(06-15-2016 05:55 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  I don't see any real difference between empty seats and empty seats covered by a tarp.

This.

Our problem isn't what the upper east stands look like, but what the lower west stands and student section look like.

If we solve the problems of the lower west... like hot games where people stay home or on the concourse, or teams with no local following or interest among our fans, or poor performing teams... then the upper east will take care of itself.

Stadium tarps aren't as easy to put on and take off as baseball field tarps. I'd be fine with tarping outside the 30's on the east... but it would be at least semi-permanent.

It's just something that I think would make the stadium look a lot more attractive and engaging. That empty upper deck is probably the stadium's most unattractive characteristic. Until it's needed, why not make it look as nice as possible? Tarps aren't a novel idea, we know that better than anyone. Sports franchises all over the world use them. It can't be expensive and it would be a big improvement.

(06-15-2016 12:02 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  The original configuration was 40,000 for the lower bowl, and each upper deck 15,000.

Remember, those capacity figures were based on all-bench seating and a 1950s standard for seat width.

It looks like the ramp to the field is now being constructed, and the endzone dirt is being prepared for some grass.

(06-15-2016 02:22 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  Why don't we just install about 5,000 mannequins randomly in the seats?

May we position them so they spell out something clever?
Decent-quality mannequins are quite expensive, though…

While the idea of covering the entire east upper deck with a tarp does not appeal to me, on the whole, there are myriad opportunities to make use of that printable acreage in an entertaining (and possibly lucrative) fashion.

4K Cameras for HRS!

http://www.tvtechnology.com/equipment/00...ium/278813

(06-16-2016 12:56 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(06-15-2016 12:02 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  The original configuration was 40,000 for the lower bowl, and each upper deck 15,000.

Remember, those capacity figures were based on all-bench seating and a 1950s standard for seat width.

Are you saying this seat makes my butt look big?

(06-16-2016 05:10 PM)Grungy Wrote:  

(06-15-2016 02:22 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  Why don't we just install about 5,000 mannequins randomly in the seats?

May we position them so they spell out something clever?
Decent-quality mannequins are quite expensive, though…

While the idea of covering the entire east upper deck with a tarp does not appeal to me, on the whole, there are myriad opportunities to make use of that printable acreage in an entertaining (and possibly lucrative) fashion.

Sell signage?? Make it like the outfield wall of most baseball stadiums?

Get creative with it. How about a giant mural of Rice football history up there? Have photos of all the great Rice coaches and players? Make it look cool.

(06-17-2016 08:37 AM)Afflicted Wrote:  Get creative with it. How about a giant mural of Rice football history up there? Have photos of all the great Rice coaches and players? Make it look cool.

Nice idea. Model it on the banners hung around HRS and the campus. I wouldn't even rule out academic achievements like Tudor has.

Mind you, a tarp is going to fade pretty quickly, so it will only look good for maybe a year.
It's the same brutal sun that discourages sitting there for games, regardless of the fantastic sight-lines, and the UV is there seven days a week.

(06-17-2016 08:54 AM)Grungy Wrote:  Mind you, a tarp is going to fade pretty quickly, so it will only look good for maybe a year.
It's the same brutal sun that discourages sitting there for games, regardless of the fantastic sight-lines, and the UV is there seven days a week.

Tie it to a student research project to come up with a solution to retard the fading.

(06-17-2016 08:54 AM)Grungy Wrote:  Mind you, a tarp is going to fade pretty quickly, so it will only look good for maybe a year.
It's the same brutal sun that discourages sitting there for games, regardless of the fantastic sight-lines, and the UV is there seven days a week.

Just remove it an store it on the concourse in the offseason.

(06-16-2016 09:49 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(06-16-2016 12:56 AM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(06-15-2016 12:02 PM)bobreinhold1 Wrote:  The original configuration was 40,000 for the lower bowl, and each upper deck 15,000.

Remember, those capacity figures were based on all-bench seating and a 1950s standard for seat width.

Are you saying this seat makes my butt look big?

Sounds like an indictment to me. If it doesn't fit, you must acquit!

I've actually suggested we use the 'solar panel paint' that I understood was under research/development at Rice. Replace the seats with tough solar panels, or with the paint and use it to power some of the school.... You could probably get a federal grant for research and test a dozen different options up there (for paint and/or 'tough' panels) and sell power back to the power companies. The stadium seating is essentially empty for 350+ days a year.

and you'd get some press for it

Close it off on 'certain' games and rather than talking about how empty those seats are, take pictures of the 'more full' west side and talk about the 'social good' and education that the empty seating is doing.

Part of the study (which I understand is the issue with the paint) is that current solar panels can get very hot, which is a waste of their energy... and make them unsuitable as seats or car roofs or home roofs or whatever else (hence the need for them to be mounted ON roofs)... but since it's an experiment, we can start off being highly inefficient and STILL generate a lot of power over 15000 seats and 350+ days (even with Houston rains)

But the purpose is to make the stadium look more attractive and engaging to fans. It needs to be something that improves the game day atmosphere at Rice Stadium. I don't think solar panels would accomplish that goal. They also can't be removed for the occasional big game that demands more seating.

(06-17-2016 02:12 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  But the purpose is to make the stadium look more attractive and engaging to fans. It needs to be something that improves the game day atmosphere at Rice Stadium. I don't think solar panels would accomplish that goal. They also can't be removed for the occasional big game that demands more seating.

Did you not understand that the SEATS would either be painted with 'solar panel' paint?

http://www.nanoflexpower.com/automotive
http://www.durabilityanddesign.com/news/...ew&id=9156

For example, a group of scientists from Rice University in Houston, TX, recently developed a lithium-ion battery that can be sprayed onto any surface

no, these aren't specifically what I'm talking about... but they are similar, and Rice is involved in them already... and they are green and utilize an EXTREMELY under-utilized physical space

As I said, I'm not a fan of 'fake' fans'... and would prefer that we leave the stands empty and have something novel to talk about (rather than having people say... hey look, those aren't people and they're trying to make it look like it is).. and a REASON those seats are empty, but then show a full west side...
BUT, there's no reason the ideas can't be combined.

The difference is, the University would probably like the research possibilities and attention and might even get grants to fund it, and potentially patents... while the tarps would just be an expense.


FTR, compressing people in the west stands DOES improve the atmosphere... and especially since the lower east would still often be empty, and the upper deck would be silent... and of course everyone in the stadium would know they were fake....

I'm trying to figure out how tarps improve the atmosphere any more than simply closing the deck.... but as I said, nothing in my suggestion precludes yours.

(06-18-2016 08:51 PM)Hambone10 Wrote:  

(06-17-2016 02:12 PM)Afflicted Wrote:  But the purpose is to make the stadium look more attractive and engaging to fans. It needs to be something that improves the game day atmosphere at Rice Stadium. I don't think solar panels would accomplish that goal. They also can't be removed for the occasional big game that demands more seating.

Did you not understand that the SEATS would either be painted with 'solar panel' paint?

http://www.nanoflexpower.com/automotive
http://www.durabilityanddesign.com/news/...ew&id=9156

For example, a group of scientists from Rice University in Houston, TX, recently developed a lithium-ion battery that can be sprayed onto any surface

no, these aren't specifically what I'm talking about... but they are similar, and Rice is involved in them already... and they are green and utilize an EXTREMELY under-utilized physical space

As I said, I'm not a fan of 'fake' fans'... and would prefer that we leave the stands empty and have something novel to talk about (rather than having people say... hey look, those aren't people and they're trying to make it look like it is).. and a REASON those seats are empty, but then show a full west side...
BUT, there's no reason the ideas can't be combined.

The difference is, the University would probably like the research possibilities and attention and might even get grants to fund it, and potentially patents... while the tarps would just be an expense.


FTR, compressing people in the west stands DOES improve the atmosphere... and especially since the lower east would still often be empty, and the upper deck would be silent... and of course everyone in the stadium would know they were fake....

I'm trying to figure out how tarps improve the atmosphere any more than simply closing the deck.... but as I said, nothing in my suggestion precludes yours.

I guess one of the differences between you and I is that it doesn't matter to me what a few fans of the opposing team may say. Whomever it is, they surely have attendance problems of their own to worry about. I'm more focused on improving the atmosphere at football games. When I look at the rederings of the EZF that Goodowl posted, I see an upper deck that appears to be full of fans. A fan tarp would provide that same effect. I'd also have the flags of all our conference mates flying at the top of the deck. It's not just about a tarp. Anything is better than what we see now.

Significantly improve what we see on the field and the rest will take care of itself.

(06-19-2016 03:27 PM)Tomball Owl Wrote:  Significantly improve what we see on the field and the rest will take care of itself.

This. This. This.

C'mon guys, of course that's a factor, but even if we got so good that we averaged 30k a game, we still wouldn't need that upper deck. An attractive stadium is just one of the many factors that will help us get there, just like nice restrooms, amenities, student participation etc. A stupid fan tarp isn't the majic bullet by itself.