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PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

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Re: PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

I use to be in favor of a temp stadium on campus for the most obvious of reason - what it would mean for this program just for a chance to having our games on campus.

However, when you look at the logistics & cost issues it just doesn't make much sense, as far as cost goes, especially if it's only for one or two years, it just doesn't makes sense.  The COST is just to high.

It's not just about a field & bleachers (which is probably the cheapest part of the process), but here is a list of what would be needed:

- restroom facilities for the general public
- press box with all neccessary amenities, including internet access
- scoreboard & sound system
- locker rooms for visiting teams, with all neccessary amenities necessary which are many (showers,
  restrooms, etc….)
- concession stands
- If the Owls use the Oxley center as their dressing area, it's not a very practical place to use as a half
  time retreat.  So, what would be a good alternative.


I just hit on the most prevalent issues and there are others that would have to be addressed just to make a temp facilities pliable and even then, it's still would be no better then Lockhart, even it it's current state.

Here is the problem I have with a temp stadium, you are taking VALUABLE resources away from the ultimate goal - A PERMANENT STADIUM.  It's not like we are overflowing with funds, we are having a hard enough time finding funds for a permanent one, why take away from the main goal just to get on campus. Plus, look at all the time & effort that it would take to coordinate getting a temp stadium ready, again taking time away from the main goal of getting a stadium on campus.

And for what - one or two years of use.  It's merely putting a band-aid on the issue and not solving our must pressing needs.

The price for building a temp stadium comes at too high of a price, IMO and would only hurt us in the long run.  I would rather see us wait one more year and get it right.  Playing Michigan St to open our new stadium would be sweet indeed, but I am more concerned with the longevity of this program and sometimes short term gains come with a some baggages.  I only see it hindering the process of getting a stadium built on campus  and at what price?  The price would only push back when we would get our stadium built.

It comes down to $$$.

We need to ask ourselves, what is more important playing on campus ASAP or a permanent stadium on campus, even if it's delayed by one year.

I just don't think we have the resources to do both, unless a donor steps-in and gives a boat load of cash.
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Re: PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

b_rider72 said

dusky256fc said

If we are still playing in Lockhart in 2010, this team is doomed.  It will not survive for very long without an on campus stadium.

The team will survive, just look at what grat UCF had to deal with… and for so long a time as well. Now thats just the survival of the team, but to truly continue to expand and grow into what we all think it could become, then yes an on-campus stadium is crucial.

I know that was a bit on the negative side but I see it this way…We need two critical items to keep this program moving in the right direction, fans and players.  If we don't have the stadium ready to go by 2010 or at an absolute minimum, under construction during the 2010 season then we are going to lose all but the hard core fans (8-10K max) and we will definitely lose recruits which will then in turn result in less wins which then cycles back to fewer fans on and on.  This I believe is the make or break of this program because I agree with Bytor, a temp stadium just doesn't make sense and I don't believe it's going to happen.

GO OWLS!
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Re: PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

I agree with Bytor on this if it's going to be delayed one or two years. A huge waste of resources that are tough to come by, but the current financial situation in this country may push that four or five years further. This could be tough on the program. This is same conversation from the last four or five years, a huge build up and then the let down.

If they can build a temp stadium around the track for 700K which I'm sure would be much like a high school stadium and excludes the price of a track. Can't we build a temp stadium on the site of the permanent stadium and stop calling it a temp stadium. Do a basic 20K Temp type idea and add the field build the program build the fan base and as that happens so would the size of the stadium over time. Most of the big programs started with small stadiums or used off campus stadiums in there infancy. I somewhat believe this helps with the building of true fans and helps with convincing investors when it comes time to increase the size of the stadium and add amenities. Take a look at some of the major programs history of the facilities for their programs , you might be surprised.

When you look across the street and see a new high school field going in with turf field and new stands and we are having trouble raising a few million bucks to start the bonds someone ain't trowing the right switch's. We are talking about Boca Raton, West Palm Beach and South Florida, but the money comes from all over the country. This is the winter home community for most of the rich and these are the people that look for investments right offs etc. the money is out there .

This is probably more venting on my part because of the promise of a stadium being mentioned for several years and the foot dragging when times weren't financially as difficult. Venting for the lack of support form the BOT and from the lazy, self righteous city of Boca Raton officials with a mountain of excuses to have someone else do the work for them for many years.  :P

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Re: PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

Talon said

This is the winter home community for most of the rich and these are the people that look for investments right offs etc. the money is out there .
Since it's well-known that Boca Raton has a lot of rich people, countless organizations compete for that philanthropy money. The FAU Stadium campaign competes with medical causes, political causes, community causes, building churches, save the children, save the whales, save the earth, save us from meteorites, etc

It's tough. Even BRCH had a tough time trying to raise the $250 million it needed to jump-start the Schmidt Medical Center for the campus. That was a HOSPITAL, something you think would be an EASY sell in a community with so many elderly who use the hospital as often as college students use Starbucks.

Combine that with all the stories about the Davenport deal, the Corvette deal, not to mention the stories now that are suggesting we're being financially irresponsible by cutting classes (because of the economy) and at the same time, looking to build a football stadium. You know papers like the Palm Beach Post (how many times has their Editorial Staff written pieces about we shouldn't build the stadium?) are putting out these stories, projecting their view onto the readership to create this idea that donating to the football stadium is ethically wrong in a time when we're cutting classes due to unrelated issues.
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Re: PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

Well, looks like we might need to do something besides Lockhart anyway. According to today's Sun-Sentinel, The FAA just raised the rent on the city ($1.3 million a year), and it doesn't sound like the city is happy.

Here's the most important point: If they don't work out the funds with the Orioles (and it looks bleak), the FAA is requiring the property to be rezoned for industrial use (airport type stuff)…meaning Lockhard stadium will most likely be torn down.


http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/sfl-flsphyde31sbmay31,0,4303992.column

Topic Galleries - Sun Sentinel

-Go Owls!


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Re: PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

owlcountry said


Combine that with all the stories about the Davenport deal, the Corvette deal, not to mention the stories now that are suggesting we're being financially irresponsible by cutting classes (because of the economy) and at the same time, looking to build a football stadium. You know papers like the Palm Beach Post (how many times has their Editorial Staff written pieces about we shouldn't build the stadium?) are putting out these stories, projecting their view onto the readership to create this idea that donating to the football stadium is ethically wrong in a time when we're cutting classes due to unrelated issues.


I think the Davenport thing and the Corvette thing are a huge part of the problem.  A lot of people just won't hand over money when there are black eyes on FAU's record like those.  Plus, it gives the impression that FAU doesn't really need the money if they can buy cars for former presidents and pay hush money to disgruntled employees.

As for The Post, they aren't opposed to an FAU football stadium – they are opposed to FAU football.  Have been since Day One.  They are a good watchdog for many education spending issues, and it's always good to question things, but they tend to be absolutists when it comes to anything but the most necessary expenses or things not directly related to the classroom.  I don't think they want to keep FAU a commuter school; rather I think they'd like to see us become more like MIT than UF – at best a long-term goal to be sure.  In the meantime, students need a college experience, but The Post doesn't get that transitioning to a traditional college means creating a traditional college atmosphere, and sports are a huge part of that.  It helps students, alumni and the community relate to the college, which in turn means more money in the form of a strong alumni association and Foundation, and eventually an athletic department that can support itself.  We're not the Ivy League, but I think The Post would like us to be, so it is more concerned that FAU is forgoing academic excellence by selling its soul to the football devil to gain some quick notoriety.
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Re: PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

I hear ya Big Dog but even the Ivy League has huge sports programs ;)
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Re: PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

Talon said

I hear ya Big Dog but even the Ivy League has huge sports programs ;)

MIT (which is not Ivey) has a huge athletics dept. All sports are DIII.

OFFICAL ATHLETIC SITES OF CBS College Sports

All the Iveys have football.

FAU - THE REAL SLEEPING GIANT
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Re: PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

illinoisowl said

Talon said

I hear ya Big Dog but even the Ivy League has huge sports programs ;)

MIT (which is not Ivey) has a huge athletics dept. All sports are DIII.

OFFICAL ATHLETIC SITES OF CBS College Sports

All the Iveys have football.

Yeah, they might have sports programs, but those schools don't have or even want D1A athletic budgets.  Plus, D3 is all non-scholarship.  I think the Ivy schools give schollies but you still need to get in on academics.
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Re: PB Post: "FAU millions short for stadium"

Harvard has a $26 billion endowment, the largest in the world. They can afford to give all their athletes scholarships. I'm sure many have academic scholarships or some assistance. A 5% return on the endowment at its current amount is $1.3 billion or more than twice FAU's budget. I know their endowment investments perform better than 5%.

FAU - THE REAL SLEEPING GIANT
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