a new football building is completed. It could also be connected to the new building. Looking at the aerial view, you could fit a building twice the size of Mellencamp in that gap and only lose a few dozen parking spaces.

 

[IUNorth]

There is plenty of space on the athletics campus. It's primarily parking lot right now. Easiest big space to build new is between Mellancamp, Memorial Stadium, and the Tennis Center. Building isomething there would allow Mellencamp to continue to function in the interim and be ready for renovation for other sports/uses after a new football building is completed. It could also be connected to the new building. Looking at the aerial view, you could fit a building twice the size of Mellencamp in that gap and only lose a few dozen parking spaces.

Good info. Obviously once the project would be done, Mellencamp could be repurposed... Maybe indoor soccer training, pickleball courts, a big space like that could provide a lot of value.

 

[76-1]

I get that sentiment...but I just think there's got to be something there with tying in some of IU's world class schools, that would have crossover and tie in, with the football program. Could become a positive recruiting tool, for both the football program, AND for bright young minds AND faculty, to be a part of the Sports Medicine, Sports Management, Sports Media, etc... schools. Out of the box thinking that could check a number of more boxes, and maybe get more funding thrown in.

Northwestern, if many of the articles are to be believed, are changing conventional thought around what a college football specific stadium should be. Maybe IU could do the same with a practice facility. Universities have such an incredible wealth of knowledge and resources, that seem to always be at odds with the athletic programs. Why? Incorporate all of them.

I've advocated that IU should provide actual curriculum that tailors to athletes that want to play and/or coach professionally after college. Finance, Public speaking, marketing, nutrition, social media...etc.. Imagine what an IU basketball coach could do with a "pitch" that not only would the basketball program be preparing them for the NBA, or for professional basketball on the court, but so would IU's specific 1 year, 2 year, etc...academic program.

I hate underutilized talent and resources. As you can see.

I both understand and would ordinarily agree but in this case Football only is the way to go if we want to actually follow thru on our "world class" approach to the Football program... It's "go Big or go home" time...

 

[76-1]

Good info. Obviously once the project would be done, Mellencamp could be repurposed... Maybe indoor soccer training, pickleball courts, a big space like that could provide a lot of value.

Keep it within the Football program for enhanced speed training, etc... With 105 guys going thru Winter, Spring and even some Summer workouts the additional space will still be needed (in my opinion)... Just another pice of the "world class" program puzzle... 😎

Example: 1st & 2nd Teams plus Special Teams Skill guys workout in the new facility; 3rd and 4th Teams workout in Mellencamp...

 

[IUNorth]

Keep it within the Football program for enhanced speed training, etc... With 105 guys going thru Winter, Spring and even some Summer workouts the additional space will still be needed (in my opinion)... Just another pice of the "world class" program puzzle... 😎

Example: 1st & 2nd Teams plus Special Teams Skill guys workout in the new facility; 3rd and 4th Teams workout in Mellencamp...

Definitely...I have no perspective of what the time management side would look like in the winter, for a football team. I would strive to include all those capabilities in THE Facility to end all facilities. But maybe that's too ambitious for one building?

 

[IUNorth]

I'm both understand and would ordinarily agree but in this case Football only is the way to go if we want to actually follow thru on our "world class" approach to the Football program... It's "go Big or go home" time...

Oh I'm not advocating not going big...in fact, I'm theorizing that including some of the major schools into it, might add a layer of funding to it that could unlock more and more possibilities for the football side of things.

A very abstract example, maybe the scales are way off, maybe they're not... but maybe funding for a football only facility ends up in the 300 million area. Add some connected Sports Medicine facilities(pick your whale IU med donors), Sports Media (Cuban maybe?)...and all of a sudden the budget balloons up to 700 million. 200 million for the academic center portion of the facility, 500 million for the football and any direct "crossover" areas. Medical imaging facilties maybe, sports recovery research areas, absolute top of the line, state of the art, puts ESPN to shame, audio visual areas, etc...

I think its narrow minded to just say "football only". But that's how it usually works, I get it.

 

[Hoosier Clarion]

That's true. But if the location for Mellencamp is 100% the best location, then I think you either tear it down and figure out the logistics fo that...or as has been mentioned, just build up around it and then tear it down when the new roof is on or something.

These new football practice facilities are an interesting dynamic. In many ways, they go largely unnoticed by most of the fans. But in many ways, they're THE most important building for the players, coaches, recruits, etc...

Notre Dames new practice facility is absolutely insane. Its incredible. But I'm guessing the casual fans have no clue where it is, what it looks like, etc... Its all about Notre Dame stadium. I guarantee Freeman and his staff, the players, and potential recruits, the practice facility is 90% of their time and focus.

So...if the geography in that area is clear that Mellencamp's physical location is the best...tear it down or build around it. Because that will become the most important building in ALL of IU Athletics.

Precisely! Make progress as painless as possible.

 

[mrhighlife]

Pat Ryan (executive) - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Part owner in Bears? He should take some of that northwestern stadium money and buy a new o- line for the Bears.

 

[Cap99]

An indoor facility is a nice to have, but it is definitely not an essential facility in my opinion. It is used primarily for winter conditioning and in rare situations of severe weather, practice can be moved there. The college game is played outdoors and the vast majority of coaches want practices to be held in the elements.

The Mellencamp is a serviceable indoor practice facility. The old coaching staff used to whine about it because they felt that it didn't stack up to our rivals for recruiting purposes. That may be the case, but the bigger problem for the old regime was that they didn't have a winning program to sell to recruits. Cignetti has changed the narrative, and I seriously doubt we will be losing recruits because of the indoor facility.

In my opinion we need to address fan-related issues with the stadium first. Once that is complete and we can find somebody to write a $150 million check, then by all means, go ahead and build a new one.

 

[Victorbmyboy]

An indoor facility is a nice to have, but it is definitely not an essential facility in my opinion. It is used primarily for winter conditioning and in rare situations of severe weather, practice can be moved there. The college game is played outdoors and the vast majority of coaches want practices to be held in the elements.

The Mellencamp is a serviceable indoor practice facility. The old coaching staff used to whine about it because they felt that it didn't stack up to our rivals for recruiting purposes. That may be the case, but the bigger problem for the old regime was that they didn't have a winning program to sell to recruits. Cignetti has changed the narrative, and I seriously doubt we will be losing recruits because of the indoor facility.

In my opinion we need to address fan-related issues with the stadium first. Once that is complete and we can find somebody to write a $150 million check, then by all means, go ahead and build a new one.

We literally have the worst facilities in the B1G. We aren’t talking about just an indoor facility. It’s a football only training facility. Yes the stadium needs things but that’s small potatoes. Urban Meyer did a whole segment on this and pointed specifically to this. Go big and get with the rest of the P4.

 

[Al Bino]

We literally have the worst facilities in the B1G. We aren’t talking about just an indoor facility. It’s a football only training facility. Yes the stadium needs things but that’s small potatoes. Urban Meyer did a whole segment on this and pointed specifically to this. Go big and get with the rest of the P4.

But Urban never had to deal with NIL. I wonder how much that has changed the priorities of recruits?
Obviously, programs that have a billion dollars to spend on plush new facilities probably have an A game NIL but speculation about Lewis was he was shopping the best NIL check. Did facilities play any part in his decision? Is he an outlier or the new face for five star athletes?
I want IU to be in the game but Northwestern spending the biggest part of a BILLION dollars seems insane to me.

 

[Victorbmyboy]

But Urban never had to deal with NIL. I wonder how much that has changed the priorities of recruits?
Obviously, programs that have a billion dollars to spend on plush new facilities probably have an A game NIL but speculation about Lewis was he was shopping the best NIL check. Did facilities play any part in his decision? Is he an outlier or the new face for five star athletes?
I want IU to be in the game but Northwestern spending the biggest part of a BILLION dollars seems insane to me.

He’s not the only one who says this. Why is everyone in p4 upgrading football facilities? Why spend over a billion doing it? Like NW. kids want to see the product and we don’t have it yet. NW knows the value. It’s just one thing they can check off and not have to brush off to a recruit. It matters.