Moody Renovations?

[Dooby]

This was posted about the 7:30 AM meeting this morning about the Track team.

Myself along with about 10 or more other alumni from the track team were in attendance. Copeland went over the concerns about title IX along with the needs to cut cost. As alumni, we confronted him on the fact that we were not made aware to take action in any way to save the program. We also confirmed with Copeland that they were planning on spending 40 Million to renovate Moody. I expresses anger that he could do that, but not support his most prestigious program. As an alum group we requested 3 monts to find a way to raise funds on our own to save the program. He agreed to to propose that Idea to the board meeting later today.

Is this thing finally happening? Anybody know anything else about this?

[Waz]

Even in today's environment, that would be a pretty significant chunk of money for a renovation wouldn't it?

[Dooby]

I thought the cost was going to be around $10M. And was planned for "the future". $40M at any time is a big chunk of change.

Could he have been talking about Dedman? But that isn't really under the athletic department and has been in discussion for years. So griping to Copeland about that is kind of ridiculous.

[Diehard Pony]

From a personal standpoint, I support the remodeling of Moody over reinistatement of men's track. Realistically the only two sports that have any visibility are Football and Men's basketball.

I have been an ardent supporter of SMU athletics for more than 30 years, and I have never been to an event that was not associated with one of the two "revenue sports". My guess is the vast majority, if not all of you, would have to say the same outside of a couple of token apppearances at other events. These are the sports that rule college athetics today...that is a simple fact.

I wish we had BCS money to support the full spectrum of sports, but we don't. The only responsible play at this point is to do everything possible to make the two "revenue sports", just that....revenue sports. Should that occur we can consider the possibility of bringing back some of the sports that were lost in the interim.

It's called survival, and while I am not a Copleland supporter, I feel like this is a prudent move in light of our circumstances. Stated again, I hate that we lose any sports, but I am only passionate about the big 2.

[couch 'em]

I thought the cost was going to be around $10M. And was planned for "the future". $40M at any time is a big chunk of change.

Could he have been talking about Dedman? But that isn't really under the athletic department and has been in discussion for years. So griping to Copeland about that is kind of ridiculous.

Tuition was raised to fund the Dedman renovation & expansion, so you are right, it isn't an athletic department funding issue.

[Charleston Pony]

Thought I read that another practice facility was part of the renovation plans. Let's hope we've got enough wealthy donors who still care enough to step up and make this happen.

[FloridaMustang]

A 40 million dollar Moody renovation? UCF is spending about 70 million to build a new convocation center on campus... they must be talking about a COMPLETE and large scale renovation.. which is good to hear. I'd much rather have great basketball facilities than a track and field team. It's survival like others have said, and whatever you want to think, Title IX is the problem... even BCS schools are making cuts like these.

[Cheesesteak]

Can $40 mm build a high-quality but intimate (6-8,000 seats) basketball arena/practice facility that would replace Moody?

Like many Mustangs I treasure Moody's history and atmosphere, but I also know that - complete renovation or not - Moody will be 60 years old in 2006.

With the exception of a few previous upgrades, almost all of Moody's current infrastructure qualifies for AARP membership.

The flexibile configuration of a small and shiny new arena (using red brick to complement Ford Stadium, the future student athletics center and SMU's campus) might be the way to go if $40 mm is really available.

[PK]

Somehow I don't see needing $40 million...afterall, we got Ford which is a much larger facility for about $55 million...right? Actually, a renovated Moody would be a better venue than some glittzy AA type stucture. It's cozy and the fans are right on top of the court. What's wrong with something being 60yrs old...the pyramids are a lot older than that and still serve their purpose very well.

[Dooby]

This may sound stupid, but roofs in a large, raised structure cost a lot of money. But I just don't see a new facility in the cards.

Still, I don't see renovating Moody costing that much, even with adding a practice facility and offices. Apparently Copeland said at the track meeting that it was a "multi-stage process". Which I would assume means floor, then scoreboard, then lights, then practice facility.

When you think about it, it ties in with a lot of what people have been saying. You can't bring in a quality new coach with the facilities in the shape they are in. So you have to commit to improving the facilities ahead of time. But you can't announce that commitment because of the awkwardness of the announcement with a lame duck coach in place. So when you hire a coach you tell him that you've committed to improving the facilities and show him the fancy new plans and everything and then a few months later announce the improvements.

Of course, that is just speculation.

[Cheesesteak]

Posted by PK:

What's wrong with something being 60yrs old...the pyramids are a lot older than that and still serve their purpose very well.

I hope that SMU's basketball teams attract as many fans as the pyramids.

If the alleged $40 mm were used to build a new and attractive (like Ford Stadium) basketball arena/practice facility SMU might have a more functional and versatile venue. Revenue could come from SMU varsity sports, professional tennis, concerts, rodeo, speakers, etc.

The $57 mm spent on Ford Stadium includes the Lloyd ASC. SMU was able to reduce construction costs for Ford Stadium by sinking the field 25 feet below ground level. If SMU sank a third to half of a new arena/practice facility below ground level the savings could be applied to state-of-the-art sound systems, luxury suites, catering facilities, etc.

I am fond of Moody but no matter how much renovation work is done it still has an almost single-purpose physical layout.

[Hoop Fan]

I like Moody also, but the key here I think is naming rights. No one is going to plunk down a significant amount of cash whether it be 10 million or 40 million unless naming rights are in play. SMU might be forced to build a whole new arena if the Moody family is resistant to sharing or giving up naming rights. If they still care about SMU, one of the classiest things anyone could do would be to offer to change the name and keep the bones of the old structure in place. You might accomplish this one of several ways: 1) Moody Court at Texas Instruments "TI" Arena 2) a statue out front of Mr. Moody commemorating his contribution 3) Change the name of Airline Blvd to Moody Blvd. The point is there must be some creative solutions here. Mr. Moody made a great contribution to SMU some 60 years ago, but buildings don't last forever. He's gotten his moneys worth so to speak and its time to generate some new capital and revenue.

[Dooby]

Cheesesteak, this is way besides the point, but I want to point out that since I started attending SMU I have personally attended the following at Moody: speakers, concerts, basketball, professional tennis and church services. Sorry, no rodeos.

[PK]

This may sound stupid, but roofs in a large, raised structure cost a lot of money.

That's true if you are trying to cover something the size of a football stadium, but a smallish basketball arena with todays technology would not be that big of a deal.

I think a lot could be done with the basic structure of Moody left in place, and the structure of a new facility would be the better part of the cost. If you take out the offices and widen the concourse area that solves one big current problem. Put in some corporate type suites and then replace the existing seating with wider seats someone like Prof-X or other ex-football lineman could sit in, replace the flooring, the lighting and the scoreboard and you have a really nice facility.

Besides, you can't have Moody Madness without Moody...

[FloridaMustang]

A $40 million renovation to any basketball venue is MAJOR cash... this must mean theyre really taking it seriously and not half-assing it as usual. This renovation would have to put Moody in the top 5 venues in the new C-USA, if not higher. A new coach would go a long way as well towards recruiting.