Memorial Stadium Renovation

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#226      

ilphotog

The camera never lies
Champaign
I'm not sure why people want the seats to go all the way down to the field, maybe I'm not understanding how far down etc. But if you take the South endzone all the way down to the field, the first few rows wont be able to see over people who are standing around the field (S. endzone). IMO you need a 5-7' wall then start your seats, since they have said repeatedly that they cannot lower the field (their words) I would like to see them remove the 3' wall on both the East and West sides. Take out the first 5 rows since they really can't be used, build a new wall that meets up with the NEW first row ( formally row 6). Why? No more tarped seats, and it gives a little more room on the sidelines. If you are ever on the field, you would understand this. With all the groups on the field, it gets pretty tight. And yes we have more room now then some others do, but it would help us who are on the field working during the game.
 
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#227      
I'm not sure why people want the seats to go all the way down to the field, maybe I'm not understanding how far down etc. But if you take the South endzone all the way down to the field, the first few rows wont be able to see over people who are standing around the field (S. endzone). IMO you need a 5-7' wall then start your seats, since they have said repeatedly that they cannot lower the field (their words) I would like to see them remove the 3' wall on both the East and West sides. Take out the first 5 rows since they really can't be used, build a new wall that meets up with the NEW first row ( formally row 6). Why? No more tarped seats, and it gives a little more room on the sidelines. If you are ever on the field, you would understand this. With all the groups on the field, it gets pretty tight. And yes we have more room now then some others do, but it would help us who are on the field working during the game.

A scattering of cameramen and cheerleaders milling around isn't the same kind of visual obstruction as a phalanx of enormous, fully padded D1 football players.

I tend to agree that a 6 foot wall all the way around is the way to go, not least because that's what every newly-built stadium tends to have, but there's room for a bit of creativity there.

But the tarps man, the tarps gotta go. You're right that lowering the field isn't a must to make that happen. Just taking out the tarped off rows would be cheap and easy. Has. To. Happen.
 
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#228      

Deleted member 16340

D
Guest
I thought that JW said that the intention was to bring the SEZ to the field. He mentioned Nebbie and Iowa as two examples, if I remember correctly...
 
#229      

IlliniOX08

Bucktown, Chicago
I'm not sure why people want the seats to go all the way down to the field, maybe I'm not understanding how far down etc. But if you take the South endzone all the way down to the field, the first few rows wont be able to see over people who are standing around the field (S. endzone). IMO you need a 5-7' wall then start your seats, since they have said repeatedly that they cannot lower the field (their words) I would like to see them remove the 3' wall on both the East and West sides. Take out the first 5 rows since they really can't be used, build a new wall that meets up with the NEW first row ( formally row 6). Why? No more tarped seats, and it gives a little more room on the sidelines. If you are ever on the field, you would understand this. With all the groups on the field, it gets pretty tight. And yes we have more room now then some others do, but it would help us who are on the field working during the game.

I'd also assume that they'd be moving some of those people down there to either the NEZ or other newly created space within the SEZ. Bringing the SEZ to the field and moving the students to the SEZ could only be a good thing IMO.
 
#230      
But the tarps man, the tarps gotta go. You're right that lowering the field isn't a must to make that happen. Just taking out the tarped off rows would be cheap and easy. Has. To. Happen.

100% agree. I'm always amazed that with all the human and capital resources we have, something more creative isn't done.

How about Memorial Mums? People donate money in honor of loved ones, we purchase a crap-ton of orange Mums (perfect for our colors and the season) and fill up those spaces with something unique. It would be like the hedges some SEC schools have.... just SOMETHING unique. Heck, get 5,000 pumpkins from Morton and put them there... again, seasonal and school color appropriate.

I'm not saying these are the best ideas, but there has got to be something better than a tarp!
 
#232      

Hoppy2105

Little Rock, Arkansas
We have talked on here about where people/students might be moved after the reno. I've seen several advocate for the student section to be in the South and away from the NEZ. What about going back to the 50? I love student sections that are among the normal crowd. I'm sure lots of people who want to go to the game and sit and be quiet the whole time would disagree but I just love it.

It allows for noise throughout the entire stadium instead of focused on one end zone and it also allows the slightly more sheepish fans to yell because it will already be loud. Yelling and getting energized can be contagious, but if we keep that contagion quarantined to one end zone it will be harder to have the same atmosphere when all the action is at the opposite side. Putting the students in the middle helps with that, imo. What does everyone think?
 
#233      
What about going back to the 50?

Almost no schools give students good seats anymore. It's a money thing.

Basketball is a little different because it takes fewer seats, it's easier to fake on TV, student noise produces genuine impact on the game, etc, but it won't happen for football.

You could also put the students in a corner of the stadium, but the end zone probably beats that in terms of being able to have an impact on the game.
 
#234      
Almost no schools give students good seats anymore. It's a money thing.

Basketball is a little different because it takes fewer seats, it's easier to fake on TV, student noise produces genuine impact on the game, etc, but it won't happen for football.

You could also put the students in a corner of the stadium, but the end zone probably beats that in terms of being able to have an impact on the game.

In Lincoln they moved the student seats to the corner...they still buy season tickets but their seating is GA and I think they open the gates about 3 hours before kickoff. They will never move them back because, like you said, the money.

They still do a good job with things (making noise) but they probably need to be where they are because most of the Husker fans are ancient and they yell at you to sit down and not scream so much. Many sections have the same people in them for the last 30 years...they all know each other and if you end up in their section because you bought tix or got them from a friend they will size you up right away and let you know "This is a no-standing section" we like to sit and watch the game.
 
#235      
most of the Husker fans are ancient and they yell at you to sit down and not scream so much... let you know "This is a no-standing section" we like to sit and watch the game.

Geez there's nothing worse than a block of students standing up in front of you. When a play happens there is a tidal wave of rows standing to see the play because the row in front of them stood. Purdue is the worst, the whole stadium stands. Even during time outs and commercials. I cannot stand for 3 1/2 hours. I need to sit and see the game. The players can't tell if you're standing so it makes no sense. Screaming is fine, I was just at Boise State and they yelled to support the team. But if you're drunk, then that becomes a nuisance.
 
#236      

IlliniOX08

Bucktown, Chicago
We have talked on here about where people/students might be moved after the reno. I've seen several advocate for the student section to be in the South and away from the NEZ. What about going back to the 50? I love student sections that are among the normal crowd. I'm sure lots of people who want to go to the game and sit and be quiet the whole time would disagree but I just love it.

It allows for noise throughout the entire stadium instead of focused on one end zone and it also allows the slightly more sheepish fans to yell because it will already be loud. Yelling and getting energized can be contagious, but if we keep that contagion quarantined to one end zone it will be harder to have the same atmosphere when all the action is at the opposite side. Putting the students in the middle helps with that, imo. What does everyone think?

Don't think they will go to the 50 but I'd be curious to see what the impact would be of putting them back to the 10-30 yard lines on the East Side.

Again, probably too much money lost which is why I think the SEZ makes the most sense. If you're going to bring the seats all the way down to the field, give them to the part of the crowd that will be the most raucous.
 
#237      
Geez there's nothing worse than a block of students standing up in front of you. When a play happens there is a tidal wave of rows standing to see the play because the row in front of them stood. Purdue is the worst, the whole stadium stands. Even during time outs and commercials. I cannot stand for 3 1/2 hours. I need to sit and see the game. The players can't tell if you're standing so it makes no sense. Screaming is fine, I was just at Boise State and they yelled to support the team. But if you're drunk, then that becomes a nuisance.

Energy, enthusiasm and emotion be damned at a college sporting event!
 
#238      
It's the columns, stupid. They are hot and they need to be a big part of the renovation. I can imagine ringing the top of the SEZ with columns as in the original rendering.
 
#239      

unimaroon

Baja Ontario
In Lincoln they moved the student seats to the corner...they still buy season tickets but their seating is GA and I think they open the gates about 3 hours before kickoff. They will never move them back because, like you said, the money.

They still do a good job with things (making noise) but they probably need to be where they are because most of the Husker fans are ancient and they yell at you to sit down and not scream so much. Many sections have the same people in them for the last 30 years...they all know each other and if you end up in their section because you bought tix or got them from a friend they will size you up right away and let you know "This is a no-standing section" we like to sit and watch the game.

"The proprieties must be observed at all times."

32664cd6b3baafa7481ba7089b272a65.jpg
 
#240      
Geez there's nothing worse than a block of students standing up in front of you. When a play happens there is a tidal wave of rows standing to see the play because the row in front of them stood. Purdue is the worst, the whole stadium stands. Even during time outs and commercials. I cannot stand for 3 1/2 hours. I need to sit and see the game. The players can't tell if you're standing so it makes no sense. Screaming is fine, I was just at Boise State and they yelled to support the team. But if you're drunk, then that becomes a nuisance.

Hey, I don't stand for the entire game either.
 
#242      
Geez there's nothing worse than a block of students standing up in front of you. When a play happens there is a tidal wave of rows standing to see the play because the row in front of them stood. Purdue is the worst, the whole stadium stands. Even during time outs and commercials. I cannot stand for 3 1/2 hours. I need to sit and see the game. The players can't tell if you're standing so it makes no sense. Screaming is fine, I was just at Boise State and they yelled to support the team. But if you're drunk, then that becomes a nuisance.

This is one of the biggest problems at Illinois football games. The whole darn place should be standing when the opponent has a 3rd down (or going for a 4th down) and the game is still in question. It's like we don't have any idea on how to make an impact on the game. I secretly hope the people in front of me stand up so then I can join them and just say "sorry folks behind me, but I couldn't see."
 
#243      

illynifan34

That's a winner!!
OH
Geez there's nothing worse than a block of students standing up in front of you. When a play happens there is a tidal wave of rows standing to see the play because the row in front of them stood. Purdue is the worst, the whole stadium stands. Even during time outs and commercials. I cannot stand for 3 1/2 hours. I need to sit and see the game. The players can't tell if you're standing so it makes no sense. Screaming is fine, I was just at Boise State and they yelled to support the team. But if you're drunk, then that becomes a nuisance.

Sorry I was on your lawn.
 
#244      
A scattering of cameramen and cheerleaders milling around isn't the same kind of visual obstruction as a phalanx of enormous, fully padded D1 football players.
You would have been blocked off by the Western Michigan band the entire game. Tubas and bass drums are as big as D1 players.;)
 
#248      
Geez there's nothing worse than a block of students standing up in front of you. When a play happens there is a tidal wave of rows standing to see the play because the row in front of them stood. Purdue is the worst, the whole stadium stands. Even during time outs and commercials. I cannot stand for 3 1/2 hours. I need to sit and see the game. The players can't tell if you're standing so it makes no sense. Screaming is fine, I was just at Boise State and they yelled to support the team. But if you're drunk, then that becomes a nuisance.
Nothing worse?

I think being bumped in the back of the head by someone clambering over other people in the row behind is worse. Standing prevents that from happening.

I can think of quite a few other things that are worse, including drinks being spilled on your head, which are less likely if standing. I imagine being vomited on by a drunk would be worse, too.

Freezing rain is also worse, as is being near people who are constantly negative or critical or foul mouthed.

Be grateful that you can stand and cheer, which I'm sure you are. Standing up is good exercise, too, so you could embrace that.
 
#249      
It's the columns, stupid. They are hot and they need to be a big part of the renovation. I can imagine ringing the top of the SEZ with columns as in the original rendering.

Isn't there some concern about adding columns since that would dilute the significance of the original column dedications? I thought that was a factor in the 2007 renovation.
 
#250      
Isn't there some concern about adding columns since that would dilute the significance of the original column dedications? I thought that was a factor in the 2007 renovation.

Oh yeah, you can't add columns. Isn't each individual column dedicated to a specific WWI fallen soldier?

That can't change.

As you all know, I have nothing but complaints about the 2007 renovations, but the one thing they did well was retain the character of the facility.

Whitman has a great deal of reverence for the building, I would be surprised if he doesn't get that part of it right.
 
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