(07-10-2015 11:07 PM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 09:15 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 08:12 AM)JMU2004 Wrote:  

(07-10-2015 07:57 AM)Steve1981 Wrote:  

AD Ryan Bamford vision of a full face lift and minimum 25k seating for McGuirk.

Article by Bob McGovern on the Maroon Musket.

Quote:The new performance center at McGuirk Alumni Stadium has all the trappings of a modern-day collegiate sports facility.

But the stadium it's attached to is stuck somewhere in the 1960s.

Ryan Bamford, UMass' new athletic director, wants to change that. He wants concession stands with reliable credit card machines, up-to-date ticket scanners at the gates, and he wants real bathrooms - not porta potties - for those who come down to see the Minutemen.

And he wants more seats: The 17,000 that the aging stadium holds isn't enough.

In short, Bamford wants to give McGuirk a full facelift.

"It's squarely on my radar, and I would say it's one of the top things that I'm looking at," he said. "We've done a lot of good facility work here, but we need to look toward the future of football at UMass. We need to look at the opportunities that exist if we were to renovate the stadium. It would make a difference for us here. It would also help position ourselves for a chance to be in a league."

Bamford can envision the new-and-improved McGuirk. He sees premium seating with chair backs either between the 35 yard lines, or maybe the 40s. He said he's already "had very detailed conversations with a lot of folks about it - not only on campus, but with donors."

He even has an attendance figure in mind.

"The perfect McGuirk to me is a stadium with at least 25,000 seats, some premium seat offerings, a couple of suites, a club of some sort and then the fan amenities - bathrooms, concession stands and whatnot," he said. "We need to add capacity and our fan amenities. We're not at a true FBS level with it comes to all the experiential pieces that go into college football game day."

Bamford, however, made it abundantly clear that he cherishes the relationship UMass has with the New England Patriots. The Minutemen will play three games out at Gillette Stadium in faraway Foxboro this season. Bamford said the Patriots "were there at a time when we needed it and then built an agreement that really works for both sides."

But he acknowledged that a true college game day experience happens on campus.

"As much as I love the Patriots and the relationship we've had - and we want to continue that - I would like to play a majority of our games on campus," Bamford said. "That's where you build an identity. It's where you build a relationship with the existing student base who will become your fans and season ticket base. We would be remiss and naive if we didn't take advantage of everything we could do on campus to get a full compliment of home games in Amherst."

At some point during the next nine months, it should become more clear where the university with home future games, according to Bamford.

For now, UMass' new director of athletics is concentrating on his vision: 25,000 comfortable fans watching their Minutemen in Amherst.

http://umass.247sports.com/Article/Bamfo...k-38138709

It kills me that JMU is 15 years ahead of UMass in terms of facilities and support, yet can't beg it's way into the MAC.

JMU better figure out that you dance with who asks you to the formal or you sit at home. They are going to end up stuck in FCS. Accept the Sunbelt invite, kick butt, and the conference you prefer will eventually come calling. JMU needs to make the jump before the opportunity is gone.

I don't disagree. Our leaders have ruled the SBC out.

Staying out of the SBC has kept you away from that $2.5 million dollar exit fee.