OT: Duke Football Stadium Redesign

[Dukie]

Posting this mainly because, while the structural similarities between Cameron and Moody are well noted around here, Duke's football stadium and Ford are near twins as well, despite being built 70+ years apart, in their single-level, horseshoe layout. (At one time, Duke had a second deck that had been added, but it was torn out a long time ago.)

Anyway, Duke is finally losing the outdated track around the football stadium, lowering the field to add more seating where the track has been, and -- this is the relevant part -- tearing out an early 1980s superstructure and replacing it with a really cool hybrid press box and suites building that will also have a small tier of outdoor seating attached. IMHO, it's a good way to make a single-level stadium look a little more big-time without adding a full second tier. I have how many SMU fans are behind glass at Ford, and if/when there is an updating, I hope the feasibility of an option like this is studied.

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml? ... EM_ID=4200

[SMU1523]

The similarities are uncanny...

[AustinPerson]

Are the duke posters like PF posters and calling for an expansion to 50,000 people and a second deck?

[Dukie]

Are the duke posters like PF posters and calling for an expansion to 50,000 people and a second deck?

Only a couple. Hardly anyone is even calling for filling in the open end of the horseshoe. Most are sane, and having Cameron--ersus the larger, newer arenas other schools like Wake have built--has taught them that a small arena consistently full for the home team is better than a big arena that has lots of state-school visitors picking up lots of tickets.

We also just had dismal turnout for Tulane, so while the ACC games will be full, there's just no need for it now. Thank goodness Cutcliffe hasn't thrown any JJ-style tantrums over poor fan support when turnout like last week's game happens.

[floridianstang]

The new stadium mockup looks a lot like Ford. Appropriate size for a private school.

[Digetydog]

The new stadium mockup looks a lot like Ford. Appropriate size for a private school.

But it has the same problems that Ford has:
1) Too many bad seats in the endzone and the corners.
2) Open end looks bad on TV
3) Not enough good seats between the sidelines.

If you want to build a cool looking 30-40K seat stadium, it should look something like this: Reebok Stadium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macron_Sta ... inside.jpg

[SMU1523]

The new stadium mockup looks a lot like Ford. Appropriate size for a private school.

But it has the same problems that Ford has:
1) Too many bad seats in the endzone and the corners.
2) Open end looks bad on TV
3) Not enough good seats between the sidelines.

If you want to build a cool looking 30-40K seat stadium, it should look something like this: Reebok Stadium
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macron_Sta ... inside.jpg

That stadium is terrible. Ford may not look great on TV, but in person or driving past it on Mockingbird it truly is a gorgeous stadium on a gorgeous campus. Duke is heading in the right direction.

[No Quarter]

I think some of this has been answered / talked out before, but please remind.

Assume that Ford had SRO (or sitting room only on the bank behind the south goal) what could be done to increase seating without UP approval except closing the U with seats no higher than the east stands?

FTR I am old enough that travel is difficult and anyway, my ability to attend games has been only every several years. But for potential Dallas area fans not attracted to the Boulevard and not among the faithful, what effect does parking across Central, etc., have on attendance?

[Stallion]

every school has gone corporate/season ticket priority parking and its always gonna be tough for visitors to find parking these days. SMU's parking is EASILY closer to similar parking at A&M(3 miles), Baylor (1.5 miles), TCU (1.5 miles), Tech (1 mile)-haven't been to UT lately. All have realized that remote parking and busses can be utilized-but SMU's remote parking is much closer. Every BCS school in Texas has sold out its season tickets too so it isn't 1980 any more

[DiamondM]

The bones of the stadium and the location are great, but this is a much needed update. I always liked the fall foliage in the open end of Wallace Wade late in the season.

[CalallenStang]

I think some of this has been answered / talked out before, but please remind.

Assume that Ford had SRO (or sitting room only on the bank behind the south goal) what could be done to increase seating without UP approval except closing the U with seats no higher than the east stands?

FTR I am old enough that travel is difficult and anyway, my ability to attend games has been only every several years. But for potential Dallas area fans not attracted to the Boulevard and not among the faithful, what effect does parking across Central, etc., have on attendance?

Upper decks with height no higher than the top of the press box

[dirtysouthpony]

Are the duke posters like PF posters and calling for an expansion to 50,000 people and a second deck?

Only a couple. Hardly anyone is even calling for filling in the open end of the horseshoe. Most are sane, and having Cameron--ersus the larger, newer arenas other schools like Wake have built--has taught them that a small arena consistently full for the home team is better than a big arena that has lots of state-school visitors picking up lots of tickets.

We also just had dismal turnout for Tulane, so while the ACC games will be full, there's just no need for it now. Thank goodness Cutcliffe hasn't thrown any JJ-style tantrums over poor fan support when turnout like last week's game happens.

Cutcliffe is the man! We sure do miss him at Tennessee.