(04-15-2011 01:53 PM)UCF08 Wrote:  

(04-15-2011 08:51 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  While I have enjoyed years of picking on them about their tin can stadium, at least they went ahead and built something and improved themselves unlike what you guys are trying to pull over. You guys want to play in some cheap soccer stadium and don't even want to put in the money to expand the thing. That's a new level of cheap, and why even if you do move up you will be a failure. You can't win in major college football on the cheap.

This.

And for all those who hate the stadium, it's the exact thing FSU did when they decided to get serious about their football team. Get a respectably large stadium up ASAP, use it to build your program, then when you get the support, expand it and add a very nice looking facade. One of the most beautiful stadiums in College Football (not the best seating-wise, but as far as looks) started out just like BHNS.

Great point.

Here was Doak Campbell at FSU on their opening day:


Doak Campbell Today:



UCF on Opening Day:




I think UCF will do just fine through the coming years/decades with BHNS...as odds are...it won't look anything like it in say 25-35 years as it does today.

Heck...ECU's Dowdy-Ficklen stadium today doesn't look anything like the 15,000 seat stadium that opened back in 1963.



Previously, this was the on-campus stadium ECU used from 1949-1962:
College Stadium: Built for $25,730 in 1949

(04-15-2011 02:55 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  I think UCF will do just fine through the coming years/decades with BHNS...as odds are...it won't look anything like it in say 25-35 years as it does today.

Yep and that's why it's smart to go ahead and build whatever you can as soon as you can. You can always add onto a stadium, give it little touches to make it more pleasing to the eyes. Stadiums evolve over time. UCF's is going to grow and get better, just like Dowdy Ficklin is far from completed.

I don't mean this in a rude way at all, but do you really think that you guys can keep drawing more and more fans even without the BCS tag? It's already impressive how many fans you can turnout, I'd give anything for your great history and to be in a state without a true BCS football power, but you really think you'll be increasing much from 55k? You're already at the top of non-AQ teams, surprising to see you're planning on going even further.

(04-15-2011 03:27 PM)UCF08 Wrote:  I don't mean this in a rude way at all, but do you really think that you guys can keep drawing more and more fans even without the BCS tag? It's already impressive how many fans you can turnout, I'd give anything for your great history and to be in a state without a true BCS football power, but you really think you'll be increasing much from 55k? You're already at the top of non-AQ teams, surprising to see you're planning on going even further.

Could UCF? You don't pump out enough additional grads each year to make much of a difference in the short term....but you are planning expansion anyway.

(04-15-2011 03:34 PM)apex_pirate Wrote:  

(04-15-2011 03:27 PM)UCF08 Wrote:  I don't mean this in a rude way at all, but do you really think that you guys can keep drawing more and more fans even without the BCS tag? It's already impressive how many fans you can turnout, I'd give anything for your great history and to be in a state without a true BCS football power, but you really think you'll be increasing much from 55k? You're already at the top of non-AQ teams, surprising to see you're planning on going even further.

Could UCF? You don't pump out enough additional grads each year to make much of a difference in the short term....but you are planning expansion anyway.

We're really not planning on it. It's part of a long term plan that is a possibility, and we built the stadium with the purpose of being able to easily expand if need be, but it's not part of the foreseeable future. The way you said it made it seem like you guys are already fund-raising or planning on the expansion in the near future. If not, ignore my question as every school has designs for the next expansion the second they get done with the current one.

(04-15-2011 03:41 PM)UCF08 Wrote:  

(04-15-2011 03:34 PM)apex_pirate Wrote:  

(04-15-2011 03:27 PM)UCF08 Wrote:  I don't mean this in a rude way at all, but do you really think that you guys can keep drawing more and more fans even without the BCS tag? It's already impressive how many fans you can turnout, I'd give anything for your great history and to be in a state without a true BCS football power, but you really think you'll be increasing much from 55k? You're already at the top of non-AQ teams, surprising to see you're planning on going even further.

Could UCF? You don't pump out enough additional grads each year to make much of a difference in the short term....but you are planning expansion anyway.

We're really not planning on it. It's part of a long term plan that is a possibility, and we built the stadium with the purpose of being able to easily expand if need be, but it's not part of the foreseeable future. The way you said it made it seem like you guys are already fund-raising or planning on the expansion in the near future. If not, ignore my question as every school has designs for the next expansion the second they get done with the current one.

We actually really are planning on it. Expansion of Bright House Stadium to 56,000 seat and the addition of more suites is part of the 10 year athletic facility plan announced last year.

And that 10 year plan is extremely contingent on a lot of variables. We have the ability to upgrade, but we won't until we need to. Right now and for the foreseeable future, we don't need to.

(04-15-2011 09:57 AM)The Brown Bull Wrote:  

(04-15-2011 08:51 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(04-15-2011 08:28 AM)VillaCats Wrote:  

(04-14-2011 08:51 PM)No Bull Wrote:  ..u just gotta wonder about Nova...they wanted to play Big East football on the cheap...

Your team plays in a $40 million stadium built out of tin. They didn't even bother to put in water fountains and had to retrofit them in when the fans started collapsing in the heat. If anybody knows about football on the cheap, its UCF.

Cheap

While I have enjoyed years of picking on them about their tin can stadium, at least they went ahead and built something and improved themselves unlike what you guys are trying to pull over. You guys want to play in some cheap soccer stadium and don't even want to put in the money to expand the thing. That's a new level of cheap, and why even if you do move up you will be a failure. You can't win in major college football on the cheap.

FYI, PPL Park cost $120 million to build so I don't think you can call it a cheap soccer stadium when comparing it to BHNS which cost less than half of that. Just sayin.

Agreed. There is just so much nonsense being tossed around this site. PPL is brand new and a very nice stadium. Just ask the Union fans. It's right down the freeway from Nova, and 30K sellouts there would be a rocking experience. FAR better than putting 30-35K in an NFL stadium and hearing the echos! So 35K for cincy is okay, but 30K for Nova is a game-stopper? Everyone who wants their particular team in casts stones at it... PPL becomes a 'cheap soccer stadium' etc... But the situation is what it is, nothing more or less. Either Nova gets it's s*** together and comes up with a plan, or they crap out and we add someone else. They screwed up by not having a mature enough plan last week. Major screw up. Be interesting to see if they pull it together or not. I think 30-35K at an expanded PPL is more than fine, provided the option to have occasional 'big' games elsewhere is around... and there are several other places that could serve that function. If Nova isn't too disgusted by now, and pulls some plan together (and if the BE really wants to avoid a split), then this will boil down to a single question: just how bad to Pitt and Rutgers want to keep Nova out. THAT will be interesting! Remember this: Nova cannot be evaluated by the same standard as UCF, UH, ECU, etc. Sorry, but it's simply true. As an existing member, the BE will really make every reasonable allowance they can to help Nova (Pitt and Rutgers excepted) . And frankly, that's how it should be. Being in a conference should mean something, not just be a loose financial arrangement or a stepping stone.

Wait, why should that be "how it should be"? Why should Nova move up, be a sub-par football member, and continue to bring national attention to the supposed weaknesses of Big East football? Cincinnati knows their stadium isn't enough for big games, hence why they play certain games at other stadiums, so why would you add a team whose *BEST* possible outcome is a stadium 85% the size of theirs? It's not as if you don't have better options out there.

I don't know if the Villanova invite is how "it should be" but it is what it is. Villanova has been in the BE for over 30 years and has the political backing of all the basketball schools. They also would bring in a 10th football member without further splitting the basketball revenue. Those are significant differences than what anyone else brings....so I won't say Nova is a great option but I understand it....as should everyone else. Is a 30,000 seat stadium 20 miles from campus ideal? No.......but it is in the ballpark of the minimum standards of what other BCS teams are allowed to use....i.e. Wake Forest and Cincy. Not ideal but if they can get there, I don't see how the Big East could expect them to come up with more.

(04-15-2011 06:11 PM)The Brown Bull Wrote:  I don't know if the Villanova invite is how "it should be" but it is what it is. Villanova has been in the BE for over 30 years and has the political backing of all the basketball schools. They also would bring in a 10th football member without further splitting the basketball revenue. Those are significant differences than what anyone else brings....so I won't say Nova is a great option but I understand it....as should everyone else. Is a 30,000 seat stadium 20 miles from campus ideal? No.......but it is in the ballpark of the minimum standards of what other BCS teams are allowed to use....i.e. Wake Forest and Cincy. Not ideal but if they can get there, I don't see how the Big East could expect them to come up with more.

They can't, which is why they should stop them from attempting this jump.

(04-15-2011 06:17 PM)UCF08 Wrote:  

(04-15-2011 06:11 PM)The Brown Bull Wrote:  I don't know if the Villanova invite is how "it should be" but it is what it is. Villanova has been in the BE for over 30 years and has the political backing of all the basketball schools. They also would bring in a 10th football member without further splitting the basketball revenue. Those are significant differences than what anyone else brings....so I won't say Nova is a great option but I understand it....as should everyone else. Is a 30,000 seat stadium 20 miles from campus ideal? No.......but it is in the ballpark of the minimum standards of what other BCS teams are allowed to use....i.e. Wake Forest and Cincy. Not ideal but if they can get there, I don't see how the Big East could expect them to come up with more.

They can't, which is why they should stop them from attempting this jump.

How do you know that? You are privy to the meetings that Nova is having with the Union and PPL? If so, tell us what happened? Nova can't come up with the financing required to upgrade the facilities? I have heard the expense is not as high as many have expected. Share what you know.

Also, if they can't, then there will be no reason to "stop them" they will stop themselves and bow out.

(04-15-2011 05:38 PM)UCF08 Wrote:  Wait, why should that be "how it should be"? Why should Nova move up, be a sub-par football member, and continue to bring national attention to the supposed weaknesses of Big East football? Cincinnati knows their stadium isn't enough for big games, hence why they play certain games at other stadiums, so why would you add a team whose *BEST* possible outcome is a stadium 85% the size of theirs? It's not as if you don't have better options out there.

You've basically already answered your own question. Base stadium? A 15% difference is nothing it's being made out to be. Frankly, I'd rather attend a 35K sellout than 35K in an NFL stadium. Big draw rivalry games? If cincy can move 1-2 per year, so can Nova. Sure there are better football options. We all know that. Re-read my post: the difference is Nova is an EXISTING member. Unfortunately, that changes everything. There are three things the BE is going to try and avoid, that a CUSA team or a FB only member might bring: (A) expanding BB more and dividing the BB $$ further, (B) creating some wierd amalgamation of a conference with various FB only/BB only members, © a split. That's why the standard is entirely different for Nova, and that's why the BE is being so patient with Nova. TCU already saved the AQ, so the league has some leeway now it didn't have before. And yes, Depaul et all could be tossed, but that's a separate debate, heading towards the 'nuclear' options... Ironically, what happened last week may have been the BEST thing that could have happend to Nova: a good kick in the pants. They may step up, or may collapse now, we'll just have to see. And it will be extremely interesting.

(04-15-2011 07:37 PM)Bull Wrote:  

(04-15-2011 05:38 PM)UCF08 Wrote:  Wait, why should that be "how it should be"? Why should Nova move up, be a sub-par football member, and continue to bring national attention to the supposed weaknesses of Big East football? Cincinnati knows their stadium isn't enough for big games, hence why they play certain games at other stadiums, so why would you add a team whose *BEST* possible outcome is a stadium 85% the size of theirs? It's not as if you don't have better options out there.

You've basically already answered your own question. Base stadium? A 15% difference is nothing it's being made out to be. Frankly, I'd rather attend a 35K sellout than 35K in an NFL stadium. Big draw rivalry games? If cincy can move 1-2 per year, so can Nova.

To where?

Cinci, unlike in Philly, UC has basically free reign to rent any and all available dates that the Bengals NFL Stadium, Paul Brown Stadium, can give them.

Meanwhile, in Philly, where ANOTHER local team that happens to play Div I-A Football, Temple, has exclusive rights to Lincoln Financial Field till at least 2017...so what other local NFL stadium will Nova moves these 1-2 games per year to?

(04-16-2011 07:34 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(04-15-2011 07:37 PM)Bull Wrote:  

(04-15-2011 05:38 PM)UCF08 Wrote:  Wait, why should that be "how it should be"? Why should Nova move up, be a sub-par football member, and continue to bring national attention to the supposed weaknesses of Big East football? Cincinnati knows their stadium isn't enough for big games, hence why they play certain games at other stadiums, so why would you add a team whose *BEST* possible outcome is a stadium 85% the size of theirs? It's not as if you don't have better options out there.

You've basically already answered your own question. Base stadium? A 15% difference is nothing it's being made out to be. Frankly, I'd rather attend a 35K sellout than 35K in an NFL stadium. Big draw rivalry games? If cincy can move 1-2 per year, so can Nova.

To where?

Cinci, unlike in Philly, UC has basically free reign to rent any and all available dates that the Bengals NFL Stadium, Paul Brown Stadium, can give them.

Meanwhile, in Philly, where ANOTHER local team that happens to play Div I-A Football, Temple, has exclusive rights to Lincoln Financial Field till at least 2017...so what other local NFL stadium will Nova moves these 1-2 games per year to?

The Meadowlands? M&T Bank in Baltimore? Those are the two closest ones.

Maybe he meant moving a few games in November/December to Citizen's Bank. Which only seats 46K. And would probably only seat about 35-40K in a football configuration because the left field seats would be too far/low for a football game.

(04-15-2011 03:27 PM)UCF08 Wrote:  I don't mean this in a rude way at all, but do you really think that you guys can keep drawing more and more fans even without the BCS tag? It's already impressive how many fans you can turnout, I'd give anything for your great history and to be in a state without a true BCS football power, but you really think you'll be increasing much from 55k? You're already at the top of non-AQ teams, surprising to see you're planning on going even further.

I think we have far from maxed out our growth potential, even still in non-AQ. I believe we can and will get up to 60k with or without AQ membership in the not too distant future. I also believe that with it we could get up with 65-70k pretty easily.

(04-16-2011 09:04 AM)KnightTower Wrote:  The Meadowlands? M&T Bank in Baltimore? Those are the two closest ones.

Maybe he meant moving a few games in November/December to Citizen's Bank. Which only seats 46K. And would probably only seat about 35-40K in a football configuration because the left field seats would be too far/low for a football game.

Considering the reasons Temple is no longer in a BCS conference it's kind of the pot calling the kettle black when you mock Nova. Nova actually has a far better chance of joining a BCS conference than Temple. Think about that.

(04-17-2011 05:20 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  Considering the reasons Temple is no longer in a BCS conference it's kind of the pot calling the kettle black when you mock Nova. Nova actually has a far better chance of joining a BCS conference than Temple. Think about that.

What do the reasons have to do with anything? Oh, that's right, they have everything to do with why Nova isn't moving up! I wasn't even mocking Nova, I was mocking the absolutely absurd post I quoted. I would love to see 200 Nova fans show up for a showdown in Baltimore

(04-17-2011 06:39 PM)JHG722 Wrote:  

(04-17-2011 05:20 PM)CatsClaw Wrote:  Considering the reasons Temple is no longer in a BCS conference it's kind of the pot calling the kettle black when you mock Nova. Nova actually has a far better chance of joining a BCS conference than Temple. Think about that.

What do the reasons have to do with anything? Oh, that's right, they have everything to do with why Nova isn't moving up! I wasn't even mocking Nova, I was mocking the absolutely absurd post I quoted. I would love to see 200 Nova fans show up for a showdown in Baltimore

Oh? You WERE mocking my post. I wasn't sure.

Well MY post was mocking the other post above saying 'Nova could play a few of their games at an NFL stadium. My point was that they'd be locked out of LFF, so any other closer NFL stadium would be the only option. So, mocking all around.