@LATechSports Announces North Endzone Facility Plan

Louisiana Tech VP and Director of Athletics Eric Wood announced plans for a multi-phase project that will encompass the north endzone at Joe Aillet Stadium and include a student-athlete success center, two new video scoreboards, a new ribbon board, and the Sarah and A.L. Williams Champions Plaza.

Announces North Endzone Facility Plan - LA Tech Athletics (latechsports.com)

Phase 1 > Daktronics 10-millimeter LED ribbon board along the facade of the Davison Athletics Complex (DAC) > Fall 22
Phase 2 > construction of the Sarah and A.L. Williams Champions Plaza adjacent to Stadium Drive that will be the entry way into the new student-athlete success center. > Fall 23
Phase 3 > A pair of new Daktronics video scoreboards will be installed by Fall 2024, one on the northwest corner and one on the northeast corner of the endzone. The new boards will measure 30-feet tall by 49-feet-6-inches wide (will be about five feet larger in each direction than the existing video scoreboard at the Stadium).'
Phase 4 > construction of a new student-athlete success center. The two-story facility will house the academic arm of Louisiana Tech's Athletics Department. Plans are for the first floor to be designed to be a multi-functional space for personal-growth and career-development programming. It will also include a food-prep station and a large open multi-purpose area. The second floor will hold office space and state-of-the-art study environments including a computer lab.

Wow. Did not see that coming.

This all sounds and looks good. And all should have been started as soon as the new press box was opened. But our former boy wonder AD sat on his laurels until the tornado hit and then the CCP virus hit to sidetrack him.

Hope they have done or will do all of the needed engineering studies with regard to the underground creek.

And while doing this, please find a place to park the ambulances out of sight at the top of that concrete ramp instead of parking them too close to the endzone.

What an obscence, absurd WASTE of time, effort, and resources. And it's ugly to boot ...

This garbage is our Athletic Dept's priority ?! THIS?!

Mini Iowa St looking pagoda-ish

Overkill on the two jumbotrons

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Originally Posted by Champ967

What an obscene, absurd WASTE of time, effort, and resources. And it's ugly to boot ...

This garbage is our Athletic Dept's priority ?! THIS?!

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What else is there to do? Their jobs?

Have to have more stuff to keep pace in recruiting.

And this will get rid of the ugly camera lift beyond the north endzone with camera positions available on the top level of the new building.

Not the best design, but it looks to be designed to match the DAC as closely as possible.

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

Mini Iowa St looking pagoda-ish

Overkill on the two jumbotrons

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Have to wonder if putting the new building and a giant jumbotron in the center might exceed limits to account for the underground creek.

https://latechsports.com/images/2021...h_End_Zone.jpg

Hopefully we'll be able to walk around the stadium now > I don't know of any other DI college stadiums that you don't have access to both sides.

Next phase needs to be the East Side restrooms > talk about a disaster.

This would be a good time to remove the remaining wings.

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

Hopefully we'll be able to walk around the stadium now > I don't know of any other DI college stadiums that you don't have access to both sides.

Next phase needs to be the East Side restrooms > talk about a disaster.

This would be a good time to remove the remaining wings.

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If the jumbotron positions are accurate, there would be limited view of the north endzone from at least some of those seats from the 30+ year-old "temporary" wings.

The upper portion of the concrete stadium needs to be extended to be even with the lower portion in all four corners.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

This all sounds and looks good. And all should have been started as soon as the new press box was opened. But our former boy wonder AD sat on his laurels until the tornado hit and then the CCP virus hit to sidetrack him.

Hope they have done or will do all of the needed engineering studies with regard to the underground creek.

And while doing this, please find a place to park the ambulances out of sight at the top of that concrete ramp instead of parking them too close to the endzone.

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I personally would prefer to connect the 2 sides of the Joe with seating, officially bowling it in.

With free standing buildings in both North and South end zones, this says a Joe-Bowl ain't gonna happen. Ever.

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Originally Posted by ChuckK3

I personally would prefer to connect the 2 sides of the Joe with seating, officially bowling it in.

With free standing buildings in both North and South end zones, this says a Joe-Bowl ain't gonna happen. Ever.

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My understanding from way back (1970s) was that seating was never going to happen in the north endzone because of engineering issues around the underground creek.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

Have to have more stuff to keep pace in recruiting.

And this will get rid of the ugly camera lift beyond the north endzone with camera positions available on the top level of the new building.

Not the best design, but it looks to be designed to match the DAC as closely as possible.

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Yeah, but stuff just to have stuff isn't the best use of time or money.

Yeah the underground creek explains alot of how that endzone has been used over the years. What they could do is extend the gating in the north endzone plaza to let people in the stadium walk around to the other side of the stadium without leaving the "facility." You could also maybe add additional vendor stations and restrooms behind the new building in the plaza

Do we have rendering for the Al Williams Plaza?

Blue seats down low to the 20s?
Wow. Dreams come true … of the architect in his conceptional drawings!

Video boards in opposite corners would be more of an advance.

I guess the results of visits to A-State and Harding to see their indoor facilities are on the back burner.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

What an obscence, absurd WASTE of time, effort, and resources. And it's ugly to boot ...

This garbage is our Athletic Dept's priority ?! THIS?!

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Why should you care, I doubt they're going to ask you to pay for it. Would you rather have the two grassy knolls and the randomly spaced giant Greek letters from years ago? Nothing shouted small time more than that mess.

I think they should have addressed the typewriter carriage look with the metal wings. "Please throw the carriage."

Note that the render also has an indoor practice facility in the background

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Originally Posted by thewyldman

Note that the render also has an indoor practice facility in the background

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Rendering (large format jpg)


The nerd in me downloaded the image and zoomed in.

It looks like a possible facade of the east side. You can see right through it and notice the light pole for the softball field.

If you look at the ramp corridor, you can see a statue of Kim Mulkey.

Endzones also say "TECH" instead of "BULLDOGS". They need to change that back when they get new turf again.

I like the tribute. My only beef is hoping two video boards aren’t twice as much nothingness, just saying...

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Originally Posted by thewyldman

Note that the render also has an indoor practice facility in the background

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geez that may have been the one thing to make it worse.

"Attention all sissies! Heres a Practice barn for your candy ass! Come on down!"

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Originally Posted by Tech79

Why should you care, I doubt they're going to ask you to pay for it. Would you rather have the two grassy knolls and the randomly spaced giant Greek letters from years ago? Nothing shouted small time more than that mess.

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that's a good point. But my concern is with resource allocation. But even if it's not my resources, I still think this can serve to negatively impact my gameday experience.

I LIKE that theres real grass in our stadium. I liked it when it was on the field and I liked former the SEZ hill (sans the goofy Greek letters, of course). The north end zone was the last "natural" space in our stadium and now theyre uglifying it too.

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Originally Posted by qng001

Rendering (large format jpg)



If you look at the ramp corridor, you can see a statue of Kim Mulkey.

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That's for Champ to hike his leg and piss on.

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Originally Posted by dawg80

That's for Champ to hike his leg and piss on.

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that's uncivilized, but thanks for thinking of me

Scrap the end zone plan and spend the money getting Holtz out of Ruston.

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

Scrap the end zone plan and spend the money getting Holtz out of Ruston.

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What he said!

It would have been nice to have announced this EARLER this season, when the AAC was considering new members and Tech football still had a reasonable record, and reasonable fan support. Now the football program is in the shitter, no one is attending games and Tech makes the announcement. Great timing.


https://c.tenor.com/OA-fQteKmBEAAAAM...alm-double.gif

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

It would have been nice to have announced this EARLER this season, when the AAC was considering new members and Tech football still had a reasonable record, and reasonable fan support. Now the football program is in the shitter, no one is attending games and Tech makes the announcement. Great timing.


https://c.tenor.com/OA-fQteKmBEAAAAM...alm-double.gif

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When the people in charge are as lost as a goose, they inevitably get everything wrong. It sure seems like Tech is throwing up an ‘O’fer.

That’s how they think. Reactively… let’s not be proactive and use this as a sign that we are growing and investing in our product. Let’s wait in case shit gets to Holtzcon 1 level and then try and use it to cover the flaming bag of dog shirt that is Skips program that’s burning on our porch.

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Originally Posted by DallasDog

That’s how they think. Reactively… let’s not be proactive and use this as a sign that we are growing and investing in our product. Let’s wait in case shit gets to Holtzcon 1 level and then try and use it to cover the flaming bag of dog shirt that is Skips program that’s burning on our porch.

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Good analogy....don't think I can add anything to that. Oh wait, us fans answering the door and trying to stomp out the fire!

You really think they just came up with this as a reaction to something from a month ago?

Tech52---of course not, this has been in the "works" for awhile...the PROBLEM is we "drag" our feet and "fiddle" around because leadership WANTS TO SEE IT FUNDED, or ALMOST ALL funded before they roll with it...actually, a fairly wise accounting decision...but, our program has fallen SO FAR BEHIND just in the last few years that we are in a bad spot now...I mean, the Student Athletic fee and COA should have been SOLVED awhile ago and not "swept" under the rug; this Academic Center will be nice, but it's a two year deal to build....and the IPF, while just a "pretty new dress" is ALSO a must...all we can do now is try to be the best we can be and be aggressive; and. of course, it doesn't help that our FB program is in the toilet an likely will stay that way until changes are made, which we all know wont happen anytime soon...weve been too satisfied with our "latest improvement' and sitting on our laurels...

Tech52- nope, but like what was said above we sit on everything way to long. Announce it early, create excitement and then take every dollar little and small people wanna give along with the big dollars. Instead we go to the same shrinking well of rich alumni and just further cement that only their opinions matter to athletics.

They like Holtz, he stays to the loss of all our small dollars, butts in seats, and all that comes with.

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Originally Posted by DallasDog

Tech52- nope, but like what was said above we sit on everything way to long. Announce it early, create excitement and then take every dollar little and small people wanna give along with the big dollars. Instead we go to the same shrinking well of rich alumni and just further cement that only their opinions matter to athletics.

They like Holtz, he stays to the loss of all our small dollars, butts in seats, and all that comes with.

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But look on the bright side, we now have stability at the HC position.

With an unstable mind when it comes to offense and not in a good way.

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Originally Posted by ChuckK3

I personally would prefer to connect the 2 sides of the Joe with seating, officially bowling it in.

With free standing buildings in both North and South end zones, this says a Joe-Bowl ain't gonna happen. Ever.

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Very true!

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Originally Posted by Tech52

You really think they just came up with this as a reaction to something from a month ago?

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No. I was told about this project --as well as the new (and still unannounced) Indoor Practice Facility (IPF)-- during the week of Sept 21st, the week AFTER we lost the SMU game. But, I was told about these projects by people who know people, who know what's going on. Nobody in Tech's athletic administration has told me anything directly or indirectly. That's just the Louisiana Tech way. And it really, really sucks.


Think I'm kidding? Just watch. You'll eventually --in the next few weeks-- see another announcement, this time about the new Indoor Practice Facility (IPF). And once again, LA Tech didn't announce this project during the AAC's realignment reviews, so we'll get NO LEVERAGE from the announcement. BTW, the last I heard, a big portion of the IPF is being paid for by Terry Bradshaw. Of course, since the program has turned into a dumpster fire since that time, Bradshaw make have backed out for all I know.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

No. I was told about this project --as well as the new (and still unannounced) Indoor Practice Facility (IPF)-- on Sept 21st, the week AFTER we lost the SMU game. But, I was told about these projects by people who know people, who know what's going on. Nobody in Tech's athletic administration has told me anything directly or indirectly. That's just the Louisiana Tech way. And it really, really sucks.


Think I'm kidding? Just watch. You'll eventually --in the next few weeks-- see an announcement about the new Indoor Practice Facility (IPF). And once again, LA Tech didn't announce this project during the AAC's realignment reviews, so we'll get NO LEVERAGE from the announcement. BTW, the last I heard, a big portion of the IPF is being paid for by Terry Bradshaw. Of course, since the program has turned into a dumpster fire since that time, Bradshaw make have backed out for all I know.

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That's because the higher-ups don't believe in grass-root booster and general fan engagement. They have always believed in elite booster engagement only.

And that doesn't get the job done in 2021. People are too sophisticated now to accept only whatever those higher-ups believe should be rolled out.

No doubt about what you say. I find it odd they wouldn’t have at least announced it all at the same time, unless designs arent close to final and they feel they absolutely need a visual for the announcement.

This project makes us even more of a regional laughing stock. We need some leadership over there in the worst way.

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

https://latechsports.com/images/2021...h_End_Zone.jpg

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I have to say that I am not happy with this proposal. It doesn't fit in with the rest of the stadium. It looks like a building plopped right down in the NEZ, even more than the Davison south endzone facility. Why plop down two buildings in both endzones. It removes the possibility of bowling in the endzone and connecting both sides of the stadium. I think this will make the stadium looks small time and prevent any future expansions if ever needed. Furthermore, why are we putting in two videoboards? That's overkill and not needed in a stadium that seats less than 30,000. At least two are not needed on the same side. Put one in the north end and one in the south end of the stadium if we are going to have two.

I remember making a design a while ago on what should happen but I don't know if I can find it. But basically what I would like to see happen in the north endzone:

1. Remove the aluminum wings of the stadium. They are ugly and make the stadium uneven.
2. Connect the lower halves of the stadium in the north endzone with stadium bleacher seating thus bowling in the stadium. Adding this bowled in lower section will recover the seating lost from the removal of the wings and removes the feeling of playing in a high school style two sided stadium.
3. The upper half of the bowled in NEZ could be multiple different options. I personally wanted a big beer garden / eating area that could be covered with temporary seating if bigger attendance is ever expected. With this just released proposal though they could just use the building and stick it up over the bowled in lower half. The videoboards could be behind and above it all easily.
4. Expand chairback seating on both sides of the stadium. Putting chairback seating from the top to bottom between the 20 yard marks is an easy way to generate more money. People will pay more to have comfortable seating. Furthermore, this decreases seating capacity. We don't need the stadium to sit 28,000 permanently. West side chairbacks will be more expensive than the east side of course due to the sun. The rest of the stadium not for students, band or kids zone will be general admission with bleacher seating (hopefully with back-support but that's just lagniappe if possible).
5. The band is moved to the north endzone so that everyone in the stadium can hear and see them. Furthermore the students section is moved next to the band, from the 20 yard line to the band. They'll lose their position on the 50 but that's normal in most schools. By having a view of the band though they'll be able to hear and coordinate with the band more. Plus if there were a beer garden next to them, it could make for a great atmosphere (blue bloods may not like it but they'll be far from it) and generate more money.
6. A tunnel is put in the middle of the NEZ and the fire bell is put over the tunnel. The bell is given the importance of being in the center and everyone can see it. The team will enter in the through this tunnel. The bell will be above them so the captain or someone else can ring it and they'll be right next to the band and students as they enter. I'll explain below how they enter.

To continue with ideas for the exterior of the NEZ :

1. The NEZ should have a brick facade with a rotunda like Ohio State's stadium. Obviously it doesn't need to be as grandiose but it should be the focal point of the north endzone's facade. What will go in the Rotunda? A big state-T tile seal like in Centennial Plaza on the wall in the center of the rotunda and the spirit of 88 should go directly underneath in the middle of it on the ground. It starts the tunnel to the stadium. For the team's entrance at the start of the game, the playerscould walk or be bussed from the SEZ around the stadium to the rotunda before the game starts (similar to Clemson's tradition). They can touch the SO88 there, the captain can ring the bell, then they run through the tunnel as the band plays right next to them and everyone can see it perfectly in the center of the NEZ.
2. An athletics brick walkway titled "Pride Path" should begin directly from the rotunda and the spirit of 88 going out towards Hide-A-Way park. We love our Alumni pathway, why not an athletics one? It's a good tradition and we should expand on it. Athletes and/or coaches of all sports could get a brick on this pathway. It could be hall of fame inductees or based on other criteria and it could be great for recruitment. Any statues of past athletes or coaches should go on each side of the pathway in a wide grass section on both sides. This path will be the focal point of tailgating and will be the path that players and coaches take to the stadium when dropped off on game-day.
3. Grass will be added all around the parking lots to the north of the stadium to encourage tailgating. No more setting up tailgates on hot pavement. People who pay for parking sports can reserve a grassy spot next to their parking spot for tailgating. After that, other people can pay to reserve a spot. Otherwise tailgating will be free and encouraged in all grassy non-reserved areas including around the TAC and any limits on time will be removed.
4. An athletics museum should be opened in the NEZ containing memorabilia from all sports and history of Tech Athletics. This should include all trophies, Bradshaw's rings, old jerseys, old posters, etc. This would be great to visit while tailgating and great to complement Pride Path. It should be open during normal business hours and entrance to the museum includes a chance to view the stadium.

I feel like it should be bigger… like the roof being near-level with the video boards and not having a gap between the boards and the roof. Due to the shape which is small at the top and wide at the bottom, it creates a gap there. If this were lifted 1 story higher and more rectangular, I think it’d look better.

That extra story at the ground level can be bowled in bottom row seating and a tunnel like what was stated by others.

Id move the Video Board in the NE Corner to the SE corner. So both E and W sides have a video board facing them. The space vacated by this video board in the NEZ can be partially bowled in. The space underneath the other NW video board can also be bowled in.

I think a Team Shop is needed in the facility. Something that is available year-round, not just during games. Also the ability to purchase tickets, you don’t have to put the entire ticket office down there.

Connect both sides! Beer garden! Team shop! #NeverGoingToHappen #BecauseWeDidn’tGetAsked

#BecauseWeHaventSeenTheEngineeringStudies

Most of what has been posted here as suggestions exceeds what I was told 40+ years ago could be built.

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Originally Posted by sportdawg

https://latechsports.com/images/2021...h_End_Zone.jpg

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Nope, Nope, Nope! I hardly ever agree with Camp967, but he is spot on! A total waste of money, time and space. Most importantly space! This thing gets built there, and there goes any future chance of bowling in the stadium and making it possible to travel from side to side. Aesthetically it stinks, as well, IMO. Please, no more Frank Lloyd Wright! As many have stated, why in the hell do we need two jumbotrons in the same end zone? Piss Poor thinking, IMO.

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Originally Posted by Amos Moses

Nope, Nope, Nope! I hardly ever agree with Camp967, but he is spot on! A total waste of money, time and space. Most importantly space! This thing gets built there, and there goes any future chance of bowling in the stadium and making it possible to travel from side to side. Aesthetically it stinks, as well, IMO. Please, no more Frank Lloyd Wright! As many have stated, why in the hell do we need two jumbotrons in the same end zone? Piss Poor thinking, IMO.

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The north board (since the stadium runs NNW to SSE) would be for the west side. The northwest board would be for the east side. Exact same setup that LSU has. Makes much more sense than one board in the center of the NNW end aimed straight at the DAC. Viewing angles would be improved by about 20% on both sides of the stadium.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

The north board (since the stadium runs NNW to SSE) would be for the west side. The northwest board would be for the east side. Exact same setup that LSU has. Makes much more sense than one board in the center of the NNW end aimed straight at the DAC that nobody on either side of the stadium has a great angle to view.

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Overkill, IMO. Can't people turn their heads? It's not meant to be a TV screen that you have to view all the time.

Right now this project strikes me as something like trying to dress up a pig for prom in the sexy dress. Nobody’s going to be fooled by all the fancy window dressing. Our program still stinks and it’s not going to magically become top 25. The coaching core is rotten and it’s spreading out to our players not caring to play hard.

I wonder where AD Wood’s focus is... addressing the problems for improving the future or is he job hunting to leave the sinking ship. I’m leaning towards him leaving or doing nothing. I doubt he really cares about Tech enough to roll his sleeves up and make the tough decisions.

We can debate location and design, but my understanding is the academic center is a must.

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Originally Posted by THEarmada

We can debate location and design, but my understanding is the academic center is a must.

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but why in the north end zone?

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

The north board (since the stadium runs NNW to SSE) would be for the west side. The northwest board would be for the east side. Exact same setup that LSU has. Makes much more sense than one board in the center of the NNW end aimed straight at the DAC. Viewing angles would be improved by about 20% on both sides of the stadium.

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Yeah, thats clear. I think I’d rather one be in one of the SEZ corners. And the opposite corner on either side can have more permanent seating added to it to even up the look of the stadium.

This kind of looks like the same setup Clemson has in an endzone, only theirs is bigger (no TWSS, please). They have some seats too.

Our SEZ needs some kind of scoreboard. Doesn't have to be fancy but something with the basic stats, down and distance, the clock, and the score would suffice.

Phase 1 is the ribbon board.

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Originally Posted by Bone_afide_Dawg

Right now this project strikes me as something like trying to dress up a pig for prom in the sexy dress. Nobody’s going to be fooled by all the fancy window dressing. Our program still stinks and it’s not going to magically become top 25. The coaching core is rotten and it’s spreading out to our players not caring to play hard.

I wonder where AD Wood’s focus is... addressing the problems for improving the future or is he job hunting to leave the sinking ship. I’m leaning towards him leaving or doing nothing. I doubt he really cares about Tech enough to roll his sleeves up and make the tough decisions.

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https://thumb.spokesman.com/Cdl0SBY1...5/16/morin.gif

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Originally Posted by Amos Moses

Overkill, IMO. Can't people turn their heads? It's not meant to be a TV screen that you have to view all the time.

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Turning a head is not the issue. Right now anyone past the 20 on the north end of both sides does not have a good angle to view the board.

To illustrate, stand about four feet in front and four feet to the side of your HD screen at home and try watching. That's about the same angle someone at about the 10 yard line has right now, and it gets worse closer to the goal line. That gets eliminated with two boards and should improve the fan experience.

The board is over 10 years old, so it is due for replacement anyway. I have no issue with that part of the project.

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Originally Posted by Bayou Dawg

Phase 1 is the ribbon board.

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That was supposed to have been added the year after the DAC opened. But we are talking about the boy wonder on that one.

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Originally Posted by Amos Moses

Overkill, IMO. Can't people turn their heads? It's not meant to be a TV screen that you have to view all the time.

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It's not like they show ANYTHING worth watching anyway. Our production on our video board has been HORRIBLE since Dooley invented the jumbotron.

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Originally Posted by Bayou Dawg

Phase 1 is the ribbon board.

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this was on the original DAC design years agp

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Originally Posted by PawDawg

It's not like they show ANYTHING worth watching anyway. Our production on our video board has been HORRIBLE since Dooley invented the jumbotron.

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That issue has nothing to do with the design of this project.

But it should be on the list of complaints for Dr. Wood.

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

Mini Iowa St looking pagoda-ish
Overkill on the two jumbotrons

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I heard they were BOGO.

Love how they incorporated a big ramp/Porte corchere so they can continue to park an ambulance right by the field.

Bush league.

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Originally Posted by Bill Brasky

Love how they incorporated a big ramp/Porte corchere so they can continue to park an ambulance right by the field.

Bush league.

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The field level ambulance has never made any sense to me. Maybe be missed it, but I don’t see that anywhere else.

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Originally Posted by THEarmada

my understanding is the academic center is a must.

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So.... like, a.... university, then?

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Originally Posted by Champ967

So.... like, a.... university, then?

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Imagine going to class in current year.

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Originally Posted by Champ967

So.... like, a.... university, then?

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Seems pretty universal that athletic departments are creating physical space and programs for the academic advancement of their athletes. May pay off when we aren’t missing half our football team for games after fall quarter is done.

We've had an academic center in the bottom of the TAC for a while, but it's old and small. Plenty of other Universities have these bigger academic centers.

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Originally Posted by Bill Brasky

Love how they incorporated a big ramp/Porte corchere so they can continue to park an ambulance right by the field.

Bush league.

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Those ambulances better stay under cover at the top of the ramp. The ramp should be used to cart injured players up to the ambulances if that ever is needed.

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Originally Posted by THEarmada

Seems pretty universal that athletic departments are creating physical space and programs for the academic advancement of their athletes. May pay off when we aren’t missing half our football team for games after fall quarter is done.

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Don't have to worry about that this year.

We don't have people who can operate one video board effectively; how the hell they gonna operate two ?? lol

I attended a playoff game Friday night between Lovejoy and Burleson High School at Prosper High School's new Prosper ISD Football Stadium. Wow! It has the largest video board of any high school in the state of Texas. I swear I think it has a larger video board than most FBS colleges have in Texas.

https://youtu.be/_2kxM7p7GY4

BTW, Prosper is just a small country town of 22K residents north of Frisco that's squeezed between Celina and Frisco in Collin County. This is a $53 million stadium for a town that currently has ONE (1) Senior High school in the entire school District. I know there's nothing wrong with "planning ahead", but dang, the money these school districts are throwing at these high school football stadiums is insane. The new Stadiums in McKinney, Allen and now Prosper ISD represent a combined $173M in stadium construction costs, all within a 19-mile radius.

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Originally Posted by nadB

We don't have people who can operate one video board effectively; how the hell they gonna operate two ?? lol

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They are synched and show the same thing. If they don't, something is broken.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

I attended a playoff game Friday night between Lovejoy and Burleson High School at Prosper High School's new Prosper ISD Football Stadium. Wow! It has the largest video board of any high school in the state of Texas. I swear I think it has a larger video board than most FBS colleges have in Texas.

https://youtu.be/_2kxM7p7GY4

BTW, Prosper is just a small country town of 22K residents north of Frisco that's squeezed between Celina and Frisco in Collin County. This is a $53 million stadium for a town that currently has ONE (1) Senior High school in the entire school District. I know there's nothing wrong with "planning ahead", but dang, the money these school districts are throwing at these high school football stadiums is insane. The new Stadiums in McKinney, Allen and now Prosper ISD represent a combined $173M in stadium construction costs, all within a 19-mile radius.

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I suppose I'm the only one, at least on this board, that finds spending that kind of money on any sports' facilities not only ridiculous, but criminal. Well, not literally "criminal," but you know what I mean.

1974 4A (which was the highest class at the time) we played a state quarterfinal playoff game at Hahnville. Their home field was just that, a field, with goalposts and some bleachers. Expecting a huge crowd they rented some additional bleachers and the entire field was lined, including the two EZs with portable bleachers. It was packed, it was actually a standing-room-only crowd. You should have seen the so-called locker room they gave us to use....whoa! We won and after the game they had turned off the lights in the visitors' locker room and no one seemed to know how to turn them on again.

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

No. I was told about this project --as well as the new (and still unannounced) Indoor Practice Facility (IPF)-- during the week of Sept 21st, the week AFTER we lost the SMU game. But, I was told about these projects by people who know people, who know what's going on. Nobody in Tech's athletic administration has told me anything directly or indirectly. That's just the Louisiana Tech way. And it really, really sucks.


Think I'm kidding? Just watch. You'll eventually --in the next few weeks-- see another announcement, this time about the new Indoor Practice Facility (IPF). And once again, LA Tech didn't announce this project during the AAC's realignment reviews, so we'll get NO LEVERAGE from the announcement. .

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yes no leverage.

BUT, I’m sorry you missed the AD radio interview Sept. 4 on the Miss.State game broadcast. He mentioned members of his staff touring IPF facilities at Harding University (Best in D2…among best overall in the country) and Ark. State. Included in the tour group was the current architect of record.

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Originally Posted by FriscoDawg

The north board (since the stadium runs NNW to SSE) would be for the west side. The northwest board would be for the east side. Exact same setup that LSU has. Makes much more sense than one board in the center of the NNW end aimed straight at the DAC. Viewing angles would be improved by about 20% on both sides of the stadium.

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For afternoon games which alignment will put them in the shade for better clarity … when they’re being used 10 years later?

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Originally Posted by Dawgpix

yes no leverage.

BUT, I’m sorry you missed the AD radio interview Sept. 4 on the Miss.State game broadcast. He mentioned members of his staff touring IPF facilities at Harding University (Best in D2…among best overall in the country) and Ark. State. Included in the tour group was the current architect of record.

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And they found a correlation between practice barns and winning at the Divison 2 level?

That's the plan right? Turn us into a top notch D2 program? That's also why Skip is still here, yes?

Louisiana Tech, your 2030 Great American Conference runners up! Go Dawgs!

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

No. I was told about this project --as well as the new (and still unannounced) Indoor Practice Facility (IPF)-- during the week of Sept 21st, the week AFTER we lost the SMU game. But, I was told about these projects by people who know people, who know what's going on. Nobody in Tech's athletic administration has told me anything directly or indirectly. That's just the Louisiana Tech way. And it really, really sucks.


Think I'm kidding? Just watch. You'll eventually --in the next few weeks-- see another announcement, this time about the new Indoor Practice Facility (IPF). And once again, LA Tech didn't announce this project during the AAC's realignment reviews, so we'll get NO LEVERAGE from the announcement. BTW, the last I heard, a big portion of the IPF is being paid for by Terry Bradshaw. Of course, since the program has turned into a dumpster fire since that time, Bradshaw make have backed out for all I know.

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HD, just an FYI. They've been raising money for this project since 2018 or earlier. It was put on hold by the tornado.

It is an eyesore. If they build it with this design it'll be the butt of jokes for the next few decades.

An older alum sent me a text last night. It read: "Horrible. Reminds me of the US ambassador's residence in Saigon. If we have another season like this and Skip and his staff need to make a quick getaway they could land a helicopter on the roof."

I had to look it up.:laugh:

https://latechsports.com/images/2021...h_End_Zone.jpg

https://www.bing.com/images/search?v...t=0&ajaxserp=0

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Originally Posted by The Historian

HD, just an FYI. They've been raising money for this project since 2018 or earlier. It was put on hold by the tornado.

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It was also alluded to in Guice's press release last month, not that it would've moved the needle much, if it all, if it had been announced over the summer.

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Originally Posted by Amos Moses

Nope, Nope, Nope! I hardly ever agree with Camp967, but he is spot on! A total waste of money, time and space. Most importantly space! This thing gets built there, and there goes any future chance of bowling in the stadium and making it possible to travel from side to side. Aesthetically it stinks, as well, IMO. Please, no more Frank Lloyd Wright! As many have stated, why in the hell do we need two jumbotrons in the same end zone? Piss Poor thinking, IMO.

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I don't think it is horrible. I would rather have seating on both sides of it or a "beer garden platform that connect both sides on each side, though. What I would REALLY like is for them to enclose the underbelly of the stadium as you drive up to it. THAT would be the best use of the money... That and up-lighting the TAC like they light up the outside of the Superdome with light shows.

Prosper has two Senior High’s currently. Prosper HS and Prosper Rockhill High. They are building a third one right now as well.

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Originally Posted by DallasDog

Prosper has two Senior High’s currently. Prosper HS and Prosper Rockhill High. They are building a third one right now as well.

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Don’t correct HD’s narrative with factual information.

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Originally Posted by eagle2180

Don’t correct HD’s narrative with factual information.

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:laugh:
:laugh:

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Originally Posted by champion110

I don't think it is horrible. I would rather have seating on both sides of it or a "beer garden platform that connect both sides on each side, though.

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New student section seating?

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Originally Posted by Bayou Dawg

New student section seating?

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At the rate we are going, the student section would just need 10 seats.

I have to disagree. Both EZ buildings have a Frank Lloyd Wright feel and that architect is timeless. Those buildings will always be in fashion. But I do agree that the end zone building needs seating to at least bring us back to 25k

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Originally Posted by beaux66

I have to disagree. Both EZ buildings have a Frank Lloyd Wright feel and that architect is timeless. Those buildings will always be in fashion. But I do agree that the end zone building needs seating to at least bring us back to 25k

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The ghost of FLW just projectile vomited, exorcist-style.

It’s fine. These are football stadia, not art museums.

I’m visiting my in-laws in Birmingham and ended up getting a good look at UAB’s practice facility. No walls! They can practice when it’s raining, but I’d guess it kept costs down.

Facility improvements without fully funding COA and stipend is a fools errand anyway.

Fire Holtz, fully fund COA and the stipend, and SELL TICKETS.

The facilities will be easier to build when we have more than 5K showing up on game days.

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Originally Posted by beaux66

I have to disagree. Both EZ buildings have a Frank Lloyd Wright feel and that architect is timeless. Those buildings will always be in fashion. But I do agree that the end zone building needs seating to at least bring us back to 25k

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Not a fan of FLW, and especially not on a college campus, or in historic districts, where no such style existed before. In some places, like maybe Las Vegas and some other places his style fits in, and that is okay. Just not in most places.

Well it’s what’s already in the SEZ so you can’t exactly throw a different style in the NEZ. That look is better than the majority of things put in most stadiums. No wings will be even better

This went from one of the ugliest to one of the nicest stadium overnight. The team might not be something to be proud of but the campus and facilities are looking damn good.

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Originally Posted by beaux66

Well it’s what’s already in the SEZ so you can’t exactly throw a different style in the NEZ. That look is better than the majority of things put in most stadiums. No wings will be even better

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Uhhh ... yes you can.

When something sucks, you should break with it. Not double down on it.

But it doesn’t suck. It’s just not your taste. We get rave reviews on the SEZ so why change the look on the other side. The look they chose is timeless. It will never look dated. But I still don’t understand why the opportunity is not taken to put more seating in there

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Originally Posted by beaux66

The look they chose is timeless. It will never look dated.

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Famous last words.

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Originally Posted by Dawgonit

.

1. An athletics museum should be opened in the NEZ containing memorabilia from all sports and history of Tech Athletics. This should include all trophies, Bradshaw's rings, old jerseys, old posters, etc. This would be great to visit while tailgating and great to complement Pride Path. It should be open during normal business hours and entrance to the museum includes a chance to view the stadium.

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THIS!!!! I have been screaming at the AD's office for 10 years about this. How do we have a HOF museum that the fans can't access? It's bullshit.

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Originally Posted by CaptFun

THIS!!!! I have been screaming at the AD's office for 10 years about this. How do we have a HOF museum that the fans can't access? It's bullshit.

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This is a great idea and something very deserving of the truly great athletes who have done so much for Tech. Oh and it’s not the other way around. Tech did not do for these athletes anything even close in comparison. Besides the player representation I’d love to see the championship teams honored because as we’ve found out more and more of late, championships are rare for Tech. From our once great nationally recognized institution of champions who would’ve thought it would become maybe a champion every decade or so. It’s so sad and absolutely unacceptable!

Agree. The wings need to go, they totally mar the look of the stadium and they're no longer needed as the old 30k seating requirement for FBS went away.