Getting closer on IPF

[PeteTheChop]

Two bright spots here per Brand X:

• Dr Schultz and Mr. Chun have already raised $9M
• The cost of the facility has dropped from $28M to potentially as low as $21M.

Wonder if Schultz-Chun have gotten some in-kind contributions from Cougar-friendly construction firms?

Sounds like things are looking up.

 

[royhobbs2]

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2624636-15-best-indoor-facilities-in-college-football#slide12

FSU built their IPF for 13 million in 2013, Syracuse built their IPF for 14 million in 2015

I think we can cut costs a little and get it done.

 

[PeteTheChop]

FSU built their IPF for 13 million in 2013, Syracuse built their IPF for 14 million in 2015. I think we can cut costs a little and get it done.

Good info, thanks Roy!

One distinction perhaps: Like Dr. Rawlins and Mr. Moos with their FOB, Dr. Schultz will not cut corners with his IPF: "We do NOT want something that looks cheap, like we threw it up and slapped a big Cougar head on it and everybody says, ‘Well, they clearly didn’t have enough money to do it right.’ I want to make sure it’s something our fans, our faculty, staff, our players and coaches are proud of -- and really keeps in line with excellence in facilities development that Bill started as AD."

 

[ttowncoug]

We can remodel the field house and have a football soccer facility.

Instead. We are shooting for the moon to include other non revenue generating sports.

Bad decision decision.

 

[SDCoug]

We can remodel the field house and have a football soccer facility.

Instead. We are shooting for the moon to include other non revenue generating sports.

Bad decision decision.

I’ve thought the field house was the best option for awhile. And not just because of money. I think it is a really cool old building. It’s close to the locker rooms as well. Give it some much needed attention and it could be impressive. Then keep the bubble in place to resolve conflicts with soccer and baseball if necessary.

I think that someone mentioned it may not be high enough for punts. There are likely other things that knock it out of consideration.

Excuse my ignorance but is it used anymore for anything other than prefunctioning? Maybe still some indoor track?

 

[Flatlandcoug]

I’ve thought the field house was the best option for awhile. And not just because of money. I think it is a really cool old building. It’s close to the locker rooms as well. Give it some much needed attention and it could be impressive. Then keep the bubble in place to resolve conflicts with soccer and baseball if necessary.

I think that someone mentioned it may not be high enough for punts. There are likely other things that knock it out of consideration.

Excuse my ignorance but is it used anymore for anything other than prefunctioning? Maybe still some indoor track?

The field house is not a good option for the IPF. The whole goal of an IPF is to allow the team to practice indoors in the same manner as they do outside. The field house is far too small in length & width to be a proper IPF. Here is a link about modern IPF design: IPF Design Article

I know that I'm in the minority, but if I were king, the field house would be a pile of rubble already to clear the way for our eventual north stand improvements. It makes me sick knowing that when the time comes, we are going to do a half assed expansion on that north side line because people worship a building that they got drunk in. If it were my choice, Mooberry track would get moved somewhere else and that whole area would be reworked....but again, I know that I'm in the minority on the Field House.

It doesn't change the fact that the Field House is not an option for an IPF. If there was any reasonable chance of it, it would have happened 10 years ago.

 

[COUGinNCW]

I’ve thought the field house was the best option for awhile. And not just because of money. I think it is a really cool old building. It’s close to the locker rooms as well. Give it some much needed attention and it could be impressive. Then keep the bubble in place to resolve conflicts with soccer and baseball if necessary.

I think that someone mentioned it may not be high enough for punts. There are likely other things that knock it out of consideration.

Excuse my ignorance but is it used anymore for anything other than prefunctioning? Maybe still some indoor track?

I think Tennis uses it as well.

 

[COUGinNCW]

The field house is not a good option for the IPF. The whole goal of an IPF is to allow the team to practice indoors in the same manner as they do outside. The field house is far too small in length & width to be a proper IPF. Here is a link about modern IPF design: IPF Design Article

I know that I'm in the minority, but if I were king, the field house would be a pile of rubble already to clear the way for our eventual north stand improvements. It makes me sick knowing that when the time comes, we are going to do a half assed expansion on that north side line because people worship a building that they got drunk in. If it were my choice, Mooberry track would get moved somewhere else and that whole area would be reworked....but again, I know that I'm in the minority on the Field House.

It doesn't change the fact that the Field House is not an option for an IPF. If there was any reasonable chance of it, it would have happened 10 years ago.

On stadium expansion - You can buy a pretty good 80 inch TV for less than $1000. In 3 years it will be less than $500. Unless there is a massive increase in population I just don't see the stadium expanding. WSU basketball is really in trouble from an attendance standpoint. They are fighting bad driving conditions as well as the ease of watching on TV (assuming the product improves).

 

[kougkurt]

Anyone who has been in a state of the art IPF. (UW). Knows the field house is not even close to being an option.

 

[fingerdisco]

I’ve thought the field house was the best option for awhile. And not just because of money. I think it is a really cool old building. It’s close to the locker rooms as well. Give it some much needed attention and it could be impressive. Then keep the bubble in place to resolve conflicts with soccer and baseball if necessary.

I think that someone mentioned it may not be high enough for punts. There are likely other things that knock it out of consideration.

Excuse my ignorance but is it used anymore for anything other than prefunctioning? Maybe still some indoor track?

I’m not anti IPF, but if they’re building a facility around punters, that’s a pretty stupid reason to not save some money renovating an existing building.

 

[SDCoug]

The field house is not a good option for the IPF. The whole goal of an IPF is to allow the team to practice indoors in the same manner as they do outside. The field house is far too small in length & width to be a proper IPF. Here is a link about modern IPF design: IPF Design Article

I know that I'm in the minority, but if I were king, the field house would be a pile of rubble already to clear the way for our eventual north stand improvements. It makes me sick knowing that when the time comes, we are going to do a half assed expansion on that north side line because people worship a building that they got drunk in. If it were my choice, Mooberry track would get moved somewhere else and that whole area would be reworked....but again, I know that I'm in the minority on the Field House.

It doesn't change the fact that the Field House is not an option for an IPF. If there was any reasonable chance of it, it would have happened 10 years ago.

I just looked at the satellite view of the area and you are correct. It wouldn’t fit a field, let alone room around the field.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

I just looked at the satellite view of the area and you are correct. It wouldn’t fit a field, let alone room around the field.

Unfortunately, the building needs to be at least 190' x 390' on the inside. As you've now seen, the field house is closer to 135' x 325'. FWIW, the indoor practice facility at K-State is 235' x 415' (roughly). Our current indoor practice bubble is roughly 200' x 380'. Of course, because of the the ongoing arms race in sports.....they are building a new football only indoor practice facility along with well over $100 million in other facility improvements planned.

College athletics is ridiculously expensive right now.

 

[ttowncoug]

The field house is a viable option, it's not the best option. I would explore it for football and soccer, even if this is not the permanent fix.

How many times will the IPF actually get used? Versus talked about for recruiting?

You could use for student (IM) use....help pay for the project.

The facility can be moved to a football only IPF. It’s next to the stadium. It could work.

Tennis can get a bubble. That’s not cost issue.

Again. If you listen to the powers that be, they want it to be used for all sports. I agree, but maybe we have to face reality and say we don't have the funding to do this at this point.

You can fit a field (Rogers Field isn't full) that would work just fine. A true football field is 120 yards (360 feet) of length and 53 1/3 yards (160 feet) of width. You could have modified filed (like Rogers).

Again, not ideal. Not the ideal set up, but it moves us in the right direction.

The Bears practice here:
https://www.profootballweekly.com/_internal/cimg!0/nhos1o2em5ruwlbw5qufgnj6527nsbq

BYU has this facility, which looks very small (field size) to the eye:
https://espn960sports.com/news/matt...d-their-impact-on-recruiting-and-wins-losses/

I know where we ultimately need to get, but maybe we put in some short term fixes.

 

[SDCoug]

Where are we expecting this thing to be located? I have no idea. IMO it needs to be close to existing facilities. There isn’t a lot of room there. Moving the track just means we have to build another track.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

The field house is a viable option, it's not the best option. I would explore it for football and soccer, even if this is not the permanent fix.

How many times will the IPF actually get used? Versus talked about for recruiting?

You could use for student (IM) use....help pay for the project.

The facility can be moved to a football only IPF. It’s next to the stadium. It could work.

Tennis can get a bubble. That’s not cost issue.

Again. If you listen to the powers that be, they want it to be used for all sports. I agree, but maybe we have to face reality and say we don't have the funding to do this at this point.

You can fit a field (Rogers Field isn't full) that would work just fine. A true football field is 120 yards (360 feet) of length and 53 1/3 yards (160 feet) of width. You could have modified filed (like Rogers).

Again, not ideal. Not the ideal set up, but it moves us in the right direction.

The Bears practice here:
https://www.profootballweekly.com/_internal/cimg!0/nhos1o2em5ruwlbw5qufgnj6527nsbq

BYU has this facility, which looks very small (field size) to the eye:
https://espn960sports.com/news/matt...d-their-impact-on-recruiting-and-wins-losses/

I know where we ultimately need to get, but maybe we put in some short term fixes.

I looked at the satellite view of the BYU IPF and it is over 200' wide and close to 450' long. FWIW, I can't buy into the idea that we should do a half assed job on the IPF just to save some money and inconvenience. If we are going to do that....we might as well stick with the bubble.

 

[BiggsCoug]

The field house is a viable option, it's not the best option. I would explore it for football and soccer, even if this is not the permanent fix.

How many times will the IPF actually get used? Versus talked about for recruiting?

You could use for student (IM) use....help pay for the project.

The facility can be moved to a football only IPF. It’s next to the stadium. It could work.

Tennis can get a bubble. That’s not cost issue.

Again. If you listen to the powers that be, they want it to be used for all sports. I agree, but maybe we have to face reality and say we don't have the funding to do this at this point.

You can fit a field (Rogers Field isn't full) that would work just fine. A true football field is 120 yards (360 feet) of length and 53 1/3 yards (160 feet) of width. You could have modified filed (like Rogers).

Again, not ideal. Not the ideal set up, but it moves us in the right direction.

The Bears practice here:
https://www.profootballweekly.com/_internal/cimg!0/nhos1o2em5ruwlbw5qufgnj6527nsbq

BYU has this facility, which looks very small (field size) to the eye:
https://espn960sports.com/news/matt...d-their-impact-on-recruiting-and-wins-losses/

I know where we ultimately need to get, but maybe we put in some short term fixes.

The problem with short term fixes is that they never get revisited. Example, the press box.

If you're gonna do it, do it right. This is an arms race. It isn't enough to be "just enough." You have to go over the top. You have to build like the Taj Mahal. The facilities you have are body language. You can tell recruits, fans, alums, etc that you're committed to football. Your facilities either prove you right or prove you're lying.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

Where are we expecting this thing to be located? I have no idea. IMO it needs to be close to existing facilities. There isn’t a lot of room there. Moving the track just means we have to build another track.

I've always been under the impression that it's going where the current bubble is at.

 

[PeteTheChop]

If you're gonna do it, do it right. This is an arms race. It isn't enough to be "just enough." You have to go over the top. You have to build like the Taj Mahal. The facilities you have are body language. You can tell recruits, fans, alums, etc that you're committed to football. Your facilities either prove you right or prove you're lying.

Thank you Biggs!

Step 1: Martin Stadium enhancements (done, first class and state of the art)

Step 2: Build Football Operations Building (done, first class and state of the art)

Step 3: Build Football-focused Indoor Practice Facility (nearing fruition, $9M already in hand and Pres. Schultz anticipating shovels in the ground 7 months from now)

Step 4: Expand stadium (see Flatland's northside project above)

Step 5: Enjoy payoff with more Rose Bowls and playoff appearances (hopefully)

 

[Coug90]

On stadium expansion - You can buy a pretty good 80 inch TV for less than $1000. In 3 years it will be less than $500. Unless there is a massive increase in population I just don't see the stadium expanding. WSU basketball is really in trouble from an attendance standpoint. They are fighting bad driving conditions as well as the ease of watching on TV (assuming the product improves).

Larry Scott is at least doing his part by limiting the exposure and reach of the PAC-12 network

 

[95coug]

Thank you Biggs!

Step 1: Martin Stadium enhancements (done, first class and state of the art)

Step 2: Build Football Operations Building (done, first class and state of the art)

Step 3: Build Football-focused Indoor Practice Facility (nearing fruition, $9M already in hand and Pres. Schultz anticipating shovels in the ground 7 months from now)

Step 4: Expand stadium (see Flatland's northside project above)

Step 5: Enjoy payoff with more Rose Bowls and playoff appearances (hopefully)

There will not be a north side expansion in the next decade. Expansion would cost dollars that will not be paid back. And the east end zone is more buildable.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

I know that I'm in the minority, but if I were king, the field house would be a pile of rubble already to clear the way for our eventual north stand improvements.

I'd concentrate on filling the seats consistently first before we drop $$ into expansion. My $.02

 

[PeteTheChop]

There will not be a north side expansion in the next decade. Expansion would cost dollars that will not be paid back. And the east end zone is more buildable.

95,

Ideally, how many seats would be added on the east end zone?

 

[Coug90]

I'd concentrate on filling the seats consistently first before we drop $$ into expansion. My $.02

Martin Stadium. Only place alcohol is sold/served in the city of Pullman from an hour before kickoff to final whistle on Gameday. Problem solved. 50K no problem.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

Martin Stadium. Only place alcohol is sold/served in the city of Pullman from an hour before kickoff to final whistle on Gameday. Problem solved. 50K no problem.

Too bad the state of Washington sits on their hands while it seems every other school capitalizes...loss of easy revenue.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

Two bright spots here per Brand X:

• Dr Schultz and Mr. Chun have already raised $9M
• The cost of the facility has dropped from $28M to potentially as low as $21M.

Wonder if Schultz-Chun have gotten some in-kind contributions from Cougar-friendly construction firms?

Sounds like things are looking up.

Consider me a Doubting Thomas until the shovels are in the ground.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

I'd concentrate on filling the seats consistently first before we drop $$ into expansion. My $.02

That's why I said "eventual" in my prior post. We aren't expanding the stadium right now and there is no timetable, but that might change if we can string together another couple 10 win seasons. Someone mentioned that endzone seating is a likely next step and they are correct...because those seats are cheaper. Longer term, I believe that there is a market for higher end seats where fans have access to more amenities (alcohol, climate control, etc) and will support a new set of luxury suites and club seats along the north side. More profit per seat and we don't have to convince as many people to come to Pullman. I'd hate to see that improvement need to stop at the 30 yard line because we just have to save the field house for its "historic" value. As long as Coug fans have a place to drink before the game, nobody would miss the Field House 15 minutes after it was gone.

 

[COUGinNCW]

That's why I said "eventual" in my prior post. We aren't expanding the stadium right now and there is no timetable, but that might change if we can string together another couple 10 win seasons. Someone mentioned that endzone seating is a likely next step and they are correct...because those seats are cheaper. Longer term, I believe that there is a market for higher end seats where fans have access to more amenities (alcohol, climate control, etc) and will support a new set of luxury suites and club seats along the north side. More profit per seat and we don't have to convince as many people to come to Pullman. I'd hate to see that improvement need to stop at the 30 yard line because we just have to save the field house for its "historic" value. As long as Coug fans have a place to drink before the game, nobody would miss the Field House 15 minutes after it was gone.

I would think the IPF would be a suitable place to prefunk if they needed to tear down the field house.

 

[BiggsCoug]

I'd concentrate on filling the seats consistently first before we drop $$ into expansion. My $.02

It isnt an unreasonable argument. Why build bigger when you cant fill what you have???

Here is why.

It makes WSU look like small time football. It has nothing to do with butts in seats. It has everything to do with perception of how important football is.

4 and 5 star recruits go to 4 and 5 star schools. If you think stadium size doesn't play a role in being a 4 or 5 star school, you're wrong. If you think Martin Stadium’s capacity isn't used against WSU effectively, you're wrong.

At some point you have to remove the reasons talent doesn't choose you. WSU cant even get top in state talent to even visit. Kids wont even show up on campus because of perceived ideas about WSU. Having a small stadium doesn't help.

More talent, more wins, more big game wins, more fans in stadium, more revenue.

Game day experience for players is a big reason why kids choose schools. Big stadiums, big crowds, big games are all reasons why the talent is leaving the West Coast.

 

[NMBRCRNCHR]

Just throwing this out there, but I recall a push to designate the Fieldhouse as a historical structure, some time back. Anyone else recall this?

 

[kayak15]

Just throwing this out there, but I recall a push to designate the Fieldhouse as a historical structure, some time back. Anyone else recall this?

I recall the same. No idea whether it acquired that designation. Rather puzzled me a bit at the time as I regard it as a functional rectangular brick building of no particular distinction.

 

[wazzucougs96]

It isnt an unreasonable argument. Why build bigger when you cant fill what you have???

Here is why.

It makes WSU look like small time football. It has nothing to do with butts in seats. It has everything to do with perception of how important football is.

4 and 5 star recruits go to 4 and 5 star schools. If you think stadium size doesn't play a role in being a 4 or 5 star school, you're wrong. If you think Martin Stadium’s capacity isn't used against WSU effectively, you're wrong.

At some point you have to remove the reasons talent doesn't choose you. WSU cant even get top in state talent to even visit. Kids wont even show up on campus because of perceived ideas about WSU. Having a small stadium doesn't help.

More talent, more wins, more big game wins, more fans in stadium, more revenue.

Game day experience for players is a big reason why kids choose schools. Big stadiums, big crowds, big games are all reasons why the talent is leaving the West Coast.

Is a stadium that is too big and therefor only 2/3 full on gameday when they come to visit really going to make a good impression though?

Stadium might be small, but a sellout will always look and feel better on gameday, IMO.

 

[CougPatrol]

The ONLY reason you redo and expand the endzone bowl is if you plan on moving the students there, which I think we should consider.

That would be a low cost expansion, and it would allow us to sell the current student section seats at premium sideline reserved pricing. 70% of the students leave at halftime anyway. Give them the endzone.

 

[Flatlandcoug]

The ONLY reason you redo and expand the endzone bowl is if you plan on moving the students there, which I think we should consider.

That would be a low cost expansion, and it would allow us to sell the current student section seats at premium sideline reserved pricing. 70% of the students leave at halftime anyway. Give them the endzone.

In the past, students have successfully lobbied to keep their prime seats. Given that the halftime exodus problem does feel like it's more pronounced, I wonder if the university needs to have a conversation with the students about priorities. It seems like there is a better argument now for changing the seating allocation than there might have been in the past.

 

[dgibbons]

The ONLY reason you redo and expand the endzone bowl is if you plan on moving the students there, which I think we should consider.

That would be a low cost expansion, and it would allow us to sell the current student section seats at premium sideline reserved pricing. 70% of the students leave at halftime anyway. Give them the endzone.

Correct. No one is going to pay middle dollar let alone top dollar for endzone seats. They will have to move the visiting section too- probably over to the section 1-2 area.

 

[wazzucougs96]

The ONLY reason you redo and expand the endzone bowl is if you plan on moving the students there, which I think we should consider.

That would be a low cost expansion, and it would allow us to sell the current student section seats at premium sideline reserved pricing. 70% of the students leave at halftime anyway. Give them the endzone.

Would love to see this done. You could square it off to bring the seats closer to the field. And instead of seats you could creating a standing only terrace, which would be awesome for a student section.

 

[Lollapalousa]

I have 20 tix in section 4&5. The students directly across from me is a big reason I invest in Coug Football

Mess with that energy I rethink how I spend my Saturdays

 

[CougPatrol]

I have 20 tix in section 4&5. The students directly across from me is a big reason I invest in Coug Football

Mess with that energy I rethink how I spend my Saturdays

I don't blame you for that opinion, and my comment isn't intended to sound like I don't care, but dollar cost spreadsheeting shows that opening up premium seating between the endzone to the 50 yard line and the goal line on the current student side will generate more than enough revenue to offset a few fans with your opinion.

Just about everyone who isn't a student in Martin Stadium on a football weekend drives anywhere from 160 - 600+ miles roundtrip to see the team play. We would attract far more of them if their reward was sitting between the goal lines as opposed to the endzone. That's where things are headed. It's a question of when, not if.

 

[95coug]

Would love to see this done. You could square it off to bring the seats closer to the field. And instead of seats you could creating a standing only terrace, which would be awesome for a student section.

The difficulty there is that an expansion on the east side goes up - above the concessions/bathrooms. Footings are already there for it. So then you've got a squared-off lower section in front of a curved upper deck.

Without the expansion, squaring it off would create an opportunity for a flat-ish, curved patio between the top of the seats and the backs of the concession stands/bathrooms - and that's your beer garden.

Moving the students to the east endzone means moving the visiting fans to 1-2 or 35-36...which also means moving the students out of the west endzone. Maybe the lower deck in the east becomes the new CrimZone? And then the west endzone gets segregated somehow...and becomes your beer garden. Now you've got your students in the east endzone and your well lubricated fans in the west. And, now you can sell the midfield seats on the north side for market value. Maybe you let the students keep the north side below the concourse - those kids show up early and usually aren't the ones leaving at halftime.

 

[BiggsCoug]

Is a stadium that is too big and therefor only 2/3 full on gameday when they come to visit really going to make a good impression though?

Stadium might be small, but a sellout will always look and feel better on gameday, IMO.

An empty stadium doesn't hurt Stanford or Cal or SC or UCLA, etc. Would you rather explain small crowds or why your stadium is half the size of other schools to recruits?

There are a lot of ADs out there that see sellouts and think 2 things: raise ticket prices or add seats.

I understand the logic. Why add more seats when you cant sell the ones you have? It makes sense. You should understand that 18 year old kids don't think that way. You aren't working with a clientele that uses the same logic.

 

[dgibbons]

An empty stadium doesn't hurt Stanford or Cal or SC or UCLA, etc. Would you rather explain small crowds or why your stadium is half the size of other schools to recruits?

There are a lot of ADs out there that see sellouts and think 2 things: raise ticket prices or add seats.

I understand the logic. Why add more seats when you cant sell the ones you have? It makes sense. You should understand that 18 year old kids don't think that way. You aren't working with a clientele that uses the same logic.

Bianca is really into monuments. Giant empty stadiums make a difference!