Love this rendering! That would be amazingBack to the SEZ, I will reiterate that any improvement is awesome. The Horseshoe isn't an inherent problem because it's old ... East Main is old. It's a problem because it adds nothing to the stadium and even actively hurts the stadium. It's too far from the field, it packs the maximum number of fans into the smallest area possible (the opposite of what modern stadiums do), it slopes back too gradually to add the necessary height to make the stadium look complete and its architecture (specifically the exterior) is jarringly out of place compared to the beauty of the rest of the stadium. So, even just bringing the stands down to field level and touching up the back would be a HUGE improvement. With that in mind, I see the SEZ plans in these tiers.
Tier 1 - Bare Minimum ... If literally nothing else is done, we need to fill in the odd gap behind the end zone by bringing the first row down to grass level (similarly to the sections on either side of the Horseshoe) and add some rows behind the current last row to create some height. We haven't had a track in decades, so the front fix should have been done with temporary bleachers yesterday! Ideally, both of these are permanent seats that also touch up that area massively, internal and external. This is the fix if it is determined that we don't want to mess with removing more than we have to of the existing Horseshoe structure and can't get things to work behind the SEZ with the street or something.
View attachment 43589
Tier 2 - Add in Some Suites ... This is the LSU example I posted the other day. You fix the current issues with the Horseshoe without tearing up the whole structure, and you add in revenue-generating suites on top (probably for a much lower cost than more transformative options) to help pay for it.
Tier 3 - Iowa Prototype ... The Iowa NEZ transformation is very popular here, and for good reason. They managed to build a nice new structure that is as close to the field as possible, creates an impressive amount of height, closes in the corners to trap noise and includes luxury suite areas to generate revenue but that actually seamlessly fit into the overall look and it distributes capacity in a really efficient way. I've said this before, but it is truly astonishing to me that the structure below has the SAME CAPACITY as our current Horseshoe, even though it looks much grander!
Tier 4 - Home Run ... This is the dream if money really isn't short in any way. You build a "wall" of fans that helps close in the stadium, make the atmosphere more intimidating and help to trap noise. You also add in those revenue-generating suites on top to help get a return on this, and the exterior (either one of the options below would be great, but I actually like the one with the columns a lot more, personally) can honor the architecture of our classic stadium. I actually think this option is even better than Iowa's, as it tries to honor our traditional look. The ONLY thing I would change if I could is taking out the walkway in the middle three sections only to create that intimidating "wall of fans."
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Memorial Stadium
- Status
As a 24 year season ticket holder I think expansion is not yet needed. For this next game you can get seat geek tickets below face value for a "sold out" game. But I think making some cool standing room only, beer garden-ish area in south end zone would work.
Liked at first. Have since decided that these two aspects (sidelines vs. south end zones) area complete mismatch. I'll take Zupp's rendition.
Guess I'm in the minority but I think this is a hot mess.
Too many different elements stacked atop and competing with one another in relative close proximity.
GIES MEMORIAL STADIUM
ILLINI FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME
THE BUTKUS BEER GARDEN
No room for anything to breath.
Not to mention they aren't all centered with the field.
Removing the HOF and replacing with seating or an outdoor promenade might preserve some of the stately character of the stadium.
For the record: It's - The Butkus Beer Garten
Illini92and96
- Austin, TX
You could remove some of the signage to make it less busy. Also change the black to gray matching the rest of the stadium so it doesn’t pop as much.
krushalot2005
- Chicago, IL
This makes the renaming look like child’s play…doesn’t look great and the ILLINI there was a solid moniker and part of the design given the six windows. Hope it’s temporary.
@Indy Illini Fan What stadium renovations would you feel most likely? I know they have publicly said "all options are being explored". But, I feel like they sold Mr. Gies on a specific renovation that is considered the main effort.
Will there be other variations brought up and assessed? Sure. But doesn't it seem likely that the majority of the renovations are mostly earmarked and decided?
Will there be other variations brought up and assessed? Sure. But doesn't it seem likely that the majority of the renovations are mostly earmarked and decided?
Think I read somewhere that the other two windows will be filled with a
and a 
. We’re movin’ on up folks.
Let’s get stadium capacity back to 75,000.
Pack it like it’s 1983, and forge ahead
Right. Not good. Maybe we could add geese on either end of Gies in the empty panels. We could be the Fighting Geese in honor of Gies.
ILLINI sure looked good.
Attachments
I know this has been discussed a lot, but I'm surprised folks are against adding Gies to the name. First, he's a pretty amazing guy and the kind of intense support the athletic department and entire university needs. Second, it's 100x better than a corporate name.
Besides all of that, in this new world of college sports, especially football, without supporters like him, we will have very little chance of remaining competitive with the top 25-30 teams. As things evolve, being left out of the top of the sport would have devastating impacts on the university's athletic teams.
That said, we're building something pretty special, and if we can continue to build on it, we can consistently be one of the top 10-15 teams in the sport.
Let's hope the o-line makes some big strides this week, we beat Western, and then take it to Indiana next week!
Besides all of that, in this new world of college sports, especially football, without supporters like him, we will have very little chance of remaining competitive with the top 25-30 teams. As things evolve, being left out of the top of the sport would have devastating impacts on the university's athletic teams.
That said, we're building something pretty special, and if we can continue to build on it, we can consistently be one of the top 10-15 teams in the sport.
Let's hope the o-line makes some big strides this week, we beat Western, and then take it to Indiana next week!
I like the 2014 rendering over the AI for the SEZ, but both are an improvement. Go talk on both ends!!
my initial response when I heard they were adding his name to Memorial Stadium was negative
BUT
I warmed up to the idea soon thereafter and have accepted it. It was inevitable. Its really not diminishing the memory of the students who died in any way.
Im fine with it
now, taking down the I L L I N I from the six west side windows and putting GIES there ? Im against that.
There are plenty other spots to put his name.
Dan
Admin
I hope we haven't lost WCIA's Memorial Stadium live camera forever?-
band camp
- STL City
I hope we haven't lost WCIA's Memorial Stadium live camera forever?-
IlliniCardinal
- Minneapolis
When big change happens quickly - even when the overall direction is positive - there are often smaller things that you won’t like. I agree that GIES rather than ILLINI isn’t the best look behind the press box, but I attribute this action (most likely) to the department of athletics rather than Larry. And there may be a specific reason we may not know about.
For example, there was a big I Fund event Friday night and having the GIES behind the press box may not be directed to the casual fan but to inspire other donors and potential larger donors. The $100M gift is (hopefully) the catalyst to many more. A full stadium remodel will need additional funds from many donors and sources.
Overall, the $100M gift and branding make a ton of sense, and I’m impressed the stadium signs were changed quickly to highlight the gift and direction. I won’t second guess Josh or others in the DIA on small things like the press box ILLINI when, big picture, everything is headed in the right direction.
Gies Memorial is the home of my favorite team. Your #9 Fighting Illini. Let’s Go Illinois!!
I’m withholding a lot of judgement on the naming aspect until after the dust settles. As a lot of others have said, much of this may be temporary for a variety of reasons.
Count me in the camp that hates the Gies look in the windows. Purely from a I think it looks dumb standpoint.
The stadium name was a shock at first, but honestly, as some people mentioned it’s better than something like “[corporate name here] Memorial Stadium”. We have a family that is passionate about Illinois Athletics that is willing to invest a lot of money into the program. We should be thrilled. Plus, I’m hopeful this is a catalyst for others.
I-L-L, baby!
Count me in the camp that hates the Gies look in the windows. Purely from a I think it looks dumb standpoint.
The stadium name was a shock at first, but honestly, as some people mentioned it’s better than something like “[corporate name here] Memorial Stadium”. We have a family that is passionate about Illinois Athletics that is willing to invest a lot of money into the program. We should be thrilled. Plus, I’m hopeful this is a catalyst for others.
I-L-L, baby!
Dan
Admin
- Status