AU trying to go All IN on Athletic facility upgrades across the board

[ellitor 34,796]

http://auburn.247spo...lities-43157348

In a letter to Auburn donors , who would be asked to help foot the bill, what was termed “lofty plans for improving facilities to assure the highest competitiveness in the toughest conference in college” were spelled out.

The contents of the letter were shared with AuburnUndercover by one of the recipients.

“While more than $140 million has been invested in our athletic buildings over the past decade, we must continue to advance our competition and practice spaces for our athletes,” the letter reads. “To determine the feasibility of these projects, Auburn athletics is seeking the advice and counsel of its supporters and community leaders whose opinions we value. We hope that you will participate in a preliminary study.”

The letter offers preliminary proposals for two phases of facility upgrades, including north end zone renovations and other improvements at Jordan-Hare Stadium and a new football operations building. Total cost would be more than $200 million.

PHASE I

-- $75 million for north end zone renovation and other upgrades at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The renovations would include new home and visiting team locker rooms, new recruiting area, multiple premium seating options.

-- $30 million for a football operations building. It would be built near the existing athletic complex and would include athletic training facilities, a players lounge, locker room, equipment storage, weight room, coaches offices, meeting rooms and more.

-- $25 million for a sports medicine facility. State-of-the-art facility would be located on campus to accommodate the wellness needs of Auburn athletes.

PHASE 2

-- $15 million for soccer complex upgrades. Included would be new seating, concessions and press box. -

-- $10 million for a student-athlete development center. It would be a state-of-the art academic support facility.

-- $12 million for upgrades at Jane B. Moore Field. Included would be more permanent seating, a team facility and more.

-- $12 million for upgrades at Plainsman Park. Included would be new seating above the “green monster” in left field.

-- $5-10 million for an equestrian support facility.

-- $5 million for an SEC Network studio extension.

-- $5 million for track and field facility upgrades.

-- $5 million for swimming and diving upgrades.

-- $2 million to finish volleyball facility within Auburn Arena.

The J.F. Smith Group, an Auburn company that specializes in fundraising, will interview donors and lead the feasibility study.

“Please note,” the letter reads, “that the comments will be in confidence and you will not be solicited in this interview. Your advice and counsel is essential as we consider the direction of Auburn athletics capital campaign.”

Jacobs talked about facilities when he addressed a group of donors last week.

“Our goal is to build and maintain first-class facilities for our students and fans,” Jacobs said. And, he added, “Our goal is to have our student-athletes in position to win championships every year.”

[triangletiger 1,599]

Is there a preliminary timeline/schedule for implementation of these changes?

[AU-24 3,183]

The day Tommy Tubberville dreamed of may come at last. Of course, it is a-little late for him.

[triangletiger 1,599]

All CTT wanted was a full-length indoor practice facility.

[ellitor 34,796]

Is there a preliminary timeline/schedule for implementation of these changes?

Last I heard was work was supposed to begin in 2017. Could be wrong though.

[AU-24 3,183]

All CTT wanted was a full-length indoor practice facility.

That, and a few other things.

[aucanucktiger 2,016]

I'd like to see a cost/benefit analysis. As in a college related or financial benefit. There may be many and it might be as concrete as the Dye era/library expansion connection or indirect as attract recruits/win more games/bring in more money. Just saying an AD shouldn't rule the collegiate roost. IMHO.

[keesler 6,039]

Wait a dang minute, this letter is for "preliminary" proposals for the JHS upgrades? I thought the JHS stadium upgrades were already agreed on and the plans were in place to breakground this year (after our last game in JHS?)

Now we have a firm looking at fundraising and getting feasibility studies?

[AU64 10,122]

Wait a dang minute, this letter is for "preliminary" proposals for the JHS upgrades? I thought the JHS stadium upgrades were already agreed on and the plans were in place and to breakground this year (after our last game in JHS?)

Now we have a firm getting looking at fundraising and feasibility studies?

Just write 'em a check and there will be no need for fundraising. Otherwise I'm with aucanuck.....how much does a big campaign like this drain off of the other financial needs of the school? AUHI keeps saying we are a "football factory".....and something like this proposal is just another validation of his POV.

So we continue to pamper a couple hundred 18-21 year old students...probably at the expense of about 25,000 other students. And we do this for the prima donnas, some/many of whom will turn us down or later decamp if they don't get their dreams to come true. UGH.... At least the NFL is honest about the fact that it's "all about the money".

[Mims44 2,183]

Wait a dang minute, this letter is for "preliminary" proposals for the JHS upgrades? I thought the JHS stadium upgrades were already agreed on and the plans were in place and to breakground this year (after our last game in JHS?)

Now we have a firm getting looking at fundraising and feasibility studies?

Just write 'em a check and there will be no need for fundraising. Otherwise I'm with aucanuck.....how much does a big campaign like this drain off of the other financial needs of the school? AUHI keeps saying we are a "football factory".....and something like this proposal is just another validation of his POV.

So we continue to pamper a couple hundred 18-21 year old students...probably at the expense of about 25,000 other students. And we do this for the prima donnas, some/many of whom will turn us down or later decamp if they don't get their dreams to come true. UGH.... At least the NFL is honest about the fact that it's "all about the money".

Football may get the lions share, but looking through the list all athletes at Auburn will benefit.

And aside from that, I would have loved it if the schools I went to would have had better facilities, just as a spectator.

[IronMan70 3,322]

We're the 'studyingest' (sic) place I've ever seen, hah.

[AU64 10,122]

We're the 'studyingest' (sic) place I've ever seen, hah.

"study "is code for..... 'we don't have the money but if you want it bad enough and are willing to pay for it....we will try to make it happen.

[keesler 6,039]

We're the 'studyingest' (sic) place I've ever seen, hah.

Amen - all sorts of studies and committee's and groups of folks studying and then taking s*** back to the drawing board back in May of '15 because more studies were done and our AD didn't like the studies and plans that had already been done. It just goes on and on and on.

[auburn4ever 1,266]

Is Jacobs writing the checks for all those things? I hope we still have enough money to cover it.

[The Plainsman 948]

So the north endzone idea is going to be scaled way back.... Like maybe 1/2 of what we saw in the latest renderings???

[logan adams 333]

So the north endzone idea is going to be scaled way back.... Like maybe 1/2 of what we saw in the latest renderings???

Hopefully not. I am in full support of what was released in the renderings.

[AuburnEagle79 2,300]

How about we get enough seating for students in Auburn Arena so there aren't a thousand students cramming in upstairs during big games. Not sure how that would happen, but it's not right for only a thousand students to be able to get a seat or for donors to have to dodge a ton of students upstairs.

[AU-24 3,183]

We're the 'studyingest' (sic) place I've ever seen, hah.

"study "is code for..... 'we don't have the money but if you want it bad enough and are willing to pay for it....we will try to make it happen.

Money isn't the problem.

[AU64 10,122]

We're the 'studyingest' (sic) place I've ever seen, hah.

"study "is code for..... 'we don't have the money but if you want it bad enough and are willing to pay for it....we will try to make it happen.

Money isn't the problem.

Sorry....but money is always a problem....I don't know if you've run a business before, but if so, you know that there are always more needs and wants than there is money to make them happen. .....otherwise everything would be free.

[ellitor 34,796]

How about we get enough seating for students in Auburn Arena so there aren't a thousand students cramming in upstairs during big games. Not sure how that would happen, but it's not right for only a thousand students to be able to get a seat or for donors to have to dodge a ton of students upstairs.

Well when the AA was built it holds 5 k less than Beard Eaves because at the time there was not a demand for Basketball.

[keesler 6,039]

So the north endzone idea is going to be scaled way back.... Like maybe 1/2 of what we saw in the latest renderings???

Hopefully not. I am in full support of what was released in the renderings.

This is about the 3rd time in the last 8-9 months that I've felt like we were getting the run-around on this project. Last May the project was sent back to the drawing board ~ Last December the AD sent out a survey to see what the fanbase wanted ~ now this letter offers "preliminary proposals" for the project and a firm specializing in fundraising plans to begin the feasibility study with the potential donors.

Hmmm....

[Butthead 528]

why would we spend money on visiting locker rooms. screw those guys!

[cptau 169]

Stadium wars.........

http://www.fayettevilleflyer.com/2016/01/25/arkansas-moving-forward-with-razorback-stadium-expansion/

The University of Arkansas is ready to move forward on a major expansion to Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville.

Athletics officials this week are scheduled to ask the UA Board of Trustees for permission begin an estimated $160 million capital campaign for the project, which will included a north end zone addition, updates to existing areas, and a new Broyles Athletic Center.

The project was first announced in 2012 following completion of the Razorback Athletic Facilities Master Plan.

Here’s the basic plan, according to the UA:

1. North End Zone – The north addition will include new suites, loge boxes, club seats, and club areas. The east and west concourses will connect to allow flow of patrons around the stadium, as well as provide new concessions and restrooms. Additional and expanded entrances will improve patron flow. A new gameday locker room, training room, and pre/post game support rooms will be added for the football team.
   
2. Stadium updates – New elevators will be installed at the northeast and northwest corners to service the existing east and west suites, club areas, and upper level seating. Existing suites and club areas will be renovated and updated. A new video board will be added at the south end of the stadium. Security and safety systems will be enhanced.
   
3. Broyles Athletic Center – The Broyles Center will be affected by the larger north end zone project, and will be rebuilt in the new north end. The Broyles Center will still house the administrative offices, along with space that can be used for ticketing, merchandise, and Razorback history and traditions.
   

Officials said the project will be funded entirely by athletics revenues, capital gifts, and bond proceeds from a future bond issue. No university funds will be required to complete this project, but season ticket and single-game ticket prices are expected to be adjusted.

[AU64 10,122]

How about we get enough seating for students in Auburn Arena so there aren't a thousand students cramming in upstairs during big games. Not sure how that would happen, but it's not right for only a thousand students to be able to get a seat or for donors to have to dodge a ton of students upstairs.

Well when the AA was built it holds 5 k less than Beard Eaves because at the time there was not a demand for Basketball.

If I recall the new arena was deliberately built to the current size to give AU more of a home court advantage and to put a number of the students on the floor level for purpose of generating lots of noise. I don't think it was the acceptance that basketball was not popular....nor never would be. Keep in mind that AU had hired a former UNC player who came well recommended from Dean Smith among others.....and he was expected to make us competitive and to make the arena a "snake pit" or something. Seems that the Duke arena concept was the model for the AU Arena.

I guess an argument can be made about how seats are allocated to the students but seems to me the new arena and BP's arrival have generated exactly what was desired.....a place that is sold out for every game and where opponents would not look forward to playing us.

[doc4aday 1,887]

Expand seating to 90,500 and give students 1800 of the additional seats. We are an academic university, and this should be where it all begins. I hate seeing a lot of money thrown at something just to please a group of rich folks. All SEC schools have decided to outspend any other SEC school.

We live in an era of total wastefulness with total lack of regard to those who honestly need the help. The new baseball stadium for the Braves is a perfect example. Will it ever end? NO!!