USM upgrades moving along

By Daimon Ekland
American Sports Writer

The first design phase for M.M. Roberts Stadium is completed, and the same phase for Pete Taylor Park should be wrapped up next week.

University of Southern Mississippi director of athletics Richard Giannini met with the architects for the Roberts Stadium expansion Wednesday, and approved the final schematic design, the basic floorplan of the project.

JH & H of Jackson is the lead architectural firm on the project. Trahan Architects of Baton Rouge, La., and the Hnedak Bobo Group of Memphis are also working on the expansion.

The design details, everything from exactly what the exterior will look like to what kind of doorknobs will be used for the luxury suites, is now underway and should be finished up by August.

"We want to take our time," said David Hansen, senior associate director of athletics. "We've got to live with this forever, so we want to be happy with it."

Construction on the $22.5 million project, paid for by revenue from the new premium seating, will likely begin in spring of 2006.

<a href='http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050619/SOUTHERNMISS/506190319/1006' target='_blank'>AMERICAN: Expansions to Rock, others coming along</a>

Two questions, how did the name "The Rock" come about?

Also, how many new seats in total are being added?

The nickname came about when the original part of the stadium was built in the 1930s. Several of the players were hired during the summer to work on the stadium, and talked about, as hard as they were working, they felt like they were on Alcatraz. They took to calling it The Rock and it just stuck.

After completion the ROCK will hold appx 40-44,000 up from it's 30-33,000. Will look cool also check it out:

<a href='http://ccs178.com/goldeneaglepix/Stadium/expansion01' target='_blank'>future expansion pics</a>

Southern Miss Alum Wrote:The nickname came about when the original part of the stadium was built in the 1930s. Several of the players were hired during the summer to work on the stadium, and talked about, as hard as they were working, they felt like they were on Alcatraz. They took to calling it The Rock and it just stuck.

that's pretty interesting story, I had never heard that. I can't wait til the day we get an on-campus stadium. I came to Hattiesburg last season for the game and came away very impressed at the stadium. I've been to all the matchups at Legion Field before, and after last season will be sure to travel over to the Rock.
Go Blazers!

rsceagle Wrote:After completion the ROCK will hold appx 40-44,000 up from it's 30-33,000. Will look cool also check it out:

<a href='http://ccs178.com/goldeneaglepix/Stadium/expansion01' target='_blank'>future expansion pics</a>

Last I heard the expansion would only bump the capacity to 37K or 38K.

CyberEagle Wrote:

rsceagle Wrote:After completion the ROCK will hold appx 40-44,000 up from it's 30-33,000.&nbsp; Will look cool also check it out:

<a href='http://ccs178.com/goldeneaglepix/Stadium/expansion01' target='_blank'>future expansion pics</a>

Last I heard the expansion would only bump the capacity to 37K or 38K.

Yep. The original figure was 41,300, but the new plans have it around 37,000.