Ford Expansion

[RGV Pony]

Vandy, when I was there is held 80,000, what did they do after the Titans left?

Wikipedia says it held 34000 til 1960, when it was expanded to 41000, until 1980 when it went to 39900+ w/ the removal of something from the 1960 work.

Seems like the Titans only played one season there after playing in Memphis when they first moved. I could be wrong.

[leopold]

Yup. The 'Memphis Oilers' were so happy to get out of town they went to Vandy's stadium. Next year the new stadium was finished and they moved in.

[PK]

http://www.csurams.com/facilities/hughes-stadium.html

Looks like open horseshoe.

http://www.worldstadiums.com/stadium_pictures/north_america/united_states/colorado/fort_collins_hughes.shtml

Looks like they have put most of their seating under the press box. Opposite side has only about half as many seats. Bad planning...TV shots usually come from the press box side.

[Water Pony]

Vandy, when I was there is held 80,000, what did they do after the Titans left?

Wikipedia says it held 34000 til 1960, when it was expanded to 41000, until 1980 when it went to 39900+ w/ the removal of something from the 1960 work.

Seems like the Titans only played one season there after playing in Memphis when they first moved. I could be wrong.

My daughter went to Vanderbilt and the stadium is nicely located in the middle of the campus. Certainly cozy by SEC standards, but it never held 80K. Probably the right size for them, as a private university. BTW, they built their new baseball field right next to it, which is perfect for the students to attend on short notice.

[NomAnor]

I can't believe we are already starting the 'Tear Down Ford' debate. First, we have to start putting fans in the stands. We have to increase the number of season ticket holders.

The good thing about Ford being built on the wrong side of 75 is the height restrictions will ensure its never an ugly monstrosity like those found in Tuscaloosa and Baton Rouge. And Kyle field looks like a D1-AA stadium on steroids these days as well.

The excitement at Ford last year against TCU was a great as any SEC environment (and I have visited a few the last 4 years). We need more SMU fans to create that atmosphere. Get it exciting enough and recruits will notice. Expand when the demand calls for expansion.

hey now that monstrosity in Baton rouge is more beloved and famous in that state than the capital building when you drive over the bridge there you can look left and gaze at the capital or look right and look at Death Valley guess which way most ppl look.in 20 years i pray SMU has a big gaudy stadium that every one can see for miles around that is the goal

[couch 'em]

Some people are in denial or just plain don't get it.

Having a "nice" stadium is nice, but means little if it doesn't present the right image. The vast majority of general people around Dallas will never go in the pressbox, and recruits aren't swayed by a puny looking stadium with a nice pressbox that they and their family can never hope to afford seats in.

When you talk to people who have driven by Ford on Mockingbird, they all say it looks highschool since only half the seats are visible. And it does. It's very short and unimpressive from afar.

Once in the stadium, the short sideline stands still look very small time. I think seeing the street is part of this, so perhaps closing the horseshoe will really make a difference.

From field level, the stadium look REALLY bad compared to being on the field at other stadiums. The old stadium at Froggy High was/is bigger than Ford, but the tall sideline seats and especially the deathtrap 2nd level made the stadium feel FAR bigger.

[Insane_Pony_Posse]

Vandy, when I was there is held 80,000, what did they do after the Titans left?

"Vanderbilt Stadium, an intimate 39,790-seat facility located in the heart of campus,
has been the Commodores' home since 1981"



Source: Vanderbilt Athletic Site
http://vucommodores.cstv.com/facilities/vand-stadium.html

[Mexmustang]

I was a student there in the mid-sixties, it was much larger then, only wooden benches. 45,000 must be about right, my mistake--it was a long time ago.

[Ponymon]

I forgot who it was (maybe Callalen), but someone posted expansion plans that were drawn along with the original stadium design. I think max seating was 52k with the horseshoe & east side 2nd tier.

Where are these? I'd love to see them. Sounds cool.

Why doesn't someone call the architect at Ellerbe Becket who designed it and ask if a second deck was planned for?
."

My brother is a practicing architect for the last 30 years with a masters degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Last year he visited and watched a game at Ford. We discussed the feasibility of double decking the east side and he indicated that it was quite feasible.

[SMU89]

Some people are in denial or just plain don't get it.

Having a "nice" stadium is nice, but means little if it doesn't present the right image. The vast majority of general people around Dallas will never go in the pressbox, and recruits aren't swayed by a puny looking stadium with a nice pressbox that they and their family can never hope to afford seats in.

When you talk to people who have driven by Ford on Mockingbird, they all say it looks highschool since only half the seats are visible. And it does. It's very short and unimpressive from afar.

Once in the stadium, the short sideline stands still look very small time. I think seeing the street is part of this, so perhaps closing the horseshoe will really make a difference.

From field level, the stadium look REALLY bad compared to being on the field at other stadiums. The old stadium at Froggy High was/is bigger than Ford, but the tall sideline seats and especially the deathtrap 2nd level made the stadium feel FAR bigger.

Interesting. Most people from other schools tell me they like Ford Stadium

[couch 'em]

Some people are in denial or just plain don't get it.

Having a "nice" stadium is nice, but means little if it doesn't present the right image. The vast majority of general people around Dallas will never go in the pressbox, and recruits aren't swayed by a puny looking stadium with a nice pressbox that they and their family can never hope to afford seats in.

When you talk to people who have driven by Ford on Mockingbird, they all say it looks highschool since only half the seats are visible. And it does. It's very short and unimpressive from afar.

Once in the stadium, the short sideline stands still look very small time. I think seeing the street is part of this, so perhaps closing the horseshoe will really make a difference.

From field level, the stadium look REALLY bad compared to being on the field at other stadiums. The old stadium at Froggy High was/is bigger than Ford, but the tall sideline seats and especially the deathtrap 2nd level made the stadium feel FAR bigger.

Interesting. Most people from other schools tell me they like Ford Stadium

The Cotton Bowl is a dump (pre renovation) and I like watching a game in Ford 100x better, but if the Cotton Bowl was sitting on campus we'd look a lit more like we belong in a BCS conference. Such is my point. I'll stop beating it to death now.