+- CSNbbs (https://csnbbs.com)
+-- Forum: Active Boards (/forum-769.html)
+--- Forum: MACbbs (/forum-513.html)
+---- Forum: MAC - West Team Talk (/forum-464.html)
+----- Forum: Northern Illinois (/forum-468.html)
+----- Thread: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities (/thread-875798.html)
Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - randyfensfanclub1 - 05-06-2019 09:53 AM
I made my way down to ISU this past Saturday for the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association HOF dinner to see a fellow NIU alum inducted into the media wing. I hadn't been there since 88 for football playoffs when Redbird Arena was going up.
I am not here to play who is better at what sport, education, Master Plan or discuss Illinois' financial situation. All I can say is that what I saw of ISUs home facilities, at least for basketball, football and baseball appear much better.
Redbird at 30 years is beginning to age on the outside, namely the walkways. But the seating itself looks fantastic. Double level, on top of the action. I guess they don't have the vaunted indoor track built in that was so much in demand for the convo. They do have bleachers they get pushed back like NIU on lower level.
Their baseball stadium has a very nice concrete permanent seating area behind home plate with a press box and perhaps club area. I think the field is artificial infield, grass outfield. Nice bigger scoreboard.
The renovations on east side of the football field look great, inside and outside after they replaced the bleachers. Looks like they moved the press area to the east side with some suites. The west side basically still looks like and offspring of Huskie Stadium. May not be the largest stadium but the upgrade looks nice, especially cosmetically.
I was wondering if they turned the old field house into a practice facility. Seems they are trying to get a new practice facility through private donors while doing some renovations on the old.
https://www.wglt.org/post/isu-seeks-indoor-practice-facility-without-public-money-0
https://www.wglt.org/post/indoor-practice-facility-tops-wish-list-isu-athletics
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - Big Red - 05-06-2019 12:19 PM
Speaking of baseball, I got to looking at all of the DI baseball fields in Illinois and, by far, the worst one was NIU. It's not even close. Even Chicago State has a field that is far superior to NIU.
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - HuskieDave - 05-06-2019 12:44 PM
(05-06-2019 12:19 PM)Big Red Wrote: Speaking of baseball, I got to looking at all of the DI baseball fields in Illinois and, by far, the worst one was NIU. It's not even close. Even Chicago State has a field that is far superior to NIU.
Nearly all of the Chicago area high schools have a better facility. We don’t even have public restrooms (and, no, the porta potties do NOT count).
Recruiting to our facility has to be embarrassing.
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - HawaiiToNIU - 05-06-2019 12:45 PM
(05-06-2019 12:19 PM)Big Red Wrote: Speaking of baseball, I got to looking at all of the DI baseball fields in Illinois and, by far, the worst one was NIU. It's not even close. Even Chicago State has a field that is far superior to NIU.
Ha. I was just there this weekend. I've seen a few high schools with nicer fields and stands than ours....but at least they serve beer
Many of those graduating seniors were promised a new field by the time they graduated....
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - Big Red - 05-06-2019 01:02 PM
(05-06-2019 12:45 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:(05-06-2019 12:19 PM)Big Red Wrote: Speaking of baseball, I got to looking at all of the DI baseball fields in Illinois and, by far, the worst one was NIU. It's not even close. Even Chicago State has a field that is far superior to NIU.
Ha. I was just there this weekend. I've seen a few high schools with nicer fields and stands than ours....but at least they serve beer
Many of those graduating seniors were promised a new field by the time they graduated....
I believe it was in the plans for the Master Plan, but obviously state funding, enrollment, and donations have not been as projected (or anywhere close) so the baseball field gets put on the back burner. It's a shame too. Actually, there is a lot of room for improvement in a lot of NIU athletic sites. But, I suppose we're all just going to have to live with it until the money situation changes.
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - randyfensfanclub1 - 05-06-2019 02:10 PM
(05-06-2019 01:02 PM)Big Red Wrote:(05-06-2019 12:45 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:(05-06-2019 12:19 PM)Big Red Wrote: Speaking of baseball, I got to looking at all of the DI baseball fields in Illinois and, by far, the worst one was NIU. It's not even close. Even Chicago State has a field that is far superior to NIU.
Ha. I was just there this weekend. I've seen a few high schools with nicer fields and stands than ours....but at least they serve beer
Many of those graduating seniors were promised a new field by the time they graduated....
I believe it was in the plans for the Master Plan, but obviously state funding, enrollment, and donations have not been as projected (or anywhere close) so the baseball field gets put on the back burner. It's a shame too. Actually, there is a lot of room for improvement in a lot of NIU athletic sites. But, I suppose we're all just going to have to live with it until the money situation changes.
I did the PA 1st year back to D1 in 1992. They had like 4 sets of the 8 rows of bleachers you see at a peewee football game. We did the games in a small trailer you would see on a constructions site. I did music through a boom box and cassette tapes I made for pregame, specific scenarios (IE: I Walk The Line, I'm Walkin') I think they had one port o potty.
My favorite story was they had Taco Bell Run for the Border in like the 5th inning. Don't remember exact details, but we gave out vouchers that if NIU scored, you won. Was like 3 runs that inning you got like $5 voucher. I believe we stamped them, were good for like 48 hrs. I think if they scored, you still got a taco, all 5-6 people there. Well a couple games in a row they did hit the run total (shocking, considering how bad they were)and we handed out all we had. Next series some students came back yelling at us they wouldn't honor them. We never did find out why. I think they thought they were fake. Perhaps there should have been only ONE big winner. We stopped doing it then.
We think communication is bad now, there literally was none then LOL.
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - Big Red - 05-06-2019 07:04 PM
(05-06-2019 02:10 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:(05-06-2019 01:02 PM)Big Red Wrote:(05-06-2019 12:45 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:(05-06-2019 12:19 PM)Big Red Wrote: Speaking of baseball, I got to looking at all of the DI baseball fields in Illinois and, by far, the worst one was NIU. It's not even close. Even Chicago State has a field that is far superior to NIU.
Ha. I was just there this weekend. I've seen a few high schools with nicer fields and stands than ours....but at least they serve beer
Many of those graduating seniors were promised a new field by the time they graduated....
I believe it was in the plans for the Master Plan, but obviously state funding, enrollment, and donations have not been as projected (or anywhere close) so the baseball field gets put on the back burner. It's a shame too. Actually, there is a lot of room for improvement in a lot of NIU athletic sites. But, I suppose we're all just going to have to live with it until the money situation changes.
I did the PA 1st year back to D1 in 1992. They had like 4 sets of the 8 rows of bleachers you see at a peewee football game. We did the games in a small trailer you would see on a constructions site. I did music through a boom box and cassette tapes I made for pregame, specific scenarios (IE: I Walk The Line, I'm Walkin') I think they had one port o potty.
My favorite story was they had Taco Bell Run for the Border in like the 5th inning. Don't remember exact details, but we gave out vouchers that if NIU scored, you won. Was like 3 runs that inning you got like $5 voucher. I believe we stamped them, were good for like 48 hrs. I think if they scored, you still got a taco, all 5-6 people there. Well a couple games in a row they did hit the run total (shocking, considering how bad they were)and we handed out all we had. Next series some students came back yelling at us they wouldn't honor them. We never did find out why. I think they thought they were fake. Perhaps there should have been only ONE big winner. We stopped doing it then.
We think communication is bad now, there literally was none then LOL.
i started at NIU in 93 and had no clue they were just re-starting the program at the time. I didn't know until a few years down the road and, when people found out I played HS ball, asked why I didn't try out and those in the know said that the bar wasn't super high for making the team back then.
I've always kicked myself for not knowing about it or I definitely would have tried out. Would have been fun just to do that.
As for the run for the boarder promo, I feel like I remember it. Could have been another promo with the basketball team or something and I'm just getting them mixed up.
I do know that in the mid-90s, Taco Bell was about the best thing a college kid could get their hands on. So, if there was a promo, I'd have definitely paid attention to it.
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - randyfensfanclub1 - 05-06-2019 09:13 PM
(05-06-2019 07:04 PM)Big Red Wrote:(05-06-2019 02:10 PM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote:(05-06-2019 01:02 PM)Big Red Wrote:(05-06-2019 12:45 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:(05-06-2019 12:19 PM)Big Red Wrote: Speaking of baseball, I got to looking at all of the DI baseball fields in Illinois and, by far, the worst one was NIU. It's not even close. Even Chicago State has a field that is far superior to NIU.
Ha. I was just there this weekend. I've seen a few high schools with nicer fields and stands than ours....but at least they serve beer
Many of those graduating seniors were promised a new field by the time they graduated....
I believe it was in the plans for the Master Plan, but obviously state funding, enrollment, and donations have not been as projected (or anywhere close) so the baseball field gets put on the back burner. It's a shame too. Actually, there is a lot of room for improvement in a lot of NIU athletic sites. But, I suppose we're all just going to have to live with it until the money situation changes.
I did the PA 1st year back to D1 in 1992. They had like 4 sets of the 8 rows of bleachers you see at a peewee football game. We did the games in a small trailer you would see on a constructions site. I did music through a boom box and cassette tapes I made for pregame, specific scenarios (IE: I Walk The Line, I'm Walkin') I think they had one port o potty.
My favorite story was they had Taco Bell Run for the Border in like the 5th inning. Don't remember exact details, but we gave out vouchers that if NIU scored, you won. Was like 3 runs that inning you got like $5 voucher. I believe we stamped them, were good for like 48 hrs. I think if they scored, you still got a taco, all 5-6 people there. Well a couple games in a row they did hit the run total (shocking, considering how bad they were)and we handed out all we had. Next series some students came back yelling at us they wouldn't honor them. We never did find out why. I think they thought they were fake. Perhaps there should have been only ONE big winner. We stopped doing it then.
We think communication is bad now, there literally was none then LOL.
i started at NIU in 93 and had no clue they were just re-starting the program at the time. I didn't know until a few years down the road and, when people found out I played HS ball, asked why I didn't try out and those in the know said that the bar wasn't super high for making the team back then.
I've always kicked myself for not knowing about it or I definitely would have tried out. Would have been fun just to do that.
As for the run for the boarder promo, I feel like I remember it. Could have been another promo with the basketball team or something and I'm just getting them mixed up.
I do know that in the mid-90s, Taco Bell was about the best thing a college kid could get their hands on. So, if there was a promo, I'd have definitely paid attention to it.
They may have had both. I just remember since I had to announce it as if there were 1000's in attendance.
I upgraded to Burrittoville when I lived out by it for 3 years. That said, when I was there last year it was horrible. I think it may have been sold. Maybe someone can confirm. Just had different look, feel. I'd be hard pressed to go back. Not sure if I can take the loss of Lukulos and Burritoville within a couple years.
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - Max Power - 05-08-2019 08:18 AM
(05-06-2019 09:53 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote: I was wondering if they turned the old field house into a practice facility. Seems they are trying to get a new practice facility through private donors while doing some renovations on the old.
https://www.wglt.org/post/isu-seeks-indoor-practice-facility-without-public-money-0
https://www.wglt.org/post/indoor-practice-facility-tops-wish-list-isu-athletics
They've been trying to raise money for an IPF since 2013 and there's no indication they're close. It's undoubtedly costing them recruits.
http://forum.redbirdfan.net/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1575
I'll tell you one Hancock feature I wish NIU would follow. Beer sales!
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - Doggone - 05-08-2019 08:25 AM
(05-08-2019 08:18 AM)Max Power Wrote:(05-06-2019 09:53 AM)randyfensfanclub1 Wrote: I was wondering if they turned the old field house into a practice facility. Seems they are trying to get a new practice facility through private donors while doing some renovations on the old.
https://www.wglt.org/post/isu-seeks-indoor-practice-facility-without-public-money-0
https://www.wglt.org/post/indoor-practice-facility-tops-wish-list-isu-athletics
They've been trying to raise money for an IPF since 2013 and there's no indication they're close. It's undoubtedly costing them recruits.
http://forum.redbirdfan.net/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1575
I'll tell you one Hancock feature I wish NIU would follow. Beer sales!
NIU has had beer sales at Huskie Stadium for a few years now.
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - klake87 - 05-08-2019 09:09 AM
They don't have Tom & Jerrys or Fattys.
RE: Trip to ISU campus and their facilities - HawaiiToNIU - 05-08-2019 11:22 AM
Thank God that Cubsway99 dude isn't in here