Stadium expansion

[uofalbany]

Don't be a downer 72, you're killing the buzz

[Dane96]

GRRRR. Wyland has Jones on at half and doesn't ask him the Stadium question. Wonder if they pre-discussed as a "NO-GO" topic on air.

 

Jones is FIRMLY behind athletics. That much is clear.

[UAalum72]

Don't be a downer 72, you're killing the buzz

Just keeping people from climbing too high up the mountain, so the they won't be as far up when they want to jump off the cliff.

[GreatDanes06]

not gonna lie folks, if they did get capital investment money, I want it to go to three things:

 

1) Locker Room facility for the football program (be it behind the scoreboard or where the bubble stands)

2) Upgrades to SEFCU Arena Scoreboard System (I want a system that tells you players #'s, pts, fouls etc)

3) Upgrades to Baseball Stadium (get lights and some sort of seating implemented (will help with recruiting I feel and hosting AE Tournament and other local games)

 

anything left over, then use it on the football stadium. I think that should go to more permanent seating on visiting side. Not sure how much $ that would mean etc...

 

However, one thing people need to realize that when you are upgrading stadiums, it's not to upgrade a visitor and home side. It's to upgrade to fill the stadium with fans (hopefully mostly UA fans). University of Tennessee didn't upgrade their stadium ON ALL SIDES to make it easier for Alabama fans to get in the stadium. They did it to just get fans in the stadium. I think we gotta start looking at upgrading to get fans in, be it home or away.

 

Side Note: I know there is snow all over, but have the Track Project been put on hold and/or how is it going?

[Dane96]

I think people are missing two MAJOR points.

 

1) FCS and FBS football are in line for a massive change. There is likely going to be a seismic shift that will see a bunch of low-mid FBS leagues combining with high FCS leagues. However, this will include a stadium comparison issue-- URI won't be able to make that jump. Albany WANTS to make that jump to stay with the UD's, Towson's, Montana's of the world that will likely combine with the Buffalo's.

 

We won't be able to move without a stadium increase.

 

2) More seats= more revenue. It's concession revenue, advertising revenue, luxury box static revenue, usage revenue (concerts and other events), etc. Irrespective of filling it with home or away fans, a sold out stadium at 18,000 seats (using that as a minimum number) over 6 games brings in REVENUE of almost 4 million dollars. That's with a small average of 10 dollars per person in concessions.

 

Add in sky box sales, donations that come with being "big time", add in the advertising dollars, and the concerts, etc...and a stadium of that size has the potential to hit $5 million per year at a minimum...potentially nearing 8 million. That's against MARGINAL increases in current costs to operate, which is a tax write off for the school.

 

Let's call it a cool $5 million in realized revenue. Those dollars, if appropriately utilized, will either pay for the football program itself, which frees up millions to utilize for sports like hoops and baseball, or it gets invested in the form of endowing scholarships, which REALLY frees up funding on two fronts-- it's hard cold cash and it's an accounting balance on the "cost" of a scholarship, which is no true cost at all...it's a seat that would already be filled.

 

So, while I don't disagree with the things you want done--I do agree they are priorities--I think our hand is being forced to some extent.

 

Dr. McElroy has done a fine job steering all of our programs. I trust him. I couldn't say that years ago...but I am now.

[BestDaneSinceHamlet]

Good stuff there Dane. I completely agree this is the rationale. I think basically they don't want to feel like they spent all this money previously and then fall back again to a lower level. So they need to spend more to justify the initial investment.

[uofalbany]

I think people are missing two MAJOR points.

 

1) FCS and FBS football are in line for a massive change. There is likely going to be a seismic shift that will see a bunch of low-mid FBS leagues combining with high FCS leagues. However, this will include a stadium comparison issue-- URI won't be able to make that jump. Albany WANTS to make that jump to stay with the UD's, Towson's, Montana's of the world that will likely combine with the Buffalo's.

 

We won't be able to move without a stadium increase.

 

2) More seats= more revenue. It's concession revenue, advertising revenue, luxury box static revenue, usage revenue (concerts and other events), etc. Irrespective of filling it with home or away fans, a sold out stadium at 18,000 seats (using that as a minimum number) over 6 games brings in REVENUE of almost 4 million dollars. That's with a small average of 10 dollars per person in concessions.

 

Add in sky box sales, donations that come with being "big time", add in the advertising dollars, and the concerts, etc...and a stadium of that size has the potential to hit $5 million per year at a minimum...potentially nearing 8 million. That's against MARGINAL increases in current costs to operate, which is a tax write off for the school.

 

Let's call it a cool $5 million in realized revenue. Those dollars, if appropriately utilized, will either pay for the football program itself, which frees up millions to utilize for sports like hoops and baseball, or it gets invested in the form of endowing scholarships, which REALLY frees up funding on two fronts-- it's hard cold cash and it's an accounting balance on the "cost" of a scholarship, which is no true cost at all...it's a seat that would already be filled.

 

So, while I don't disagree with the things you want done--I do agree they are priorities--I think our hand is being forced to some extent.

 

Dr. McElroy has done a fine job steering all of our programs. I trust him. I couldn't say that years ago...but I am now.

 

Nicely said. All points. Expansion will do wonders, for everything.

[Clickclack]

I think people are missing two MAJOR points.

 

1) FCS and FBS football are in line for a massive change. There is likely going to be a seismic shift that will see a bunch of low-mid FBS leagues combining with high FCS leagues. However, this will include a stadium comparison issue-- URI won't be able to make that jump. Albany WANTS to make that jump to stay with the UD's, Towson's, Montana's of the world that will likely combine with the Buffalo's.

 

We won't be able to move without a stadium increase.

 

2) More seats= more revenue. It's concession revenue, advertising revenue, luxury box static revenue, usage revenue (concerts and other events), etc. Irrespective of filling it with home or away fans, a sold out stadium at 18,000 seats (using that as a minimum number) over 6 games brings in REVENUE of almost 4 million dollars. That's with a small average of 10 dollars per person in concessions.

 

Add in sky box sales, donations that come with being "big time", add in the advertising dollars, and the concerts, etc...and a stadium of that size has the potential to hit $5 million per year at a minimum...potentially nearing 8 million. That's against MARGINAL increases in current costs to operate, which is a tax write off for the school.

 

Let's call it a cool $5 million in realized revenue. Those dollars, if appropriately utilized, will either pay for the football program itself, which frees up millions to utilize for sports like hoops and baseball, or it gets invested in the form of endowing scholarships, which REALLY frees up funding on two fronts-- it's hard cold cash and it's an accounting balance on the "cost" of a scholarship, which is no true cost at all...it's a seat that would already be filled.

 

So, while I don't disagree with the things you want done--I do agree they are priorities--I think our hand is being forced to some extent.

 

Dr. McElroy has done a fine job steering all of our programs. I trust him. I couldn't say that years ago...but I am now.

 

All of this is true if people come out to support. You can build it but if there are 10 people in a 24k stadium then what? Having said that, I'd like to go for it. The potential upside is much bigger then any downside.

[Eli]

I agree with Dane. Upgrade Football, then Basketball (men's and women's) as those are the 'cash cows' here. Once those programs are doing well and being successful/making revenue...then worry about sports like baseball which likely don't generate much revenue for the school but cost more than anything to maintain. We probably barely break even in that sport.

 

Then again, I'm not a big baseball fan (although I do watch the highlights in october) or a big soccer fan, etc.

 

Our main four sports (and thus concerns/priorities for upgrading) are FB, BB, LAX, and T&F. That's it. All the others can wait until funds are available BUT not at the expense of the big four. I realize many people might disagree with me but that's fine, we can agree to disagree.

Edited January 30, 2014 by Ilko

[UA'08]

Someone winning the Power Ball on this forum would solve all the answers.

[uofalbany]

I think people are missing two MAJOR points.

 

1) FCS and FBS football are in line for a massive change. There is likely going to be a seismic shift that will see a bunch of low-mid FBS leagues combining with high FCS leagues. However, this will include a stadium comparison issue-- URI won't be able to make that jump. Albany WANTS to make that jump to stay with the UD's, Towson's, Montana's of the world that will likely combine with the Buffalo's.

 

We won't be able to move without a stadium increase.

 

2) More seats= more revenue. It's concession revenue, advertising revenue, luxury box static revenue, usage revenue (concerts and other events), etc. Irrespective of filling it with home or away fans, a sold out stadium at 18,000 seats (using that as a minimum number) over 6 games brings in REVENUE of almost 4 million dollars. That's with a small average of 10 dollars per person in concessions.

 

Add in sky box sales, donations that come with being "big time", add in the advertising dollars, and the concerts, etc...and a stadium of that size has the potential to hit $5 million per year at a minimum...potentially nearing 8 million. That's against MARGINAL increases in current costs to operate, which is a tax write off for the school.

 

Let's call it a cool $5 million in realized revenue. Those dollars, if appropriately utilized, will either pay for the football program itself, which frees up millions to utilize for sports like hoops and baseball, or it gets invested in the form of endowing scholarships, which REALLY frees up funding on two fronts-- it's hard cold cash and it's an accounting balance on the "cost" of a scholarship, which is no true cost at all...it's a seat that would already be filled.

 

So, while I don't disagree with the things you want done--I do agree they are priorities--I think our hand is being forced to some extent.

 

Dr. McElroy has done a fine job steering all of our programs. I trust him. I couldn't say that years ago...but I am now.

 

All of this is true if people come out to support. You can build it but if there are 10 people in a 24k stadium then what? Having said that, I'd like to go for it. The potential upside is much bigger then any downside.

 

Having a 25k seat stadium? Not much downside there.

But the upside, that's another beast.

 

The stadium is the key. The larger the stadium goes, the larger the dividends to the entire athletic department, including its facilities.

Of course, we probably don't need a 50k stadium................................................ now

[UAalum72]

Side Note: I know there is snow all over, but have the Track Project been put on hold and/or how is it going?

http://bigpurplefans.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=7431&st=30#entry73782

Someone winning the Power Ball on this forum would solve all the answers.

I got mine!

[Clickclack]

I think people are missing two MAJOR points.

 

1) FCS and FBS football are in line for a massive change. There is likely going to be a seismic shift that will see a bunch of low-mid FBS leagues combining with high FCS leagues. However, this will include a stadium comparison issue-- URI won't be able to make that jump. Albany WANTS to make that jump to stay with the UD's, Towson's, Montana's of the world that will likely combine with the Buffalo's.

 

We won't be able to move without a stadium increase.

 

2) More seats= more revenue. It's concession revenue, advertising revenue, luxury box static revenue, usage revenue (concerts and other events), etc. Irrespective of filling it with home or away fans, a sold out stadium at 18,000 seats (using that as a minimum number) over 6 games brings in REVENUE of almost 4 million dollars. That's with a small average of 10 dollars per person in concessions.

 

Add in sky box sales, donations that come with being "big time", add in the advertising dollars, and the concerts, etc...and a stadium of that size has the potential to hit $5 million per year at a minimum...potentially nearing 8 million. That's against MARGINAL increases in current costs to operate, which is a tax write off for the school.

 

Let's call it a cool $5 million in realized revenue. Those dollars, if appropriately utilized, will either pay for the football program itself, which frees up millions to utilize for sports like hoops and baseball, or it gets invested in the form of endowing scholarships, which REALLY frees up funding on two fronts-- it's hard cold cash and it's an accounting balance on the "cost" of a scholarship, which is no true cost at all...it's a seat that would already be filled.

 

So, while I don't disagree with the things you want done--I do agree they are priorities--I think our hand is being forced to some extent.

 

Dr. McElroy has done a fine job steering all of our programs. I trust him. I couldn't say that years ago...but I am now.

 

All of this is true if people come out to support. You can build it but if there are 10 people in a 24k stadium then what? Having said that, I'd like to go for it. The potential upside is much bigger then any downside.

 

Having a 25k seat stadium? Not much downside there.

But the upside, that's another beast.

 

The stadium is the key. The larger the stadium goes, the larger the dividends to the entire athletic department, including its facilities.

Of course, we probably don't need a 50k stadium................................................ now

 

Sorry, to clarify...get what you can when you can! Didn't mean to imply in any way shape or form that we shouldn't.

Edited January 30, 2014 by Clickclack

[Jammaster]

I agree with Dane. Upgrade Football, then Basketball (men's and women's) as those are the 'cash cows' here. Once those programs are doing well and being successful/making revenue...then worry about sports like baseball which likely don't generate much revenue for the school but cost more than anything to maintain. We probably barely break even in that sport.

 

Then again, I'm not a big baseball fan (although I do watch the highlights in october) or a big soccer fan, etc.

 

Our main four sports (and thus concerns/priorities for upgrading) are FB, BB, LAX, and T&F. That's it. All the others can wait until funds are available BUT not at the expense of the big four. I realize many people might disagree with me but that's fine, we can agree to disagree.

 

 

Ilko--I recommend checking out a soccer game in the new stadium if you can. BestDaneSinceHamlet and I were watching practice from the cheap seats back in October and it's an awesome view. And soccer is a sport you can't help but appreciate when you see the strategy from that vantage point.

[Dane96]

This...is true. And the best seats for soccer are in the endzones...ALWAYS. Gives you best view of how a team runs their sets.