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Taking a brief break from the conference shuffle, I was wondering about something else. We all talk about closing in the horseshoe if and when our attendance warrants. I realize there are plans in exixtance for this, but I would like them to consider leaving it open, and putting on an upper deck. This should be ok as long as they stay below the pressbox, and would allow for the addition of several more suites and stadium club seats. That would allow for much greater revenue than just extra seats, while leaving what I believe is a nice addition of the grassy knoll which could always be used for standing room only seating if we ever reach that level.

I know others have talked about the upper deck before, but I think of it as more of an ability to add suites for additional revenue, and save the grassy area while still providing extra seats.

Ok. Now back to the musical chairs of NCAA football.

I agree with you, all depends on UP zoning and cost differential. I think the stadium would look more collegiate with another deck with suites/club seats. Make the club seats affordable for the fun alumni, put a nice big bar up there and make it the rowdy side.

There have already been discussions within the Athletic Department about an upper deck on the east side of the stadium. In fact if SMU joined a major conference it would be a given that this would be done.

I just hope we don't expand the stadium (when and if that happens) to look like the add on monstrosities in Baton Rouge or Tuscaloosa.

No No No on leaving the endzone open. If you are down on the field the stadium looks very small and unimpressive. Very small time. Part of it is the huge pressbox, but I think the other part is seeing the street level out the end. We MUST fill it in.

When they put seats on the field I will consider your argument, but I believe the grassy knoll adds a touch of uniqueness and attraction to the stadium. Upper deck would make the stadium look much larger from the field.

Oh, one other thing. To show our commitment to money and big time conferences, we could sell Ford Stadium's name to a corporate sponsor. Given our history, I think KY Stadium would be a good match and it would ease the pain of taking on a larger stadium.

mrydel wrote:When they put seats on the field I will consider your argument, but I believe the grassy knoll adds a touch of uniqueness and attraction to the stadium. Upper deck would make the stadium look much larger from the field.

Neither option will look good as long as we only draw 19,000 per outing.

RE Tycoon wrote:I agree with you, all depends on UP zoning ...

I don't think the zoning issue would be a problem now that SMU basically owns everything to the east of the stadium. I also like the idea of leaving the horseshoe configuration and adding an upper deck to the east side.

Bergermeister wrote:

mrydel wrote:When they put seats on the field I will consider your argument, but I believe the grassy knoll adds a touch of uniqueness and attraction to the stadium. Upper deck would make the stadium look much larger from the field.

Neither option will look good as long as we only draw 19,000 per outing.

Did I not give you enough if and whens in my original post?

I like the upper deck idea...and also add another scoreboard to the opposite side. One scoreboard makes it look like a HS stadium.

I'd like to see us fill in the horseshoe though.

PK wrote:

RE Tycoon wrote:I agree with you, all depends on UP zoning ...

I don't think the zoning issue would be a problem now that SMU basically owns everything to the east of the stadium. I also like the idea of leaving the horseshoe configuration and adding an upper deck to the east side.

I think he's referring to the UP height restriction. Some people have stated on this board that a deck on the east side can be built lower than the top pressbox, and thus allowed.

PK wrote:

RE Tycoon wrote:I agree with you, all depends on UP zoning ...

I don't think the zoning issue would be a problem now that SMU basically owns everything to the east of the stadium. I also like the idea of leaving the horseshoe configuration and adding an upper deck to the east side.

If you've ever been through a zoning case, variance request, etc., it doesn't matter who owns what. People will [deleted] no matter what. And people with money and plenty of time [deleted] the most.

I do not know the height restriction in that area, but I can't imagine the allowable height is much higher than the stadium already stands. Putting another deck, suites, etc. would seem to be higher than what is allowed without a variance.

If we make it into a big-time conference, we will need to add an upperdeck on the east side and fill in the horseshoe.

Also, if we do make it into one of these conferences, what will we do about controlling our opponent's attendance at home games? In the past, Texas Tech, UTEP, and TCU have had no problem outnumbering us at our home games. I'm assuming this will only get worse if we play larger, better teams. Hopefully our fans and the Dallas community will step up to the challenge.

I like the idea of adding another scoreboard, but didn't I hear something about them upgrading the current one?

[quote="S....M....U"]I like the idea of adding another scoreboard, but didn't I hear something about them upgrading the current one?[/quote]

Yes, it's going HD this year. There's no reason to add a second scoreboard now, but if we complete the horseshoe, then the need exists.