Kinnick: Expansion of Premium Seating on Barta's Mind

[eveningnewsteam]

They could build suites on the east side, but the downside is they wouldnt be able to keep the facade. It would be similar to Arizona. When I was out at that debacle in Tucson I noticed they built the upper deck of the stadium over the street and a road actually runs underneath the stands. It would have to be something similar if they added on the east stands.

 

[hawkinn3]

The continuing effort to make professional and major college sports prohibitively expensive to the vast majority of Americans.

Ill listen on the radio as I'm raking leaves.

 

[Seth53]

That's pretty funny coming from you. But I do agree, The Big House is way overrated.

Overrated in noise generation perhaps (which I agree with), but no sir, not overrated regarding total atmosphere, traffic control, cleanliness, hospitality, etc. I've had the good fortune to have attended games in every away Big-10 stadium (including Nebraska), and Michigan far and away distances itself from the others. (OSU's Heiney-gate is a close 2nd). They put on an outstanding game-day-package.

 

[Golfer]

Have not yet been to PSU or Minnesota's new stadium, so cannot comment completely. Michigan's stadium changed in both noise volume and comfort level after the last renovation. I had though I had more seat room at Michigan's stadium than Kinnick. Also thought it to be pretty loud. I was underwhelmed by Nebraska, although it was certainly a nice facility. I guess I just expected something different.

 

[ohhawk]

If Barta is truly "looking to the future" then why have most football writers commented on how we have fallen behind in upgrading our indoor practice facilities? Even Ferentz has commented on this shortfall as it relates to recruiting.

As far as stadium comparisons.........I've been to them all on numerous occasions as well and if viewing the game is important than Kinnick ranks near the top if not on the top. I'll take that over serving beer, Roman colisiems, parking lot ushers, scenic campus surroundings, etc. I'll have my fun but I'm there to watch a football game not get my binoculars out for every play.

 

[ICHawk24]

If Barta is truly "looking to the future" then why have most football writers commented on how we have fallen behind in upgrading our indoor practice facilities? Even Ferentz has commented on this shortfall as it relates to recruiting.

A new indoor practice facility opened last year. The second half of the project, including new offices and other items, is currently under construction.

This is a weird complaint.

 

[ohhawk]

A new indoor practice facility opened last year. The second half of the project, including new offices and other items, is currently under construction.

This is a weird complaint.

“I think there are always issues that go on, on campus, that those of us who live off campus don’t really know,†DiNardo said. “There has been an arms race for several years. Iowa is late to the party.
“They just built an indoor facility. My goodness. How many years have indoor facilities been around?â€

Gerry DiNardo, BTN analsyst 8/20/2013
______________________________________________

Ferentz recalls a visit from Jim Render, the head football coach at his alma mater, Upper St. Clair High School in Pittsburgh, several years back.
“This is your office?†Ferentz recalled Render saying. “He kind of made fun of it. It’s not a bad office. But he had been to Penn State and Pittsburgh, and seen what major college offices and facilities looked like. He wasn’t being disrespectful. But it did resonate with me that we were a little behind. One of my snapshot moments.â€

“Do we necessarily need ‘X’ amount of square feet? Probably not,†Ferentz said. “We have ample square feet now. But it’s like anything else. A big part of what we do is based on recruiting. Young people look at facilities.â€

Kirk Ferentz comments recently taken from the ICPC 8/18/2013

 

[Seth53]

I was 35 rows up at the Big House, north side, and I could see just fine. Seats didn't feel a bit "narrower" to me compared to Kinnick at all.

Yeah, the noise escaped up out of the arena, but we were getting our ***** handed to us badly enough, crowd noise/support didn't really matter.

Michigan stadium is a cool cool place.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Have not yet been to PSU or Minnesota's new stadium, so cannot comment completely. ....

Polar opposites in my opinion.

Penn St is ugly as hell, especially from the outside... but the place is intense on game day. Big and loud.

TCF Bank is nice, while preserving an old "Big Ten" kinda look. (brick). But it's not loud, big or intimidating in any way. Only seats 50,805. (they say it can be expanded up to 80,000 if necessary, but that ain't happenin' any time soon)

 

[NCHawker]

I think additional suites/outdoor club seating is closer than many think.

The facilities race never ends. Barta has nothing written on paper in terms of the next project, though he mentioned an expansion of premium seating at Kinnick Stadium is on his wish list.

“I have to make sure that we’re looking to the future,â€￾ Barta said.

How Iowa’s facilities projects almost took a different route | Hawk Central

I'd love to see the proforma financials for such a project. Anticipated revenue, cost to build, IRR etc. Like so many 'big ideas" the little analyst cranks out the spreadsheet with certain assumptions. Then the people in charge do what they want to do anyway.

 

[Golfer]

pro forma = work of fiction

 

[Easton]

“I think there are always issues that go on, on campus, that those of us who live off campus don’t really know,†DiNardo said. “There has been an arms race for several years. Iowa is late to the party.
“They just built an indoor facility. My goodness. How many years have indoor facilities been around?â€

Gerry DiNardo, BTN analsyst 8/20/2013
______________________________________________

Ferentz recalls a visit from Jim Render, the head football coach at his alma mater, Upper St. Clair High School in Pittsburgh, several years back.
“This is your office?†Ferentz recalled Render saying. “He kind of made fun of it. It’s not a bad office. But he had been to Penn State and Pittsburgh, and seen what major college offices and facilities looked like. He wasn’t being disrespectful. But it did resonate with me that we were a little behind. One of my snapshot moments.â€

“Do we necessarily need ‘X’ amount of square feet? Probably not,†Ferentz said. “We have ample square feet now. But it’s like anything else. A big part of what we do is based on recruiting. Young people look at facilities.â€

Kirk Ferentz comments recently taken from the ICPC 8/18/2013

So you are complaining about something they fixed? Do you want them to go back in time anx fix it sooner?

 

[NCHawker]

I remember 10 years ago the talk was that Iowa spent money on facilities not salaries. Anyone else remember that talk?