This is in the other Convo thread, but for those of you who pop in and don't read into certain threads on this board, JMU released concepts for the new convocation center.

http://www.jmusports.com/news/2015/4/24/...54252.aspx

http://www.jmuconvo.com

hot damn, i love it!

Yes, please.

Wow. I didn't have a single complaint. Absolutely stunning.

well.. okay. they did have Campbell as an opponent on one of the video screens. that might be an issue.

I said it on the other thread. awesome. seems to have the right balance of suites, club, student section, amenities for players/coaches etc. I wish the students could have the entire "bottom" section of one side, but it is an impressive facility.

8,500 is a good size...

two decks looks good... 3,100 up top... 5,400 down bottom

Looks sick. Love it. Seems like a great way to spend someone elses money :-).

Quote:How does this facility impact the prospect of a move to an FBS conference?

At which time JMU is offered an invitation to an FBS-affiliated league, a thorough and thoughtful recommendation will be made to the JMU Board of Visitors. No such invitation has been extended.

Too bad we don't play VCU anymore... just sayin'

(04-27-2015 03:28 PM)jmu007 Wrote:  Too bad we don't play VCU anymore... just sayin'

Can you see the Norfolk State and Hampton boy's eyes when they roll in??

(04-27-2015 03:35 PM)BleedingPurple Wrote:  

(04-27-2015 03:28 PM)jmu007 Wrote:  Too bad we don't play VCU anymore... just sayin'

Can you see the Norfolk State and Hampton boy's eyes when they roll in??

HA.

Looks great.

(04-27-2015 03:25 PM)JMUPride Wrote:  8,500 is a good size...

two decks looks good... 3,100 up top... 5,400 down bottom

Plus the 588 club seats? Or is that included in the lower bowl totals? Those would push us over the 9k mark

(04-27-2015 03:44 PM)olddawg Wrote:  

(04-27-2015 03:25 PM)JMUPride Wrote:  8,500 is a good size...

two decks looks good... 3,100 up top... 5,400 down bottom

Plus the 588 club seats? Or is that included in the lower bowl totals? Those would push us over the 9k mark

I think the Club seats are already included in the lower bowl numbers.

I think the number is inclusive. There is also the ability to add more upper deck seats or suites if needed. Maybe 1,000 more or so.

Student section is along one baseline... That will do!

(04-27-2015 03:49 PM)jmu-fan-1981 Wrote:  Student section is along one baseline... That will do!

According to the video it appeared that the student section was all behind one basket. Did I miss something? Only real issues I have from what I saw

1. The massive space behind the baskets and the seats. But I will say that may be needed to allow enough floor space for some events.
2. Very very minor issue the one baseline wall with on seats, that a huge loss for concerts etc when it's a end configuration. But again they might be needed to prevent the facility from being TOO big.

Overall I'd give this a 95 out of 100 well done!! Now who should I make that 6 figure check out to? You know the one Deez was talking about the other day.

That. Is. Beautiful.

Two questions:
1) I know it's been brought up before, but is there any purpose to the giant JMU logo wall? Is something being housed in that space? Did I miss that in the video?
2) Student seating. The FAQ has this nugget: "The students are a critical part of the gameday experience. We are exploring different options for lower bowl seating to further engage our students in order to enhance their positive impact on the game." I would love to see them take the bottom 4 or 5 rows all (or at least most of) the way around the court and give it to the students. Having them all centralized is AWESOME, but it'd be great to give them access to more seats surrounding the court.

Seriously. This is amazing work. Can't even explain how excited I am right now.

I love the look of it, it fits in well with that side of campus. Can easily walk to E-hall or Sheetz. The little retention pond and fountain are a nice touch. They took away about 1/3-1/2 of the parking lot across from Festival, but they're replacing it with a huge deck, which is sorely needed. When I was there it was already insane to get a parking spot over there and they've added a dorm, library, dining hall, and academic building since then. Not sure what else to say other than I need to make more money so I can give to this project.

I very much like our new Purple People Seater !

We could do what UVA (and many other schools) does and give the students the entire section behind that one basket like the renderings show, but also extend their section along one side of the court (or at least to half court) for the first 4 or 5 rows. This arrangement does a really good job of wrapping the students around a larger section of the court and funneling all of their noise directly down onto the court.

The aerial view shows how nicely the arena and parking deck fits in on the corner. Really like the parking deck!!

Overall the design looks great. Hope the money can get raised so construction can start.

Once done or underway should be a great recruiting tool!!

Brian