I thought some may want to take a look at what could be in the North End Zone later this year. They look pretty cool. I may think about using one for my company outing next year.
<a href='http://www.onsitesuites.com/Index.html' target='_blank'>http://www.onsitesuites.com/Index.html</a>
Are'nt they already onsite?
CPT D
These mobile suites will set a nice tone with the older generations of NIU alumnus and fans who attend games. Attaching a more "corporate" look to things will be impressive to people in their mid 30's and beyond. I was very impressed by the atmosphere outside of Huskie Stadium at last year's homecoming game. The goal should be to improve upon that type of atmosphere and copy it for all five home games. The greatest boost that can come to this football program right now is for all five games to be completely sold out and for the place to have a real buzz on gameday just like last year's homecoming.
I do not think so. They will only be there after the SIU game & only for game day. They have many events to cover, since they are only rented.
HuskieJ Wrote:I do not think so. They will only be there after the SIU game & only for game day. They have many events to cover, since they are only rented.
Thanks for posting the pictures. However, wouldn't the money be better spent of portable bleacher seating for the year? I know, there is a cost of insurance, but insurance will also need to be secured for the portable suites. To me, it makes no sense and is a waste of money to bring in truck suites for game day. I just can't see how this would be more cost-efficient than end zone seating, unless they are charging an arm and a leg to get into the suites.
Without a BCS opponent, I think 28k is pretty much the max. Toledo and BGSU are pretty good draws, but they will not bring that many fans.
Is NIU going to buy these things or just rent them? From the Northern Star website I got:
“We are going to purchase two of those, and they will drive up to where the bleachers were. We will use them for certain games after Southern.
I think they run a couple of hundred k a piece, so I doubt they will buy them. Does not make sense unless you plan on not having a FB building for at least 5 years. URGH!!!!!!
HuskieJ Wrote:I think they run a couple of hundred k a piece, so I doubt they will buy them. Does not make sense unless you plan on not having a FB building for at least 5 years. URGH!!!!!!
Absolutely nothing would surprise me from the current administration. It would make absolutely no sense to purchase those monstrosities, especially with our budget being in dire straits and the inability to generate any fundraising. It would also make no sense to make such a big decision on the verge of hiring a new AD. However, again, I would not be shocked if this were true!
I will go on record to say that if NIU actually prurchased two (or even one) of those things, I will pull out of the Huskie Club and they will never, ever see another penny from me. And, IMO, anyone who would continue to support such lunacy is a fool! :mad:
Giving this a bit more rational thought, there could be a method to their madness. They will probably use these mobile suites as corporate seating and to wine and dine the corporate bigwigs and big donors to induce them into giving large gifts to athletics. If some corporate seating were to go to these suites, this could open up more chairbacks for season ticket sales. If they are able to get enough donation dollars to build the facility, then they'd pull out the suites. If this is indeed the case and it works, I will be happy to eat my words, say I was wrong, double my current donation, and apologize by supplicating myself in an act of humble genuflection in front of the Athletics Office in the Convo Center. Jud may even see me and think I'm praying for the basketball team!
Dog Fan - may I suggest the middle ground - don't set up a Jud/John Peters shrine just yet, and don't disown the Huskie Club.
If you went to BG last year, you would know that these tents could actually look good in the end zone area, especially in a stadium that already has a college (not H.S.) appearance. :chair:
HuskieDan Wrote:Dog Fan - may I suggest the middle ground - don't set up a Jud/John Peters shrine just yet, and don't disown the Huskie Club.
If you went to BG last year, you would know that these tents could actually look good in the end zone area, especially in a stadium that already has a college (not H.S.) appearance. :chair:
It may look better than empty, rickety bleachers, but if NIU buys these suites rather than rents them - as has been alleged in the Northern Star - this does not make the greatest economic sense to me during a time of budget crises and a miniscule donor base. If NIU did indeed purchase these mobile suites as a sort of mortgage on its future, it better damn well be sure that these things will generate enough revenue and fundraising dollars to meet facility upgrade needs and goals.
Quote: If you went to BG last year, you would know that these tents could actually look good in the end zone area, especially in a stadium that already has a college (not H.S.) appearance.
If you want to talk about asthetic stadiums, I would not use BG as an example. I thought theirs looked a little run down. The end zone tents,and what looked like a temporary scoreboard and TV screen, with the bleachers in the other end zone, gave it a kind of a state fair atmosphere, and I avoid going to state fairs. I got the impression that a week later they would pack the whole thing up, and head out to another town. :bighat:
Not to talk for HD, but I think he was pointing out that the tents made even the High School stadium BG uses look a little better. In a real stadium, they should be a real improvement.
HuskieJ Wrote:Not to talk for HD, but I think he was pointing out that the tents made even the High School stadium BG uses look a little better. In a real stadium, they should be a real improvement.
Yes, thank you, that
was my point.
Dog Fan Wrote:HuskieDan Wrote:Dog Fan - may I suggest the middle ground - don't set up a Jud/John Peters shrine just yet, and don't disown the Huskie Club.
If you went to BG last year, you would know that these tents could actually look good in the end zone area, especially in a stadium that already has a college (not H.S.) appearance. :chair:
It may look better than empty, rickety bleachers, but if NIU buys these suites rather than rents them - as has been alleged in the Northern Star - this does not make the greatest economic sense to me during a time of budget crises and a miniscule donor base. If NIU did indeed purchase these mobile suites as a sort of mortgage on its future, it better damn well be sure that these things will generate enough revenue and fundraising dollars to meet facility upgrade needs and goals.
If they did purchase, perhaps it was more cost effective to do so and eventually use them to replace the tents that have been used for the likes of homecoming (in the track area). I don't know, just speculating. But I would think something like this could continue to be used in tailgating and postgame activities if not still for the game itself.
HuskieDan Wrote:Dog Fan Wrote:HuskieDan Wrote:Dog Fan - may I suggest the middle ground - don't set up a Jud/John Peters shrine just yet, and don't disown the Huskie Club.
If you went to BG last year, you would know that these tents could actually look good in the end zone area, especially in a stadium that already has a college (not H.S.) appearance. :chair:
It may look better than empty, rickety bleachers, but if NIU buys these suites rather than rents them - as has been alleged in the Northern Star - this does not make the greatest economic sense to me during a time of budget crises and a miniscule donor base. If NIU did indeed purchase these mobile suites as a sort of mortgage on its future, it better damn well be sure that these things will generate enough revenue and fundraising dollars to meet facility upgrade needs and goals.
If they did purchase, perhaps it was more cost effective to do so and eventually use them to replace the tents that have been used for the likes of homecoming (in the track area). I don't know, just speculating. But I would think something like this could continue to be used in tailgating and postgame activities if not still for the game itself.
At a cost of several hundred thousand dollars, if the suites were purchased, this confirms my belief that they are all looney tunes in the Athletics Office. How do you dare spend that kind of money in the economic situation they are in unless you are completely sure of a positive return on your investment? Don't forget the cost of insurance, maintenance, etc. If they were purchased, where did the money come from? I simply cannot believe that they purchased the suites, unless they have some corporate guarantees in their back pocket - which could very well be possible. However, with their total lack of communication to their donors, all we can do is conjecture.
Wouldn't the game plan be to simply lease these mobile suites? Who specifically has said that NIU is contemplating actual purchase?
niu85alum Wrote:Wouldn't the game plan be to simply lease these mobile suites? Who specifically has said that NIU is contemplating actual purchase?
See HuskieMobileMan's post above.
Northern Star article was the source, but they have been wrong before.