Scott Farmer on The Great Scott Show

[moorecajun]

I just hope they get started. I believe they will. But, first it was spring, then it was late summer, then we heard early fall. Now, post season.

I believe a new day has dawned, but makes me nervous. I'm thinking sometime in 2014 we get started.

I am right there with you ... it is always a concern when something gets "delayed" ... but, in this case, it does make very good sense ... could it be that we are doing things now that make sense.

[ATXCajun]

----Please from now on with HUD Math----We have a 40 thousand seat stadium and we have a capacity of about 45K with the end zone grass and SRO!!!------OK everybody we have a 40K stadium!!!

Well, we have always had a stadium that can hold about 45k, so we have always been able to make that statement and back it up with a couple of 40k+ crowds. The point is that we will now have a stadium that is moving up the official capacity lists.

[ATXCajun]

So drive the pilings now, when we go to the Big XII we will need to double deck the two end zones. ; - )

Deck the south and wrap the west suites around to connect with the east suites like Oklahoma St. Perhaps my favorite stadium in terms of size and function. No bad seats and the suites are close to the action.

[RaginCajun77]

Well I love the new plans. There are several things that really need to happen regardless of seating capacity.

I: Improve the bathrooms, a whole lot.

II: Make sure the student side no longer collects water that flows into the bathrooms when it rains, really bad image.

III: Make sure the water does not pour into the stadium from rusted out, corroded concrete on second deck.

As an individual who has spent a good bit of time on the student side, (Bachelors and Masters Degree from UL) I can tell you that the student side needs a lot of work. Very poor drainage, with water collecting in several areas. The bathroooms do flood as mentioned and need to be remodeled. Climate control would be nice as well, it feels like a sauna when you enter the bathrooms. Many of our guests from opposing schools are seated in this area and it sends the message that we are indeed a small time operation.

[HelmutVII]

So drive the pilings now, when we go to the Big XII we will need to double deck the two end zones. ; - )

Placing a foundation now for a future deck is not necessary. As the upper deck would probably be supported by a foundation located outside of the rim of the "bowl". Besides, how would they know what capacity they would need and where to place it. Any future addition can be handled as it comes.

[DaddyCajun]

HelmutVII, there are 2 choices on parts of the stadium, what is the choice on the upper deck being replaced or kept? If replaced it says the stadium would seat some 6000+ more fans. Also, it was once said that if the upper deck was replaced the new one would actually be closer to the field which would increase fan noise closer to the field of play and better view for all upper deck fans. What is the decision?

[moorecajun]

HelmutVII, there are 2 choices on parts of the stadium, what is the choice on the upper deck being replaced or kept? If replaced it says the stadium would seat some 6000+ more fans. Also, it was once said that if the upper deck was replaced the new one would actually be closer to the field which would increase fan noise closer to the field of play and better view for all upper deck fans. What is the decision?

I'm no helmut, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night, so here are my two observations here:

1. They have installed new bench backs in the lower section of the upper deck, alongside the existing chair back sections; that leads me to believe they have decided on Option 1, keep the existing upper deck up to a certain grid line.

2. T-Joe, while meeting with certain groups showing our future expansion plans, has expressed expanding to 65k, that is the amount we would have if going with Option 2, replacing the upper deck totally.

I personally like Option 2, but either will be so nice!

[ZoomZoom]

What seems to be forgotten (or maybe not feasible now), the student side was constructed to receive an upper deck.

[CajunEXPRESS]

What seems to be forgotten (or maybe not feasible now), the student side was constructed to receive an upper deck.

Not forgotten at all where do you think the 65K is coming from? That is a long, long way down the road, or maybe not so long.

[Geaux]

Large stadiums are somewhat a thing of the past. From the Oakland Raiders in the NFL to schools like Oregon, Stanford, Baylor and my personal favorite TCU have all opted to reduce seating from their previous stadium capacity to somewhere around 50k seats.

65k seats would be a stretch from UL, but I think 45k with 5k standing room/future expansion. This still creates a great
atmosphere and it creates a demand for
season tickets. Remember you want to fill at
least 70%(31k) of your stadium for every game,
which we are close to doing now in the god
awful SBC!

The television product has become the biggest competitor to actually getting fans into the stadium. We can create a great stadium atmosphere at 45k with all of the bells and whistles for fans like WiFi, huge HD screens and great audio. Most of the money will be made in suite sales, club and premium seating. I would love to see us complete the bowl and upper deck on the home side and eventually we can privately fund a second deck on the student side if we have a demand for tickets to bring us to 50k capacity.

You don't have to take my word for it, check out the links

TCU Stadium Tour (45k seating)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUL-OzP95eE
Baylor Stadium Tour (45k seating)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDFuNMVKHGo

[CajunT]

Large stadiums are somewhat a thing of the past. From the Oakland Raiders in the NFL to schools like Oregon, Stanford, Baylor and my personal favorite TCU have all opted to reduce seating from their previous stadium capacity to somewhere around 50k seats.

Not really, considering that UL's goal of 65,000 are off in a distance some years. Your example of TCU and Baylor are poor exapmples since both are private universities. UL is a public university that has long term student growth planned as well.

65k seats would be a stretch from UL, but I think 45k with 5k standing room/future expansion. This still creates a great atmosphere and it creates a demand for season tickets. Remember you want to fill at least 70%(31k) of your stadium for every game, which we are close to doing now in the god awful SBC!

Based upon what projection? Who knows how big this athletic program can grow in 10, 15 or 20 years. Your idea is based upon the small model, mostly private schools. I agree 45K will come first in the right conference, but you're building something here in Lafayette with potentially much large upside. Atmosphere, without wins and television converage does not equate to tickets demand. You must win first to improve your brand and the atmosphere is created along the way with the increase demand for your product from TV networks.

The television product has become the biggest competitor to actually getting fans into the stadium. We can create a great stadium atmosphere at 45k with all of the bells and whistles for fans like WiFi, huge HD screens and great audio. Most of the money will be made in suite sales, club and premium seating. I would love to see us complete the bowl and upper deck on the home side and eventually we can privately fund a second deck on the student side if we have a demand for tickets to bring us to 50k capacity.

Suite sales will help pay the debt, season ticket sales are what matter long term, not just attendance. Look at Texas, their season tickets sales income are the highest in NCAA Football $51 Mil. Winning and playing quality opponents in a good conference will help sell season tickets and increase your brand recognition. All the things you mentioned can be achieved in Lafayette, with our job market and university growth. We are not a private university located in Dallas with limited student growth.

You don't have to take my word for it check out the links

TCU Stadium Tour (45k seating)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUL-OzP95eE
Baylor Stadium Tour (45k seating)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDFuNMVKHGo

[DaddyCajun]

CajunT, send me a PM here on the backside of RP, on how we talked about fixing my subscription to LouisianaScout as soon as your able, good buddy.