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New Revamped Astrodome?
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Tiki Owl Offline
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Post: #21
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
(06-28-2013 05:24 AM)Burpelson Wrote:  yeah, Robertson has been torn down, and a new one is being built as we speak, but there were some before Dr Khator, that wanted to play at Reliant, but Dr Khator really showed leadership when she steeped in and said no, its a must to have a stadium on campus! Im just asking that if Faculty and Staff at Rice do not want football on the campus, and they have the push to end football, would people be open to moving football to the Dome in order to save the program?

Probably not for me.
06-28-2013 05:36 AM
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georgewebb Offline
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Post: #22
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
(06-27-2013 06:09 PM)Burpelson Wrote:  ...you would have a world class indoor facility with no H-Town heat to contend with.

Good God, man: how weak do you think we are?

The following fact is not complicated, so you need to understand it: there is no interest by anyone at Rice -- anyone -- in playing games off-campus on a regular basis. None.

Is that clear enough for you?
06-28-2013 08:06 AM
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georgewebb Offline
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Post: #23
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
(06-28-2013 05:24 AM)Burpelson Wrote:  ...if Faculty and Staff at Rice do not want football on the campus, and they have the push to end football, would people be open to moving football to the Dome in order to save the program?
You don't know what you are talking about.
First, faculty and staff do not make decisions about facilities or athletics -- at Rice or any other university.
Second, it is absurd to generalize about faculty or staff opinion. There are thousands of people in each category, and their opinions are all over the map. Just to give you an example, I am pretty sure that the dozens of professors whom I routinely see at Rice games are not hostile to Rice athletics.
Third, there is no relevant person -- faculty, staff, or any other category -- who is opposed to facilities on campus. There are a few folks in this (and every) university who would prefer not to have athletics at all, and many more who support athletics but would prefer it to cost less. But there is no relevant person who wants to see football or any other sport moved to an off-campus venue.
Fourth, ... oh heck, that's enough for now.
06-28-2013 08:16 AM
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Hambone10 Offline
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Post: #24
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
Another amen to GeorgeWebb

The "push" against athletics is very small. Many more support the general theme of focusing on academics more than athletics, but they wouldn't get rid of athletics by any measure... and even this isn't a large number. No offense, Burp... but that myth is probably more heavily spread amongst the UH crowd (that Rice doesn't want athletics and somehow Dr Khator is superior in this regard)

The fact is, UH is using its push in improving academics combined with a push in athletics to improve its University reputation. That is admirable, particularly in that many of your peers seem to be going the other direction in academics. Rice doesn't really NEED to improve our University reputation. Few of the schools ranked above us are better in sports and amongst those ahead of us, Academics is generally far more important than athletics... Harvard, Brown, Yale, Princeton etc etc etc. Yes, they do sports and often at high levels... but not to nearly the financial level of schools like UH. Where UH competes academically, sports is a key determinant for many.

Most of us on this board would like to see Rice be more unique... offering the academics of Harvard and the Sports of UT... but the sorts of things that Dr Khator has done for UH are admirable, but wouldn't have nearly the same effect at Rice. As an example, becoming a Tier I research institute is important for UH and differentiates it from many of its peers... but for Rice and ITS peers, Tier 1 status is de rigeur for the top 100, much less the top 20. It takes much much more to differentiate yourself academically in the top 20. When you combine this with a suggestion that Rice do something that UH obviously deemed to be "beneath" them, it's almost laughable that you seem to think it somehow makes sense for us, but would be crazy for UH

In the simplest example... An off campus stadium would only serve to create a greater divide between the academic and athletic endeavors of the University. This is 100% counter to ANYTHING Rice stands for at ANY level by ANY member of the Student Body, Alumni, Faculty or Staff.

I hope this doesn't come across too harshly... It's not intended to be ugly... but it IS intended to be a reality check.
(This post was last modified: 06-28-2013 09:08 AM by Hambone10.)
06-28-2013 09:03 AM
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Post: #25
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
The Astrodome would be a good venue for the UH-Rice game. I read that sporting events will be held in the dome. It would be cool to have both teams wear throwback uniforms. Do something special to take advantage of the history of the astrodome. Play commercials on the big screen from the 70's and 80's. Play old music as well. Anything that takes fans back and gives them a unique experience from the past. I think people would really go for it.
(This post was last modified: 06-28-2013 11:13 AM by Afflicted.)
06-28-2013 11:12 AM
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Memphis Owl Offline
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Post: #26
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
(06-28-2013 09:03 AM)Hambone10 Wrote:  Another amen to GeorgeWebb

The "push" against athletics is very small. Many more support the general theme of focusing on academics more than athletics, but they wouldn't get rid of athletics by any measure... and even this isn't a large number. No offense, Burp... but that myth is probably more heavily spread amongst the UH crowd (that Rice doesn't want athletics and somehow Dr Khator is superior in this regard)

The fact is, UH is using its push in improving academics combined with a push in athletics to improve its University reputation. That is admirable, particularly in that many of your peers seem to be going the other direction in academics. Rice doesn't really NEED to improve our University reputation. Few of the schools ranked above us are better in sports and amongst those ahead of us, Academics is generally far more important than athletics... Harvard, Brown, Yale, Princeton etc etc etc. Yes, they do sports and often at high levels... but not to nearly the financial level of schools like UH. Where UH competes academically, sports is a key determinant for many.

Most of us on this board would like to see Rice be more unique... offering the academics of Harvard and the Sports of UT... but the sorts of things that Dr Khator has done for UH are admirable, but wouldn't have nearly the same effect at Rice. As an example, becoming a Tier I research institute is important for UH and differentiates it from many of its peers... but for Rice and ITS peers, Tier 1 status is de rigeur for the top 100, much less the top 20. It takes much much more to differentiate yourself academically in the top 20. When you combine this with a suggestion that Rice do something that UH obviously deemed to be "beneath" them, it's almost laughable that you seem to think it somehow makes sense for us, but would be crazy for UH

In the simplest example... An off campus stadium would only serve to create a greater divide between the academic and athletic endeavors of the University. This is 100% counter to ANYTHING Rice stands for at ANY level by ANY member of the Student Body, Alumni, Faculty or Staff.

I hope this doesn't come across too harshly... It's not intended to be ugly... but it IS intended to be a reality check.

I totally agree with you on every point you made.

I also have suggested in the past that Rice and UH (and TSU) partner with Harris County and redevelop the Astrodome as a Collegiate Football stadium and as a Collegiate/National Track and Field stadium and training center (originally suggested with the plans for a Houston Olympic Host bid).

As a Football stadium it could be reconfigured with better sight lines and the capacity would be sized appropriately.

Clearly each university would need their own on campus practice facility, including indoor inflatable dome. For Rice, it would allow redevelopment of the HRS stadium area as has been suggested in the past.

Such a plan, especially with the suggestion of national track and field center, would create a unique resource that might be very synergistic with Rice, UH, and the resources of the TMC.
06-28-2013 11:12 AM
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Buho00 Offline
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Post: #27
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
Personally I much rather watch a game at Rice Stadium than at the Astrodome, or even Reliant to be honest. Only problem with HRS is that it's old and hasn't had major renovations in many years, but it's a great stadium for college football.
06-28-2013 11:29 AM
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Hambone10 Offline
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Post: #28
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
The biggest problems with HRS are

lockers/offices etc (old and cramped)
pressbox (old, poor layout and power issues)
fan amenities (old bathrooms/plumbing, few concessions and power issues)
and limited chairbacks

We're working on 1 right now with 3 and likely 2 close behind. The suggestions I've seen for suites would eliminate many of our few existing chairbacks and I don't think we have the space to put more in. This is the only issue that a "rebuild" might be the only way to solve. Alternatively, I think we could cut the number of rows in half between the 30's on the home side with much bigger seats and actually turn our disadvantage into an advantage... "Lazy Boy" seats between the 30s. It might cut down on our capacity, particularly our high "between the 30's" numbers, but I think it might be well worth it
06-28-2013 11:37 AM
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Burpelson Offline
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Post: #29
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
I am in no way trying to be presumptive on this faculty thing so scratch that but, if given a new and unique stadium like the Dome, would people even entertain it? The current HRS stadium is fairly outdated, and needs Millions in upgrades, and lets be honest it needs to be scaled back to around 35-40k seating, and that would mean doing something like aggies but in another capacity, and that might be a major uphill battle with BOT and Presidents. T Boone Pickens said he made a massive mistake by putting 500 Million into the old stadium, because he's going to have to always be fixing old problems.
06-28-2013 11:52 AM
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Hambone10 Offline
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Post: #30
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
(06-28-2013 11:52 AM)Burpelson Wrote:  I am in no way trying to be presumptive on this faculty thing so scratch that but, if given a new and unique stadium like the Dome, would people even entertain it? The current HRS stadium is fairly outdated, and needs Millions in upgrades, and lets be honest it needs to be scaled back to around 35-40k seating, and that would mean doing something like aggies but in another capacity, and that might be a major uphill battle with BOT and Presidents. T Boone Pickens said he made a massive mistake by putting 500 Million into the old stadium, because he's going to have to always be fixing old problems.

I didn't think you were and apologize if it came across that way.

Unlike most particularly metal stadiums, The bones of Rice are great. Other than to downsize it, It really doesn't make sense to raze it. Yes, it needs upgrades, but it doesn't need "foundation" work. A pressbox could be built cheaply in front of the old one. The plumbing and power issues could easily be fixed. Because they are built on a stong concrete base, These wouldn't need any more updating or maintenance than a new stadium... IF we do it right. In fact, most of our problems have to do with the structures added onto the stadium as opposed to the stadium itself.

The major issues for the stadium are seating and suites. If we follow the current construction plans with a grass berm at the south and suites at the north, did my lazy boy idea on the west and toppled the upper east deck, we'd be at 35k +/- and have a unique structure with BEAUTIFUL views of the campus, DT and TMC from the home side. I'm not a HUGE fan of toppling the upper east as I'd like to return to hosting bigger events, but I'd prefer that to a new stadium and ESPECIALLY to an off-site one.

As we as a University seek to integrate rather than segregate athletics, I just don't see us EVER going to an off-campus facility, particularly for our largest sport. We didn't go to the Summit for Basketball when we played in a box without AC. We rebuilt rather than go to Toyota. We built Reckling rather than go to the new Minute Maid. We never went to the dome or Reliant as a home.... all of them unique. Why would we now go to what will essentially be the same sort of rehab you say Pickens regrets?
(This post was last modified: 06-28-2013 12:19 PM by Hambone10.)
06-28-2013 12:14 PM
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loki_the_bubba Offline
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Post: #31
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
(06-28-2013 11:52 AM)Burpelson Wrote:  I am in no way trying to be presumptive on this faculty thing so scratch that but, if given a new and unique stadium like the Dome, would people even entertain it? The current HRS stadium is fairly outdated, and needs Millions in upgrades, and lets be honest it needs to be scaled back to around 35-40k seating, and that would mean doing something like aggies but in another capacity, and that might be a major uphill battle with BOT and Presidents. T Boone Pickens said he made a massive mistake by putting 500 Million into the old stadium, because he's going to have to always be fixing old problems.

Do you not understand that the Dome is not currently fit to be used? And that the only plan put forward is to convert it so it is no longer a stadium?
06-28-2013 02:06 PM
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Hambone10 Offline
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Post: #32
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
(06-28-2013 02:06 PM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  
(06-28-2013 11:52 AM)Burpelson Wrote:  I am in no way trying to be presumptive on this faculty thing so scratch that but, if given a new and unique stadium like the Dome, would people even entertain it? The current HRS stadium is fairly outdated, and needs Millions in upgrades, and lets be honest it needs to be scaled back to around 35-40k seating, and that would mean doing something like aggies but in another capacity, and that might be a major uphill battle with BOT and Presidents. T Boone Pickens said he made a massive mistake by putting 500 Million into the old stadium, because he's going to have to always be fixing old problems.

Do you not understand that the Dome is not currently fit to be used? And that the only plan put forward is to convert it so it is no longer a stadium?


That is my understanding as well. If I remember correctly, the plan is to fill in the bottom and make it all at ground level and make it sort of a semi-open exhibit space. No real room for sports anymore... though I guess they could do some exhibitions?
06-28-2013 02:38 PM
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Burpelson Offline
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Post: #33
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
Judge Emmett said it will be able to handle football and basketball games, the size will be much smaller than before, but it will be able to handle these games.
06-28-2013 04:20 PM
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WoodlandsOwl Offline
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Post: #34
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
(06-28-2013 02:38 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  
(06-28-2013 02:06 PM)loki_the_bubba Wrote:  
(06-28-2013 11:52 AM)Burpelson Wrote:  I am in no way trying to be presumptive on this faculty thing so scratch that but, if given a new and unique stadium like the Dome, would people even entertain it? The current HRS stadium is fairly outdated, and needs Millions in upgrades, and lets be honest it needs to be scaled back to around 35-40k seating, and that would mean doing something like aggies but in another capacity, and that might be a major uphill battle with BOT and Presidents. T Boone Pickens said he made a massive mistake by putting 500 Million into the old stadium, because he's going to have to always be fixing old problems.

Do you not understand that the Dome is not currently fit to be used? And that the only plan put forward is to convert it so it is no longer a stadium?


That is my understanding as well. If I remember correctly, the plan is to fill in the bottom and make it all at ground level and make it sort of a semi-open exhibit space. No real room for sports anymore... though I guess they could do some exhibitions?

Another $194 Million in Bonds is the trick. And I think that figure is lowballed.
06-28-2013 04:43 PM
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Frizzy Owl Offline
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Post: #35
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
Playing at the Dome means exorbitant parking fees and higher ticket prices. I think many people underestimate the adverse effect on attendance of these middlemen's pieces of the action for Dome events.
06-28-2013 08:18 PM
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Post: #36
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
I prefer an on campus stadium. Tulane is going back on campus after many years in the Superdome. HRS is a great place. If we can ever get a perennially competitive program, I think the money would be there for upgrading.
06-29-2013 01:51 PM
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Post: #37
RE: New Revamped Astrodome?
(06-29-2013 01:51 PM)NolaOwl Wrote:  I prefer an on campus stadium. Tulane is going back on campus after many years in the Superdome. HRS is a great place. If we can ever get a perennially competitive program, I think the money would be there for upgrading.

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07-01-2013 06:26 AM
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