JMU Bridgeforth Stadium construction webcam

[93henfan]

I wouldn't mind seeing the lower bowl complete. The upper deck on the endzone and on the Godwin side can wait until we need it. But the lower bowl on the Godwin side would be nice if that can be completed in the next 5-10 years.

Yeah, I'd say 35K would be about all an FCS school would ever need.

[BDKJMU]

I wouldn't mind seeing the lower bowl complete. The upper deck on the endzone and on the Godwin side can wait until we need it. But the lower bowl on the Godwin side would be nice if that can be completed in the next 5-10 years.

Yeah, I'd say 35K would be about all an FCS school would ever need.

That would put it closer to 30k, which I couldn't see JMU ever filling at the I-AA level, even for parents' weekend. Just don't see any further expansion before an announcement is made to move up.

When the announcement does come, probably within this decade, I would like to see a simultaneous announcement that will be completing Phase II to move to 40k, especially if by that time are selling out a couple of games a yr and avg in the low 20s. With a 40k stadium every year after the 4 league home games and a home I-AA, the 6th home game would probably rotate between a non BCS one year, a lower level BCS one year, and a powerhouse BCS one year, so would get that big BCS home game at least once every 3 years.

[93henfan]

I could see VaTech working every angle behind the scenes to keep other traditional powers from playing you guys if you become a legitimate threat to their market share.

I don't profess to be an expert of that section of I-81, so I hope that makes sense. Maybe you guys down there can tell me? Does Blacksburg feel any pressure at all from being bookended by three aspiring FCS programs in Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, and Boone, NC?

[JMUpurplehazed]

I would be shocked if more than a few VT fans feel a threat from any of the FCS programs in their sandbox gaining strength in attendance, wins, stadium or anything else. Those guys think they are equals of Notre Dame, USC & 'Bama.

VT is overrated, the ACC conference is overrated (football) since Miami and FSU dropped out of the top 10. Duke, Wake, NCState, Maryland, these teams consistenly suck considering they are in a BCS conference.

I'm not suggesting VT should feel a threat from geographically close successful FCS programs, not so sure I would a threat there.

[JMUDuke2002]

From across the lake



New scoreboard



Club level



President's suite



Field view from upperdeck



View of upperdeck



Main entrance





Endzone work

[DirtyDukes]

Some cool pics of new signage, more Scoreboard, etc:









Booyah.

[guinzone]

Very nice, but can be stop ripping on YSU for having the only odd shaped stadium now. Now there are two: YSU and JMU lol!

[DirtyDukes]

Very nice, but can be stop ripping on YSU for having the only odd shaped stadium now. Now there are two: YSU and JMU lol!

Wait til they completed the endzone and then see how you feel about that.

[guinzone]

Very nice, but can be stop ripping on YSU for having the only odd shaped stadium now. Now there are two: YSU and JMU lol!

Wait til they completed the endzone and then see how you feel about that.

You may have the stadium edge, but I can find solace in knowing we have arguably the nicest indoor facility at this level!



Yes... OT.

[bandl]

Wait til they completed the endzone and then see how you feel about that.

You may have the stadium edge, but I can find solace in knowing we have arguably the nicest indoor facility at this level!



Yes... OT.

Your punters must be pansies.

[93henfan]

It's going to be a bitch getting the streamers off of that smokestack on windy days.

[Skjellyfetti]

You may have the stadium edge, but I can find solace in knowing we have arguably the nicest indoor facility at this level!

When you say "at this level"... are you referring to the cellar of the MVFC?

[andy7171]

Is the other side getting replaced after this next season?

You may have the stadium edge, but I can find solace in knowing we have arguably the nicest indoor facility at this level!

When you say "at this level"... are you referring to the cellar of the MVFC?

jelly just ripped the tits off the penguin.

[guinzone]

LMAO come back to me at the end of this season and say that..

[LUnpretty11]

Very nice, but can be stop ripping on YSU for having the only odd shaped stadium now. Now there are two: YSU and JMU lol!

Glad someone else pointed this out. There is no back of the stadium. Probably the most unattractive backside I've ever seen.

[JmuSkinsfan]

Very nice, but can be stop ripping on YSU for having the only odd shaped stadium now. Now there are two: YSU and JMU lol!

Glad someone else pointed this out. There is no back of the stadium. Probably the most unattractive backside I've ever seen.

LU --- wait until August to say that! The underside of the bleachers is going to be covered in purple panels, and I believe the stairs on the end of the stadium are going to be fixed up too. A lot of the aesthetic stuff is being saved for the end ... it won't be bare brown steel and aluminum on the back ... they didn't sink $62 mill. into the project to have it only look good from the front! Plus I think the back of the press box is going to be purple, possibly with James Madison across the back ...so don't judge quite yet!

[93henfan]

The underside of the bleachers is going to be covered in purple panels

Ooh!

[LUnpretty11]

All I'm saying is the thing just hangs 140 some feet off the ground. I have followed the project on caazone since last year. The two windows on the back of the press box give it a pretty funny look too haha. It's just very odd. Massive. Impressive. Very attractive from the field.... and from across the lake if the trees keep you from seeing below the press box. Looks skeletal.

[Sirloinburger]

The upperdeck looks like it's supported with toothpicks. That looks dangerous. And why did they sink the press box into the upperdeck instead of building it on top like most stadiums? They would have been able to add more seats. Unfortunately it obstructs the panoramic view of those sitting next to it. I like the other side better.

[93henfan]

The upperdeck looks like it's supported with toothpicks. That looks dangerous. And why did they sink the press box into the upperdeck instead of building it on top like most stadiums? They would have been able to add more seats. Unfortunately it obstructs the panoramic view of those sitting next to it. I like the other side better.

This is sort of the state of the art. It's reminiscent to me of Lincoln Financial Field, only on a smaller scale of course.

[93henfan]

The upperdeck looks like it's supported with toothpicks. That looks dangerous. And why did they sink the press box into the upperdeck instead of building it on top like most stadiums? They would have been able to add more seats. Unfortunately it obstructs the panoramic view of those sitting next to it. I like the other side better.

This is sort of the state of the art. It's reminiscent to me of Lincoln Financial Field, only on a smaller scale of course. I have no need to hide my jealousy. I'd kill to half half a stadium that looked that good and was that modern.

[rufus]

The design is actually very similar to that of Oregon State's Reser Stadium, which was completed a few years ago. Bridgeforth will be very similar to Reser, but obviously with a smaller "old side" and without the small seating area in front of the end zone facility. But the new sides and the other end zones of the two stadiums are extremely similar.

[rufus]

And why did they sink the press box into the upperdeck instead of building it on top like most stadiums? They would have been able to add more seats.

The press boxes at most college stadiums don't really sit on top of the stands -- they sit behind the stands and are supported by a structure that runs all the way to the ground. See App State's press box for a large example. Unfortunately, there is a parking garage immediately behind Bridgeforth (immediately as in it touches the stadium). Putting a press box behind/on top was not an option, given the space constraints. Instead, the university adopted a more modern design with a "built in" press box.

[andy7171]

The upperdeck looks like it's supported with toothpicks. That looks dangerous. And why did they sink the press box into the upperdeck instead of building it on top like most stadiums? They would have been able to add more seats. Unfortunately it obstructs the panoramic view of those sitting next to it. I like the other side better.

Hey dopey, thats the club level and suites. Press box is on the other side I believe.

[∞∞∞]

Is JMU going to finish the other side next summer? Or it is going to be lopsided for the forseeable future?

(and yeah, I'm too lazy to look the answer up)