UALBANY Proposed Stadium Flyover-Shovel Ready?

[bosiydid]

I actually think the high-water mark for attendance will be 8 K if we had that capacity. When the weather is good...Albany gets around 4500-5000 fans. It is only in the dregs of deep fall winter...

I don't want to say this the wrong way, but what the hell else is there to do in Albany on Saturdays in Sept-Nov? I'm sure there are plenty of outdoor activities, but I'm talking about events. It's not like Syracuse is stealing your thunder. UA is a state school with over 13,000 undergrads. There are 1,000,000 people in the greater Albany area. Surely you guys should be able to draw better.

To be frank...IMO, the current "facilities" are running people off. The current freaking bleachers are so rusted that all that enter the "stadium" are required to show proof that they have their tetanus vaccinations in order.

[bosiydid]

The current "facilities" IMO are 90% of the problem why more don't come out...IMO it's not weather or any other crap. Start winning IN half decent facilities and we'll get 10k there.

[Dane96]

No bullshit excuses... The stadium (loose word) is pointed North to South. You get prevailing Westerlies into the Capital District to form an effect called the "Hudson Weather Dip Drip", basically the air just sits in the valley because of the mountains that surround the area. After Oct...(sometimes mid-October) it just gets plain nasty and cold...and I am talking REEEEEALLYYYY cold. It isnt the cold air...it is the wind.

Sounds like BS excuses.

Montana has no problem drawing fans in really cold weather. Minnesota just moved to an outdoor stadium, I'm guessing it's pretty cold there. Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State all can't build their stadiums big enough in weather that has to be ever bit as cold as Albany. It's not like you're asking people from Miami to come up and sit in your stadium to watch football. I've never lived in Albany, but I'd think the people there would be used to the temperatures and conditions there. Are you telling me that people just hole up and hibernate?

Not at all...however, the first issue is we only did night games for years. It was only recently that day game starts were in the afternoon. Again, it comes back to horrendous seats (you cant even imagine unless you've been), no huge name teams (when we play the Hofstra's, etc....we get good numbers), and weather unlike what you see in Montana. Believe me, I used to hunt in 17 below...and I hike in extreme conditions. Sitting at a game with shitty facilities when the wind is whipping at 20-30 mph on average is not fun.

[89Hen]

To be frank...IMO, the current "facilities" are running people off. The current freaking bleachers are so rusted that all that enter the "stadium" are required to show proof that they have their tetanus vaccinations in order.

That's a legit excuse, but I understood you to say that you thought UA would only draw 5-7k in a NEW facility.

[89Hen]

Sitting at a game with shitty facilities...

I think I may have entered the conversation at the wrong time. I really only want to talk about what you could get for games IF this new facility is built (at least in part).

[89Hen]

The current "facilities" IMO are 90% of the problem why more don't come out...IMO it's not weather or any other crap. Start winning IN half decent facilities and we'll get 10k there.

OK then. It was my mistake in reading.

[Dane96]

I personally believe if we start with 10,000 fans...and get games against a well-known IVY, Stony Brook and a CAA, Southern Conference or Big Sky team (e.g. Harvard or Yale...both are strong possibilities; our archrival Seawolves; and Montana, Delaware, UNH, UMASS, Maine or New Hampshire)...plus the conference slate...you would see7500-8,500 fans in year one...as a conservative estimate.

Personally speaking, if we are doing decent that year...it would be closer to 9000 IMHO.

[bosiydid]

The current "facilities" IMO are 90% of the problem why more don't come out...IMO it's not weather or any other crap. Start winning IN half decent facilities and we'll get 10k there.

OK then. It was my mistake in reading.

To offer further clarification on what I meant...I might not have clearly articulated my point. The 5-7k estimate I threw out there is simply based on my perception that we still have a long way to grow the program in the eyes of the locals.

Sure the stadium will probably sell out on opening game...but to sustain the 10K crowds we'll have to continue to build the tradition and fan base through winning. If UA somehow got to the NCAA tourney this year it would do wonders IMO. As of right now there is little advertisement and market penetration, I suspect a lot will change with a new facility.

So yeah, I think 10k on a regular bases is very possible but it might take a couple of years.

[Dane96]

Ye of little faith. When you were a mere pup, and me a mere neophyte entering the U, the Danes averaged 6500-7000 because of rivalries, day games, etc.

Believe me...there is no doubt in my mind we will be closer to my numbers if that thing is built. I would put money on it. New stadiums do funny things to people. We already win...that isnt an issue.

Here would be my projection:

Ivy Team to Open, or Colgate/Lehigh: 8800. Argument sake, we win.
Stony Brook: sellout. Argument sake, we win.
CAA/Montana/TBD: Sellout. Argument sake, we lose close matchup.
4 conference games: 7000-7500 average.

[danefan]

I have no reason to think that We can't average at least what UMass does if we get a similar committment from the university. UMass is 90 miles east, and is located in less populated area. A new stadium and a better home schedule are the keys. Playing NEC teams in late winter is not going to draw overr 10,000 consistently.

But because our current digs are so terrible, any estimate is really nothing more than a guess.

[jpg_91]

Dane96,

I like your attendance predictions but would like to add that a lot of those numbers really have to be based on us getting to 60+ rides. If we stay in the NEC I have a hard time believing we get any top FCS teams to come to us new stadium or not. I mean, I think UMass and Maine would come, maybe even Delaware, but other than that you really think Montana or another school of that ilk has much interest in coming to Albany? And don't forget, Ford has said that he will not schedule SBU unless we are on equal footing in regard to scholarships. So a regular NEC home schedule in my opinion only puts about 5,000-6,000 in the stands. At that rate we will never see Phase 2.

[Dane96]

???

We already get those CAA teams and I do know that Montana and Delaware both have stated they would come open our stadium.

Other than that, we have IVY's, CAA's and PL teams visit the shithole we currently call home.

[slycat]

Holy crap that is nice. Really hope something like that shapes up for y'all in the near future. Thats a CAA stadium or better.

[JSU02]

WOW, that looks like the perfect FCS stadium (after JSU Stadium of course ) BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME

[bosiydid]

I've been told that phase one of the project has been funded (14-16million). Design phase will commence this December and construction will start late 2011 early 2012 in time for first game Sep 2012.

Exactly what gets built at this point will hinge on the design and coast analysis studies.

[Dane96]

Just to be clear...three things:

1. Design and Mangement Costs are not included in the total funding. THIS IS GOOD!!!
2. Track and Field will get a much needed and much earned facility. I would guess that it would cost around 3-4mm.
3. Phase 1 of the Multi-Purpose Stadium/Football Facility will seat 6,000 or so. The real question is does this include the tower, upper deck and lower sideline. Phase 1 originally was going to seat 10,000 and would have seen the tower, upper deck, both sidelines and one endzone seating in the bowl.

Sidenote, the funding (from what we understand) does NOT include alumni and corporate donations. This could quite possibly mean that Phase 2 will be started almost immediately. Albany has some big pockets that were former athletes and were waiting to see what/when we woud get the stadium. Additionally, SEFCU paid 2.5 million for the Arena naming rights. My thought is that they naming rights for the Stadium (as prominent as it would be on campus) would probably fetch 4-6 mm. This influx, plus alumni donations...plus sponsorships, could quite possibly get the intial plan of the lower bowl, deck and tower completed...plus start to fund the remaining scholarships if we indeed made the jump up to 63.

Whatever happens...I am just happy we got SOMETHING.

Now what would really get me going is if the Giants (who havent done much financially for the Danes) would step up with a cool 500,000 to 1,000,000 to name a lockeroom or something. We have already named a field after Mara....and the multi-purpose field will no doubt be named BOB FORD FIELD. Though knowing Fordie, he would probably take the $$ to fund the school to name it after someone else.

[CAA Flagship]

When you get to the last picture, you lost seating capacity. Note the "visitor" side seating.

[Dane96]

Yeah...we know...but that is because that was SUPPOSED to be Phase 1 (10,000 seats).

That said, this will only be 6,000 seats in Phase 1...with the potential to get to 24,000 seats.

Fundraising has begun...

...State funding was secured.

[danefan]

When you get to the last picture, you lost seating capacity. Note the "visitor" side seating.

Yes, the last picture is showing the initial Phase. No need for 24,000 seats now.

[Uncle Buck]

I like it, i like it a lot and if this thing happens, it will be a thousand times better than what was there. When i went up for the Hofstra game back in 05, the seating was terrible wooden bleachers that really sucked. I think Albany will do this right and get people excited about their programs and get alumni excited about coming back.

Only question, I thought phase one was starting at 10,000 seats with the bowl all around and an upper deck on the home side where the pressbox will be? I think 10K is a great jumping off point and i don't see Albany in the NEC long term. I think at some point they will align themselves with a more competitive group of schools that will draw better.

[danefan]

I like it, i like it a lot and if this thing happens, it will be a thousand times better than what was there. When i went up for the Hofstra game back in 05, the seating was terrible wooden bleachers that really sucked. I think Albany will do this right and get people excited about their programs and get alumni excited about coming back.

Only question, I thought phase one was starting at 10,000 seats with the bowl all around and an upper deck on the home side where the pressbox will be? I think 10K is a great jumping off point and i don't see Albany in the NEC long term. I think at some point they will align themselves with a more competitive group of schools that will draw better.

The original intention was to have Phase I at 10,000 seats, but the funding is limited. So to avoid an even longer delay it looks like a scaled down Phase I (6,000 seats) is a go, with the hope that it will be finished in time for 2012 opener.

The school won't accept any engineering designs that don't accomodate for rapid expansion. The contractor is also required to sign a contract that will lock them into 2015 also. Hopefully that means we'll be seeing expansion to 10,000-12,000 by 2015.

Then again, if we can't fill 6,000 seats in a new stadium and don't have any intention of moving out of the NEC, what's the incentive to go beyond 6,000? I hope this isn't the case, but the possibility cannot be ignored.

[henfan]

Dane, it's important to note that UD former AD Edgar Johnson's agreement to schedule the Danes on the road was made prior to his departure. UD's current unwillingness to schedule OOC home-homes may make this less of a possibility, even with a new UA stadium. Personally, I'd like to see if happen.

Now, if UA were to ever become a member of CAA FB, we'd be making regular trips to Capital City.

[Dane96]

Dane, it's important to note that UD former AD Edgar Johnson's agreement to schedule the Danes on the road was made prior to his departure. UD's current unwillingness to schedule OOC home-homes may make this less of a possibility, even with a new UA stadium. Personally, I'd like to see if happen.

Now, if UA were to ever become a member of CAA FB, we'd be making regular trips to Capital City.

True...except for one thing: BOB FORD. I think both Delaware and Montana would honor any gentlemen's agreement with that man.

Maybe I am wrong...but I think he is that respected.

[henfan]

True...except for one thing: BOB FORD. I think both Delaware and Montana would honor any gentlemen's agreement with that man.

Maybe I am wrong...but I think he is that respected.

I don't think there's any question Ford is respected. However, that's likely to have little impact on financial & competitive decisions that drive UD FB scheduling now and in the future. Given the philosophical changes that have taken place in the UD AD since Edgar Johnson's departure and the current emphasis on athletic funding, I'd doubt very seriously that the current AD would be compelled to honor any verbal arrangment offered by his predecessor. All things considered, FCS home-homes are generally revenue losers for UD.

I'm not suggesting UD at UA won't ever happen, if a new stadium gets built. I just wouldn't put too much stock a conversation our former AD might have had years ago with UA about a potential home-home.

[bosiydid]

Based on what I've been told directly/indirectly, exactly WHAT gets built will depend largely on on the cost analysis study that has yet to begin. Furthermore, there are plans to start a fund raising campaign that will bring in another 5 million in private donations and the stadium will be named after Bob Ford.