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http://www.cbssports.com/college-footba ... out-walls/

UAB will pay $4.7 million for the pavilion instead of about $15 million for a regular indoor facility, Ingram said. Since walls don't need to be built, UAB will save significant money by not paying for windows, doors, air conditioning, a fire and sprinkler system, and additional lighting that would be needed for a truly enclosed indoor field.

"If it's raining, the field is dry. If it's hot, you're under shade," Ingram said. "So what do we need the walls for? At the end of the day, what are we talking about? It doesn't get cold here.

I saw the schematics for this when it was first proposed and I thought it was smart then and I think it's smart now. I mean, it's UAB - they closed their football program altogether for a year so everyone knows they are strapped for cash. Smart use of funds for a program with limited funds.

It is nice that a school is using logic to solve a problem for once.

Interesting idea. Good for them!

I would think it is still considered outdoors for NCAA lightning rules? Not that we would ever even consider doing something like this but our biggest weather issue is thunderstorms which somehow always seem to occur during football practice.

To think that 3 years ago they were dropping football

Yep they dropped football voluntarily due to lack of funds and have an ipf before us.
Old Dominion just added football back around 2010 and had a 10 win season out of conference usa last year.

No more smu excuses. NO MORE. Dominate this season!

When we we were making CUSA and MWC money, we built our indoor facility in phases as budget and donations permitted. First we had to move the baseball field. Second we built the foundation and astroturf field. Third, we built the structure around the field. Finally we air conditioned the facility. It can be done gradually if you don't have someone to write a check for the whole thing.

Great Story.

Looks nice. Perhaps other schools facing budgetary constraints will take notice.

still amazes me one of the wealthiest schools in the country with somewhat of a football tradition where temps regularly go north of 100 degrees don't have an IPF

I would consider this a CPF (Covered Practice Field) vs an IPF.

smitty329 wrote:I would consider this a CPF (Covered Practice Field) vs an IPF.

OK! A tent it is. Call Ducky Bob's and let's get this thing movin'.

If an IPF was for shade and rain deterrent this would be fine. But the real reason is keeping up with the Joneses recruiting benefit. This would make us a laughing stock from a recruiting standpoint. Better to do it right or just admit it is not a necessity.

Sucks that a lot of the high schools have IPFs. Mine had one back in 2002.

Still need to learn to win outside before playing inside

Who would want to have their name on an awning. Frankly I feel for the kids playing out at UAB - if you've ever been to Legion Field you understand.
I especially like the urinals in the men's restroom - they made old Moody's look futuristic .

"During Don Shula’s 26-year run as head coach of the Dolphins, the heat and humidity of September melted foes and became a launching pad for 12 AFC East titles and 16 playoff berths. Miami posted a 27-5 record at home in September under Shula, an 84.4 percent winning clip. The weather conditions were embraced by the home team and became part of the winning equation."