Reading all about realignment, how much SBC sucks, the cajuns want to be in the big 12 blah, blah blah, I wanted to do a post about the current Sunbelt programs and how they're all investing in their programs (and hence investing in making the SBC a better one)

A lot of this was done fairly quickly so I'm sure their's probably some project I've missed or facts that have become dated so other posters and fans, please feel free to share additional stuff

Arkansas State:


-complete overhaul to the stadium press box, expanding it to 35,741 square feet. The face of the stadium will be redesigned to include 42 loge boxes, 20 suites and 300 club seats in its revenue-generating areas. The suites will average 433 square feet each.

-depth be added to the press box, it will span from approximately the 15-to-15 yard lines, allowing for enhanced media, coaching, broadcasting, control booth, visiting athletics director suite, and camera areas.




- indoor football practice facility, which will include a two-level football operations building and 76,000 square-foot indoor practice facility.

-the facility will also include amenities and features that will enable all university sports and students to enhance their performance on and off the fields


TROY:


-Suites: 10-14
Includes: Football locker room, weight room, equipment room, meeting rooms, state-of-the-art video and technology areas, coaches offices, administration offices, academic center, recruiting lounge, T-Club Room and more. New athletic training facility in the Tine Davis Fieldhouse would be included in the project.

ULM:




-Phase I of the new facility is scheduled to total 11,675 square feet and it will be located in the north endzone and will attach to the current facility. The current equipment room will be flipped and will tie into the new locker room that will be housed inside the new facility.

-In addition to a new locker room, the new endzone facility will feature a Hall of Fame area as well as new coaches’ offices that will have patios overlooking JPS Field at Malone Stadium. The facility will be constructed with footings and steel to add on a second floor for future expansion.

Georgia State:


-The Proposed plan would include making a part of old Turner field into a new 30,000 football stadium as well as baseball stadium. The remaining land would be used for student housing and possibly new single-family residences.

La-La:




-The player lounge, as well as a new plaza are just bits of their $115 million dollar "grand master plan", parts of which have already been completed including the endzone expansion of Cajun field which debuted last fall. Future projects include their baseball stadium being renovated, Student Athlete Academic Center, major improvements to Earl K. Long Gym, improvements to the Culotta Tennis Center, a golf facility, and a new basketball practice facility.





Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Texas State have already completed their facilities but nonetheless are among the best in all the conference.














hell, let's not forget about non football brethern down in Arlington, with the newest basketball arena in the league, College Park!








South Al:


Obviously not a real concept, but it's definitely a dream many Jags fans hope to become a reality one day. An article from AL.com dated spring 2014 that discussed the topic asked USA athletic director Joel Erdmann left little, if any real definitive timetable of it an oncampus stadium would be coming soon to the Jaguars program. http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/...conti.html

Still, perhaps the greatest "renovation" that South Alabama has made is starting up football in itself; many will tell you (as local Jaguar fans have told me to my trip to Mobile) football has completely rejuvenated and transformed the university.





BONUS: New Mexico State, Idaho and UALR

just so we don't leave out the Aggies, Vandals and Trojans here are some concepts from New Mexico State and Idaho about proposed plans for expansion on their football facilities, as well as highlighting the crown jewel of UALRs athletic complexes, as well as facilities not so much for student athletes, but for all its students.


NMSU:
According to the architecture firm's website, they have been working with NMSU program since 2001 about renovating Aggie Memorial Stadium. Funding is "still being raised" to begin Phase one, but the following drawing is what Aggie officials are hopeful to be the finished product one day:





Idaho:


Much Like the Aggies, Vandals fans and administrators have hope and a vision of a better and expanded Kibbie Dome-some touch ups have been done including club and suite areas among other things. But the big goal is to push the capacity to 20,000-30,000. An interesting article from April of 2012 from Idaho's scout website invited AD Dr. Rob Spear discussing how the dome could be expanded. http://idaho.scout.com/story/1182373-spe...e-expanded

UALR:


Opened in 2005, the Jack Stephens Center will turn 10 years old this year and even after a decade the $25 million arena is still among the finest in the conference


Finally to conclude, UALR's Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex (opened in summer of 2012) should serve as a friendly reminder that improving and providing top notch facilities for the "lesser sports" (soccer and track in UALR's case) as well for universities intramural programs should be of the up-most importance to remain competitive with one another as well as rival G5 conferences.

Another great post and I have not heard of some of these projects/ideas. The Kibbie Dome article was particularly interesting.

For someone trying to make a positive thread, you intentionally posted a name that is just asking for others to hijack the thread! I am not a name police guy, but in the spirit of being positive, don't do things that you know are going to get a negative response.

But, very cool idea you had.

I cant control how others will post and direct the thread I know what I intended by it and that's all im concerned with

The SBC bashing especially from those within it is tedious at best. I like what the SBC is now. Certainly going to be interesting next football season. Thanks for all the great pictures. Good to see so much excitement and investment by member schools.

Georgia Southern and UL also have great baseball facilities.

Of course, we (as in Georgia Southern) make up for it with a sub-par basketball arena.

The bashing of the Sun Belt comes from 1 fanbase for the most part, and it does get a little old to read on this board how all they want to get out of the Belt.

Honestly if that is what they want I hope they get their wish.

Nice post on facilities. Pretty cool to see all the upgrades occurring around the conference . . . Some sweet looking stadiums and parks . . .

(01-23-2015 08:10 PM)RamblinRedWolf44 Wrote:  I cant control how others will post and direct the thread I know what I intended by it and that's all im concerned with

You sir are a hypocrite first you talk smack about Louisiana wanting to go to the big 12 then you refer to us as LaLa so much for your positive thread. This is why fan bases can't come together. I understand when we are all ragging on each other about competition but to blatantly disrespect my university is unacceptable. Shame on you and your so call positive thread.

(01-23-2015 09:28 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote:  The bashing of the Sun Belt comes from 1 fanbase for the most part, and it does get a little old to read on this board how all they want to get out of the Belt.

Honestly if that is what they want I hope they get their wish.

Since we are talking about how great this conference is and bashing fan bases what has your school done to benefit this conference. I will give you one thing you and App St was an upgrade compared to some of the schools we lost but what else have you done. Tell me how you won the SBC football championship I tell you congrats that benefited GS not the SBC you didn't even take that great record and team to a bowl to put the SBC in the spot light (no fault of your school just rules) so I ask what have you done for this great conference. I can tell you that it schools like ULM, Ark St, UL, Troy and USA that have at one time or another carried this league in multiple sports. We are the reason you have a conference to call a home. Contribute before you condemn. Yes there are lots of radical Cajun fans but so do all fan bases. And until a school decline an offer to another conference then we are all trying to leave just some are more vocal than others.If you want this to be a positive thread then keep it positive there are plenty of other thread to voice your hatred in.

at uta we are just finishing new baseball and new softball clubhouse buildings and renovations to both fields. 5.5 million$. if I can figure out how to put a couple pics, I will. http://www.utamavs.com/sports/m-basebl/a...house.html

(01-24-2015 07:54 AM)runamuck Wrote:  at uta we are just finishing new baseball and new softball clubhouse buildings and renovations to both fields. 5.5 million$. if I can figure out how to put a couple pics, I will. http://www.utamavs.com/sports/m-basebl/a...house.html

The UTA athletic department did a great job of documenting the project; particularly the softball field reconstruction. Below is a link to a series of photographs taken throughout the project...there are a lot of them.

http://www.utamavs.com/sports/m-basebl/a...llery.html

(01-23-2015 07:29 PM)RamblinRedWolf44 Wrote:  Reading all about realignment, how much SBC sucks, the cajuns want to be in the big 12 blah, blah blah, I wanted to do a post about the current Sunbelt programs and how they're all investing in their programs (and hence investing in making the SBC a better one)

A lot of this was done fairly quickly so I'm sure their's probably some project I've missed or facts that have become dated so other posters and fans, please feel free to share additional stuff

Arkansas State:


-complete overhaul to the stadium press box, expanding it to 35,741 square feet. The face of the stadium will be redesigned to include 42 loge boxes, 20 suites and 300 club seats in its revenue-generating areas. The suites will average 433 square feet each.

-depth be added to the press box, it will span from approximately the 15-to-15 yard lines, allowing for enhanced media, coaching, broadcasting, control booth, visiting athletics director suite, and camera areas.




- indoor football practice facility, which will include a two-level football operations building and 76,000 square-foot indoor practice facility.

-the facility will also include amenities and features that will enable all university sports and students to enhance their performance on and off the fields


TROY:


-Suites: 10-14
Includes: Football locker room, weight room, equipment room, meeting rooms, state-of-the-art video and technology areas, coaches offices, administration offices, academic center, recruiting lounge, T-Club Room and more. New athletic training facility in the Tine Davis Fieldhouse would be included in the project.

ULM:




-Phase I of the new facility is scheduled to total 11,675 square feet and it will be located in the north endzone and will attach to the current facility. The current equipment room will be flipped and will tie into the new locker room that will be housed inside the new facility.

-In addition to a new locker room, the new endzone facility will feature a Hall of Fame area as well as new coaches’ offices that will have patios overlooking JPS Field at Malone Stadium. The facility will be constructed with footings and steel to add on a second floor for future expansion.

Georgia State:


-The Proposed plan would include making a part of old Turner field into a new 30,000 football stadium as well as baseball stadium. The remaining land would be used for student housing and possibly new single-family residences.

La-La:




-The player lounge, as well as a new plaza are just bits of their $115 million dollar "grand master plan", parts of which have already been completed including the endzone expansion of Cajun field which debuted last fall. Future projects include their baseball stadium being renovated, Student Athlete Academic Center, major improvements to Earl K. Long Gym, improvements to the Culotta Tennis Center, a golf facility, and a new basketball practice facility.





Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Texas State have already completed their facilities but nonetheless are among the best in all the conference.














hell, let's not forget about non football brethern down in Arlington, with the newest basketball arena in the league, College Park!








South Al:


Obviously not a real concept, but it's definitely a dream many Jags fans hope to become a reality one day. An article from AL.com dated spring 2014 that discussed the topic asked USA athletic director Joel Erdmann left little, if any real definitive timetable of it an oncampus stadium would be coming soon to the Jaguars program. http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/...conti.html

Still, perhaps the greatest "renovation" that South Alabama has made is starting up football in itself; many will tell you (as local Jaguar fans have told me to my trip to Mobile) football has completely rejuvenated and transformed the university.





BONUS: New Mexico State, Idaho and UALR

just so we don't leave out the Aggies, Vandals and Trojans here are some concepts from New Mexico State and Idaho about proposed plans for expansion on their football facilities, as well as highlighting the crown jewel of UALRs athletic complexes, as well as facilities not so much for student athletes, but for all its students.


NMSU:
According to the architecture firm's website, they have been working with NMSU program since 2001 about renovating Aggie Memorial Stadium. Funding is "still being raised" to begin Phase one, but the following drawing is what Aggie officials are hopeful to be the finished product one day:





Idaho:


Much Like the Aggies, Vandals fans and administrators have hope and a vision of a better and expanded Kibbie Dome-some touch ups have been done including club and suite areas among other things. But the big goal is to push the capacity to 20,000-30,000. An interesting article from April of 2012 from Idaho's scout website invited AD Dr. Rob Spear discussing how the dome could be expanded. http://idaho.scout.com/story/1182373-spe...e-expanded

UALR:


Opened in 2005, the Jack Stephens Center will turn 10 years old this year and even after a decade the $25 million arena is still among the finest in the conference


Finally to conclude, UALR's Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex (opened in summer of 2012) should serve as a friendly reminder that improving and providing top notch facilities for the "lesser sports" (soccer and track in UALR's case) as well for universities intramural programs should be of the up-most importance to remain competitive with one another as well as rival G5 conferences.

Serious questions: How many of these projects have broken ground on any phase, or have funding arranged for them?

I know serious budget cuts for higher ed. are coming down the pipe for Louisiana, and I know this will hamper some of UL's future, as of yet, unfunded plans,and can only imagine that ULM's plans may be impacted even more heavily. I think we may not be the only state to see the same.

With the additional funding needed to pay full cost of tuition for student athletes, how many of these projects are just dreams and conceptual, versus real ready-to-break-ground projects?

(01-24-2015 06:40 AM)CAJUNCOUNTRY Wrote:  

(01-23-2015 09:28 PM)GaSoEagle Wrote:  The bashing of the Sun Belt comes from 1 fanbase for the most part, and it does get a little old to read on this board how all they want to get out of the Belt.

Honestly if that is what they want I hope they get their wish.

Since we are talking about how great this conference is and bashing fan bases what has your school done to benefit this conference. I will give you one thing you and App St was an upgrade compared to some of the schools we lost but what else have you done. Tell me how you won the SBC football championship I tell you congrats that benefited GS not the SBC you didn't even take that great record and team to a bowl to put the SBC in the spot light (no fault of your school just rules) so I ask what have you done for this great conference. I can tell you that it schools like ULM, Ark St, UL, Troy and USA that have at one time or another carried this league in multiple sports. We are the reason you have a conference to call a home. Contribute before you condemn. Yes there are lots of radical Cajun fans but so do all fan bases. And until a school decline an offer to another conference then we are all trying to leave just some are more vocal than others.If you want this to be a positive thread then keep it positive there are plenty of other thread to voice your hatred in.

I agree - neither of the new schools has contributed to the Belt as far as post season, or representing the conference yet on any stage, for anything, at all. Zero, zilch.

They may have paid a membership fee, but who really knows what Krazy Karl did with those funds??

Not saying they won't ever, but geez they sure think they have.

I like ULMs end zone facility. Looks very similar to ours.

Stay classy Louisiana-Lafayette.

There is no class at ULaLa.

(01-24-2015 11:14 AM)epiccajun Wrote:  

(01-23-2015 07:29 PM)RamblinRedWolf44 Wrote:  Reading all about realignment, how much SBC sucks, the cajuns want to be in the big 12 blah, blah blah, I wanted to do a post about the current Sunbelt programs and how they're all investing in their programs (and hence investing in making the SBC a better one)

A lot of this was done fairly quickly so I'm sure their's probably some project I've missed or facts that have become dated so other posters and fans, please feel free to share additional stuff

Arkansas State:


-complete overhaul to the stadium press box, expanding it to 35,741 square feet. The face of the stadium will be redesigned to include 42 loge boxes, 20 suites and 300 club seats in its revenue-generating areas. The suites will average 433 square feet each.

-depth be added to the press box, it will span from approximately the 15-to-15 yard lines, allowing for enhanced media, coaching, broadcasting, control booth, visiting athletics director suite, and camera areas.




- indoor football practice facility, which will include a two-level football operations building and 76,000 square-foot indoor practice facility.

-the facility will also include amenities and features that will enable all university sports and students to enhance their performance on and off the fields


TROY:


-Suites: 10-14
Includes: Football locker room, weight room, equipment room, meeting rooms, state-of-the-art video and technology areas, coaches offices, administration offices, academic center, recruiting lounge, T-Club Room and more. New athletic training facility in the Tine Davis Fieldhouse would be included in the project.

ULM:




-Phase I of the new facility is scheduled to total 11,675 square feet and it will be located in the north endzone and will attach to the current facility. The current equipment room will be flipped and will tie into the new locker room that will be housed inside the new facility.

-In addition to a new locker room, the new endzone facility will feature a Hall of Fame area as well as new coaches’ offices that will have patios overlooking JPS Field at Malone Stadium. The facility will be constructed with footings and steel to add on a second floor for future expansion.

Georgia State:


-The Proposed plan would include making a part of old Turner field into a new 30,000 football stadium as well as baseball stadium. The remaining land would be used for student housing and possibly new single-family residences.

La-La:




-The player lounge, as well as a new plaza are just bits of their $115 million dollar "grand master plan", parts of which have already been completed including the endzone expansion of Cajun field which debuted last fall. Future projects include their baseball stadium being renovated, Student Athlete Academic Center, major improvements to Earl K. Long Gym, improvements to the Culotta Tennis Center, a golf facility, and a new basketball practice facility.





Appalachian State, Georgia Southern and Texas State have already completed their facilities but nonetheless are among the best in all the conference.














hell, let's not forget about non football brethern down in Arlington, with the newest basketball arena in the league, College Park!








South Al:


Obviously not a real concept, but it's definitely a dream many Jags fans hope to become a reality one day. An article from AL.com dated spring 2014 that discussed the topic asked USA athletic director Joel Erdmann left little, if any real definitive timetable of it an oncampus stadium would be coming soon to the Jaguars program. http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/...conti.html

Still, perhaps the greatest "renovation" that South Alabama has made is starting up football in itself; many will tell you (as local Jaguar fans have told me to my trip to Mobile) football has completely rejuvenated and transformed the university.





BONUS: New Mexico State, Idaho and UALR

just so we don't leave out the Aggies, Vandals and Trojans here are some concepts from New Mexico State and Idaho about proposed plans for expansion on their football facilities, as well as highlighting the crown jewel of UALRs athletic complexes, as well as facilities not so much for student athletes, but for all its students.


NMSU:
According to the architecture firm's website, they have been working with NMSU program since 2001 about renovating Aggie Memorial Stadium. Funding is "still being raised" to begin Phase one, but the following drawing is what Aggie officials are hopeful to be the finished product one day:





Idaho:


Much Like the Aggies, Vandals fans and administrators have hope and a vision of a better and expanded Kibbie Dome-some touch ups have been done including club and suite areas among other things. But the big goal is to push the capacity to 20,000-30,000. An interesting article from April of 2012 from Idaho's scout website invited AD Dr. Rob Spear discussing how the dome could be expanded. http://idaho.scout.com/story/1182373-spe...e-expanded

UALR:


Opened in 2005, the Jack Stephens Center will turn 10 years old this year and even after a decade the $25 million arena is still among the finest in the conference


Finally to conclude, UALR's Coleman Sports and Recreation Complex (opened in summer of 2012) should serve as a friendly reminder that improving and providing top notch facilities for the "lesser sports" (soccer and track in UALR's case) as well for universities intramural programs should be of the up-most importance to remain competitive with one another as well as rival G5 conferences.

Serious questions: How many of these projects have broken ground on any phase, or have funding arranged for them?

I know serious budget cuts for higher ed. are coming down the pipe for Louisiana, and I know this will hamper some of UL's future, as of yet, unfunded plans,and can only imagine that ULM's plans may be impacted even more heavily. I think we may not be the only state to see the same.

With the additional funding needed to pay full cost of tuition for student athletes, how many of these projects are just dreams and conceptual, versus real ready-to-break-ground projects?

Arkansas State: Building now, completion date is July 31st. Practice Facility will be ready for Spring Practice

ULM and Troy are both in the conceptual phases I believe.

Obviously GS, App, and Texas State have all completed their work.

No idea where the Cajuns are, though I know you just finished 1 phase of your expansion.

(01-24-2015 06:19 AM)CAJUNCOUNTRY Wrote:  [quote='RamblinRedWolf44' pid='11691721' dateline='1422061833']
I cant control how others will post and direct the thread I know what I intended by it and that's all im concerned with

You sir are a hypocrite first you talk smack about Louisiana wanting to go to the big 12 then you refer to us as LaLa so much for your positive thread. This is why fan bases can't come together. I understand when we are all ragging on each other about competition but to blatantly disrespect my university is unacceptable. Shame on you and your so call positive thread.

First, I have read several times on the raginpagin site involving "cajuns" and "big 12"(or to be fair realistic talk of cusa, mwc, aac, and the nfc south)-second, lala isnt a derogatory name; the university is officially called university of LOUISIANA AT LAFAYETTE-you guys can brand yourself and take up multiple pagesin you media guide to address what you want to be called, until a state mandate says you can change to university of Louisiana, I'm going to continue to use LA-LA as your respective university's acronym.

ULM actually is already prepping the dirt and will begin construction next month. Also just completely redid the weight room. Added all new weights and equipment and a new nutrition bar.