(04-05-2022 12:56 PM)Big Red Wrote:  Is there a new Rec Center?

Because I was at NIU before the Convo was built and we had a Rec Center. Even called it the Rec Center.

Should just be the same rec center that was immediately south of Lincoln Hall dormitory. I didn't know it to be named anything else during my years at NIU.

(04-05-2022 03:38 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 12:56 PM)Big Red Wrote:  Is there a new Rec Center?

Because I was at NIU before the Convo was built and we had a Rec Center. Even called it the Rec Center.

Should just be the same rec center that was immediately south of Lincoln Hall dormitory. I didn't know it to be named anything else during my years at NIU.

It was the Rug Center. They had carpet on basketball courts. Lots of ankle sprains when you would plant your foot to stop and the rug would give.

(04-05-2022 04:03 PM)klake87 Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 03:38 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 12:56 PM)Big Red Wrote:  Is there a new Rec Center?

Because I was at NIU before the Convo was built and we had a Rec Center. Even called it the Rec Center.

Should just be the same rec center that was immediately south of Lincoln Hall dormitory. I didn't know it to be named anything else during my years at NIU.

It was the Rug Center. They had carpet on basketball courts. Lots of ankle sprains when you would plant your foot to stop and the rug would give.

What the hell? That's awful. I enjoyed working out there. Tons of machines and things to do. I would do sprints on the track, and watch football players do crazy dunks on the courts in the off-season. They would literally be flying over each other. It was unreal.

(04-05-2022 04:03 PM)klake87 Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 03:38 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 12:56 PM)Big Red Wrote:  Is there a new Rec Center?

Because I was at NIU before the Convo was built and we had a Rec Center. Even called it the Rec Center.

Should just be the same rec center that was immediately south of Lincoln Hall dormitory. I didn't know it to be named anything else during my years at NIU.

It was the Rug Center. They had carpet on basketball courts. Lots of ankle sprains when you would plant your foot to stop and the rug would give.

NIU has done some stupid things over the years, but that has to win the award for the most incredibly stupid thing any university has ever done!

(04-05-2022 02:59 PM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 02:39 PM)HUSKiESbelieve Wrote:  Regarding Hot Dogs, We need those Costco size hotdogs at the games! I mean I always get those at Costco and feel like I am getting a better value than a regular hotdog which is probably only costs a few cents more.

Regarding the Convocation Center, it was build with future growth in mind. In comparison to other universities, it really is not that far for a walk.

It may seem far because they need to add sculptures and better landscaping while you are walking there to look at and around the building.

Graduation will have much better photo-ops if they add more NIU and inspirational sculptures and ivy landscaping around the Convocation center for graduates to take pictures by and post on social media for such a grand occasion as a college graduation.

Just think how much nicer the sculptures and landscaping would be while walking to a Huskie game at the Convo Center while eating a Costco sized hot dog.

I have an acquaintance who is a retired oral surgeon and extremely wealthy. He would take people to lunch at Costco eating samples of the hot dogs they were giving out.

(04-05-2022 05:50 PM)Dog Fan Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 02:59 PM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 02:39 PM)HUSKiESbelieve Wrote:  Regarding Hot Dogs, We need those Costco size hotdogs at the games! I mean I always get those at Costco and feel like I am getting a better value than a regular hotdog which is probably only costs a few cents more.

Regarding the Convocation Center, it was build with future growth in mind. In comparison to other universities, it really is not that far for a walk.

It may seem far because they need to add sculptures and better landscaping while you are walking there to look at and around the building.

Graduation will have much better photo-ops if they add more NIU and inspirational sculptures and ivy landscaping around the Convocation center for graduates to take pictures by and post on social media for such a grand occasion as a college graduation.

Just think how much nicer the sculptures and landscaping would be while walking to a Huskie game at the Convo Center while eating a Costco sized hot dog.

I have an acquaintance who is a retired oral surgeon and extremely wealthy. He would take people to lunch at Costco eating samples of the hot dogs they were giving out.

If they asked for a pop, did he say he was on a strict budget?

(04-05-2022 05:09 PM)HawaiiToNIU Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 04:03 PM)klake87 Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 03:38 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 12:56 PM)Big Red Wrote:  Is there a new Rec Center?

Because I was at NIU before the Convo was built and we had a Rec Center. Even called it the Rec Center.

Should just be the same rec center that was immediately south of Lincoln Hall dormitory. I didn't know it to be named anything else during my years at NIU.

It was the Rug Center. They had carpet on basketball courts. Lots of ankle sprains when you would plant your foot to stop and the rug would give.

What the hell? That's awful. I enjoyed working out there. Tons of machines and things to do. I would do sprints on the track, and watch football players do crazy dunks on the courts in the off-season. They would literally be flying over each other. It was unreal.

What was the reason for putting carpet on basketball courts?

(04-05-2022 06:49 PM)niu16 Wrote:  What was the reason for putting carpet on basketball courts?

M-O-N-E-Y!
The guys in sports information shared stories with us media folks late after games. When women's basketball coach Rita Horky was reassigned after players leveled charges against her for cruelty, she was tasked with coordinating things for the new Recreation Center. Her plans called for hardwood courts, glass backboards, a textured running track, essentially the best of everything. As soon as her original contract was up, she was let go and her replacement was told to make it work with half the budget......suddenly the entire surface became multi-colored carpeting, wooden backboards, basically anything that would bring the Rec Center in under budget. Unfortunately another example of NIU taking the cheap route.

(04-05-2022 08:35 PM)uiniu57 Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 06:49 PM)niu16 Wrote:  What was the reason for putting carpet on basketball courts?

M-O-N-E-Y!
The guys in sports information shared stories with us media folks late after games. When women's basketball coach Rita Horky was reassigned after players leveled charges against her for cruelty, she was tasked with coordinating things for the new Recreation Center. Her plans called for hardwood courts, glass backboards, a textured running track, essentially the best of everything. As soon as her original contract was up, she was let go and her replacement was told to make it work with half the budget......suddenly the entire surface became multi-colored carpeting, wooden backboards, basically anything that would bring the Rec Center in under budget. Unfortunately another example of NIU taking the cheap route.

Thanks for that story. Amazing.

(04-05-2022 08:35 PM)uiniu57 Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 06:49 PM)niu16 Wrote:  What was the reason for putting carpet on basketball courts?

M-O-N-E-Y!
The guys in sports information shared stories with us media folks late after games. When women's basketball coach Rita Horky was reassigned after players leveled charges against her for cruelty, she was tasked with coordinating things for the new Recreation Center. Her plans called for hardwood courts, glass backboards, a textured running track, essentially the best of everything. As soon as her original contract was up, she was let go and her replacement was told to make it work with half the budget......suddenly the entire surface became multi-colored carpeting, wooden backboards, basically anything that would bring the Rec Center in under budget. Unfortunately another example of NIU taking the cheap route.

I want to say they had upgraded to glass backboards by the time I was there (mid-90s) but I can't be for certain.

I am confident it was the original carpet though.

There wasn't any carpet in the basketball courts when I went there.

(04-06-2022 06:33 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  There wasn't any carpet in the basketball courts when I went there.

The Hoover broke so they got rid of the rugs.

(04-06-2022 06:33 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  There wasn't any carpet in the basketball courts when I went there.

Was there the first day it opened. Everyone there just looked at each other saying WTF!!! Had quite a few guys with serious knee injuries trying to play on that crap. Just an unreal experience. Just never felt right.

One simple question: How do you play basketball on a carpet?

(04-06-2022 06:59 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  One simple question: How do you play basketball on a carpet?

Just like you would on hardwood or tile.

There's no cushion under the carpet. Basically, a real tough, indoor/outdoor type carpet laid on top of concrete. Ball bounces just fine but sounds muffled.

Falling on it sucks.

(04-06-2022 07:38 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-06-2022 06:59 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  One simple question: How do you play basketball on a carpet?

Just like you would on hardwood or tile.

There's no cushion under the carpet. Basically, a real tough, indoor/outdoor type carpet laid on top of concrete. Ball bounces just fine but sounds muffled.

Falling on it sucks.

You could say it was like non-green astroturf from the concrete mulit-purpose stadium monoliths (Busch, Veterans, Riverfront, 3 Rivers) from the late 70's-early 80's.

When it was built, that concrete astroturf carpet was on its way out and stadiums were going back to natural grass as well as the rise of Astroplay( The first generation of artificial turf that you see today).

As mentioned above, the carpet was a lot cheaper than a hardwood floor. They probably garbage picked the carpet from the dumpster behind Soldiers field and dyed it an ugly brown and gold.

(04-06-2022 07:38 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-06-2022 06:59 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  One simple question: How do you play basketball on a carpet?

Just like you would on hardwood or tile.

There's no cushion under the carpet. Basically, a real tough, indoor/outdoor type carpet laid on top of concrete. Ball bounces just fine but sounds muffled.

Falling on it sucks.

I played on it a few times for intramural's, got turf tough from it. Your foot would just stick, and jam your toes into the front of your shoes. It was brutal!

(04-06-2022 08:20 AM)golf4501 Wrote:  

(04-06-2022 07:38 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-06-2022 06:59 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  One simple question: How do you play basketball on a carpet?

Just like you would on hardwood or tile.

There's no cushion under the carpet. Basically, a real tough, indoor/outdoor type carpet laid on top of concrete. Ball bounces just fine but sounds muffled.

Falling on it sucks.

I played on it a few times for intramural's, got turf tough from it. Your foot would just stick, and jam your toes into the front of your shoes. It was brutal!

Same issue for people planting a foot and having their knee give out. Just disgusting.

(04-05-2022 07:41 AM)Dog Fan Wrote:  We could sell Deep Throat dogs at the concessions stands - a footlong (of course!) wiener implanted in a moist and sensual bun.

you know that "footlong" would only really be 5.5 inches and just held to look bigger.

(04-05-2022 12:50 PM)chihuskie Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 10:43 AM)Big Red Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 10:35 AM)Schaefer Beer Wrote:  

(04-05-2022 10:10 AM)chihuskie Wrote:  Read the "announcement" regarding the projects. Thank you to the Nelson's for their gifts and commitments.

That said.... STF -- you really need to funnel funds appropriately. The Chick Evans Fieldhouse, if you didn't know (and maybe you didn't because it's a big part of Huskie history, so why would you) is close to the dorms, and on most underclassmen's walk to the academic buildings daily. It is prime real estate on campus. It SHOULD HAVE BEEN the location of the new basketball arena when the convo was built instead. To use that building for 4 or 5 indoor tennis courts (which apparently are to be used by the tennis teams? not even available for the students at large, or the community?) to use that valuable real estate for such a restrictive use is just unfathomable. I am sure there are other adjectives as well.

STF, if I may offer some advice. Focus is necessary to accomplish anything of value. I believe you were given some title that reflects a high level position in the university. Not mere athletic director, but rather VP of something or other. So, one question: How does building 5 indoor tennis courts for use by a select handful of students a few days a year right in the middle of campus -- how does that benefit the university? Additionally, how else could that money have been invested? What return do you expect from that investment in 5 tennis courts? What alternative investments did you consider?

I assume STF will say that the courts were a result of a restricted gifts specifically for that purpose. That is no answer. Your job, as Sr. VP of whatever, with the accompanying paycheck, is to do what is best for the university. So, I ask, are 5 indoor tennis courts for restricted and limited use on prime campus real estate really the best for the university?

Your job is not to be an "order taker" who just accepts generous donors' money. Your job should be to envision great things and then find/ discover/ unearth/ or create individuals who you can get to see that vision with you and can invest in it.

NIU does not have, never has had, and likely never will have a bottomless pot of money to spend on anything, much less athletics. A FOCUSED approach to best allocating available scarce resources is what is required. I am afraid Mr. Frazier has never understood that.

So it was STF's fault that the Convo Center was built where it is now? That is almost as ludicrous as blaming Cary Groth for the engineering mistakes for the Convo Center.

The only thing thing the AD is responsible for is a wish list( New baseball stadium, amenities etc.)and fundraising money for that wishlist. That iis out outside of Atlectics Administration and being responsible for X number of student athletes and sport programs.

They are not responsible for location, feasibility studies, engineering specs, community planning etc.)

I understand that STF is not in a favored light on this board and some of the reasons why is his fault. But let's not blame his for situations that were clearly out of his control.

Can you imagine the bellyaching that would ensue had the university built the arena in the location of the fieldhouse and had no space for parking because there's no where to expand the footprint of that location?

1. The Rec center did not exist at the time. 2. "Remote parking" is always an option. Somehow in the 80's we got 6,000 people in there and there was no "belly aching" that I heard of.

To Shaefer--- where did I say the location of the convo was STF's fault? If that bothers you, take that sentence out of my post-- read the rest, and then respond. The post was about STF's leadership. You are correct that he did not site the convo. But he IS siting an indoor tennis facility at the field house. Maybe we can discuss the merits of that? Or should we just accept it as unquestionable? "Cuz if STF responds to no one, then NIU athletics is in a heap of trouble. I would prefer to opine and question rather than not question which is a short step from ignore.

BTW, I specifically said that STF is pulling down a salary as VP of someting or other. He is MORE THAN Athletic Director and is being paid to be more. So, your statement that the AD is only responsible for this or that also misses the point. HE IS NOT AD. He is VP and AD. So, he needs to fulfill his role. Do his full job.

The rec center, early 90's, is considerably older than the Convo.