The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

And that property probably has better uses than athletic fields, as much as I love Monarch sports I think dorms, classrooms, labs etc are a better use. And at some point we are going to need space for an indoor practice facility too. Is there room near the football building for something like that in the future? Maybe Norfolk Southern can donate some space. Its the least they can do after skipping town.

(10-26-2021 01:25 PM)monarx Wrote:  And that property probably has better uses than athletic fields, as much as I love Monarch sports I think dorms, classrooms, labs etc are a better use. And at some point we are going to need space for an indoor practice facility too. Is there room near the football building for something like that in the future? Maybe Norfolk Southern can donate some space. Its the least they can do after skipping town.

The fields already butts up to the railroad tracks, which are still in use. I don't think there is anything else you can put there. There might be some downtown office space available if they want to put it there.

(10-26-2021 02:50 PM)Chillie Willie Wrote:  

(10-26-2021 01:25 PM)monarx Wrote:  And that property probably has better uses than athletic fields, as much as I love Monarch sports I think dorms, classrooms, labs etc are a better use. And at some point we are going to need space for an indoor practice facility too. Is there room near the football building for something like that in the future? Maybe Norfolk Southern can donate some space. Its the least they can do after skipping town.

The fields already butts up to the railroad tracks, which are still in use. I don't think there is anything else you can put there. There might be some downtown office space available if they want to put it there.

Nope. CHKD bought the NS building with Towne Bank. CHKD is even still renting 3 of their floors to Norfolk Southern.

If we had to have an indoor training facility and money wasn’t an issue. Move ODU facilities management off campus to somewhere near 24th to 35th street. Build the training facility and a parking garage where facility management and the large parking lot currently stands next to the sports plex

(10-26-2021 05:20 PM)AimHigher Wrote:  If we had to have an indoor training facility and money wasn’t an issue. Move ODU facilities management off campus to somewhere near 24th to 35th street. Build the training facility and a parking garage where facility management and the large parking lot currently stands next to the sports plex

If money and contracts weren’t an issue. It’s probably best to build the indoor facility on the field hockey/lacrosse field. Since it’s already connected to LR Hill, it would make the most efficient space. And then move field hockey and lacrosse to Powhatan Field.

Of course, the city of Norfolk and ODU have a contract for Granby and Maury to use that field for the extended future. And we don’t have the money. And the need isn’t that pressing.

(10-26-2021 05:20 PM)AimHigher Wrote:  If we had to have an indoor training facility and money wasn’t an issue. Move ODU facilities management off campus to somewhere near 24th to 35th street. Build the training facility and a parking garage where facility management and the large parking lot currently stands next to the sports plex

This is a good idea. No reason why facilities services couldn’t be in the industrial area across Hampton blvd, freeing up prime campus real estate.

Where can I find some good photos or video tour of the endzone suites? I really like the way you closed off one side with them. I'd rather be right on top of 50% of the touchdowns than be at half field and be 50+ yards from every touchdown.

(10-25-2021 04:09 PM)ODU12 Wrote:  I just watched that video and I'm seeing things differently. Looking at some of those stadiums they are what i'd expect from our level of teams (on a budget). You either have some with more seating but awkwardly built or some that are newer and similar in size to ours. At least ours looks relatively symmetrical, isn't on top of a road, and is nicely placed on a plot of land built for a stadium. App State was the only one that made me say oh la la.

1. Spend money on good coaches that can recruit, then;
2. Win on the field, then;
3. Get butts in seats who want to see the winning product, then;
4. Use that invested money to expand the stadium.

We're in phase 1.

That video doesn't show all the stadiums updated versions. Most of the stadiums look totally different now. stAte has made drastic improvements to their stadium and it has been said by many that our locker and weight room are P5 quality and our indoor practice facility it on of the best in college football. USA just built a brand new stadium that they started playing in last year. ULL is about to start a renovation off their stadium this year. Georgia Southern will start on a practice facility this year. Almost every Sun Belt has or will be renovating their stadiums. The Sun Belt schools have been in an arms race with eachother the past 5 years.

For the love of all that's holy, at the very least restrooms need to be added to the upper levels of Ballard Stadium, even a porta-potty will do!

Signed,

A senior citizen

(10-28-2021 02:55 AM)statefanatic Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 04:09 PM)ODU12 Wrote:  I just watched that video and I'm seeing things differently. Looking at some of those stadiums they are what i'd expect from our level of teams (on a budget). You either have some with more seating but awkwardly built or some that are newer and similar in size to ours. At least ours looks relatively symmetrical, isn't on top of a road, and is nicely placed on a plot of land built for a stadium. App State was the only one that made me say oh la la.

1. Spend money on good coaches that can recruit, then;
2. Win on the field, then;
3. Get butts in seats who want to see the winning product, then;
4. Use that invested money to expand the stadium.

We're in phase 1.

That video doesn't show all the stadiums updated versions. Most of the stadiums look totally different now. stAte has made drastic improvements to their stadium and it has been said by many that our locker and weight room are P5 quality and our indoor practice facility it on of the best in college football. USA just built a brand new stadium that they started playing in last year. ULL is about to start a renovation off their stadium this year. Georgia Southern will start on a practice facility this year. Almost every Sun Belt has or will be renovating their stadiums. The Sun Belt schools have been in an arms race with eachother the past 5 years.

That's good to hear. Arms races are good for athletics ... there is so much to love about that

https://www.wbrc.com/2021/07/22/jsu-rece...-upgrades/

This is how we could get our new end zone done without all the money coming out of athletics. Notice how JSUs new design basically puts stadium seats on the back of what appear to be dorms and office space.

Right now behind the North Endzone is the Army ROTC building. That could be a whole new building for our ROTC program and other classrooms as well. That's State Education $$$$$$$, and the bleachers and terrace can sit right on top.

Sorry folks but ODU already explored the idea of a school building where the back side just happens to look like football stands. ODU was told NOPE, nice try but not allowed anymore in VA. Academic structures cannot be configured to use for athletics unless funded without any state money.

Between Virginia and Norfolk legislations, ODU is really restricted for our situation :(

(11-01-2021 10:57 PM)ETSUDB8-79 Wrote:  Sorry folks but ODU already explored the idea of a school building where the back side just happens to look like football stands. ODU was told NOPE, nice try but not allowed anymore in VA. Academic structures cannot be configured to use for athletics unless funded without any state money.

Since it is ROTC how about the Feds? I'm sure either Army or Navy ROTC need an anti-aircraft battery for port defense training purposes. A reasonable number of observation positions close by, say 5-6,000, seems totally appropriate. It could be a groundbreaking joint venture between DOD and the Department of Education.

(11-01-2021 11:10 PM)ODU-Z8 Wrote:  Between Virginia and Norfolk legislations, ODU is really restricted for our situation :(

They really do seem to put up roadblocks to everything. You'd think they would be supportive and want the state schools to be competitive and do well against other the other state schools. Its also dumb because you could get basically 2 buildings for the price of one.

(11-02-2021 08:03 AM)ODU2K1 Wrote:  

(11-01-2021 10:57 PM)ETSUDB8-79 Wrote:  Sorry folks but ODU already explored the idea of a school building where the back side just happens to look like football stands. ODU was told NOPE, nice try but not allowed anymore in VA. Academic structures cannot be configured to use for athletics unless funded without any state money.

Since it is ROTC how about the Feds? I'm sure either Army or Navy ROTC need an anti-aircraft battery for port defense training purposes. A reasonable number of observation positions close by, say 5-6,000, seems totally appropriate. It could be a groundbreaking joint venture between DOD and the Department of Education.

Exactly!!!!
There is always a way around legislative BS. ODU can get creative.

(11-02-2021 09:34 AM)TedHead Wrote:  

(11-02-2021 08:03 AM)ODU2K1 Wrote:  

(11-01-2021 10:57 PM)ETSUDB8-79 Wrote:  Sorry folks but ODU already explored the idea of a school building where the back side just happens to look like football stands. ODU was told NOPE, nice try but not allowed anymore in VA. Academic structures cannot be configured to use for athletics unless funded without any state money.

Since it is ROTC how about the Feds? I'm sure either Army or Navy ROTC need an anti-aircraft battery for port defense training purposes. A reasonable number of observation positions close by, say 5-6,000, seems totally appropriate. It could be a groundbreaking joint venture between DOD and the Department of Education.

Exactly!!!!
There is always a way around legislative BS. ODU can get creative.

I'm all for thinking out of the box but I'm pretty sure he was joking there.

(11-02-2021 10:55 AM)Chillie Willie Wrote:  

(11-02-2021 09:34 AM)TedHead Wrote:  

(11-02-2021 08:03 AM)ODU2K1 Wrote:  

(11-01-2021 10:57 PM)ETSUDB8-79 Wrote:  Sorry folks but ODU already explored the idea of a school building where the back side just happens to look like football stands. ODU was told NOPE, nice try but not allowed anymore in VA. Academic structures cannot be configured to use for athletics unless funded without any state money.

Since it is ROTC how about the Feds? I'm sure either Army or Navy ROTC need an anti-aircraft battery for port defense training purposes. A reasonable number of observation positions close by, say 5-6,000, seems totally appropriate. It could be a groundbreaking joint venture between DOD and the Department of Education.

Exactly!!!!
There is always a way around legislative BS. ODU can get creative.

I'm all for thinking out of the box but I'm pretty sure he was joking there.

It is only crazy if it doesn't work.