I apologize in advance for not knowing this. I keep hearing people including Schloss talking about constructing starting this summer. Is the plan to renovate and expand Blue Bell, or are they planning on building a completely new stadium. I'm assuming it's just a renovation and expansion.
The TMF has engaged a firm to conduct an extensive survey with current season ticket holders and potential future season ticket holders as to the demand for tickets if a renovation of Olsen is approved. It is my understanding that firm has already been retained and the process should kick off very soon.
If the results come back favorable, then groundbreaking would take place after the '25 season.
Players upgrades first. We're behind in the arms race.
Terrible take
Care to expound? Go look at Okie St, Arkansas, Lsu, WF, etc. They have an edge in their indoor, practice, and general player facilities. Ours are not bad. Not at all. But there is a real gap.
Players upgrades first. We're behind in the arms race.
Terrible take
Care to expound? Go look at Okie St, Arkansas, Lsu, WF, etc. They have an edge in their indoor, practice, and general player facilities. Ours are not bad. Not at all. But there is a real gap.
I'm going to assume he interpreted your comment as needing to upgrade the quality of our players, not player facilities. That was my take on first read. But I agree with you, take care of the players first.
Schloss made it sound like he wanted shovels in the ground after this season when he spoke after the TU game
It is possible he is referring to shovels in the ground for some player portions of the renovation this summer with the major Olsen Field part renovation not starting until the following as they finalize more details on that. That seems more feasible to me at this point than the stadium renovation starting this summer.
Players upgrades first. We're behind in the arms race.
Terrible take
Care to expound? Go look at Okie St, Arkansas, Lsu, WF, etc. They have an edge in their indoor, practice, and general player facilities. Ours are not bad. Not at all. But there is a real gap.
I'm going to assume he interpreted your comment as needing to upgrade the quality of our players, not player facilities. That was my take on first read. But I agree with you, take care of the players first.
Oh... I guess I can see that.
While I want the most talented players, we have plenty of high-level talent. Enough to win it all.
Player FACILITY upgrades first.
I don't literally want new arms just the 'weapons' to train and recruit them.
Didn't someone say on here a while ago that the building where the coaches have offices leaks when it rains? Also, I believe it has been decided that a new stadium somewhere else is off the table so upgrades to Olsen are our only option.
I imagine they are doing some renovations to the "Behind-the-scenes" parts of Olsen this year that benefit the players and coaching staff while they fund-raise for stadium upgrades in the future.
Schloss made it sound like he wanted shovels in the ground after this season when he spoke after the TU game
It is possible he is referring to shoves in the ground for some player portions of the renovation this summer with the major Olsen Field part renovation not starting until the following as they finalize more details on that. That seems more feasible to me at this point than the stadium renovation starting this summer.
Here is the clip I was referring to in case anyone wanted to hear.
~4.30
Timetable is as soon as possible
I was hoping to get shovels in the ground this summer
Have (had) a meeting on it Wednesday
University has been great / hitting all our checkmarks
Didn't someone say on here a while ago that the building where the coaches have offices leaks when it rains? Also, I believe it has been decided that a new stadium somewhere else is off the table so upgrades to Olsen are our only option.
I imagine they are doing some renovations to the "Behind-the-scenes" parts of Olsen this year that benefit the players and coaching staff while they fund-raise for stadium upgrades in the future.
I am pretty sure Schloss confirmed what you said. He followed it up with something like, we're limited on space / footprint but we can always build up.
I like the overall concept. Add a party deck on the top of the concession stand in CF. Get rid of the grills in favor of more seats. I mean, would you have to buy a grill package from TMF or can you bring in your own selection of meats? Pointless.
I think the photos in your post are just better versions of the earlier concept, and were just presented as sort of a place holder. I believe that the plans have evolved a good deal since then.
I hope they will give major consideration to improving some logistical issues on the 2nd level if they move forward with a renovation instead of a new stadium. For example, row 1 of the 2nd level is a blocked view for a lot of the game as ingress/egress is the walkway between row 1 and the pipe railing. Those first-row seats on the 2nd level should be primo (particularly in the current chairback sections 205-207). The pipe railing creates a needless sightline inhibitor. They should be replaced with glass/plex similar to the zone club areas on row 1 of Kyle.
If there is a way to get a club option for those section 205-207 that should be looked at. Maybe reduce the number of seats in those sections and add width and padding, etc., to create an upper donor level for the best seats on the 2nd level. I've had seats in those sections for going on 20 years and it always amazed me how cheap they were compared to first level seating. Until Schloss came those sections didn't even require a donation. I made a donation every year on top of the ticket price, but seems like a lot of lost potential revenue. Great place to watch the game and certainly an area people would now pay for some premium amenities. Not sure how much, or if any of those suggestions are possible, but those are my thoughts.
Baseball is the most deserving of all our sports programs. With our large and growing enrollment and being in an area with great interest in baseball, I hope we go big and build the largest baseball park in the SEC.
Winning begets winning and we are on the cusp of establishing ourselves as a recognized baseball powerhouse.