Mark you calendars.
Within the next decade there will be an on campus football stadium at the UofM.
Where on campus, you may ask?
Between Southern Ave. and Park Ave. where the golf course is, currently own by the city.
One thing that has hurt our national perception of Tiger football has been lack of on campus facilities.
Now we have begun fixing that problem with the long awaited (over a decade) indoor practice facility finally completed.
Next phase will be relocating the student athletes to nearby future on campus housing. Rudd has mentioned this before.
It is 0.7 miles both ways on the yet to be purchased golf course land. Perfect location for new athletic village.
Accompanying it will be a 40,000 seat multi-purpose on campus stadium that will serve as an athletic/academic facility, a la Colorado State's new stadium.
Having on campus football will bring back alumni, create new fan support and donors.
Parking won't be that big of an issue as is now at LBS. Less capacity means less vehicle traffick. Students will be able to walk to the games, meaning much less parking needed.
The land is roughly 200 acres, therefore leaving space for additional developments in the future.
Such as an on campus basketball arena.
Right now, the Forum is ideal. But eventually an on campus arena will be needed if UofM is to ever expect a major power conference invite.
As for the future of the Liberty Bowl Stadium?
It's already reached it's financial limits of upgrading. And it's structural design is outdated and not modern enough to enhance or remodel.
The SHC and LBC can remain there, but may also choose to leave for another city.
Might be a bad loss for the city, but UofM needs to put it's needs and priorities first for a change.
It's time to stop depending on the citizens to invest into something they don't really support.