Topic: SHR: Old Dominion announces remodel, expansion plans for S.B. Ballard Stadium

[Ovaltine Jenkins]

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2018/04/20/old-dominion-announces-remodel-expansion-plans-for-s-b-ballard-stadium/

[rvntx]

Just replacing existing stands and seating. No real expansion...

[svherd]

But they have potential!

[pdunn]

Isn't this about the tenth time they've made an announcement about stadium construction yet nothing happens?

[herdfan129]

I wish we would update our stadium to make all the seats chair back. Possibly the only ones to leave as bleachers should be the aluminum end zone expansion.

[coalherd]

They can easily do what the plan primarily between seasons.  I believe WVU redid all the major renovations, concourse, restrooms, etc., at Mountaineer Field/Puskar between seasons.  James Madison did the same and expanded their seating capacity between seasons.  Tore one side down then rebuilt seats prior to next season opener.

MU needs to take note of the cost involved in such projects.  WKU spent a lot more than the $25 million or thereabouts it cost to originally built the MU Stadium when they renovated and expanded their Houchens Stadium.  Akron spent over $60 million in building their new Infocision Stadium; JMU spent $60 million plus in renovating/expanding Bridgeforth Stadium, and now ODU plans on spending about the same amount. 

Should be pretty clear to MU officials and Herd fans that you are not going to get any quality facility without spending SUFFICIENT $$$$.  We've already seen a good example of that when MU decided to do a project "in a hurry and on the cheap":  the end zone seats, aluminum bleachers with no fan amenities at the Joan.  Probably did it with around $5 to $8 million, tops.

Oh, and did you see where ODU is asking the State of Virginia for additional funding for the project?  They will use some private funds, no doubt.  But in Virginia and most other states, state Universities are given adequate funding/bonding authority for capital projects, be it academic facilities, athletic ones, dorms, etc. UNLIKE THE SITUATION HERE IN WV where only WVU HAS THE VIRTUAL ABILITY TO ISSUE BONDS ON ITS OWN WHENEVER NEEDED THROUGH ITS BOARD OF GOVERNORS!!  Another example:  JMU is going to start a NEW basketball facility with a total cost of over $80 MILLION.  The schools is raising about $ 8 to 10 million privately; the rest will be through school and/or state bonds!!!

If anyone thinks MU can fund and build most of its capital needs, academic and/or athletic, by raising private monies only, is sadly mistaken.  We should see that from both the Vision campaign, where we had I believe less than 500 people contribute, and the Bridge Campaign, which raised funds for the Alumni/Foundation Building and the Dot softball field, which probably had less contributors than the Vision drive.

[Ninegate]

Coalherd, agree. We don’t have the resources of a JMU. If you are trying to fund a basketball practice facilty, an upgraded baseball program plus stadium, and a tennis facility. That would be in the neighborhood of $50 mil. Almost half our endowment. Sorry...I can’t see that happening. If that kind of money can be raised then put it towards education.

[coalherd]

Coalherd, agree. We don’t have the resources of a JMU. If you are trying to fund a basketball practice facilty, an upgraded baseball program plus stadium, and a tennis facility. That would be in the neighborhood of $50 mil. Almost half our endowment. Sorry...I can’t see that happening. If that kind of money can be raised then put it towards education.

Absolutely correct.  Especially when you think that our current "master plan", passed in 2013, calls for and detailed much need renovations, upgrades, and basic maintenance (HVAC, wiring, roofing, etc.) in at least 5 essential existing facilities at MU:  Jenkins Hall, Corbly Hall, the Science Building, Morrow Library and Old Main.  The price tag for all the planned improvements, many absolutely necessary (wiring, upgrades in computer systems, etc.), in these buildings alone, if FUNDS WERE AVAILABLE, was well over 100 million!!.  Note Jenkins Hall was built in the 30s, basically hasn't had that much in changes, upgrades, etc., since the building was repurposed from being the old lab school into the home of the education department.  Corbly Hall is the home of the MU business school.  Essentially unchanged since it opened in the 1970s.  Of course, this doesn't even include the improvements outlined, around 25 million or so in the Master Plan, for renovations, upgrades, etc., at the nearly half century old Memorial Student Center.

Yep, I'm sure if some well heeled, benevolent soul drops $50 million in Dr. Gilbert or Mike Hamrick's laps, I'm sure they can find plenty of athletic department uses/projects to spend the money on!!

[svherd]

Problem is, MU has never taken the time or made the effort to establish a connection with alumni. The only time most hear from them is when they want money. Every grad should be ingrained in the MU history and feel good about getting their degree here. That emotional connection/relationship leads to donations later in life. Sadly, that hasn’t happened.

[Ovaltine Jenkins]

It's interesting about how Virginia invests in its schools of higher learning.  Many of my friends that I grew up in Bluefield with live across the border in VA and send their kids to schools like JMU, GMU and VCU among others.  It's sad that the state officials don't understand that education is the key to maintenance of the state.

[Ninegate]

The difference is Virginia has 16 mil people and a good economy with strong tax base. WV....does not.

[svherd]

It's interesting about how Virginia invests in its schools of higher learning.  Many of my friends that I grew up in Bluefield with live across the border in VA and send their kids to schools like JMU, GMU and VCU among others.  It's sad that the state officials don't understand that education is the key to maintenance of the state.

Being the husband of an educator, what’s sadder is that a large majority of WV parents don’t value education, this they don’t encourage their kids to value their education. Little Jimmy wants to be a coal miner or coal truck truck driver like daddy. Then he can get him a pick up truck, 4 Wheeler and put a dish on top of his trailer like mommy and daddy. Admiral jobs, but they gone.

[CoachMaclid]

Seriously question.

Isn’t this LITERALLY the third time ODU has announced stadium plans in the last few years and haven’t done jack yet?

[coalherd]

Seriously question.

Isn’t this LITERALLY the third time ODU has announced stadium plans in the last few years and haven’t done jack yet?

UH, pales in comparison to MU's "Plans" for DECADES re: a baseball facility and hasn't come close to "jack sh#t" yet!!!!

[bighat]

Coalherd, I am asking when Marshall had plans for when basketball arena was to be upgraded.  Not being disrespectful.  I don't remember any announcement.

[lexkyherdfan]

Problem is, MU has never taken the time or made the effort to establish a connection with alumni. The only time most hear from them is when they want money. Every grad should be ingrained in the MU history and feel good about getting their degree here. That emotional connection/relationship leads to donations later in life. Sadly, that hasn’t happened.

actually in some areas they do.  I know personally I do here in Lexington but getting people involved and want to help out Marshall in any way is not as easy as we all think.  We have over 400 or 500 alumni in Central KY yet we get about 50 or so at events and sometimes not that many.  I always hear from people that want to do things but when asked they don't.  We have about 30 Big Green members is all around here.  I know of some former athletes that won't get involved much less join the Big Green.  It gets frustrating for me personally as I also know Doctors that won't either.  Some of them are so embedded at UK that they don't look at Marshall athletically at all.  Its frustrating but I don't give up the fight.  At some point...graduates from Marshall have to want to participate...not just use the school for an education.  No matter how many times I contact them if they don't want to participate they won't...and so far several won't.  I will be working on more new donors tonight with hopes of adding at least a couple new donors. 

By the way...I am unsure why someone gave you a smite for your comment.  pretty silly in my opinion.

[svherd]

actually in some areas they do.  I know personally I do here in Lexington but getting people involved and want to help out Marshall in any way is not as easy as we all think.  We have over 400 or 500 alumni in Central KY yet we get about 50 or so at events and sometimes not that many.  I always hear from people that want to do things but when asked they don't.  We have about 30 Big Green members is all around here.  I know of some former athletes that won't get involved much less join the Big Green.  It gets frustrating for me personally as I also know Doctors that won't either.  Some of them are so embedded at UK that they don't look at Marshall athletically at all.  Its frustrating but I don't give up the fight.  At some point...graduates from Marshall have to want to participate...not just use the school for an education.  No matter how many times I contact them if they don't want to participate they won't...and so far several won't.  I will be working on more new donors tonight with hopes of adding at least a couple new donors. 

By the way...I am unsure why someone gave you a smite for your comment.  pretty silly in my opinion.

I certainly appreciate all you do. You obviously have passion for this school. I tried to talk my brother and father in law into joining the BG yesterday over a round of golf. We’ll see what happens.

[Herdmeister]

I certainly appreciate all you do. You obviously have passion for this school. I tried to talk my brother and father in law into joining the BG yesterday over a round of golf. We’ll see what happens.

Big Green for as little as $5 per month

[goherd14562]

UH, pales in comparison to MU's "Plans" for DECADES re: a baseball facility and hasn't come close to "jack sh#t" yet!!!!

I wish I could applaud this.

[Herdmeister]

It's interesting about how Virginia invests in its schools of higher learning.  Many of my friends that I grew up in Bluefield with live across the border in VA and send their kids to schools like JMU, GMU and VCU among others.  It's sad that the state officials don't understand that education is the key to maintenance of the state.

Obviously I don't know how the environment was in 1863 but I sure wish we were still part of Virginia today. They are far ahead of us in so many ways. Education and roads to name a couple.

[svherd]

Big Green for as little as $5 per month

Trust me, I hammer that home all the time. Lol!

[lexkyherdfan]

I certainly appreciate all you do. You obviously have passion for this school. I tried to talk my brother and father in law into joining the BG yesterday over a round of golf. We’ll see what happens.

I know you do.  You and I have discussed things before and ways to help get people.  The message from me was my experience at how darn hard it is.  Actually it is more frustrating than hard because people say one thing and then do another.  We all on here are invested...so it isn't about us...it is about those out in the world.  One of these days...I hope I can sit back and smile at the amount of people wanting to jump on board. 

[bighat]

Coalherd, I read basketball instead of baseball, sorry.

[coalherd]

Coalherd, I read basketball instead of baseball, sorry.

No problem on this end, bighat.  Actually, MU's master plan approved in 2013 has some significant improvements indicated for the CAM and Gullickson Hall which would be beneficial to the basketball programs and volleyball.  However, whether its basketball, baseball, or an academic building, the bottom line is where the $$$$$ will come from!!